Has anyone wild camped in the Peak District?

Q. Hi

I have noticed that all the campsites tend to be in the valleys, particularly around Edale. Ideally I would like to do a 2-3 day loop starting and finishing at Edale, but camping elsewhere in between.

Joanna Stone, London

A. I have been wild camping 3 times in the Peak District. Wild camping spots are not usually told of, like your own little unique experience research and findings. I usually target remote secluded woods, as i mainly use a hammock and a camouflaged tarp. Preferably with running water not too far away. Research for yourself! Using google maps, google earth and OS maps you can usually determine what is remote/suitable. A decent distance away from paths farms and villages using OS maps reference. Google earth for studying/visualising the terrain you think suitable. Once you have a good plan, pack up and go! (and let some one know where you are going and what time you are expected back) You can usually tell if it's remote once you are out and about, as you don't see a soul! and you cant get a phone signal, Just how i like it. If you are going off the beaten path, do take your time and "know your limits" as moors can be tricky, prickly and boggy under the foot even on the steep slopes. So dress appropriately for the given terrain. Like everyone else says, leave the place how you found it. Use your common sense and you will enjoy the adventure of exploring and possibly finding that perfect spot!. ;-)

James William, Derby

A. My mate, his kids, my kids and I camped in Reynards Cave, Dovedale the other week, the kids are only nippers. We are both both ex-forces, both responsible adults, I used to be a fireman. Our campfire was small and all evidence of our camp was removed next day. Kids loved it and have a memory that will last a lifetime. No one was hurt, nothing damaged. I honestly can't see a problem with wild camping, as long as it is done responsibly!!!

La La, Lichfield

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:

Keep groups small
Camp as unobtrusively as possible
Leave camp as you found it
Remove all litter (even other people's)
Carry out everything you carried in
Carry out tampons and sanitary towels (burying them doesn't work as animals dig them up again)
Choose a dry pitch rather than digging drainage ditches around a tent or moving boulders
Toilet duties should be performed 30m (100ft) from water and the results buried using a trowel
At all time, help preserve the environment
And if you are in any doubt about what you're doing, find out more

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)

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