Can I wild camp?
In England and Wales you usually need the landowner's permission — wild camping is trespass — except on Dartmoor. In Scotland it's allowed under access rights. In England and Wales, pitching a tent without permission is trespass (a civil matter, not a crime), and the "right to roam" over open access land covers walking, not camping. Dartmoor is the one place in England with a legal right to backpack wild camp without permission, confirmed by the Supreme Court in May 2025 (within the National Park's rules). In Scotland, the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 gives a statutory right to wild camp on most unenclosed land if you camp responsibly — lightweight, small groups, 2–3 nights, leave no trace, away from homes and crops. In short: permission needed in England/Wales (bar Dartmoor); allowed responsibly in Scotland.
📋 The rules
- England/Wales: trespass without the landowner's permission
- The right to roam ≠ camping
- Dartmoor: legal wild camping (2025 Supreme Court)
- Scotland: allowed under access rights, camp responsibly
- Always leave no trace; move on if asked
🔓 Exceptions
- Loch Lomond & Trossachs: permit needed in zones (roughly Mar–Sept)
- Northern Ireland: very limited access; permission effectively needed
- Aggravated trespass or refusing to leave can involve the police
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Ordinary trespass is civil, not criminal — there's no fine or arrest, but the landowner can ask you to leave and sue for any damage. Aggravated trespass (Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994) is a criminal offence, with a fine up to £2,500 and/or up to 3 months. Breaching a national-park byelaw (e.g. the Loch Lomond permit zones) can bring fines up to £500. Beware a myth: "wild camping is legal across England under the right to roam" is false — it's trespass almost everywhere in England and Wales, and Dartmoor is the sole exception (restored by the 2025 Supreme Court ruling). To camp responsibly: get permission in England and Wales (or use Dartmoor), follow Scotland's access code, and leave no trace.
📎 Official sources
- GOV.UK — right of way and open access land →
- UK Supreme Court — Darwall v Dartmoor NPA →
- Scottish Outdoor Access Code →
❓ Frequently asked
Is wild camping legal in England?
Generally no, not without the landowner's permission. Pitching a tent on land without consent is trespass, which is a civil matter rather than a crime. The right to roam over open access land allows walking, not camping. The one exception is Dartmoor, where a legal right to backpack wild camp was confirmed by the Supreme Court in 2025.
Can I wild camp in Scotland?
Yes, in most cases. The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 gives a statutory right to wild camp on most unenclosed land, provided you do so responsibly under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code — camping lightweight, in small groups, for two or three nights, leaving no trace, and avoiding crops, livestock, enclosed fields and homes.
Does the right to roam let me camp?
No. The right to roam, or open access, allows you to walk and enjoy certain mapped open land in England and Wales, but it does not include the right to camp, light fires or stay overnight. Camping still requires the landowner's permission, except on Dartmoor where a specific legal right exists.
What about Dartmoor?
Dartmoor is the only place in England with a legal right to wild camp without the landowner's permission. This was confirmed by the Supreme Court in May 2025, which restored the right under the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985. You must still camp within the National Park Authority's byelaw rules and the areas shown on its map.
What's the penalty for wild camping without permission?
Ordinary trespass is a civil matter, so there's no fine or arrest, but the landowner can ask you to leave and claim for any damage. Aggravated trespass is a criminal offence with a fine of up to £2,500. Breaching national-park byelaws, such as the Loch Lomond permit zones in Scotland, can bring fines of up to £500.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “is wild camping legal uk”
- “wild camping england law”
- “wild camping scotland rules”
- “dartmoor wild camping”
- “right to roam camping”
- “wild camping permission”