The UK summer is coming, and for some, it’s the time of year that campers can’t wait to wake up to hillside views or open land without hearing a peep from other people. Maybe a sheep or two is fine.  

Wild camping has captured the imagination and attention of many Brits because it’s one of the last genuinely free and freeing holidays left. Forget booking fees and fighting for loungers. It’s about the thrill of living remotely for a few days and the desire to slow down and disconnect in the countryside. 

But before you pack your motorhome or grab your tent, you need to know the regional rules and whether your setup is prepared.  

What is wild camping? 

Wild camping means spending the night on open land away from designated campsites, emphasising living in the wilderness, compared to the leisure of normal camping. Although the essence of wild camping is about simplicity. Pack only what you need, leave no trace, take it all in, and move on.  

You can get the best of both worlds by travelling to a designated wild camping area with your van or motorhome, and trekking into the surroundings with your minimal setup. 

Is wild camping legal in the UK? 

The rules for wild camping depend on which nation you’re in, and there are differences between wild camping with a tent and parking up for the night in a van. 

Scotland 

Scotland offers the most freedom of any UK nation when it comes to wild camping. Under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, you hold a legal right of responsible access to most unenclosed land, which includes the right to wild camp. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code asks you to keep group sizes small, stay no more than two or three nights in one place, and leave the land exactly as you found it.  

The one exception worth knowing about is that parts of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park operate camping byelaws between 1st March and 30th September. You’ll need a permit or a campsite booking in their specified zones, but outside of that season, the rest of the park is open to you.  

England 

England is more restrictive about wild camping. Wild camping on private land without permission is technically trespassing. It’s a civil matter rather than a criminal offence, so you won’t face arrest, but you can be asked to leave.  

There are exceptions, however. Dartmoor has a long-standing common land tradition which gives people the right to camp overnight on designated open areas of the moor, excluding vehicles and large groups. In the Lake District, the National Park Authority takes a tolerant approach to responsible campers. 

Wales 

Wales mirrors England’s position. The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 opened access land to walkers, but overnight camping requires landowner permission. Upland areas of Snowdonia (Eryri) and the Brecon Beacons have an informal tradition of tolerance at higher ground, which experienced wild campers rely on carefully and respectfully. 

Northern Ireland  

Northern Ireland is the most restrictive. Private land rules apply almost universally, so seeking permission in advance is the right approach. 

Can you wild camp from a campervan or motorhome? 

Yes, it’s possible to wild camp with a campervan or motorhome as your base. It also opens up a different set of possibilities while camping, meaning you can travel further and have access to washing and charging facilities as well as appliances while you’re on the move. Sometimes, you might not want to use the outdoors as a toilet, either! 

It might sound like this avoids the true sense of wild camping, but the security of reliable power and the ability to wash bring an unbeatable peace of mind.  

However, the regional rules change when it comes to motorhomes compared to the traditional sense of wild camping. 

Scotland 

The Land Reform Act applies to lightweight, non-motorised access. In practice, the spirit of the law favours those who park responsibly at a road edge or permitted stopping point, staying briefly and leaving nothing behind.  

Forestry and Land Scotland runs a practical scheme specifically for van travellers: the Stay the Night programme allows self-contained motorhomes and campervans to park overnight at participating forest car parks across Scotland throughout the year for £10 per night. It operates on a first-come, first-served basis and gives van campers a legal, affordable route into gorgeous, remote settings.  

England and Wales 

Overnight roadside parking in a motorhome or campervan is generally legal unless signs prohibit it. Van travellers typically arrive late, leave early, and choose spots well away from private drives and busy footpaths. There are apps available with maps and community-reviewed spots.  

The off-grid van setup gives you something that a campsite booking simply cannot: independence. When you have a reliable leisure battery, solar panels, and an inverter running your essential appliances, you can stop wherever overnight parking is permitted. Even if you’re unsure about the complete idea of wild camping, a motorhome with all your facilities and power can be a useful and comforting go-between.  

Differences between traditional wild camping and motorised 

Both approaches share the same spirit, but they suit different people and different trips. Here’s how they compare across the things that matter most.