[Closed] Ideas for first wild camping trip - lakes??

Choose a walk that's about the right length for you and camp when you're ready to stop. So long as you're above the highest wall (intake) and exercise common sense, you'll be fine. Tarns are popular. Loads of great spots on Haystacks above Buttermere.

As long as you're above the highest fence, ie on the fell tops, no one seems to mind you camping (assuming you clean up after yourselves). Camped loads in the Lakes over the years, normally pick a spot near a stream (tarns are very popular, so you get lots of tents in summer).

Just travel acouple more hours north and camp where you like without being a dick?

Go to less populated and pressurised places - Pennines, Northumbria, edges of Dales, Bowland, mid Wales or south edge of North Wales etc.

Get way from paths and people - and camp responsibly. I have never had a serious issue in 20 years of camping this way, with me or groups.

One of the things I suggest is you research and find a spot yourself - if I publish a grid reference for that lovely waterfall with flat area next to it hidden in the Moelwyns, or the Infinity pool at Loch Tay, or the empty ruined house in the Western Lakes high in an old quarry,  half of the internet start using it next week...

As others have said: keep out of sight of habitation and generally you'll be fine. Camp sufficiently far from water courses to avoid pollution - that beck might become someone's water supply further downstream.

Disclosing camping/bivy spots on a public forum is not something I'm happy with for all the reasons Matt mentions.  Farmers, landlords, estate factors know it goes on but it's spread out and the resulting low numbers don't create problems at any one site. A couple of parties using a particular spot per year isn't a problem, twenty parties and it starts to look used, two hundred and there's complaints*. There's also the point that not every site is suitable all the time - it might be fine with the wind in one direction but not another for example - so figuring out what's best when you are on the ground is the way to go.

*Numbers are representative and site usage may go up or down depending on meteorological conditions.

If you can use a map, you can generally find lots of little spots which aren't right on the trade routes in and out of the central fells. These are best because you can be discreet and enjoy it all to yourself, rather than have to worry about loads of folk tramping past. Leave no trace, ideally carry out your shite in a poop tube, or at least bury it well away from watercourses.

Half the fun is walking into a promising area and finding a good pitch yourself, rather than getting there via a GPS reference.

Lots of great spots. Such as.....sorry they only stay great by not putting them on the net.

thanks for the hints & tips guys and girls. wasn't after specific locations as much as areas of the lakes (or other areas in UK) that it's more or less tolerated (didn't explain myself particularly well) - some good suggestions above

Just travel acouple more hours north and camp where you like without being a dick?

wasn't planning on being a dick, but if your talking about open access in Scotland then too far for a quick weekend away for me (Sheffield)

Fairfield Horseshoe, and use the Priest Hole?

If you're in Sheffield then there are some spots in the Peak as long as you're sensible about it and follow the advice above, though I've heard the rangers are a bit stricter there. I've certainly had some cracking nights in the Peak.

too far for a quick weekend away for me

If you are considering the Lakes, you are really not far from the border, and you don't need to drive to the Highlands - lots of wild camping opportunities in D&G and the Borders.

Isn't it actually legal on Dartmoor? That might reduce any anxiety a bit.

>Isn’t it actually legal on Dartmoor? That might reduce any anxiety a bit.

Lake District National Park have no problem with wild camping..

http://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/where-to-stay/wild-camping