Wild camping England: complete legal guide & best spots

Wild camping in England has become more and more attractive since campervans and motorhomes have become a UK top choice for holidays.

But we want to make sure you have a great experience while free camping in the UK, which is why we have put all the pros and cons together with our recommendations for you to have an awesome adventure.

Whether you're planning your trip with a partner or going with a small group of friends, read on for the best wild camping spots in England in a campervan, info on legalities , top tips and more.

Best places to wild camp in England

If you want easily find where to wild camp in England, any of England’s national parks will provide ample opportunities for wild camping among remote and beautiful scenery, and all have plenty of wild camping sites where you can legally park up. Some of our favourites include:

Dartmoor

Try Okehampton, Crediton, Tavistock or the 90 acres of parkland making up the gorgeous River Dart Country Park

The Lake District

Recommended wild camping spots include around Windermere and Ullswater, around Grisedale Tarn, or, if you want to be close to amenities, near the town of Keswick.

North York Moors/Yorkshire Dales

Yorkshire is one of our favourite places for wild camping in England. Lake Semerwater, Usha Gap and Runswick Bay are all beautiful places for motorhome or campervan stays.

Northumberland National Park

Make for the Cheviot Hills, Hadrian’s Wall, North Tyne or Coquetsdale for wild camping sites in this stunning park.

Wild camping in South West England

Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire provide some of the best opportunities for wild camping in the country. Try these fab places for wild camping among lush scenery:

• Cornwall: Porthleven, Penzance, the Lizard Peninsula and the rugged north coast are all highly recommended

• Devon: look for a Dartmoor wild camping site; head to Devon’s north coast for a remote site around Exmoor National Park; or go south for an overnight around Brixham or Salcombe

• Dorset: our recommendations for wild camping in Dorset include around Wimborne, Wareham, Portland or anywhere on the breathtaking Jurassic Coast

• Somerset: Cheddar Gorge and Glastonbury are our top picks here, as are stays in the Blackdown Hills along the Somerset/Devon border

• Wiltshire: arrange Wiltshire wild camping by looking for sites around Stonehenge or Salisbury.

Is wild camping legal in England?

Technically, no. “Technically’ because while it isn’t allowed, it’s not actually illegal; in other words, it’s a civil rather than a criminal offence , so you’re unlikely to be arrested or get a criminal record.

According to England law, wild camping isn’t permitted throughout the whole of England apart from tent/backpacking camping on parts of Dartmoor ; however, in practice free campers are unlikely to be bothered if they camp discreetly and leave first thing the next morning.

Obviously though, it’s harder to overnight discreetly in a campervan or motorhome rather than a tent! For this reason, we recommend using a wild camping site – there are heaps to pick from and many are in such a remote location you’ll feel you’re “properly” free camping. We have some suggestions below.

Otherwise, pick a spot you like the look of, find out who owns the land (ask at the local pub or look for signboards), and ask the landowner’s permission to park up for the night. A polite request often goes a long way.

Legal wild camping campsites in England

Travellers are spoilt for choice with wild camping campsites in England. Here are five of our top choices:

1. Cotswolds Camping, Shipston On Stour

A simple Warwickshire site, with campfires allowed and a holistic centre on site. Pitches are non-electric and allow campervans. Please note this site doesn’t allow groups, so only bookmark it for romantic wild camping trips.

2. Cerenety Eco Campsite, Bude

Award-winning back to nature camping with solar showers and campfires, five minutes’ walk from the local beach. Accepts small campervans.

3. Dartmoor Shepherds Huts, Newton Abbot

This Devon site in spectacular setting mostly does glamping but has some non-electric pitches for campervans, taking up to six people.

4. Star Field Camping, Cranbrook

Off-grid Kent site in the High Wealds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with just six pitches, acres of space and a farm setting. Campervans are allowed but large motorhomes and single-sex groups aren’t. **5. Staden Grange, Buxton ** Peak District wild camping site two miles from Buxton. Pitches are on grass, with optional electric hook-up, and allow unlimited people per pitch booked.

