Top 10 Winter Wild Camping Spaces
- Alex Clasper
- Dec 5
- 8 min read
Winter is where wild camping really comes alive for us. The air feels cleaner, the landscapes feel bigger and the whole experience becomes quieter, slower and somehow more memorable. When we first started camping on Dartmoor all those years ago, it was winter nights that hooked us — watching the light shift across a cold moor, hearing nothing but wind and water, waking up to frost on the grass and feeling like we’d stumbled into a different version of the world.
So for this season, we’ve pulled together ten of our favourite Wild Spaces to head to when the temperature drops. These are the places we go back to ourselves. The ones that feel raw, beautiful, peaceful and properly wild in the winter months. Each one has its own character, its own magic and its own reason we think you should go.
If you’re looking for a winter escape that actually feels like an escape, this is the list.
RIPPON TOR | DARTMOOR
Rippon Tor is one of those places that instantly hits you in the chest. Even after countless nights on Dartmoor, standing up here feels unreal. It’s the kind of spot that reminds you why wild camping grabbed us so hard in the first place.
Why we love it
Dartmoor is where our love for wild camping really began, and Rippon Tor holds everything we adore about it. The sunrises blow your head off, the views roll forever, and every time we’re up here we think, this is exactly why CampWild exists.
About the space
Ancient cairns, giant granite boulders and 360 degree views across East Dartmoor. Quiet compared to the surrounding tors, with roaming livestock, passing locals and a sky that feels impossibly big.
Useful things to know
You’ve got a lovely short walk to the summit, and once you’re up there, the views open up instantly. It’s breezy on the tor, but that’s part of the magic — big skies, big weather, proper Dartmoor. Bring a good flask, settle in and enjoy having one of the moor’s best vantage points almost entirely to yourself.
Why it's so magic in winter
Winter sunsets and sunrises up here hit differently. Clear nights turn the sky into a dome of stars. Frost on the granite looks unreal. If you want a winter camp that feels properly wild, this is it.
HAYES WOOD | NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
Hayes Wood is one of those spaces that immediately slows you down. A private corner of woodland where everything feels hushed and peaceful the moment you step in.
Why we love it
We love woodland camps, and this one just ticks every box. Secluded, simple, accessible for everyone in the community, and always alive with wildlife. It’s the kind of place we go when we need to reset.
About the space
Eight acres of conifer and broadleaf woodland, open to the south and west for gorgeous sunset light. Badgers, foxes, deer and owls all move through here. Firepit on site, hammocks welcome, and plenty of tucked-away spots to settle in.
Useful things to know
It’s an easy wander through the woods to reach the space, and once you’re in, it feels incredibly peaceful. There’s a compost loo (a genuine treat in the wild camping world), and campers can use the firepit, which makes winter evenings feel cosy and calm. Dogs are welcome too, so bring the four-legged explorer along.
Why it's so magic in winter
Winter light slices through the trees in a way that feels almost cinematic. Cold evenings around the firepit, crisp mornings with wildlife moving quietly through the wood… it’s as close as you get to feeling like you’ve got your own private forest.
FIELD END | KENDAL
Field End is one of our all-time favourites. It’s the kind of place you walk into and immediately think, this can’t possibly be just for us… and yet it is.
Why we love it
The combination of woodland, pastureland and the River Mint flowing right beside you is just unreal. It’s peaceful, private and full of the small details that make a wild camp unforgettable.
About the space
A large, tucked-away field enclosed by towering beech trees, with the river running alongside your space. Wildlife everywhere, bluebells in spring, gold canopies in autumn, and wild swimming for the brave.
Useful things to know
A straightforward walk-in through beautiful farmland leads you straight into this tucked-away field beside the river. The ground is wonderfully level, the river is perfect for a refreshing dip, and the whole place feels private and sheltered. Ideal for anyone wanting an easy, calming winter escape.
Why it's so magic in winter
Frosted grass, the river whispering beside you, and total silence. Those big beeches hold the light beautifully on winter mornings. If you want a winter camp that feels cosy and tucked away, this is it.
COLUMN WOOD | EAST SUSSEX
Column Woods is the woodland we’d have loved to grow up beside. Full of character, full of wildlife, and lovingly stewarded by a family who genuinely care about the land.
Why we love it
Every visit feels different. Bluebells in spring, thick canopy in summer, foraging heaven in autumn. It’s one of the most accessible “true woodland” camps in our network.
About the space
Six acres of varied woodland with secluded corners, hammock spots, level glades and wild undergrowth. Part of a wider habitat corridor with deer, foxes, hares and endless birdlife.
Useful things to know
Parking is close by, and the woodland opens up beautifully as you wander through. There are hammock spots everywhere and a few lovely level areas for tents. Fires are allowed in the designated firepits, which makes winter evenings feel properly atmospheric. Dogs are welcome too, and the hosts are brilliant.
Why it's so magic in winterThe woodland opens up as the leaves fall. Light moves differently, sound carries, wildlife becomes easier to spot, and crisp nights around the firepit feel like the simplest kind of joy.
LUCIFERS WOOD | NORFOLK
Lucifer’s Wood is a young woodland with enormous skies and even bigger views. It’s simple, open, and exactly the kind of space we love stumbling across on farms that are changing the way they work with nature.
Why we love it
Camping in a landscape that’s actively regenerating feels special. You can actually see the land healing and wildlife creeping back in — and you’re camping right in the middle of that story.
About the space
Set on one of the highest points of the farm, surrounded by arable fields and emerging woodland. Big sunrises and sunsets, quiet hedgerows, flat access for tents, vans or rooftops.
