Wild camping is an experience I'd recommend to anyone who loves the great outdoors. When everyone else has gone home you have the place to yourself - and the chance to see spectacular sunsets, sunrises, mist filled valleys and the most amazing dark and stary night skies you'll ever see.
Wild camping - a 'bucket-list' experience
Whilst I love my home comforts, it's a good tonic for the soul going on a wild camp and gives you a chance to reset & recharge. There's nothing quite like the chilled peace and quiet perched high up a mountain side, with no one else about, no mobile phone signal and the only sounds being the sound of the breeze and running water from distant waterfalls. As long as you've got the right kit to make it an enjoyable time (and get a good nights sleep :-) then its total bliss and an experience you'll never forget.
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| If you choose your wild camping spots wisely then you'll see some spectacular sights. |
Wild camping in the Lake District - is it allowed?
Technically speaking wild camping is not allowed anywhere in England without the land owners prior consent, in the Lake District however it is tolerated if you pitch your tent high in the fells above the highest fence line or wall away from any signs of civilisation. Just make sure you follow the wild camping code: pitch late and depart early morning and leave no trace of you ever being there - which includes leaving no rubbish whatsoever and no fire marks.
Don't be an idiot - please be respectful and leave no trace!
Most wild campers are respectful but some absolute idiots are giving us a bad reputation by not following the wild camping code, often leaving a load of rubbish behind and remains of fires with scorched grass which spoil it for everyone else. Through my blog I'm trying to encourage people to enjoy the outdoors and go on wild camps - but please be respectful and once you’ve done your wild camp, leave nothing of you ever having been there. I've been on walks and come across the remnants of wild camps, which has included empty cans, bbq's and I've even come across a tent just left behind! People are attracted to these natural places for their unspoilt beauty - so what numpty would want to trash it for others to come across? Who exactly is gong to clear up their mess? So take something to put your rubbish in once done. Anyway - rant over - in summary don't be an idiot please :-)
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| It's a great feeling knowing you have a tent to retreat into as the light fades. Even though all there is in your tent is basically a sleeping bag and sleeping mat, you seem to appreciate the cosiness of your tent so much more than home! |
Tips for Wild Camping in the Lake District
If you do decide to give wild camping in the Lakes a go, then it will be an experience you won't forget - good or bad depends on you haha. But as long as you are prepared then I think you'll enjoy it. The Lake District is my favourite place for wild camping and here's a few tips and photos to inspire you :-)
#1. Get the right wild camping equipment
The idea of doing a wild camp in the Lake District has probably already crossed your mind and that's why you've ended up here. First things first though, you need to make sure you have the right Wild Camping Equipment and you've tried and tested it. When you are wild camping you are away from everything and completely reliant on your kit - you can't just pop to the shop or the car for something. It can even be dangerous in the certain weather conditions or locations - so make sure you have the right kit. The key bits of kit to get right are obviously your tent - but also equally important are your sleeping bag & sleeping matt to keep you warm and your rucksack to get everything in. The image below links to my blog post on Wild Camping Essential Equipment.
#2. Plan the right location in accordance with the weather forecast
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I love pitching my tents on an over looking amazing Lake District views. However I only do this when I know the weather is favourable, the wind is light and is not forecast to change significantly during the night (it happens often!).
