Non Touristy Things To Do In England: An Adventurer’S Guide To Wild
Are you tired of seeing the same photos of Big Ben and the Tower of London? Do you scroll through travel blogs and feel like you’re just being sold a pre-packaged version of England, complete with crowds, queues, and gift shops?
You’re not alone. Many of us who crave the outdoors feel a disconnect with a travel itinerary that hops from one packed city to the next. The real, wild heart of England often gets lost in the noise.
This guide promises to change that. We’re here to show you a different side of the country—one that requires a good pair of boots, a reliable map, and a spirit of adventure. This is your expert-led manual for finding the authentic, wild spaces that exist between the postcards.
In this comprehensive Non Touristy Things To Do In England guide, we’ll walk you through how to hike ancient and forgotten pathways, the secrets to responsible wild camping, the thrill of foraging on a quiet coastline, and the essential gear and mindset you need to explore with confidence. Let’s get started.
The Real Reward: Why Go Beyond the Beaten Path?
Choosing to seek out quieter spots isn’t just about avoiding crowds. It’s about a fundamentally different way of experiencing a country. The benefits of Non Touristy Things To Do In England are about connection, skill-building, and genuine discovery.
When you step onto a misty moorland trail or pitch a tent under a sky full of stars, you connect with the landscape in a way that’s impossible from a tour bus. You learn to read the weather, navigate by map and compass, and rely on your own two feet.
This approach fosters self-reliance and builds real outdoor skills. It also allows for true solitude—a rare and valuable commodity. You’ll find that the silence of a forest or the sound of waves on an empty beach offers a deeper, more lasting memory than any crowded landmark.
Your Essential Toolkit: Gear & Mindset for the Quiet Path
Heading into England’s wilder corners requires preparation. The weather can change in an instant, and you won’t find a cafe or visitor center around every corner. Success here is built on a foundation of the right gear and, more importantly, the right mindset.
Navigation is Non-Negotiable
Your smartphone is a useful tool, but it should never be your only navigation aid. Batteries die, screens break, and signal is often non-existent where you need it most. This is one of the most common problems with Non Touristy Things To Do In England.
Invest in a paper Ordnance Survey (OS) map for the area you’re exploring (the 1:25,000 scale “Explorer” series shows the most detail). Learn to use it with a reliable baseplate compass, like a Suunto A-30 or Silva Ranger. Practice in a local park before you head for the hills. This skill is your single greatest safety net.
The Right Gear for Unpredictable Weather
There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing. The key to comfort and safety in the English outdoors is layering.
- Base Layer: A moisture-wicking top (merino wool or synthetic) that draws sweat away from your skin.
- Mid Layer: An insulating fleece or lightweight down jacket to trap body heat.
- Outer Shell: A fully waterproof and windproof jacket and trousers. Look for gear with a proven membrane like Gore-Tex.
Your feet are your most important asset. Invest in a pair of comfortable, waterproof hiking boots with good ankle support. Brands like Scarpa, Salomon, and Meindl are trusted for a reason. Always wear them with good quality wool hiking socks.
The Mindset of a Self-Reliant Explorer
Beyond gear, your most crucial tool is your brain. Always check a detailed weather forecast from a source like the Met Office Mountain Weather service before you leave. Tell someone reliable where you are going and when you expect to be back. Be prepared to change your plans or turn back if conditions worsen. Hubris has no place on a remote trail.
Hike England’s Ancient & Forgotten Pathways
England is crisscrossed by thousands of miles of public footpaths, from ancient roads to coastal trails. The trick is to find the quiet ones.
Explore the Bronze Age Trails of Dartmoor
Dartmoor National Park in Devon is one of the wildest landscapes in southern England. Its vast, windswept moors are dotted with granite tors, prehistoric stone circles, and remnants of Bronze Age settlements. The freedom to roam here is immense, but so are the navigational challenges. It’s the perfect place to put your map and compass skills to the test while soaking in an atmosphere that feels truly ancient.
Walk a Section of a Lesser-Known National Trail
While some trails are incredibly popular, others offer similar beauty with a fraction of the foot traffic. Consider these alternatives:
- The Northumberland Coast Path: A stunning 62-mile route that takes you past dramatic castles like Bamburgh and Dunstanburgh, vast empty beaches, and the Holy Island of Lindisfarne.
- The Ridgeway: Often called “Britain’s oldest road,” this 87-mile trail follows a prehistoric chalk ridge through ancient landscapes, hillforts, and nature reserves. It’s surprisingly accessible yet feels wonderfully remote.
Discover Your Local “Right to Roam” Land
One of the best Non Touristy Things To Do In England tips is to understand the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW Act). This gives you the right to walk freely on designated areas of “access land,” which includes many mountains, moors, heaths, and downs. These areas are marked in yellow on OS Explorer maps and offer incredible opportunities to forge your own path away from marked trails.
A Guide to Wild Camping: Solitude Under the Stars
There is nothing quite like waking up in a tent to the silence of a remote valley. Wild camping is the ultimate non-touristy experience, but it requires care and respect. This is how to Non Touristy Things To Do In England with total immersion.
