Derwentwater and Keswick in the distance from up on the fells

Leave it better

Wild camping in the Lake District National Park is illegal — but tolerated when it is done with respect. Here is what that means in practice.

Wild camping

Wild camping in the Lake District National Park is illegal. It is tolerated when it is respected, and what follows is what respecting it means.

The rules to follow

  • Gain permission — always seek the landowner’s permission before wild camping.
  • Respect land use — be considerate of working environments. Do not camp in enclosed fields or with livestock unless you have permission, and leave gates as you find them. Camp on high ground: camping around lake shores is not allowed.
  • Consider locals — be friendly and considerate to local communities. Use public transport where you can. If you are driving, drive carefully through rural areas and park considerately. Do not block gates or entrances.
  • Dogs — keep your dog under control at all times and pick up after it. If you cannot find a bin, take it home.
  • Fires — not permitted. No fires, no barbecues. The risk of wildfire is too great, and it kills every creature that lives there.
  • Wildlife — observe it. Do not disrupt animals or habitats, and do not remove anything. Respect wildlife, birdlife, insect life and plant life at all times.
  • Toileting — use public toilets where there are any. If there are not, go at least 50 metres from open water; where it is permitted, carry a trowel and bury it at least 15cm down, and take the paper away with you. Where burying is not permitted, carry everything out.
  • Leave it better — leave the area better than you found it.
A walker climbing a rocky path through open woodland below a crag

Rules on dogs you may not know

On Open Access land and at the coast, you must put your dog on a lead around livestock. Between 1 March and 31 July you must have your dog on a lead on Open Access land even where there is no livestock. These are legal requirements, and they exist to protect ground-nesting birds and livestock.

Keep your dog under effective control so it stays away from wildlife, livestock, horses and other people unless invited: keep it on a lead or in sight, be confident it will return on command, and make sure it does not stray from the path or the area where you have right of access.

Always check local signs. There are places where a dog must be on a lead for all or part of the year, and places where dogs are banned entirely except assistance dogs. Wherever you are, it is good practice to use a lead around livestock.

Reporting fly camping and antisocial behaviour

If you witness fly camping or antisocial behaviour, report it — to the local authority or to the police non-emergency number, 101.

Action is being taken and fines are being handed out. The more these things are reported, the better the case for rangers and police on the ground in the hot spots during the busy seasons.

Before you go up

The weather here changes fast and feels very different halfway up a fell. Safety on the fells covers what to take and how to check, and there are walking routes with directions for every walk from the town.

Start your trip here

Plan your perfect escape with our Keswick guide. From places to stay and things to do, where to eat, explore and unwind.