For the first time, wild camping will be allowed on select nature restoration sites across the UK, giving adventurers exclusive access to some of the most ecologically rich and untouched landscapes. And it’s not just about camping—you’ll also have the chance to take part in conservation efforts, from tracking wildlife to removing invasive species.
“Rewilding Britain is doing extraordinary work to help restore nature,” says CampWild co-founder Tom Backhouse. “This exciting initiative gives wild campers exclusive access to wild spaces where no one has been allowed to camp before.”
At these unique sites, nature is making a comeback—forests are regenerating, biodiversity is returning, and ecosystems are healing. Campers will get a front-row seat to this transformation while also helping to monitor wildlife, track biodiversity, and support habitat restoration projects.
Before setting off, CampWild members will receive an interactive map detailing each location’s rewilding efforts, from beaver reintroductions to ancient woodland restoration. They’ll also get a species checklist to identify the flora and fauna they might encounter.
Where Can You Camp?
The initiative kicks off with 15 sites across Britain, stretching from Cornwall to Scotland, with plans to expand further. Among the first rewilding sites welcoming campers are:
-Pine Island, Yorkshire Dales – A remote spot on a renaturing farm where campers can help de-weed trees (25,000 have already been planted!) and take part in bracken bashing to support biodiversity.
-Mapperton Wildlands, Dorset – A vast 1,000-acre rewilding project where former farmland is being transformed into thriving natural habitat.
-Rewilding Kinkell, St Andrews, Scotland – A coastal nature restoration project where campers can witness first hand how reinstating natural processes revives the land.
This initiative isn’t just about spending a night under the stars—it’s about building a deeper connection with nature.
“Rewilding must have people at its heart to succeed,” says Sara King of Rewilding Britain. “This is an amazing opportunity to experience the astounding benefits rewilding can bring to our health and wellbeing, and to witness first-hand what letting nature lead can achieve.”
CampWild, founded in 2023 by Tom Backhouse and Alex Clasper, is all about responsible access to nature. Unlike traditional campsites, it offers one camper or small group at a time the rare opportunity to legally wild camp for up to 48 hours in locations like ancient woodlands, river meadows, and remote valleys, with no one else around.
With wild camping legally permitted only in Scotland and Dartmoor, this initiative expands access while ensuring campers follow a strict code of conduct to protect the land.
This camping-for-a-cause approach also benefits rewilding projects directly. For every CampWild membership purchased, £1 is donated to Rewilding Britain, ensuring that these wild spaces continue to flourish.
“These ReWild Spaces represent a new era for responsible outdoor recreation, bridging the gap between adventure and conservation,” says Backhouse. “It’s not just about access; it’s about connection. The more people connect with nature, the more they value and protect it.”
So if you’re looking for a wild camping adventure with a purpose, this might just be the most rewarding way to sleep under the stars.
Photo by Josh Hild from Pexels
