It seems simple enough — head out on your hike, and when you get tired, pitch the tent. But there are certain rules and guidelines to follow when wild camping, and those we’ve covered elsewhere on the Camping Things blog. Getting the most out of your wild camping trip, and making sure you don’t get into trouble, requires that you spend a bit of time researching the best and most beautiful UK wild camping sites.

Fortunately, we’ve done a lot of the leg work for you, so all you’ve got to do is choose where you’d like to set up camp, and what you’d like to bring along for dinner.

A word on wild camping

Wild camping is the funner, more real alternative to traditional, regulated campsite camping. It involves pitching your tent in the actual great outdoors (up a mountainside or in a valley), with none of the amenities usually afforded to those camping out of the back of the car.

Here are a few of our favourite wild camping spots, mixed in with a few we’ve gathered from some very reliable sources and friends of Camping Things. if you’re not quiet ready to go wild try our Best Secret Campsites guide

A tent is essentially a cover to keep you warm and dry, and your belongings safe, but there’s more to choosing a good tent than you might imagine. How big does it need to be? What about the ground sheet? Is it well ventilated? Can you stand up inside? Then there’s the question of materials and cost, inner and outer layers — if you’re serious about buying a tent to last, that will give you the most value for money on your camping trips, there’s a lot to consider.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re on a designated camp site, or scaling a mountain, a decent tent is a must-have, and we’ve picked out a few of our favourites to share with you. We’ve got it covered.

Biolights, solar and rechargeable lights are a logical move for people who love the great outdoors, and who want to keep it that way.

We’ve chosen some of the best solar and most eco-friendly rechargeable camping lights, which strike a balance between great value and great performance. Keep your solar light out during the day to charge, and enjoy free energy all night long. If you’re hiking, find a way to secure your lamp to your rucksack, and charge as you walk.