Spring has officially arrived! It’s time to start thinking about what outdoor activities you want to get up to during this season. One activity we would like to talk about and encourage you all to try out is Wild Camping!
So, what exactly is wild camping? This is where you would set up your tent somewhere that isn’t a designated campsite. It’s all about bringing back the basics of life; just yourself and your shelter embracing the natural world. Now you may be wondering; is it legal? The answer to that is; it depends where you go and how you go about it. Different rules apply in different countries. If you decide to travel up to Scotland, it is legal to go wild camping in many places. However, in the rest of the UK, you would have to ask permission from the landowner prior to setting up your shelter otherwise it would be classed as trespassing. Three places we recommend are Dartmoor National Park, Brecon Beacons National Park and Lake District National Park. These places are happy to host wild campers who are responsible, given you ask permission first.
What are the rules for Wild Camping?
- Don’t leave any trace of camping. Your spot should look the way it was before you set up camp.
- Keep your wild camping groups small.
- Don’t litter.
- Human waste should be buried in a hole that is at least 15 centimetres deep and 50 metres away from any water sources or trails.
- Keep fires safe and small.
- Don’t stay in the same place for multiple nights.
- Food should be brought in sealable & reusable containers.
Why should I go Wild Camping instead of regular camping?
Wild camping is exhilarating for those wanting to get in touch with nature. Everything about it is based on survival skills. Campsites and caravan parks are good for breaks however they lack the element of wilderness. The natural surroundings aren’t the same in these settings as they’ve been adapted and altered around these campsites & caravan parks. However, wild camping spots are completely natural. Also, wild camping allows you or your companions to be completely alone which you miss out on at campsites. There’s no rowdiness, no one accidentally kicking your tent in the middle of the night, no litter and no interruptions. It is also a way to enjoy a break from everyday life on a budget as you don’t need to pay campsite fees or rent a caravan.
How are Wild Camping skills different to regular camping?
Here is a list of the skills required for regular camping:
- Setting up a tent
- Building a fire
- First aid
- Cooking
- Using ropes
- Tying knots
- Navigation
- Planning & packing
- Using a knife
Now although these are all beneficial skills to have for Wild Camping, there are a lot more in depth skills you will need/learn. Here are a couple additional skills to name a few:
- Building a shelter
- Primitive cooking
- Using a knife AND an axe
- Foraging for food
- Trapping, hunting & cleaning game
- Building a cooking tripod
- Gathering & purifying water
What do I need for Wild Camping?
Wild camping is very different than staying in a caravan park or a campsite as you have less storage. You pack what you can carry, not what you can fit in the car or what your caravan’s storage will fit. Here is a list of wild camping essentials, along with links to where you can shop some of these items directly from our website.
- Shelter & Sleeping essentials here
- Pillow
- Bags to keep your belongings dry
- Cooking gear here
- Food here
- Clothes
- Water filters & purifiers here
- Fire starting essentials here
- Hygiene essentials such as wet wipes and basic toiletries
- Emergency items such as power banks, first aid kits, a torch and maps
- Knives & multi-tools here
- Tools for navigation here
Planning a Wild Camping trip? Shop our Emergency & Survival products here:
Got any questions about Wild Camping? Drop us an e-mail via bacoutdoor@gmail.com and we’ll be happy to help you out.