Wild Camping for Beginners

I started wild camping in 2024, so I’m still fairly new to it. That means all the rookie mistakes I made are quite fresh in my mind though. In that time, I’ve camped in woodland, on farmland, and up on windy hilltops, usually with a bit of hiking thrown in. From these adventures, I’ve learned the basics of the gear you really need (and what you don’t), and how to do it responsibly, especially if you’re on a tight budget.

In this post, I’ll break down the rules and laws of wild camping, how to pick a good spot for your first camp, why leaving no trace is so important, and finally, what kit you should invest in, and what you can skip (for now).

The Basics: Is Wild Camping Legal in the UK?

Before you head out with your tent, it’s worth knowing that whilst wild camping is permitted in Scotland, it isn’t strictly legal in most of England and Wales. The exception is Dartmoor, where you’re allowed to camp in designated areas (but you do also have to check for military firing times in the park). In the Lake District, wild camping is tolerated if you pitch up above the highest fell wall, and don't act like an idiot. Respect other people, don't camp in large groups, don't make too much noise and don't leave any mess. 

Technically, wild camping anywhere else in the UK without landowner permission is trespassing, which is a civil offence, not a criminal one. If you’re discreet, respectful and ready to move on if asked, you won't get into any legal trouble. But nobody wants to be woken up at 2 a.m. and asked to leave, so do your research:

• Pick quiet areas that are hidden away from farms, houses, or busy footpaths unless you have permission from a landowner.
• Pitch late, leave early.
• Camp small and out of sight.
• Leave the area as you found it and don't cause any damage

Leave No Trace

Apart from making sure you are safe, if there’s one thing to remember, it’s this: Leave No Trace. Take everything home with you. Rubbish, toilet paper, food packaging etc etc.

Take a photo of your pitch before you set up, then another when you’re leaving. The goal is to leave it looking exactly the same other than a flattened bit of grass.

Wildfires are becoming more common in the UK, so think twice about open fires in summer months. They also damage the land and make you far more visible when you probably want to stay hidden. I don’t light ground fires at all when wild camping; I stick to a stove for hot drinks and meals.

Finding a Good Spot

When you're starting out wild camping, finding the right spot can make or break the experience. My first camp was in deep, dark woodland, which felt pretty intimidating when the sun went down. For my second attempt, I found a brighter clearing and slept far better.

Tips for choosing your first pitch:

• If possible, scout your spot on a walk beforehand.
• Pick somewhere flat. You don't want to keep waking up from sliding into the side of your tent. 
• In woodland, check overhead and look for loose branches (“widow makers”). Also look for unstable trees. Make sure there are no heavy winds forecast. Play it safe. 
• Think about wildlife you may encounter. Deer and foxes can make unsettling noises in the night, but nothing in the UK is going to harm you. Ignore your brain when it tries to convince you there’s an axe murderer lurking. The only weirdo out there is you.
• If you’re nervous, pick a place close to home or your car so you won't feel trapped. A test night in the garden is also a good idea.
• Always check the weather. If you’re not sure if you have suitable equipment, don't risk it. The hills and woods will still be there next weekend. If you're planning camping at a high elevation, look at a mountain forecast. Again, don't risk your own safety, or the safety of mountain rescue volunteers that might need to come and get you. 

Basic Safety Routine

• Tell someone where you’re going. I send my wife my planned location on Google Maps and check in if I change it.
• Take a fully charged phone and a charging bank.
• Carry a first aid kit. A small one costs about £10 and is worth it.
• Bring a map and compass if you’re venturing off marked paths.
• Check and double check the weather forecast.

My first wild camp in the Frith Wood in Ledbury

So, What Gear Do You Actually Need?

Here’s where the expense begins. Choosing value for money over just plain cheap will save you spending a lot more on upgrades in the future. I didn't do enough research, and now own three different one-man tents, which is honestly a bit ridiculous.

When I first set off for a night under the stars, I bought a cheap tent, sleeping mat, and backpack from Amazon. They did the job, but I quickly found out where it’s worth spending a bit more.

Below is what I’d recommend for beginners on a budget, with some personal suggestions.

