You can bed down among some of the most dramatic landscapes in the world and discover your own bolthole in one of Britain's rugged corners. Wilderness Weekends reveals the 26 best places for wild camping from the south coast of England to Scotland's far north. Each weekend includes practical advice, detailed maps and inspiring photographs to help the camping enthusiast take the next adventurous step. With a host of hard-won tips on what to take and when to go, this is the helping hand needed to unlock your outdoor potential.
Introduction 7
Wilderness weekends: the essentials 10
Using this guide 23
A word about the site selection 24
Part 1: England 26
1 Do-it-yourself driftwood den 28
2 Among ancient stones 36
3 Beware of the beasts 42
4 Witch hunt wanderings 50
5 Lost in the Lakes 58
6 Return of the wild 64
7 Cave dreams 72
8 Beware the Duergar 80
Part 2: Wales 86
9 Poetry and madness 88
10 Conquer the Welsh Matterhorn 96
11 Alien explorations 104
12 Hut among the hills 110
13 Rocky Roman steps 116
14 The forgotten sibling 122
Part 3: Scotland 130
15 The awful hand 132
16 A pint too far? 140
17 Loch less-known monster 150
18 Skye's the limit 158
19 Bed down on the Buckle 166
20 Moor than meets the eye 174
21 Between a rock and a hard place 184
22 Bothy to bothy 194
23 Hope springs eternal 204
24 Coastal highs 210
25 The wildest walk 218
26 Secret sands 228
Index 239
Phoebe Smith's love of dramatic landscapes has taken her on walking and backpacking adventures all around the world - from wild camping on the Scottish islands, sleeping under a swag in the Australian outback and watching the Northern Lights from a wigwam above the Arctic Circle. She's enjoyed snowshoeing in the Swiss Alps, scrambling in Wadi Rum and canyon walking in the USA. But of all the places she's been it's the UK that holds a special place in her heart and she is adamant that you don't need to travel far to have an adventure.
"Brimful of can-do how-to spirit, get-up-and-go energy, and love for Britain's wild places. Inspiring, passionate and practical."
– Robert Macfarlane
"Phoebe sets out instead to explore our greatest wildernesses and enjoy them simply by spending time within them. Wilderness Weekends offers a refreshingly different set of ideas for any would-be adventurer."
– Sir Ranulph Fiennes
"Includes tips such as what kit to take and when to go."
– The Independent on Sunday
"This book reveals some of the best places in Britain for wild camping. Let's hope it doesn't prove too popular, or those wilderness spots could get a little overcrowded [...]"
– The Sunday Post (Dundee)
"Makes the most of your weekends in the wilder parts of Britain."
– The Bookseller
"Offering hardy travellers wonderful ways to enjoy the UK's dramatic landscapes."
– Metro
"Filled with ideas for short, budget escapes in the UK."
– Wanderlust Travel Magazine
"This is a useful guide, full of suggestions on camping spots and graced by dramatic pictures."
– Scot Outdoors
"A lovely book with the intention to inspire even the most timid of people to spend a night outdoors [...] 26 adventures covering most of Britain's rugged reaches, a table perfectly laid out ready for people to feast on"
– TGO – The Great Outdoors
"Aimed at encouraging people to head out for wild camping weekends around Britain."
– Countryside Magazine
"Each entry comes with glorious photos, a map and stories about the history and folklore of the area, as well as practical information for planning a trip. It will make you want to start ticking them off."
– Adventure Travel Magazine