Pros and cons of wild camping in England

Wild camping is an exciting way to get out on the road, because of its many advantages:

Pros

• You can get fully into nature, parking up without anyone else around.

• Be fully self-sufficient, using a campervan or motorhome designed for off-grid adventures.

• You don’t have to find/book a campsite every night.

• You can have solitary adventures – just you and your little group, without dealing with noisy kids or other campers.

• It’s the only way to get true access to many truly remote spots.

• It’s unpredictable and therefore heaps more fun!

But do keep these factors in mind too:

Cons

• As it’s not permitted, you’ll need to ask for permission to park overnight.

• Unless you’re on a designated wild camping campsite, you’ll have to pack up and leave first thing every morning.

• If you’re fully wild camping every night, you’ll have no access to services like charging facilities or chemical disposal.

Wild camping in England – what to consider

Laws

Is it legal to wild camp in England? As above, wild camping isn’t permitted in England and can be seen as trespassing, which is a non-arrestable offence. Do be aware though that if you don’t immediately leave land when asked to do so, this may be a criminal, and therefore arrestable, offence.

Tips

• First of all decide what type of trip you want. Wild camping at campsites, or truly wild with no facilities? This will determine the type of campervan or motorhome you hire. If fully wild camping, make sure you park out of sight and well away from towns, villages and roads. Arrive late and leave early.

• Follow the “leave no trace” principle : take away all your litter; be respectful of your environment and its wildlife; and don’t light a fire. Don’t bury litter; you need to take it with you and dispose of it properly.

• Bring plenty of warm clothes , plus at least one set of waterproofs , plus other essentials like a torch , head torch, insect repellent and extra water.

• Once you’ve picked your spot, tell someone back at home where you’re going , in case of emergencies. Find the what3words location for your camping place and share it – remember you’ll probably have to do this while still near a town, to ensure you have phone signal.

• Park near a water source , and boil any water you take before using it. Check upstream from the water source for animal carcasses or other dangerous items.

• Bring as much warm bedding as space allows – an extra duvet, a sleeping bag and a blanket will all be useful on cold nights.

• Have a backup campsite to retreat to in case of emergency, extreme weather or being asked to move on.

What van to choose

As always, what van to choose for your trip depends on what type of trip you’re planning and who’s coming along. Is your wild camping trip for you and your partner only, or are you bringing a group of friends? Are you going in early spring or the height of summer? Looking for a luxury van or happy to rough it a bit?

Take these criteria into account for wild camping trips with friends or as part of a couple:

Vans for couples

Space: obviously a two-berth van will have ample sleeping room, but depending on your needs you might prefer something bigger, with fixed lounge space and/or a fixed bed. You may also prefer a van with facilities to take sporting kit like surfboards or bikes.

Expectations: what do both of you want from the trip? A wild camping hiking adventure in a basic van, for example, or a luxury break where you can connect to services or have long lazy lie-ins?

Cooking: if one partner does almost all the cooking, they’ll likely want the last word on what type of cooking space and kitchen facilities there are in your chosen van.

Vans for a group of friends

Space : it’s simple to find hire campervans and motorhomes for groups – the main consideration is how many berths you’ll need and how much extra space you want during the day. We recommend going for as large a van as you can afford if travelling in a group, as one person each in the driver and passenger seats still leaves at least one person to find space in the back while the van is on the road.

Berths: plenty of vans have four, six or even more sleeping berths, but check with your friends how they want their sleeping space arranged. You may not want to pack sleeping space for six away every morning; in which case, opt for a van with at least some fixed berths. Remember that some campsites allow tents to be pitched alongside a van – or why not book a wild camping site with bell tents or other glamping accommodation to make a change for some of the group?

Dog-friendly vans in England

Whether you’re travelling as a couple or as part of a group, if you have a dog, you’ll probably want to bring it with you. No problem with campervan or motorhome hire from Camplify, you'll find plenty of pet-friendly van rental options.

Use all the tips and information above to find your perfect wild camping spot in England… and the perfect wild camping van. At Camplify, you can find options for all needs and budgets, so time to get planning!

Plan your wild camping trip today

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