Useful things to know
You can drive right up to the space in the drier months, and even in winter it’s only a short stroll from the parking area. Dogs are welcome on leads, and the hosts are always happy to share what they’re doing with the land — which adds an extra layer of meaning to your stay. If you like big skies and glowing sunsets, this spot delivers them in spades.
Why it's so magic in winter
Open skies turn winter light into a full show — glowing horizons, sharp air and unbelievable stars on clear nights. If you want a winter camp that feels bright and expansive, this is a gem.
BLACK MOSS | KENDAL
Black Moss is the one that completely surprised us. A tarn, a farm, rolling Cumbrian hummocks… and then suddenly this wild, beautiful bowl of water appears out of nowhere.
Why we love it
It feels remote without being far. Frozen tarns in winter, water lilies in summer, huge views in every direction — it’s a space that changes every time you go.
About the space
Set beside a crystal clear tarn on a multi-generational sheep farm. Tall grasses, grazing sheep, dragonflies, ridgelines and sunsets across the Lakes. One of the most exposed spaces we’ve unlocked.
Useful things to know
A gentle walk brings you out to the tarn, and the moment it appears, it’s a wow moment. The ground near the water is surprisingly level, perfect for settling in and enjoying a peaceful night by the water. Bring a warm drink and soak up the huge views — it feels remote in the best possible way.
Why it's so magic in winter When we visited, the tarn was completely frozen over. The whole landscape felt still, cold and vast. Winter sunrises here are unreal — pastel skies reflecting off the ice, with the fells glowing behind you.
SECRET VALLEY | MONMOUTHSHIRE
Secret Valley really is what it says on the tin. You walk through a short stretch of woodland and suddenly step into this private, hidden bowl of wildness.
Why we love it
It feels like your own little world for the night. Kids can roam safely, groups can spread out, and everywhere you look there’s something growing, blooming or moving.
About the space
A natural amphitheatre of meadow and woodland, rich in wildflowers and rare species. Protected, enclosed, and incredibly quiet.
Useful things to know
It’s a short wander from the parking spot into your own enclosed natural amphitheatre. There’s loads of room for tents and hammocks, and it’s a brilliant place for families and groups who want space to spread out. The pub is just up the road if you fancy warm food or a pint before settling in.
Why it's so magic in winter
Winter strips everything back, revealing the shape of the valley. Cold mornings with mist sitting low in the bowl are unreal. It’s peaceful in a way that feels almost ancient.
BEAVER LODGE | EAST SUSSEX
Beaver Lodge is one of the most exciting Wild Spaces we’ve ever unlocked. A private island, surrounded by a rewilding lake, reached by a pull-across boat. It’s joy in its purest form.
Why we love it
Because how often do you get to camp on your own island? And even better, your stay actively supports a rewilding project. Everything about this place feels purposeful.
About the space
Woodland island, firepit, space for tents and hammocks, and the entire lake ecosystem evolving around you. The Furnace Brook team are doing brilliant conservation work here.
Useful things to know
The parking is close, and the short boat pull across the lake is half the fun. Once you’re on the island, you’ve got a firepit, space for tents and hammocks, and access to drinking water and compost loos nearby. It’s super accessible, wonderfully unique and perfect for anyone wanting a winter adventure that feels a bit different.
Why it's so magic in winter
Cold, still mornings turn the lake into a mirror. Ducks, geese and waders move silently around you. Lighting a fire as the mist lifts off the water is something you won’t forget.
ROMAN BATHS | YORKSHIRE
Roman Baths is one of the most atmospheric spaces we’ve ever camped. A hidden pocket in a limestone gorge, with a stream the Romans themselves almost certainly used.
Why we love it
It feels ancient. Properly ancient. You can actually imagine soldiers washing in the beck while you brew a coffee on the bank. It’s a wild camp with a story baked into the ground.
About the space
Grassy banks, shallow pools, limestone walls rising around you, and Gordale Beck flowing right beside your tent. Secluded, sheltered, and unbelievably beautiful.
Useful things to know
The walk-in is gorgeous, following old paths through limestone country until you drop into the gorge itself. Once you’re down by the stream, it feels like a secret world. The ground is lovely and flat in places, and you’ll fall asleep to the sound of running water. It’s an amazing base for exploring Gordale Scar and the surrounding valleys.
Why it's so magic in winter
Winter light in a gorge feels dramatic — shadows stretch, water darkens, and the whole place feels strangely silent. If you want a winter camp with atmosphere, this is the one.
MORFA | CEREDIGION
Morfa is a jaw-dropper. You walk into the field, look up, and suddenly realise you’re standing above one of the most spectacular coastlines in the UK.
Why we love it
Those views. Endless ocean, rolling cliffs, wild wind, and the kind of openness that makes you feel tiny in the best possible way. It’s a proper adventure spot.
About the space
A clifftop field above Cardigan Bay, part of a coastal dairy farm transitioning into new possibilities. Directly on the Wales Coast Path with access to small hidden coves below.
Useful things to know
A beautiful walk across the fields brings you out to the clifftop with those unreal views across Cardigan Bay. It’s an amazing spot if you’re into cold water dips, with hidden coves and beaches nearby. Dogs can join you if they’re relaxed around livestock, and the sunsets here are genuinely some of the best we’ve ever seen.
Why it's so magic in winter
Bright cold days, clear horizons, migrating seabirds, and sunsets that set the whole ocean on fire. When the air is crisp, this space feels infinite.
I love how you captured that shift — that sense of stepping out of normal life and into a slower, older rhythm. Honestly, reading this feels like the outdoor equivalent of finally beating a tough Geometry Dash Lite level: suddenly everything clicks, the chaos fades, and you’re just in it. Absolutely beautiful list. I’m saving a few of these for my own winter escapes.