Understanding the Rules (and Unwritten Etiquette)
In England and Wales, wild camping is technically illegal without the landowner’s permission. The one major exception is large parts of Dartmoor National Park, where it is permitted.
However, responsible wild camping is often tolerated in upland areas like the Lake District and Peak District if you follow strict etiquette:
- Arrive late, leave early: Pitch your tent at dusk and be packed up and gone shortly after sunrise.
- Camp high and out of sight: Stay away from roads, buildings, and main footpaths.
- Leave No Trace: This is the golden rule. Pack out everything you pack in, including all food scraps. Leave the site exactly as you found it, or better.
- No Fires: Open fires can cause devastating damage to moorland ecosystems. Use a small camping stove like a Jetboil Flash or MSR PocketRocket 2 for all your cooking.
Essential Wild Camping Gear
Your pack should be light but comprehensive. Key items include a lightweight tent (the MSR Hubba Hubba NX is a classic for a reason), a sleeping bag and mat appropriate for the season’s temperatures, a headtorch, a water filter or purification tablets, and enough food for your trip.
Coastal Foraging & Wild Swimming: A Taste of the Wild Seaside
England’s coastline offers more than just seaside towns. It’s a dynamic environment where you can connect with nature in a hands-on, exhilarating way.
Getting Started with Coastal Foraging
Foraging connects you to the landscape through its flavors. The coast is a great place to start, with easy-to-identify species. Always have a good identification guide with you and follow the number one rule: if in doubt, leave it out.
Look for mussels on rocks (ensure they are from clean water), common limpets, and seaweeds like gutweed or dulse. Crucially, you must know how to read a tide table. Forage on a falling tide to give yourself the maximum amount of time before the sea returns.
The Thrill of a Cold Water Dip
Wild swimming is a powerful way to experience the natural world. The invigorating shock of cold water has proven benefits for mental and physical health. But safety is paramount.
Never swim alone. Acclimatize slowly to avoid cold water shock. Know your limits and get out before you feel too cold. Have warm layers, a hat, a flask of hot drink, and a changing robe like a Dryrobe waiting for you. The Outdoor Swimming Society is an excellent resource for safety advice.
Sustainable Exploration: Best Practices for the Quiet Explorer
Part of finding non-touristy places is ensuring they stay pristine and welcoming. Adopting a mindset of stewardship is key. This is your Non Touristy Things To Do In England care guide for the wild places you love.
Master the Leave No Trace Principles
These seven principles are the foundation of sustainable Non Touristy Things To Do In England. They include planning ahead, traveling on durable surfaces, disposing of waste properly (this includes digging a “cathole” for human waste at least 200 feet from water), respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other visitors and local communities.
Supporting Local, Rural Economies
Make your trip beneficial for the areas you visit. Instead of stocking up at a city supermarket, buy supplies from a village shop. Stay at an independent campsite or B&B. After a long hike, enjoy a meal and a drink at a local pub. Your spending can make a real difference to rural communities.
Choosing Eco-Friendly Transport
Consider how you get to the start of your adventure. Many of England’s National Parks are accessible by train. Once there, plan a multi-day hike or base yourself in one location to minimize car usage. This is one of the most impactful eco-friendly Non Touristy Things To Do In England you can practice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Non Touristy Things To Do In England
Is it safe to explore these non-touristy places alone?
Yes, with the right preparation and experience, solo exploration can be incredibly rewarding. You must be proficient in navigation, carry reliable gear (including a first-aid kit and emergency communication device like a satellite messenger), and leave a detailed plan with someone you trust. Start with well-marked, shorter solo trips to build your confidence.
What are the biggest mistakes people make when trying to get off the beaten path?
The three most common mistakes are underestimating the weather, relying solely on a phone for navigation, and not understanding Leave No Trace principles. English mountain weather is notoriously fickle, a dead phone battery can lead to a serious situation, and leaving waste or damaging the environment ruins it for everyone.
How do I find these places? What maps are best?
Ordnance Survey (OS) maps are the gold standard. The 1:25,000 scale “Explorer” maps show the most detail, including field boundaries and access land. The 1:50,000 scale “Landranger” maps cover a wider area, which is useful for planning longer routes. Use these in conjunction with online resources like the National Trails website and local hiking blogs to find inspiration.
Do I need to be super fit for these kinds of adventures?
Absolutely not. The beauty of this style of travel is that it’s infinitely scalable. You can find quiet, non-touristy adventures that involve a gentle two-mile walk along a canal towpath or a challenging multi-day trek across a mountain range. The goal is to connect with nature at your own pace, not to complete an endurance race.
England’s true adventure doesn’t lie in a ticket queue; it’s waiting for you on a quiet trail, a wild coastline, or a misty hilltop at dawn. It asks for a little more preparation and respect, but the rewards—solitude, self-reliance, and a genuine connection to the land—are immeasurable.
The quiet paths are waiting. Gear up, plan smart, and go find your own England.
- Things To Do In Toledo Washington: Your Basecamp For Mount St. Helens - November 28, 2025
- Couple Things To Do In St. Louis: Your Outdoor Adventurer’S Guide - November 28, 2025
- Fun Things To Do In St. Louis – The Outdoor Adventurer’S Guide - November 28, 2025