If you’re looking for a more back-to-basics camping experience, we’ve put together this guide on how to get the most out of camping without electricity.
Whether you’re heading away for a weekend in your camper and don’t want to book a campsite with mains electricity, or you want to spend a few weeks getting away from it all in the great outdoors, these tips can make a massive difference to how safe and enjoyable your adventure is.
Wild camping, without the support of a dedicated campsite, or just pitching up where you don’t have access to a 240v mains supply, can be really rewarding and let you reset away from the conveniences (and stresses) of modern living.
Tips on going totally without electricity
There are a number of campsites around the UK which offer pitches that don’t have any electrical supply, and allow you to enjoy a more traditional camping experience. If you’re keen to lean into that and go without power, you’ve got a lot of options to ensure your trip is still comfortable and convenient.
Pack for the time of year
Without the comfort of an electric space heater or similar, you may find you get much colder at night than you might if you were camping with full access to power.
Consider the time of year and weather forecast when you’re packing up for your trip, bringing the right sleeping bag and bedding, as well as plenty of layers, to help keep you warm overnight. If you’re heading away for a trip in your camper, then a set of thermo mats can help insulate the inside of your campervan, preventing warmth being leeched out by the cold window glass.
Curtains are a more permanent solution to the same problem, and can be quicker and easier to use once you’ve installed them.
Image by Luke Porter, via Unsplash
Keeping your food cool with a coolbox
If you’re away for a two- or three-day trip over a long weekend, then chances are you’ll be able to keep the food and drinks you need in a coolbox, and keep everything chilled with ice or ice blocks.
If you take the time to properly organise your food and drink before you set off, keeping the things you’ll want regularly at the top, and food/meals for your last day at the bottom, you’ll not need to open the cooler as often, and won’t need to rummage around in there for as long when you do open it.
Proper planning will mean that you don’t lose as much cooling from your coolbox over the course of your trip, so you can enjoy fresh food for longer.
Fuelling your camping kit with gas
If you fancy cooking up some beans over an open fire, we’ve got the kit you need, but if you’d rather fire up a barbeque or grill, you’ll likely want it fuelled on gas rather than bringing coals or other fuel sources along with you.
BBQs like the Cobb do come with their own ‘Cobblestone’ fuel system, which isn’t nearly as cumbersome or messy as usual burnable fuels, which is ideal if you’re not keen on carrying gas with you.
Anyone who’s comfortable with using gas while they’re camping will need to choose between propane and butane as a fuel source, and we’ve written a whole separate blog on the pros and cons of the two different gasses.
It’s also worth your time to check out our guide on gas safety, to ensure you stay safe while you’re away.
Image by Sage Friedman, via Unsplash
Consider a powerbank
Just because you’re camping away from electricity, doesn’t mean the modern world ceases to exist, and you’ll probably still need to be contactable.
You can pick up a portable powerbank relatively cheaply, which will give you a means of charging or topping up your mobile phone’s battery in case you need to contact someone in an emergency, or you need to be reached by someone who isn’t immersed in the great outdoors.
Don’t forget a torch!
Even the most hardened adventurer will want to take an electric torch with them, whether it’s powered by replaceable batteries, solar power, or a hand-cranked dynamo.
Packing a torch, backup torch, and batteries is a great shout, especially if you don’t fancy tripping over on your way to the toilet in the night.
Tips on Camping without Mains Power
If you’d still like to use your electrical appliances, but don’t want to find a campsite with access to 240v mains electricity, then there are plenty of options to keep you charged up.
Some points on leisure batteries
You can run anything from fridges to hair dryers from your vehicle’s 12v electrical circuit, but doing so over a whole camping trip will likely see you stuck with a flat battery when you go to leave!
Luckily, it’s fairly simple to install a leisure battery to your camper, which acts as a second battery to power your appliances and operates separately to your main vehicle battery. This means you can plug all sorts of devices into it without draining your camper’s battery.
