Camping Laws on the Isle of Man

Q. Are there any laws to prevent you camping on beaches on the Isle of Man?

Also if pubs are phoned are they likely to let you camp in their gardens if they have one?

There are no campsites in the South or very North of the Island which is making doing the coastal path difficult.

Louise Hallsworth, Sheffield



A. Just got back from a weeks wild camping the isle of man..had absolutely no problem and talked to many friendly locals who all encouraged what we were doing..we even had fires on the beaches..we pitched pretty late and packed up relatively early and left our camps immaculate and we had no problems. .infact locals advised us of other potential wild camping sites that we could head for..our particular sites will remain anonymous but the top half of the island is definitely easier than the bottom half..but you'll find a lovely island with even lovelier people.

Michael Foster-Bond, Wigan


A. The Isle of Man is not part of the United Kingdom. It is not England, Scotland, Ireland, or Wales. Therefore, to quote the law, or regulations, which apply to the UK does not really answer the question. I would imagine if you are in a reasonably remote area of the Island (though it is very small), and avoid obvious cultivated farm land, pitch late, and leave very early (leaving it clean) then you would probably be OK. There is no harm in asking at a farm - they can only say no. Well, I am gong to try it this summer.

Ray Newton, London


A. Free camping is available in Sulby on Yn Cladagh (The River Meadow) with 2 great pubs nearby - The Sulby Glen and The Ginger.

Also camping is available at Kirk Michael.

Peter Bradley, Liverpool

A. Wild Camping and The Law in England, Scotland and Wales.

Tents cannot be pitched just anywhere because every piece of Britain is owned by some individual or some organisation and according to the strict letter of the law permission must be obtained prior to pitching tent and camping.

In practice however, this is often impractical and wild camping is usually tolerated in the more remote areas - typically, more than half a day's walk from an official campsite or other accommodation providing you:

In Scotland, the current access legislation (which came into effect in early 2005) is explicit about your right to wild camp on hill land. However, there are exceptions. Since March 2011 you are not permitted to wild camp between Dryman and Rowardennan on the shore of Loch Lomond. See Loch Lomond Wild Camping Ban for more information.

There appears to be an exception to this with respect to camping in Dartmoor National Park where the right to wild camping is actually enshrined in the National Parks & Access to the Countryside Act, 1949 amendment Dartmoor Commons Act, 1985 - see Wild Camping in the UK for more details.

For the definitive answer with respect to wild camping in Scotland see the answer supplied by the Scottish Natural Heritage

For a few (tongue in cheek) tips on wild camping see Some Wild Camping Tips.

NB. go4awalk.com cannot offer any advice on suitable locations for wild camping - but click here for walks from exisiting campsites.

Hope this helps

Mike (Editor)



Add your answer to THIS question | Ask a NEW walking and hiking question

Return to the main list of Walking and Hiking Questions

Search for an existing Walking and Hiking Question or Answer




Follow go4awalk.com on Twitter Follow go4awalk.com on Facebook


Home


Find new Friends to go walking with

Walk all 214 Wainwrights in just 59 Walks. Download GPS Waypoints - Great Walks you must not miss!

Walk The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge Walk - All the Latest Route Information, GPS Waypoints and Split Times to keep you on Schedule

Walk The British Three Peaks Challenge Walk - All the Latest Route Information and GPS Waypoints

See our pick of The Best Walks in The Lake District - Great Walks you must not miss!

Walk our pick of the Best Lake District Ridge Walks - Great Walks you must not miss!

Walk our pick of the Best Lake District Walks to do in the rain - Great Walks you must not miss!

Walk our pick of The Best Walks in Snowdonia - Great Walks you must not miss!

Walk our pick of The Best Ridge Walks in Wales - Walks you must not miss!

Walk our pick of The Best Walks in The Brecon Beacons - Great Walks you must not miss!

Walk our pick of The Best Walks in The Yorkshire Dales - Walks you must not miss!

Walk our pick of The Best Walks in The Peak District - Walks you must not miss!

Walk our pick of The Best Walks in The Forest of Bowland - Walks you must not miss!

Walk our pick of The Best Walks in Shropshire - Walks you must not miss!

Walk our pick of The Best Walks in Cheshire - Walks you must not miss!

Walk our pick of The Best Walks in Lancashire - Walks you must not miss!

Not sure where to walk next? Try Peak Bagging - Great Walks you must not miss!

Not sure where to walk next? Walk part of a National Trail - Great Walks you must not miss!

Walks with Downloadable and Uploadable GPS Waypoint Data

Walking Kit and Gear Tested by Walkers

Full Site Search
Do not miss our pick of the Best Walks in the UK