Wild camping UK: best local spots & hidden gems revealed

Looking for an adventure in the great outdoors? Jumping in a van, turning on the ignition, and hitting the road is one of the easiest ways to get closer to nature. Yet whether it’s the depths of Dartmoor or the rolling hills of Surrey, the only thing better than exploring the beautiful landscapes of the UK is sleeping in them. Last updated: January 2025

Nothing quite connects us to nature like wild camping: escaping the overstimulation of a city, enjoying the peace and quiet of somewhere secluded, and sleeping under the stars – it’s not hard to understand why so many of us love it.

Here at Camplify UK, we’re all about helping to make your camping dreams a reality. On our platform you’ll find thousands of vehicles that provide the perfect home-on-wheels for your trip, but finding the one that’s right for you – whether it’s a campervan, motorhome, caravan, or trailer – is only the first step to getting off grid.

That’s why we’ve done the hard work for you with our brand-new Best Wild Camping Spots Index , a handy guide that will help you get find the perfect pitch.

Top Wild Camping Spots

Searching high and low, the index celebrates spots that offer road trippers the best opportunities to immerse themselves in nature. It only includes the most peaceful of places – all on bookable areas of private land – and scores them on their proximity to things that make trips in a van great: national parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, beaches, and National Trust attractions, as well as the basic facilities they offer guests (we’re talking toilets, waste disposal, and fresh water).

All corners of the country feature in the list, so look no further for inspiration on where to wild this year…

According to our analysis, Crowan Beacon in Cornwall comes out on top thanks to its peaceful position and abundance of things to do nearby, whether that’s a day spent beach hopping along the coastline or taking in the culture at some of the National Trust locations.

If you’ve already road tripped Cornwall – Pembrokeshire is another great option with two of the top ten wild camping spots calling it home. Both the Top Bobs and The Croft pitches within Amroth Castle Farm got high scores in our index, and provide another place for those that love days by the beach.

Plan Your Road Trip Today

Ready to get exploring? Don’t wait any longer – start planning your road trip now and discover why more travellers are choosing Camplify to help them unlock the freedom of the open road.

If you’re new to wild camping, there are hundreds of tranquil locations across the UK that provide the perfect place to pitch amongst nature, and websites like Nearly Wild Camping and Wild With Consent are a great place to start your search.

1st Place: Crowan Beacon – Burras, Cornwall

Home to friendly flocks of Herdwick and rare-breed North Ronaldsay Sheep, this ancient and special place is located in the heart of Cornwall. The location of the pitch is adjacent to Crowan Beacon, which is known as a haven for wildlife, and a short drive from the National Trust’s Godolphin, Penrose and East Pool Mine. With 40 beaches within 20 miles of the site, guests are spoilt for choice on where to spend their days.

2nd Place: Skerraton Farm – Dean Prior, Devon

On the edge of Dartmoor, this site is perfect for people that love walking, cycling, and swimming. Facing south with breathtaking views, the location is peaceful and sheltered by a belt of trees. Just 10 miles away from the coast, surfers will be delighted by the breadth of surfing beaches within easy reach.

3rd Place: Challacombe Meadows, Dartmoor – Postbridge, Devon

Perched on the edge of a traditional wild flower hay meadow, Challacombe Meadow is located on a farm renowned for its birdlife and archaeology that dates back to the Bronze Age. From your van an abundance of walks and cycling paths await, and with minimal light pollution, guests can look forward to sleeping under the stars.