Lake District Walk Sept 2026

[tuftywhite]

I don’t know the Lake District well but it looks good. When you camped by the river are you allowed to do that in England? I can’t imagine anyone would bother in a quiet spot though.
The access laws always trip me up, being used to the right to roam in Scotland.

Where’s the next one?

As far as I'm aware, In the Lake District and north Wales, it isn't legal to wild camp, however, if you're quite high in the hills and you're tidy, it goes on without too much said. A sort of unwritten permission. What I did next to a road would probably be frowned upon, but put the tent up after dark and away earlyish, leave no trace etc. I don't think anyone minds too much. In Derbyshire National Park it's definitely illegal and they do have Rangers who will move you on in certain places.

Problem is with all the YouTubers doing stuff, other folk do it, and insist on having a fire and leave fire marks everywhere. Where I camped there were scattered ashes and burnt wood around. This will cause us issues in the future I suspect.

The next trip, not planned yet, but I'm eager to do more soon.

 

[Barnoe]

When you camped by the river are you allowed to do that in England? I can’t imagine anyone would bother in a quiet spot though.
The access laws always trip me up, being used to the right to roam in Scotland.

technically wild camping isnt allowed in England anywhere.
however if you camp high, i.e. above the highest walls and try to be discreet you will be ignored.
This doesn't have to be on high peaks such as the mountains, you can camp on the moors too.
It does help if you pick a green tent, the old bright orange tents are probably a bad idea lol

I have in the past camped in forest a lot lower.
trick is to stay in the local pub and leave when dark, pitch, sleep and pack up early as its getting light.

Its shouldn't need saying to take all your rubbish and don't burn anything... but people do sadly.

I once camped in a spot hidden behind a stone wall (it was windy) and was approached by a farmer, once he saw it was obvious i was a backpacker and alone he left me alone.
he actually seemed interested in my plans.

 

[Morety]

Yes, good advice. "leave no trace" is the wild camping motto, so usually better not to light fires anywhere except where permission is granted. It will draw attention to you and is not in the spirit of "leave no trace". Technically if on the hills, where possible, camping should be done min' 400m up from the highest wall but as some walls can be found much closer to the top of fells and hills, you've just got to ensure you're as reasonably far above them as possible, and preferably not too close to a public footpath or ROW. The guideline originates from traditional land management boundaries and unwritten codes of conduct in National Parks like the Lake District and Eryri (Snowdonia). I'd always arrive and pitch just before dark, especially in wilder weather. Pointless making a rod for your back in the dark. Up and gone shortly after first light but usually no later than 6am (later if winter camping)

 

[Hoggyf]

Fly camping is a hot topic in the lake District at present, the police and national park rangers have been patrolling and making arrests etc due to the amount of littering that's gone on and in the droughts the thoughtless barbecues, fires etc.
As said, be sensible and keep out the way, leave no trace you'd probably be ok