Cycling UK Forum

I will be doing some cycle touring and camping for the first time ever this year and I do have plenty of experience of camping from my military days, so I understand the concept of stealth.

I would appreciate any advice, expereince or opinions on wild camping in the UK, in particular in Wales.

Many thanks

The first rule about wild camping: don't talk about wild camping!

On the other hand: it isn't rocket science. We don't have to evade capture, because no one is hunting us. Keep away from population centres or anywhere dog-walkers might like. Avoid tourist spots. Don't be visible from a road. Don't be near a layby. Don't damage anything, or leave any sign that you were there.

It's officially fine in Scotland and it's also officially fine in England and Wales above a certain height. I can't remember what that height is, but think Lake District, Snowdonia, etc. I think Dartmoor too.

Elsewhere, if you get the chance to ask the landowner permission then that's perfect.

Otherwise you'll be trespassing, but as long as you're sensible, don't light fires and leave no trace then who is to know? Go to bed late and get up early.

I've wild camped a few times and it's great. I've always kept things simple so you can get to bed very quickly. I normally eat "en route" while it's still light then all I need to do at bed time is to lay out my bivvie bag and sleeping bag and head to sleep.

Thanks for the replies. It is always interesting to hear from others about their knowledge and experiences.

I do believe in the Mantra "you are never too old to learn"!

cheers

The basic rule of wild camping is don't get caught.

The only place where it is legal to wild camp in England is Dartmoor. Talk about it being tolerated in the Lakes and Snowdonia is just that - tolerated. It is not legal.

I've done it a dozen or so times in the UK.

I've pitched at dusk.
Out of sight of the road
In a field without live stock.
Out of the lines of sight of any buildings
Broke camp at dawn

It's no big deal.

I once read an article on the memories of a frequent wild-camper in the English countryside. Being England, one would frequently find oneself camping on farmland. She was surprised to discover how many farmers drive around their fields, seemingly at random - ie around their fields, not just from gate to gate - in tractors in the dark, without their lights on. Cattle are often moved from field to field in the middle of the night too. So camping in a remote empty field one really can be at risk of being run down by a tractor and trampled by cows.

As someone who often looks with a wild-camper's eye, having done a lot of wild-camping on remote tours where there was no real alternative, and finding a spot to put down ones tent could be a real challenge, I often think the English countryside looks rather unfriendly for it, remote corners of Shropshire etc aside. But then I would generally consider fenced land not fair game. A German cycle-tourist told me that wild-camping in the English countryside is really easy, all the little roads and footpaths and little woods, etc, even in SE England.

iviehoff wrote:As someone who often looks with a wild-camper's eye, .

I say, this sounds a bit scary

...seriously though, I too find myself spotting unconventional sites out of habit. Apart from the usual hideaways, one of the most private areas where you 're unlikely to be challenged is a thicket in the middle of a large rural roundabout, or the bushy undergrowth in that broad strip of no-man's-land which you often find along major trunk roads. Shame about the traffic noise, but privacy guaranteed.

I always have an eye open for taps when I am cycling, finding water is harder than finding a place to put the tent.
Fortunately there is lots of empty space in Wales. I tend to avoid farmers fields as they are early risers, have dogs and go out at night to shoot vermin or put animals in their fields!
Have a look for ANY legal campsite around Pontypridd or west of it. Absolutely nothing but plenty of forestry land which makes some very uncomfortable campsites.

The most important thing is to leave the site in PERFECT condition, not just for moral reasons but also you might want to use it again, frequently.

Wales is superb for wild camping with vast areas of forest. As long as you are discrete and don't leave any litter you will be alright.

Lawrie9 wrote:As long as you are discrete ...

That nearly prompted me to make a joke about conjoined twins, but it would just identify me as a pedant.

There is a campsite just west of Llangurig, (Glangwy campsite) which charged us £2 each a night in separate tents and £1 for a hot shower. The midges were for free. . This makes even the super-stingy like me wonder if it is worth wild camping.
Until you go to Rhayadr where it was either £9 or £11, I cant remember which, each.

If you find a nice location you can do a proper bit of camping but often I will just pitch the tent and sleep. Then get up and leave immediately in the morning, having other stops a few miles or more away, before and after, to do things like washing and cooking and eating.

Once again many thanks to one and all for your insights into the art of wild camping!

You would think after having spent a considerable part of my adult life camping all over the world with the military Mrs Gremlin would not worry about me doing a bit of "aggressive camping" as it used be called in military jargon!

I will probably have to give her a GPS location of where I am at any point in time when I set out on my journeys...god bless her!

james01 wrote:

iviehoff wrote:As someone who often looks with a wild-camper's eye, .

Apart from the usual hideaways, one of the most private areas where you 're unlikely to be challenged is a thicket in the middle of a large rural roundabout, or the bushy undergrowth in that broad strip of no-man's-land which you often find along major trunk roads. Shame about the traffic noise, but privacy guaranteed.

Yes such spots are very private. A body was found inside a tent in such a spot at the edge of Bradford City Centre, The reckoning is that the tent and body had been undetected for around six months.
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/8921135.DNA_hope_in_bid_to_solve_body_mystery/

iviehoff wrote:

Lawrie9 wrote:As long as you are discrete ...

That nearly prompted me to make a joke about conjoined twins, but it would just identify me as a pedant.

"Circumscribed" jumped into my mind, so the less said the better......

vernon wrote: Yes such spots are very private. A body was found inside a tent in such a spot at the edge of Bradford City Centre, The reckoning is that the tent and body had been undetected for around six months.
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/8921135.DNA_hope_in_bid_to_solve_body_mystery/

Blimey! I've ridden past there while that body was there. That's quite shocking.