The UK might be small by overland standards, but it punches well above its weight for wild camping and off-road adventure. From remote Scottish glens to the red-dirt tracks of Wales, there's no shortage of places to pitch up and wake up somewhere extraordinary. Here are the best overlanding and wild camping spots in the UK — all ideal for exploring with a rooftop tent.
1. The Scottish Highlands
Scotland is arguably the best overlanding destination in Europe. Under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, wild camping is a legal right — meaning you can pitch your rooftop tent almost anywhere on open land, as long as you act responsibly.
Top spots: Torridon, Assynt, Glen Etive (the James Bond road), Loch Maree, and the North Coast 500 route.
Best time to go: May–September for longer days. June brings the midges, so bring a midge net.
Vehicle recommendation: The remote tracks of Scotland reward good ground clearance. A Defender, Hilux, or Ranger is ideal.
2. Brecon Beacons, Wales
The Brecon Beacons National Park offers some of the best green-laning and wild camping in England and Wales. The landscape shifts from moorland to waterfalls to mountain ridges, and there are miles of legal byways open to all vehicles (BOATs) to explore.
Top spots: Llyn y Fan Fach, Storey Arms, the Epynt ranges (when accessible), and Fan Fawr.
Best time to go: Spring and autumn for clear weather and fewer crowds.
3. Dartmoor, Devon
Dartmoor is one of the few places in England where wild camping is officially permitted. The high moorland is accessible by a network of green lanes, and the views from an elevated rooftop tent on a clear night are exceptional.
Top spots: Yes Tor, Cranmere Pool, Fur Tor, and the Tavistock–Okehampton green lanes.
Best time to go: Summer for the best weather, though Dartmoor in autumn mist has its own atmosphere.
4. The Yorkshire Dales
The Dales offer a mix of dramatic limestone scenery, stone-walled tracks, and excellent wild camping on open fell. The area is popular with green-laners, and there are good legal tracks linking remote valleys.
Top spots: Ribblehead, Fleet Moss, the Tan Hill area, and Langstrothdale.
5. Northumberland and the Cheviot Hills
One of England's least-visited national parks, Northumberland has vast expanses of open country, the darkest skies in England (it's an International Dark Sky Park), and some excellent green-lane routes through the Cheviots.
Top spots: Kielder Forest, the Cheviots, and Hadrian's Wall corridor.
6. The Cairngorms, Scotland
The UK's largest national park and home to its highest plateau. The Cairngorms demand respect — weather can change fast — but the rewards are unlike anywhere else in Britain. Wake up at altitude in a rooftop tent and you'll understand why people keep coming back.
Top spots: Loch Morlich, Glen Feshie, Glen Tilt, and the Lairig Ghru approach.
Preparing for a UK Overland Trip
- Check the rules. Wild camping is a legal right in Scotland; in England and Wales, you need landowner permission except on Dartmoor. Always follow the Leave No Trace principles.
- Check your vehicle compatibility. Remote tracks reward higher ground clearance and a good skid plate.
- Bring a good sleeping setup. UK nights — even in summer — can be cold at altitude. A quality sleeping bag rated to 0°C or below makes a real difference.
- Use OS Maps. The Ordnance Survey app is invaluable for finding legal tracks and planning routes.
Your Rooftop Tent for UK Adventures
All of the locations above are better explored from a rooftop tent. Use our free vehicle checker to find the right Escapade tent for your vehicle, and browse the full range with free UK delivery.
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