If you want to get truly immersed in nature and get away from daily life problems, wild camping is the perfect choice. You can access the land referred to as the “open country” in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland for leisure purposes, which covers much of the mountains, moor, heath, and downs. If you’re respectful of property and don’t behave in a way that annoys others, you’ll find that landowners are accommodating. Many of your trips will involve sleeping under the stars and dining out over the campfire. If you fancy getting off the beaten track, please continue reading for some useful tips.
Find The Right Wild Camping Spot
Indeed, laws vary, but camping without the permission of the landowner is illegal in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Ask beforehand. In Scotland, your right to roam isn’t at risk because wild camping is allowed everywhere, including the country’s incredible National Parks. From Devon and Cornwall to the Isle of Mull and Gower Peninsula, there are many places where you can pitch your tent. Here are some examples:
- Three Cliffs Bay, Gower, Wales. The campsite is similar to a sheltered lagoon with steep rocky cliffs. The Pennard Pill stream flows across the beach, and breathtaking views stem from the limestone cliffs.
- Doward Park campsite, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire. Scroll down past the caves to Symonds Yat or look into the industrial history of the nearby forest. The tents have everything you need for a weekend getaway – showers/toilets, bricks for BBQs, and a playground.
- Beach View Holiday Park, Sizewell, Suffolk. It’s a caravan and campervan-only site. If you fancy investing in an affordable holiday home, the lodges are for sale. Anyway, dogs are welcome, so you can enjoy time outside with your furry friend even if you’re not hiking.
You have some freedom over where to camp, but too much choice can hinder decision-making. Give yourself more time to process the information and weigh all the options carefully.
Plan For What You’re Going to Eat
Knowing what food to pack for your camping adventure is important, to say the least. Avoid processed, pre-packaged foods and opt for food high in flavour and nutrition. If you’re heading out with a friend or partner, your energy needs will be different than theirs; the same goes for taste preferences. You’ll be burning more calories than you normally would, so bring more food than you think you might need. Some of the best foods to bring are nuts, ingredients to make a sandwich, fruit, eggs, and bagels. Preparing a meal with a handful of ingredients is one of the joys of wild camping.
Leave No Trace
As an outdoor enthusiast, it’s your responsibility to leave nature intact. From cooking to cleaning and hydration results in waste, adding to your carbon footprint. It’s recommended to use refillable water bottles, reusable straws, and camp dishes, and avoid bringing food with unnecessary packaging. If you have a no-trace policy, upcoming visitors, as well as new generations, will see the same beauty as you do. Wild camping isn’t an invitation to leave garbage behind, so whatever you bring in, you must bring out. Instead of using plastic to wrap food, use beeswax wraps instead to embrace a more sustainable lifestyle.
Create A More Comfortable and Relaxing Experience
Relaxation is part of your goal when going wild camping, so find ways to maximise your downtime. Some people consume cannabis at their campsites, thinking they’re a bit more forgiving. For the purpose of clarification, it’s illegal to consume inside your tent or RV, even if no one sees you. You can attract birds while travelling using cannabis seeds – they’re a good source of protein, essential fatty acids, and amino acids. In the UK, it’s legal to own cannabis seeds, but germinating them is illegal and can be subject to criminal sanctions. They are to be used only for collection purposes (or as in the previous example). Autoflowering seeds, for instance, can be purchased online safely and discretely.
If you’re with family and friends, you’re in good company, so you don’t have to worry about getting bored. Think about sharing stories. At the end of the day, what can compare to a good storytelling session? Not only does the time go by quicker, but you also get to learn more about people. If you’ve never taken a writing course, you don’t know that hooking the reader is the most important step to crafting a good story. The same goes for oral storytelling. In other words, you must use your imagination, interact with your audience, and play on their senses. You’re going to be in for a fun and relaxing experience.
Arrive Late and Leave Early
Plan to arrive at your chosen destination late in the day so that you don’t disturb others. If you violate the quiet time rules, you’ll most likely get a visit from the angry landowner; in some cases, they can ask you to pack your things and leave. The point is that you can arrive as late as you want, provided you have the ability to be quiet through your setup. Try to leave early while others are out and about, and definitely leave no trace. You don’t have to stay to the absolute end if that’s not what you want. It’s possible to stay for more than one night in some places but limit your stay to reduce the environmental impact.
Wrapping It Up
Getting some Zs beneath the roof of the sky and waking up with the dawn chorus resets your circadian rhythm back to how it’s meant to be. Wild camping cuts you off from social media – you must entertain yourself with what’s around you. You can have quality conversations and soak up the joys of the time spent outside. Wild camping is completely safe, but it would be best to take precautions. For example, tell your loved ones where you’re going and when you might be back so they’ll look for you in case something happens.
