Summer Camping: Best Tips, Legal Spots, and What You Need to Know

When you think of summer camping, outdoor adventures during the warmest months, often involving motorhomes, tents, or glamping setups. Also known as warm-weather camping, it's when most families hit the road in the UK, chasing long days, open skies, and campfire meals. But summer camping isn’t just about packing a tent and hoping for sunshine. It’s about knowing where you’re allowed to stop, how to avoid crowded spots, and what gear actually makes a difference when the heat hits.

One big thing people don’t talk about? wild camping, sleeping outside without a designated campsite, often on public or private land in England. It’s mostly illegal, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. People still slip into quiet valleys or forest edges after dusk, especially in summer when nights are short and the weather’s kinder. That’s where the UK 36 rule, a guideline suggesting you stay at least 36 metres from roads, dwellings, or footpaths when wild camping comes in — not law, but a smart buffer to avoid trouble. Then there’s campsite booking, the process of reserving a pitch, often through apps or websites that fill up in minutes during peak season. Bots are snatching up spots before you even wake up. If you want a good site in July, you need to book months ahead — or know where the hidden, less-known spots are.

And if you’re camping with kids? family camping, outdoor trips designed for parents and children, with facilities like play areas, showers, and nearby shops makes life easier. Not every campsite is built for toddlers or teens. Some are noisy, some are too remote, and some don’t even have toilets. You need to pick the right one. Same goes for pets — dog-friendly camping, bringing your dog along on a camping trip, with rules about leashes, waste, and designated areas isn’t always welcome, even if your pup’s well-behaved. Always check ahead.

Electricity? Solar? Generators? You’ll need power for fridges, phones, and maybe even a mini fan when it hits 28°C. campsite electricity, the power hookups provided at campsites, usually measured in amps and requiring specific cables isn’t always reliable. Some sites only give you 6 amps — enough for a phone charger, not a kettle. That’s why so many people are switching to portable batteries or solar panels now. It’s not just about convenience — it’s about not being stuck in the dark when the grid drops.

And don’t forget the rules. Vaping? Some forest sites ban it. Drinking beer on beaches? That’s a county-by-county mess. Even if you’re in a motorhome, you’re still bound by local laws. The 305 day rule, a UK regulation limiting how many days you can rent out your motorhome per year for commercial use doesn’t affect you if you’re just using your own van — but if you’re thinking of renting it out, you need to know it.

Summer camping in the UK isn’t just about finding a pretty spot. It’s about knowing the laws, beating the crowds, packing smart, and staying safe. The posts below cover exactly that — from how to score a last-minute pitch without bots, to what to pack when you’re camping with a dog, to why stealth camping works better in summer than winter. You’ll find real advice, no fluff, just what works when the sun’s out and the road’s calling.