Tent

If you’re solo, aim for something around 2Kg or lower. Heavier tents may well do the job, but you’ll likely replace them later for something more manageable.

Budget-friendly options: OEX Phoxx 2 or Bobcat: good value, durable. The Phoxx 2 is sold as a two-man, but realistically it’s a one-man.

Wild Country Zephyros 2, Naturehike Cloud-Up 2 or Alpkit Soloist XL: great lightweight choices if you’ve got a bit more to spend.

For two people, the OEX Jackal III or Vango Nevis 300 are solid beginner choices.

Expect £75–£150 for something half decent. 

My Phoxx 2 in Dartmoor

Sleeping Bag

Sleeping bags are the classic trade-off: cheap, light, warm, but you can only pick two. Always look at the comfort rating, not the “extreme” rating you’ll often see plastered on cheap listings.

Good beginner picks: Snugpak Elite Softie 3: £90 ish, comfy down to about 0°C. Snugpak Nautilus Basecamp OPS for Spring and Summer camping (around £30)

For hiking and camping in winter, you’ll ideally need a down bag, because a warm synthetic bag will be really bulky and heavy. Stick with reputable, ethical brands such as Alpkit and Rab. The down in a cheap bag may have been sourced through live plucking, which is horrendous. Look for RDS certified down. Expect £150–£350 for a good down sleeping bag though. Bear in mind that you need to keep a down bag dry.

For your first camps, plan for warmer months and upgrade later if you want to try it in colder conditions. You'll still use the good summer bag you bought. 

Sleeping Mat

Easy to overlook, but vital. It keeps you warm as well as comfy.

Look for the R-value: Around 3 is fine for spring/autumn.

4.5+ if you’re camping in below freezing conditions.

Good value: Vango Trek Pro 3 (£40 ish, R-value 4). It's not the thickest and isn't massively comfortable, but it does the job. Inflatable mats are comfier, but more expensive and you need to be more careful with them. You can pick up a Flextail R05 from AliExpress for £65 at the time of writing. 

Backpack

Your pack can make or break a hike. Cheap generic backpacks work, but they’re uncomfortable over longer distances. Make sure it has a well padded hip belt and ideally a solid frame at the back to keep the pack straight. 80% of the weight should be on your hips, not your shoulders.

For decent value: Vango Sherpa or Vango Contour (£65 new, or £30–40 second-hand on eBay).

Naturehike also do good value ultralight packs (around £80).

Other Essentials

• Water: Take 2L minimum for an overnight trip, depending on how far you'll walk and how warm it is. Remember 1L weighs 1kg, but you need it!
• Food and stove: Dehydrated meals (£5–10 each). Also simple porridge pots, Pot Noodles, rice meals, protein bars etc. 
• First aid kit
• Waterproof jacket: The forecast might lie.
• Dry clothing: Spare socks, base layers, hat and gloves.
• Dry bag: Or doubled up bin liners if you want to save money. Keep your sleeping bag and spare clothes dry.
• Pillow: I have a Therm-a-Rest compressible pillow (£30) and personally think it beats an inflatable one. Whatever is comfortable enough that you can pack.
• Toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, wipes, hand sanitiser.
• Toilet kit: Toilet paper (travel tissues are good), camping trowel (£3 on Amazon for a plastic one), dog poo bags (bury waste away well from water sources, take away paper in the bag).
• Pump for your mattress, if it needs it.
• Camping light plus torch/headtorch.
• Phone and charging bank.
• Map and compass if there's potential to get lost.

Optional luxuries: booze, a book, headphones, earplugs, knife/multi-tool, sit mat or mini stool, 

Ready to Try It?

Hopefully this gives you a realistic idea of what you need, how to find a good spot, and how to do it all responsibly. Test your setup close to home if you can. You might not sleep much that first night wild camping, but when the sun comes up you’ll feel like you’ve done something most people never will.

Wild camping is genuinely one of the best ways to reconnect with nature. Do it right, leave no trace, and enjoy the adventure. 

Me, absolutely loving the sunrise after a night on my own wild camping in Dartmoor.