Wild Camping in the Lake District – A Beginner’s Guide

Helen in Wonderlust hiking in the Lake District

Wild camping in the Lake District is an incredible adventure. There’s something quite extraordinary about being out in nature, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city, with only yourself and the occasional sheep for company.

However, wild camping in the Lake District is not quite as simple as just putting up your tent wherever you feel like it. There are rules, codes and even laws to ensure that we keep the countryside exactly as we found it.

If it’s your first time going wild camping, for a better, safer experience I would highly recommend taking a trip with someone like the Mammut Mountain School, like my friends Vicky, Sabina and I did a few weeks ago.

They offer various courses including: Private Guiding (which is what we did), Climbing, Mountaineering, Winter Sports and Mountain Leader qualifications.

Helen in Wonderlust, Vicky Flip Flop & Girl vs Globe.

I’ve been wild camping a few times before, both in Africa and in the UK (on my school Duke of Edinburgh Award trips about 25 years ago and in the Outer Hebrides) but it was good to have some proper instruction for my first time wild camping in the Lake District as an adult and our guides Dougie and Emma were amazing.

Not only did it take the pressure off us, but we also didn’t need to buy any of our own equipment (you have to carry it though, no getting out of that, sorry folks), they took us to an amazing secret spot, taught us how to navigate using a map and compass and how to be responsible wild campers.

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Table of Contents

Wild Camping in the Lake District – A Beginner’s Guide

Putting up the tent whilst wild camping in the Lake District.

First, you need to understand that wild camping in the Lake District is illegal, as it is in most parts of the UK (it’s only legal in Scotland). To go wild camping in the UK, including the Lake District, you need to have the land owner’s permission.

That may sound pretty straightforward, but 9/10 you won’t have a clue who the landowner is, let alone know where to find them to ask if it’s ok!

With that being said, wild camping is generally tolerated (especially in the Lake District) if you abide by certain rules and don’t make a mess of the countryside. And it’s very rare for someone to ask you to move, especially if you are following those rules, being respectful and responsible.

Unfortunately, there are lots of people who don’t follow the rules which makes things more difficult for those who are considerate – so don’t be one of those people.

Wild Camping in the Lake District 101

Leave No Trace

The first and most important rule of wild camping in the Lake District or anywhere else is to leave no trace. Take everything with you when you leave so that you don’t pollute the area. If you brought it in, take it out. Before you leave the campsite, check around to make sure there’s nothing you’ve forgotten – no crisp bags, no tent pegs, no nothing!

And if you see any litter on your walks, it’s good practice to pick it up and take it with you to dispose of later!

Learning to use a camping stove whilst wild camping in the Lake District.

Do Not Light Any Fires

Use a gas camping stove (the MSR Windburner Stove System is a good one and what we used) rather than a campfire which will leave scorch marks on the grass and could cause a forest fire if not contained.

Likewise, don’t bring a disposable bbq (they’re now trying to ban them from being sold in the Lake District) but if you do, place it on stones, away from the grass and take it with you when you leave.

Again, leave no trace (no scorch marks). Putting a bit of water on the grass under the stove can also help with this.

Camp on High Ground, Away from Sight

Ideally, if you are wild camping, you should be on high ground, away from roads, houses and basically where no one can see you.

And you will need to be careful about flashing lights and loud noises as you don’t want people to see or hear you and think you’re in trouble and alerting mountain rescue. So no mountain discos (as fun as that sounds) but a silent, in the dark disco, is ok – just don’t fall over and injure yourself.

Basically, you don’t want to draw attention to yourself!

Put Your Tent Up late and Take it Down Early

If you’re wild camping, you should only put your tent up late in the day and you should take it down early in the morning. This means that you should only camp in a place for one-night maximum.

This also helps with the no trace policy because if it’s up for longer, it’s going to damage the grass.

Going for a Wee

Whilst you are wild camping in the Lake District, going for a wee in a bush or behind a rock is no big deal. But there are a couple of rules.

Don’t pee near a water source. People drink from mountain streams and lakes and no-one wants to drink your pee.

What to do with your toilet paper? It should be put in a little bag (these biodegradable, compostable nappy bags are perfect) and brought off the fells with you. You can then dispose of it in a bin when you next see one. The same goes for feminine hygiene products, take them with you.

Helen in Wonderlust by a natural stream in the Lake District.

Going for a Poo

And what happens if you need a poo whilst you’re wild camping in the Lake District? If you’re on a multi-day trip, you will, at some point need a poo – so you need to be prepared.

Ideally, you would scoop it up with a biodegradeable bag, like you would with dog poo, and carry it with you until you find a bin. But most people don’t want to do this and that’s fair enough.

So if you’re not keen on carrying a bag of poo with you for days, then you need to carry a ‘shit shovel’. A small trowel will do. Then if you need to go, you dig a hole with the trowel (so the trowel isn’t actually touching anything other than dirt), do your business in the hole and then bury it.

If you bury your toilet paper, make sure that it’s biodegradable too. Who Gives a Crap is a great brand to take.

Again, make sure that you go away from any water sources (rivers, streams, lakes) because we don’t want your poo contaminating the water. Designate a specific toilet area that is away from the campsite.

3 hikers having a rest in the Lake District.

Be Careful Where You Park

Whilst not directly related to wild camping, this is important. Please, if you’re leaving your car somewhere, make sure it’s in a proper car park or parking spot.

Recently, lots of visitors to the Lake District have been leaving their cars in places where they shouldn’t, meaning emergency service vehicles can’t get through. Please don’t do it!

Have you been wild camping in the Lake District? Any other tips to add to the list?