Off Grid camping (with consent)
Across Britain, from the bluebell woods of Anglesey to the croft land above Sutherland’s lochs, a new way to enjoy nature is quietly emerging. Wild With Consent provide campers access to private, peaceful spots while giving landowners a chance to share and care for the land they love.
But what does this kind of access mean for the people who host it? We spoke to landowners involved with Wild With Consent about how private camping and respectful access are transforming the conversation around rights of way, rural involvement, and the nation’s connection to nature and the land around them.
“Why keep it to ourselves?” Why Hosts Welcome Campers
Unlike crowded campsites or illegal wild camping, Wild With Consent sites offer a permitted wild camping experience where guests can become immersed in nature, with peace of mind that they are welcomed by the landowner. Each site only takes one booking per site each night, providing guests with privacy and ensuring impact on the land is minimal. It’s a quiet model that is proving effective in helping landowners open up access to their land in a responsible way.
“Why keep it to ourselves when people can quietly enjoy it too and use it as a convenient stopover or a place to relax and recover from work and city life?” said a host in Anglesey. They have spent the last five years restoring five acres from grazing fields to natural habitat at Carreg Y Gad. Another host in Somerset expressed a similar belief: “We love sharing the farm and the area where we live. We think it is rather magical, and luckily our visitors seem to agree!”
This isn’t about numbers. It’s about connection – to a place, to nature, and to like-minded individuals. “It’s special to share the farm with people who appreciate it. They enjoy the remoteness and value getting away from the modern world,” said a host with a secluded site in Exmoor.
For many, it reflects a deeper purpose: “It helps us continue rewilding the land, using this income to support what we hope will improve conditions for plants and animals,” one landowner explained.
OS Maps: From Public Paths to Private Places
This type of camping relies not just on the consent of landowners but also on careful navigation. Wild With Consent offers clear directions to guests visiting sites. However, it does not provide directions for exploring nearby nature – that’s where OS Maps comes in.
Hosts often recommend local routes, historic paths, or hidden treasures to guests, sometimes lending paper maps upon arrival. The Anglesey host notes that the Anglesey Coastal Path is within walking distance: “Utterly beautiful. Some parts are a bit rugged, some are easier – fabulous views, birds, porpoises, seals, vast skies, and distant horizons.”
Another host encourages guests to discover their area of Wiltshire by foot: “There is a lot to see nearby, such as Stourhead and Longleat. There are fantastic walks over the Downs.” Guests can navigate both established footpaths and quieter areas off the main route using OS Maps, always with consent and care.
Guest Experiences that Stay with Hosts
Hosts are often touched by the way guests respond to their land. One from Anglesey shared this lovely feedback from a recent camper: “Although there was a lot to see and do in the area, once I arrived at Carreg y Gad, I was so relaxed I didn’t want to leave. I fell asleep in the sun listening to the sounds of insects and birds. It is a lovely spot where nature has the chance to restore.”
At a site in Wiltshire, a guest camped beneath Neolithic and Iron Age landmarks and told the host: “He could actually feel the history of the surrounding landscape.”
In Sutherland, guests often describe their experience as “magical.” As the crofter shared: “I have had several guests describe Fanagmore as ‘magical,’ and I love that because it’s exactly how I feel about it.”
Recommendations from the Ground
Guests usually don’t just arrive at their private pitch and stop there. They explore the nature-rich land around them, and hosts love to share tips, from wild swimming spots to kayaking routes, viewpoints, or bird-watching areas.
At Carreg Y Gad in Anglesey, guests are encouraged to visit Parys Mountain, a surreal open-cast mine walk: “A totally unexpected, breathtaking short walk… stunning views across to Snowdonia on a clear day.” Another host invites guests to visit Handa Island to see puffins and possibly orcas, which requires a 20-minute walk and a small ferry ride from the pitch.
Hosts also provide practical advice. From Anglesey: “Don’t hesitate to ask, but also don’t be afraid to say you want to be left alone!” From Wiltshire: “Come ready with walking boots, or at least chairs to sit outside your campervan, soaking in the views, wildlife, and the tranquillity around you.” From Sutherland: “Be prepared for rugged and wild conditions – proper boots and walking poles are crucial to make the most of the land around the croft.”
Being Part of a Bigger Picture
Many landowners expressed joy in being part of something bigger – not just an outdoor network, but a caring community. “I’m really pleased to be part of a movement. Wild With Consent makes it possible and easy for us, and it helps us earn some essential income too.”
“Wild With Consent is a fantastic concept and well managed, with feedback valued, which makes it feel like a team effort.” Another reflected: “Grace’s idea is wonderful. Her visit gave me the confidence to set up the pitch, and I’m so glad I did.”
Through thoughtful partnerships with Wild With Consent and the mapping support of OS, these landowners show that access to the countryside doesn’t have to be a compromise. Instead, it can mean cooperation, conservation, and connection. Whether you’re there for the geology, the quiet, or just the joy of sleeping beside a stream, you’ll leave with a deeper understanding of what it means to belong to the land, even if just for one night.
Want to find your next off-grid camping adventure? Explore pitches on Wild With Consent and plan your route with OS Maps, where the paths are clear, the access is respectful, and the welcome is generous.
