Free camping in Uk, Belgium, Netherlands - is it legal?
This summer I'm planning a bicycle trip from Manchester (UK) to Trieste (ITA). I don't have a lot of money to spend in hostels or campings, therefore I was thinking that wild camping would be a good idea. But after a quick look at the net I discovered that wild camping in UK, Belgium and Holland is forbidden and it can be punished with prison.
Best Answer
The already provided answer is correct about wild camping in the Netherlands and in Belgium.
However, when it comes to wild camping in the United Kingdom:
- It is legal in Scotland
- In England and in Wales you will need permission from the landowner in all areas except for Devon and Dartmoor, there it is also legal.
- In certain National Parks (like Lake District) there is a lot of toleration by the Park Authority, even when it's strictly speaking not legal. For a full overview I would recommend on of my articles: Wild camping in the UK: complete legal overview
Additionally, you can find information about wild camping in every European country in this article that I wrote recently: Wild camping in Europe: Complete overview.
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Can you free camp in Belgium?
Is wild camping allowed in Belgium? No, wild camping, also known as boondocking, dry camping, or dispersed camping, is unfortunately not officially allowed in Belgium. The ban is controlled and enforced mainly at the coast and in the high season.Is free camping allowed in the Netherlands?
No, unfortunately, wild camping, also known as boondocking, dry camping, or dispersed camping, is not allowed in the Netherlands. In the Netherlands, wild camping is strictly forbidden and, unlike in other countries, it is also not permitted to camp on private property.Is freedom camping allowed in the UK?
Is it legal to go wild camping in the UK? Generally, wild camping without the landowner's permission is illegal in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. But wild camping in Scotland isn't prohibited, so that means you can technically pitch up wherever you like \u2013 including in the country's incredible National Parks.Where is wild camping allowed in UK?
Scotland is indeed the only area of the UK that effectively allows wild camping anywhere, thanks to the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, which permits the public to camp on most unenclosed land. This includes many of Scotland's national parks, making them the perfect destination for wild campers.HOW TO FIND AMAZING CAMPSITES: Campgrounds vs Dispersed Camping (free camping!)
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Dziana Hasanbekava, Kamaji Ogino, Tima Miroshnichenko, Tima Miroshnichenko