Skip to content

How Wild Camping Has Changed in the UK Over the Past Decade

How Wild Camping Has Changed in the UK Over the Past Decade

Ten years ago, wild camping in the UK was a practice known mainly to seasoned hillwalkers, mountain rescue volunteers, and a small community of dedicated backpackers who quietly pitched their shelters on remote hillsides and said nothing about it to anyone. Today, it occupies a very different position in British outdoor culture. It features in mainstream travel supplements, draws queues to popular highland bothies, and sits at the centre of ongoing debates about land access, Leave No Trace ethics, and the future of the countryside.

This article traces exactly how wild camping in the UK has changed since the early 2010s, what those changes mean for you as a camper, and how to navigate the current legal, practical, and ethical landscape with confidence — whether you are heading into the Cairngorms, the Brecon Beacons, or the Lake District.

The Legal Landscape: What Has Changed and Where You Stand

Scotland: The Gold Standard Remains, But Pressures Have Grown

Scotland continues to hold the most progressive access legislation in the UK. The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 grants every person in Scotland the right to be on most land and inland water for recreational purposes, including wild camping, provided they act responsibly under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. This right has not changed in law over the past decade, but the way it is practised — and policed by public opinion — has shifted considerably.

The most significant practical development came in 2017, when Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority introduced a byelaw that created a designated camping management zone around much of Loch Lomond’s eastern and western shores. Between 1 March and 30 September each year, you are required to book a camping permit in advance if you want to camp within the zone. Outside the zone, your statutory access rights remain fully intact.

What this means practically: if you are planning a trip to Loch Lomond, check the national park’s permit map before you go. If you are heading to remoter parts of Scotland — Glen Affric, the Fisherfield wilderness, the Knoydart peninsula, or the Cairngorm plateau — your access rights remain as robust as ever. The permit requirement is localised, not national.

To exercise your rights responsibly under Scottish law, follow these steps:

  1. Check the Scottish Outdoor Access Code on the NatureScot website before any trip.
  2. Pitch well away from buildings, roads, and enclosed farmland where possible.
  3. Stay for no more than two or three nights in any one place unless you have the landowner’s permission.
  4. Leave no trace: pack out everything you bring in, and follow the code’s guidance on human waste management.
  5. Respect any seasonal restrictions in sensitive areas, particularly during the deer stalking season (roughly July to October in the highlands).

England and Wales: No General Right, But Growing Advocacy

In England and Wales, there is still no general right to wild camp on private land. Unlike Scotland, you are technically required to obtain the landowner’s permission before pitching a tent anywhere that is not a designated campsite — with two important exceptions.

The first exception is Dartmoor National Park in Devon, where a long-standing tradition of open access camping was formally recognised in law. However, in January 2023, a High Court ruling suspended that right following a legal challenge from a landowner. The case caused widespread alarm among the wild camping community. The Court of Appeal subsequently overturned that ruling in July 2023, restoring the right to wild camp on Dartmoor’s open access land. The episode was a wake-up call: rights that feel long-established can be challenged, and campaigners have used Dartmoor as a rallying point for broader access reform across England and Wales.

The second exception relates to certain sections of long-distance trails and open access land designated under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW Act). While CRoW access land does not grant an automatic right to camp, many walkers camp discreetly on it without issue, particularly on remote moorland and upland areas in the Yorkshire Dales, the Peak District, and the North Pennines. The key word here is discreet: arrive late, leave early, cause no damage, and leave no trace.

Practically speaking, here is how to approach wild camping in England and Wales legally and ethically:

  1. Identify open access land using the Magic Map tool on the Natural England website, or the OS Maps app, which shows CRoW access boundaries.
  2. For truly remote pitches in upland areas, use common sense and the accepted Leave No Trace principles — the risk of being asked to move is low if you are well off the beaten track and behaving responsibly.
  3. Contact the relevant National Park Authority before visiting sensitive areas — many publish guidance on where camping is and is not tolerated.
  4. Consider the Right to Roam campaign, which advocates for extended access rights in England and Wales. Staying informed about its progress means you will be aware of any legislative changes as they happen.
  5. If in doubt on private land, ask. Many landowners will grant permission if approached respectfully, particularly for a single night on a walking route.

