Great camping spots in the UK

[Jonno_1987]

Hey
I have recently come back from a two week camping trip in Tanzania and now am desperate to get back out into the wild again, and I am sure camping in the UK will be just as beautiful and not as dangerous as the Serengeti

I would prefer a quieter camp-site to those that have many tents. Also is it better to use allocated camping sites or just find a suitable place to camp if allowed?

Would really appreciate any ideas

Thanks
Jonno

[Richard G.]

Well, it's not legal to wildcamp in England and Wales, though it's generally tolerated, so long as you use common sense and follow a few simple rules:

• camp above the last field boundary
• ask the landowners permission if possible
• pitch late and leave early
• leave only footprints and take only memories

If done properly, it's easily possible to wildcamp in busy places like the Peak Park without being noticed.

Of course, in Scotland, thanks to Land Reform act, you can legally wildcamp pretty much anywhere, within reason, ie. pitching next to your car at the side of the road in Glen Etive (as some do), will probably get you noticed. Scotland is arguably more remote and peaceful than the more southerly honeypots too, but be warned, the Scottish Midge is every bit as fierce and any creature found in the Serengeti

If you like the sound of wildcamping, have a read at the excellent advice on this site.

Otherwise, there are many, many formal campsites in the UK too, from very busy controlled sites with facilities, such as those of the Caravan Club, to a field with a tap, such as the one outside the Wasdale Head in the Lakes. If you don't want busy though, probably best left until the end of summer now.

[brendaward]

Jonno, do not know your home base so don't know how far you are from Shropshire but its a little known gem. There is a camp site called Small Batches in a little village called Little Stretton. It does get a bit crowded in the school holidays but is in the most amazing position so worth a bit of inconvenience. It is on the edge of the Long Mynd and situated in a field which is the entrance to the Mynd valley, surrounded by sheep grazed hills. Beyond the field is National trust land which takes you along the rocky inclines following the stream miles up to the moor on top of the Mynd.
It is owned by Oscar and Pam Prince who are very nice people. There is a great couple of pubs in walking distance across the ford, while the site remains tucked away and noiseless. It is mentioned in a book alternative camping, cant remember exact name. I have travelled to a lot of counties in Britain but Shropshire, especially the Mynd took my breath away. Yorkshire, try Howe Stean Gorge. Camp site in Stean very good. Derbyshire Try Moneyash area or Yulegreve. All great places for wildlife and walking.