Wild campers are now being unfairly targeted by landowning interests and some public companies and local authorities.
Like most people I’ve been appalled by the recent litter left in our wild places.
But now it’s clear that some landowning interests are using this as an excuse to attack wild campers generally – and these litter louts are not wild campers, though they might spend a night out of doors.
Wild camping is only technically legal in Scotland – well most of Scotland – and Dartmoor (under the hard fought for Dartmoor Commons Act.).
The vast majority of wild campers who camp in those places and by tradition if not lawful right, in other areas of England and Wales in a perfectly well-behaved way, should be left alone.
Traditional rights to spend a night in the countryside must be preserved.
Pick on the littering wrong-doers by all means but not the free roamers who love to spend time in nature.
Read the sub-text from the powers that be and landowner groups and it’s clear that the tradition of wild camping is in the firing line. Take particular note of the government’s proposed Criminal Trespass Bill – a danger to wild campers and ramblers generally.
I spent much of my younger days camping in wild places. I want future generations to be able to enjoy the freedom I had. Which is why I intend to start a new blog soon on right to roam and land reform.
Never has our freedom to enjoy the great outdoors freely been under such threat.
Attack the litter-bugs by all means. But let it stop there.
Walking the Old Ways 
Well said, John.
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Scottish Parkswatch commentary on wild camping may be of interest – see here: http://parkswatchscotland.co.uk/2020/07/09/covid-19-is-being-used-to-undermine-the-right-to-camp-in-scotland/
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Thank you.
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That is most interesting and concerning. Regards J
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There was a petition going around recently to try and get the Government to change its mind on any new trespass legalities.
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There was and the government responded that it had no intention of using it against ramblers. However, I’m not convinced that there’s a word of truth in their assurances, particularly when you hear what the landowning lobby are saying.
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That’s interesting, I didn’t hear the Government’s response but like you I fear the worst. We must all be vigilant with our local paths.
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It’ll be interesting to see what happens next.
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That’s the main problem with litter bugs – they end up getting everyone banned from doing anything. Blame them entirely as it’s definitely their fault and was definitely coming after all the mess that’s been left recently and all the fires started by the barbecues etc.
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Have to agree. Blame and shame and prosecute the litter louts and arsonists. They give us all a bad name.
My local crag, in Lancashire that passes as a quarry, is now banned because of people barbequing.
I’ve pleaded with the farmer but once they are upset they stay upset and in some ways I can’t blame them.
They have a living to make without the place being set on fire or their livestock threatened.
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Absolutely and we need to educate from school age upwards,
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It’s been terrible.
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Well said, John. I agree entirely.
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I think that there’s no doubt that the restrictions over the past few months have meant more people than usual have been going out into the countryside and, in some cases, gathering there. Some of them have no sense of social responsibility and don’t see why they can’t leave their rubbish behind. I’ve noticed that in our local country park where groups of youths have gathered drinking and partying leaving behind mounds of empties and snack wrappers. Very depressing but impossible to stop it.
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I suspect it’s got to start with education with the young. No hope for older litterers,
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The trouble is the kids learn bad habits off their parents. So it’s not an easy to change behaviour.
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I remember the Keep Britain Tidy folk coming into schools many years ago.
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Keep Britain Tidy used to be based at Wigan Pier! Do they even still exist?
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Yep, and still in Wigan https://www.keepbritaintidy.org/
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Still based at Wigan Pier, then
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