The Social Media Effect: How Instagram and YouTube Changed Wild Camping Culture

Perhaps the most dramatic change in the past decade has not been legal at all — it has been cultural. The rise of Instagram, YouTube, and later TikTok has transformed wild camping from a niche, largely private pursuit into an aspirational lifestyle shown to millions of people. The consequences have been profound and, in some respects, contradictory.

On the positive side, social media has introduced a new generation to wild camping. Younger people who might never have picked up a copy of Tristan Gooley or Ray Mears found themselves watching carefully edited videos of wild camps in the Cairngorms and the Brecon Beacons, then buying lightweight tents and heading out themselves. Participation in wild camping and long-distance backpacking increased noticeably through the mid-2010s, and the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020–2021 accelerated that trend dramatically as people sought outdoor experiences close to home.

On the negative side, certain locations — particularly photogenic ones — became overwhelmed. Spots around Snowdonia (now officially named Eryri National Park following the Welsh Language Act requirements), Glen Coe in Scotland, and the Lake District saw sharp increases in campers who had found the exact location via a YouTube video or a geotagged Instagram post. Fire pits were dug on fragile soils, litter was left, human waste was deposited irresponsibly, and some landowners who had previously turned a blind eye began erecting signs and gates.

The responsible response from within the community has been the widespread adoption of a clear principle: do not share precise GPS coordinates of wild camping spots on public platforms. Many experienced campers now deliberately leave location details vague, sharing only the general area or mountain range. If you are new to wild camping, this is worth adopting as a personal policy from the start.

Gear: A Decade of Innovation Tailored to British Conditions

The gear available to UK wild campers in 2024 is substantially better than what existed a decade ago, and much of the innovation has been directly relevant to the wet, windy, and unpredictable conditions that characterise British uplands.

Tents and Shelters

The most significant shift has been the growth of the ultralight backpacking movement and its influence on mainstream tent design. In 2013, most campers were using tents that weighed between 2kg and 3.5kg — perfectly manageable for a car camping trip, but exhausting on a multi-day wild camp with full kit. Today, high-quality shelters from manufacturers such as Alpkit, Terra Nova, and Hilleberg (to name just a few relevant to the UK market) are available at weights of under 1kg.

For specifically British conditions, look for:

  • A geodesic or semi-geodesic structure that holds its shape in high winds — particularly important on Scottish ridgelines and Welsh ridges.
  • A low profile design with a strong pole structure rated for at least force 8 winds.
  • Full waterproof protection: a hydrostatic head of at least 3,000mm on the flysheet, and 5,000mm or higher on the groundsheet.
  • Good ventilation to manage condensation — a persistent challenge in the damp British climate.

Bivvy bags have also grown in popularity, particularly among those who prefer to travel as light as possible and sleep directly under the stars when weather permits. British manufacturers including Alpkit (based in Nottingham) make Gore-Tex-compatible bivvy bags well suited to highland conditions.

Clothing and Layering

The principle of layering — base layer, mid layer, waterproof shell — has remained constant, but the quality and weight of each layer has improved considerably. Merino wool base layers from brands including Icebreaker and Devold have become far more accessible in price. Waterproof-breathable technology has advanced, with fabrics such as eVent and Pertex Shield offering improved breathability that is genuinely useful in the aerobic conditions of upland walking.

One practical step that makes a measurable difference for UK wild camping specifically: invest in a good waterproof trouser as well as a jacket. In Scotland, Wales, and the Lake District, horizontal rain is a reality, not a rarity. Many campers buy an excellent jacket and then find themselves soaked from the knees down by the end of their first hour on a wet ridge.

Cooking Systems

The shift away from heavy gas stoves toward ultralight alternatives has been notable. Titanium pot systems, alcohol stoves, and wood-burning micro stoves such as the Firebox have all grown in popularity. However, for UK conditions — particularly above the treeline in Scotland — an alcohol stove can be problematic in high winds and cold temperatures. A well-shielded gas or multi-fuel stove remains the most reliable option for the majority of conditions you will encounter.

Moving Forward

Once you have the fundamentals in place, the possibilities open up considerably. The UK offers fantastic opportunities for anyone interested in this hobby, and with the right foundation you will be well placed to make the most of them.