Wild Camping Lincolnshire
In many ways, Lincolnshire is a forgotten county in England. It sits across from the cities of Sheffield, Leeds, and Manchester yet has no urban conglomerate of its own. It is beneath the River Humber and above the Norfolk Coast AONB, but lacks a significant waterway or any National Parks for wild camping. However, as the 2nd largest county in the country, it has many miles of tranquil farmland, peaceful beaches, and old woodlands to entertain outdoor lovers.
Where is Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire is surprisingly hard to locate on a map with many non-residents not knowing where it is. The county sits outside of the main thoroughfares that run up the centre of England and you could be forgiven for passing it over unless you had a specific reason to visit. It is situated in the East Midlands of England where much of the county is fronted by 50 miles of waves from the North Sea.
How to Reach Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire is predominantly accessed via A-roads and smaller rural roads that weave throughout the county. The M1 connecting Sheffield with Nottingham and the M180 that branches from Doncaster to Scunthorpe are the two major motorways that fringe Lincolnshire. National Rail has regular trains running throughout the county with train stations at Lincoln, Grantham, and Skegness. Lincs Bus offer services between the market towns and coastal communities if you would rather take public transport to access camping spots.
Top Activities in Lincolnshire
The coastline of Lincolnshire is a particular highlight for camping in the summer with many beaches being awarded the Blue Flag status for environmental and sustainable tourism. This stretch of the British coastline – from the Humber to The Wash – is popular with beach walkers and avian fanatics.
Another highlight for outdoor lovers is the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB. This area of Britain is spread across 216 miles² of countryside with fens, coastal marshes, and farmland accounting for most of the landscape. It is a top location for wild camping Lincolnshire style as there are many nature areas with secluded camping spots.
Lincolnshire is also a historic place home to Roman Roads, the Lincolnshire Cathedral, and Lincoln Castle which holds a copy of the Magna Carta. For campers who want to mix nature with history, a visit to the city of Lincoln is highly recommended.
How to Go Wild Camping Lincolnshire
In the Wolds, you can find many wild camping Lincolnshire locations. Of course, there are certain limitations to wild camping in England as it is a technical grey area. You can get in trouble if you’re caught so it’s best to look for a remote area that is off the beaten track.
Make sure you pitch your camp late and leave early in the morning. Try and use a discrete tent, don’t play loud music, and most of all, leave no trace! You may have more success stealth camping with a bivvy if you are trying to go wild camping Lincolnshire style. If you do want to go camping, it might be best to get the permission of the land owner so you know you have the right to camp on the land.
If this seems too challenging, there are some official campsites in Lincolnshire. The Mablethorpe Camping and Caravanning Club Site is close to the coast and offers great access to the beaches of the North Sea. There’s also Jasmine Camping and Millbrook Campsite along the coast or Yondar Camping & Caravan Site on the verge of the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB.
Top Wild Camping Locations
Near Belchford, you can follow the Roman salt road around the Wolds. Along this trail, you will follow country paths over hills, across streams, and through areas of woodland. On this route, you should be able to find a few secret places to pitch a tent and camp for the night – especially in the forested areas.
The walking paths between Walesby and Tealby are good routes to try wild camping in Lincolnshire. However, the hills are exposed farmland, and it might be challenging to find a good camp spot. You could try Claxby Wood or there’s the Walesby Woodlands Caravan Park nearby in case you run out of options! Just outside of Lincoln, you will find Old Wood and Old Hag Wood which should present plenty of opportunities for wild campers who want to be close to town.
If you venture along the coast, you will find Tetney Lock and Marshes in the north of Lincolnshire. There are many waterways around this area including the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve. You might find some intriguing camp spots in this location just be wary of the tides and don’t camp on the soft ground of the marsh!
For other coastal wild camping Lincolnshire locations, head to the Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes. You can find shelter and cover amongst the sand while also being within walking distance of the beach. If you follow the coast south from Chapel St Leonards, you will find patches of sand and vegetation to pitch on the beach.
One of the final wild camping Lincolnshire locations along the coast is Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve. South of this region, the land tends to get pretty boggy near The Wash and wild camping locations may be harder to come by.
Final Tips for Wild Camping in Lincolnshire
In general, finding wild camping Lincolnshire locations can be a tricky thing. You have to be inventive with your pitches and identify adequate sites on your own. Lincolnshire lacks any truly remote stretches of coastline or tall mountains, so you must be good at stealth camping and get comfortable pitching in exposed places.
Before you set off for your wild camping Lincolnshire trip, read up on the rules. Know what you can and can’t do and have some idea of what you can get away with. Buy yourself the perfect wild camping tent and get all your equipment packed into a decent hiking bag. If you do get caught, just apologise, and move on. Don’t be afraid to risk it and enjoy the adventure while you’re at it!
