Hiking The South Downs Way 1.1 - Wild Camping Secrets Revealed!

In this video, I challenge the wild camping ban on the South Downs Way (UK) and share some stealth camping secrets and tips. I also show you some of my watercolour artworks and the gear I used for this 3-day adventure.
The South Downs Way is a 100-mile trail that runs through the South Downs National Park in the UK. It offers stunning views of the countryside, but also strict rules about camping. Many posts online say you can't or shouldn't wild camp on the South Downs Way, but I decided to test this out and see if I could do it without getting caught.
I walked from Cocking to Botolphs in West Sussex, 27 miles over three days, and had an amazing experience. I explored the neolithic Chanctonbury Ring, ran over a motorway, had some creepy visitors in the night, and did some artwork at last - two watercolour pieces to show you what I am supposed to be doing.
I think as long as you leave no trace, you should be able to camp anywhere, so this was as much a crusade as a personal thing for me. We need a right to roam and a right to camp as long as no damage is caused in the UK.
There will be a more in-depth future video about my plein air art hiking gear I take, and more about those two pieces.
I mentioned the Fire Maple XK6 silicon lid melting to Fire Maple via their official Aliexpress shop where I bought it from. Their response was a classic 'why does it do that?' - err I was asking YOU! Otherwise a great pot, just beware!
If you enjoyed this video, please like, comment, and subscribe to my channel. You can also support me by donating or buying some of my artworks. Here are some links to my other platforms and sources:
The entire South Downs Way - now in a playlist!
• Hiking The South Downs...
Website: [www.tjbaker.co.uk/]
Instagram: [ / fingertrouble ]
Donation: [ko-fi.com/tjbarts]
Podcast: [anchor.fm/jaunt]
Gear mentioned or used in the video - all bought with my own money, I've never had a freebie or promotion, my reviews are 100% independent, but I do get a little from any Amazon purchases, but usually highlight where else you can buy these if cheaper...if that helps, please tip me some of what you saved!
TheFitLife Carbon Trekking Poles - this link supports the channel amzn.to/3Rme5aP but are cheaper on eBay in the UK www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?&_n...
Fire Maple 'Great But My Lid TOTALLY Melts' XK6: amzn.to/3TldLvn
Asta Gear tent www.aliexpress.us/item/100500...
Lanshan 2 tent - amzn.to/3tf2z93 - might be cheaper direct via Aliexpress, or wait for sales - go for the 4 season in the UK unless only summer hiking. They are quite often not branded as 3FUL or Lanshan, but totally are if you look at the photos
Kelty Coyote 80 backpack - reviews - www.trailspace.com/gear/kelty...
DIY Caldera Cone and stand - see here how to make one: • Ultimate Hiking Hack £...
Ordnance Survey map - I had the codes from the paper map, saving a subscription. shop.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/app...
Speedster alcohol burner - 50ml speedsterstoves.co.uk/alcohol... and simmer ring speedsterstoves.co.uk/burners...
Saucony Peregrine 12s.
#southdownsway #wildcamping #stealthcamping #watercolour #pleinair #hiking #backpacking #art #adventure

[@poppyclaire3967]

I grew up in the downs, and as parts of Scouts we always used to do hikes on the South Downs Way sort of near chanctonbury ring area - seeing you trying to cross the A24 brought back so many memories of having to run across that road as a teenager when we were hiking, usually in the dark when we had taken a wrong turn and ended up there! lots of great memories associated with the South Downs its a beautiful part of the UK, i'm tempted to try hiking the South Downs Way before i leave for uni next year

[@harduphiker]

Glad I could bring some good memories back - if I inspire people to hike it, all the better, one of the aims of my channel. I will head back in the NY definitely.

[@tomsco7]

Painting was brilliant and a great video of your hike, props to doing it in the winter ❄️

[@harduphiker]

Thank you :-) I will be doing more artwork and hikes, definitely...the Thames Path series is more photography but planning to go to Scotland and definitely taking my watercolours!

[@tomsco7]

@@harduphiker Will be binging through your videos today, I hope you have a good day and weeekend.

[@harduphiker]

@@tomsco7 thank you. And welcome!

[@noofynumbskull]

Pheasants

[@stourvalewalker]

I really enjoyed this video! Especially when you did the watercolours it would have been nice to see the view that you had painted on the video. Keep up the good work as lots of us who can’t get out at the moment enjoy watching you experience the joys of walking a multi day trail. There are lots of opportunities to camp further down the trail to Eastbourne. You will get to see them on an OS map as you gain confidence. Also Google Earth is a great way to confirm camping spots that you have identified on the map.

[@harduphiker]

Thank you! And yes - I did show the scene of the Chanctonbury just before in the video - I forgot to do that for the Bignor one, although I did take a photo I think.

[@harduphiker]

The next video will show the view - just for you - I always take a photo of everything I paint - and be an extended version of the watercolour sections in this, and I talk about them and the gear - will be up in the new year.

[@STEALTH_CAR_CAMPER]

looks like you had a great adventure there , nice painting 👍

[@harduphiker]

Thank you!

[@66oggy]

As a keen wild camper myself, it's reassuring to see someone adhere to the number one golden rule. stealth. All to often on KZbin we see groups in woods, open fires, bright coloured tents in the open, ect, ect. Wild camping in this country is mostly against the law, and barely tolerable with the public, let alone farmers and land owners. All these people being in your face with it don't help in the slightest.

[@harduphiker]

Exactly, I have seen people stealth camping on KZbin with massive lights, tripods, drones, fires, next to paths and water sources (both really bad for LNT) and noise - usually setting their tents up in the day time! And sometimes...they get busted and it's no surprise. It can give us all a bad reputation. You can do some of that in some really remote locale, but in some local woods you're not supposed to be, not far from other people, it's asking for trouble. I follow the creed of people like Steve Wallis - @campingwithsteve where you keep a really low profile, you stay wary and aware, don't bring attention to yourself. You don't go down the pub and brag about it and then walk back with lights, or tell people what you're doing locally (apart from loved ones in case of emergency if you don't come back) - stealthily in, stealthily out - basic safety really.

[@noofynumbskull]

Keep thinking about doing this walk as in Liphook but ...........

[@harduphiker]

You're local! It's a good walk, looks like it's good after Cocking too towards Petersfield, very wild.

[@oki_music]

nice video tim.

[@harduphiker]

Thank you - I will be making an extended version of those two art bits, talking about my plein air hiking setup...and those pieces. Video after next most likely.

[@nostromoglasseye8340]

giant moles.

[@harduphiker]

Could be! I saw big enough worms for them...