We’ve put together a guide on leisure batteries and a video on installing one to your camper, to give you a good idea of how much work is involved before you get going.
Image by Dino- Reichmuth, via Unsplash
Harness the power of the sun with solar
Solar panels aren’t just for motorway verges and house roofs – they’re now efficient, compact, and affordable enough to be mounted onto the roof of your camper or even folded up and carried about like a tote bag.
Whether you’re going to take the plunge and install a solar panel array on the roof of your camper to keep your leisure battery topped up, or you want a portable solar panel which you can use as and when you need it, there’s a huge range of different solar options for you.
We’ve put together a guide on how solar works and how to get the right solar setup for your camper and your needs, which you can read here.
Wild Camping In The UK: How To And Where To Go
Is Wild Camping with my Campervan Allowed in the UK?
In the UK the rules around wild and free camping can cause some confusion, especially if you are wanting to do it from the comfort of your campervan. Although truly free camping, where you park your van or pitch a tent in a remote area outside of a campsite or property, is technically illegal in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, it is tolerated in most places if you follow the rules of the area and ask permission from the landowner.
However, as these areas are often on private land or in a preserved area of the country such as a National Park, campervans are increasingly prohibited due to the increased risk of sound and damage. Also, because these spots of natural beauty are off the beaten track, a lot of them are only accessible by foot. This means that truly wild camping in the UK, except for Scotland, is sadly not the best option with your campervan.
However, there are ways to experience the full freedom that camping can bring in the UK, whilst making the most out of your lovely campervan.
Ways to Experience Wild Camping in the UK with Your Campervan
Tip One - Head for the Highlands
Scotland is an incredible destination for wild camping, with its breathtaking landscapes providing a unique opportunity to connect with nature. However, it’s important to be aware of the specific laws and regulations, especially if you’re travelling in a motorhome or campervan. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code grants the “right to roam” to people on foot and those with tents, provided they respect the area, but this right doesn't automatically extend to motorised vehicles.
Whilst wild parking in a motorhome or campervan is sometimes tolerated if done responsibly, it’s essential to remember that vehicle access is not a right and should always be done with the landowner’s permission. Enjoy cruising through the serene Scottish countryside at your own pace, but be sure to plan your stops in advance to ensure a smooth and stress-free journey.
Tip Two - Find yourself an almost-wild campsite
If your main concern is being out in nature and making the most of the countryside, then almost-wild campsites might be a great option for you. Surprisingly, there are a number of free campsites for you and the campervan in the most beautiful areas of the UK, including in the National Parks. Although they won't be completely off the beaten path, these spots will still give you the dreamy lakeside views or true taste of the countryside that you are searching for.
They may not have the best, (or any!), facilities for you, but if you have your heart set on wild camping these wouldn't go a miss anyway! We recommend doing an online search for any free campsites before you travel, you'll be surprised at where you could end up.
Tip Three - Look out for Brit Stops
Inspired by a similar scheme in France, Brit Stop's are stop-overs that are offered by generous and friendly hosts who invite campers just like you to stop over with your campervan on their land free of charge! Once you purchase their Brit Stop guide book the process is simple, and you'll find a diverse number of country pubs, farms and visitor centres to stay overnight across the country, hopefully meeting some interesting people and picking up some hot local spots along the way.
Tip Four - Park up the campervan and journey on!
If you are still set on experiencing wild camping and are happy to leave your campervan for a night or two then you can always bring along a tent and make the journey into wild and wonderful countryside on foot. If you do decide to try your hand at wild camping, make sure to check the rules of the area before your stay.
Some National Parks have stricter guidelines than others, and you'll have to ask permission from the landowners wherever you go, even in less strict areas such as Dartmoor and the Lake District. Another thing to consider is where to leave your campervan.
Do your research to find a safe spot to park up before your adventure, some better known spots will be have advise online.
Stay respectful and follow the golden principle, leave no trace!