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#3. Build up your wild camping experience
 | | For your first wild camp - don't go for the extreme perched on-a-cliff edge location! It can be dangerous - instead build up your experience by firstly pitching up on a place that isn't too far from your car and is in a more sheltered spot - just in case the weather changes. |
#4. Enjoy spectacular Lake District sunsets  | Most walkers leave the fells as the sun goes down - but Wild Camping gives you a great chance of seeing sunsets from up high and enjoying every last drop of them as your tent is just right there to retreat too when the light has gone
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| I'm a sucker for watching the sun go down - it's natures best light show and every time it's different. |
#5. Prepare for some amazing stary night skies
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| If you are very lucky and get some clear night skies in the Lake District - then prepare for a spectacular star show. On this wild camp the blanket of cloud moves away and leaves clear skies to roll in - so it's not time to get some sleep! Make sure you have plenty of warm layers to let you sit outside and marvel at the stars. |
#7. Take enough food (& water) to fuel a good adventure
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| So you’ve done all the preparation, you’ve got to your ideal location and the views are incredible and you’ve got the right kit to keep you protected from the elements. But you’ll also want to have the right food to not only keep your hunger at bay and fuelled for your trip, but to also make it really enjoyable. You’ll want to pack light-weight non-perishable snacks full of carbohydrates, and for warm meals I prefer those that are easy to make by just adding water and don’t require much cleaning up after. There are loads of rehydrated meal options out there - so test a few at home and just go with what you will enjoy the most. If in doubt about amount to take, go for a bit more rather than a bit less. I also like to take a few treats, which usually involve a couple of cans of IPA and a bag of nuts :-) Through experience you’ll eventually learn what to take for your own needs and enjoyment. And that is that for my tips, now onto some locations… |
Best Lake District Wild Camping spots:
I won't share too many wild camping spots as the best thing about wild camping is finding your own perfect little locations, often away from anyone else - but below are a few, more well-known wild camping spots to get you started if you've not done one before and aren't too familiar with the lakes. If you go in the warmer months on weekends, you might well come across others, which is why I'll often try and go midweek if I can.
Fleetwith Pike, Buttermere
Every seasoned Lake District wild camper will have pitched up near Fleetwith Pike at some point as the views over Buttermere and Crummock Water are classic Lake District, perfect for watching the sun go down. Whilst Fleetwith Pike itself is quite high and not much space is actually at the summit, you don't necessarily have to reach the summit of Fleetwith Pike. Just walk up the path from Gatesgarth along Warnscale Bottom that follows Warnscale Beck and you'll find some spots as you get near Little Round How. Or alternatively park at Honister Slate Mine as that is quite high up anyway and will give you a head start!
Holme Fell, Conniston
Holme Fell is a relatively low fell of 300m and has great views over Conniston Water with lots of spots to pitch your tent. Half way up is a small tarn which is perfect for an early morning wild swim too! Your also quite near Hidge Close Quarry which is worth explore whilst in the area,
Angle Tarn, near Patterdale
Tarns are a great place to pitch a tent and are like a magnetic for wild campers, and Angle Tarn is one of the most popular tarns and it's about an hours walk from Patterdale. For your first camp at a tarn it's a good place to try. In the warmer months on weekends it's rare to get the place to yourself, but the area is big enough to find a spot, whether at tarn level or higher up, to have some distance between you and others. Click the image below to learn more about my
Angle Tarn wild camp in the Lake District so you know what to expect.
I hope this blog post has now made you want to try a wild camp in the Lake District - honestly it's bucket list stuff and something to do at least once (but I know you'll get the bug and keep doing it). If this has inspired you to try a wild camp - then please please follow the wild camping code, pitch high and away from any forms of civilisation, pitch late and leave early and most importantly please leave no trace that you where ever there!
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Please keep our amazing natural spaces looking exactly how you found them and not give wild campers a bad reputation
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Happy Wild Camping!
Post by Stuart Hodgson
'The Hiking Photographer'
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Awesome post
ReplyDeleteThanks Larry glad you enjoyed reading it
DeleteWell I've a good read off this blog, thank you. Never camped before, even as a child so about to start my first camp ever "NEWBIE" within the next month. It is within my preperation of Cycling in the Philippines 5000 miles North to South, and a Guiness world record, camping daily taking me 3 months to complete. I am one of those guys that has "All the gear but no idea. I am excited yet scared as too what to expect and what I am getting myself into.
ReplyDeleteHi John - pleased you enjoyed it and it's inspire you. Your never too old to start camping haha - sounds like an amazing adventure you've got lined up there. Any place I can follow it? Insta / Facebook?
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