Winter Camping in the UK: Stay Warm & Powered with Jackery
Beat the Cold, Power the Bold
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Is Winter Camping a Good Idea?
Is winter camping in the UK a good idea?
Winter camping in the UK is definitely a good idea for the right kind of person and with the right preparation. It offers a unique and rewarding experience that avoids the typical summer crowds.
- Peace and Tranquillity: The biggest advantage is the lack of crowds. Popular trails and campsites are much quieter, allowing for a truly serene and undisturbed connection with nature.
- Unique Scenery: The UK's landscapes—especially in areas like the Scottish Highlands, the Lake District, and Snowdonia—are breathtaking under frost, ice, and snow. You get to see the country at its most dramatically beautiful.
- Better Stargazing: The longer hours of darkness provide excellent opportunities for stargazing, especially in designated Dark Sky areas like the Brecon Beacons and Northumberland.
- No Midges: The cold weather eliminates the infamous Scottish midge and other biting insects, making outdoor time much more enjoyable.
What are the challenges for winter camping in the UK?
Winter camping in the UK presents several significant, often interlinked challenges that require meticulous preparation and the right gear.
- Heat Loss to the Ground: The ground is often saturated, freezing, or both. You lose body heat much faster to the ground than to the surrounding air. Inadequate insulation underneath you (low R-value sleeping pad) is the primary cause of a miserable night.
- Long, Dark Evenings: In the depth of winter (December/January), daylight can last only about 8 hours. You must set up and pack up camp in the dark, and you have long periods (14-16 hours) to fill inside your tent, leading to boredom and a mental challenge.
- Battery Drain: Cold temperatures drastically shorten the lifespan of electronics, including phone and headlamp batteries, which you rely on heavily during long periods of darkness for safety and navigation.
- Higher Energy Consumption: Your body burns more calories just to stay warm. You need to carry more high-calorie food and be diligent about eating and drinking hot fluids to maintain your internal temperature. That is the reason why you should take a Jackery Portable Power Station.
Is it legal to winter camp in the UK?
Yes, winter camping is entirely legal in the UK, but the rules depend on where you pitch rather than the season. In Scotland, you generally have the "Right to Roam," allowing you to wild camp legally on most unenclosed land year-round, provided you follow the Outdoor Access Code and "leave no trace."
In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, wild camping is technically illegal without the landowner's permission (except for specific zones in Dartmoor), so you are legally required to stay at official campsites.
Best Places for Winter Camping in the UK
The Lake District (Cumbria)
The Cairngorms (Scotland)
Snowdonia (Wales)
The Lake District National Park is famous for its stunning waters (Windermere, Derwentwater) and fells. Many sites remain open year-round to support hikers tackling Scafell Pike and the surrounding peaks. Ensure you book sites with hardstanding pitches.
The Cairngorms National Park is the most likely place to find deep snow and genuine arctic conditions. This region is perfect for winter mountaineering and skills training (axe and crampons needed). Wild camping is generally permitted and only for two or three nights in one place.
Snowdonia National Park (Eryri) is known for its dramatic, rugged terrain and challenging ascents, including Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). Winter conditions are often icy, wet, and windy, particularly on the higher trails. Sticking to official, year-round campsites is the safest approach.
Essential Gear List for Cold Weather Camping
Winter camping across the UK's National Parks offers solitude and dramatic scenery, but requires serious preparation. It means battling lower temperatures, shorter daylight hours, and often difficult ground conditions.
Jackery: A Game-Changer for Winter Camping
The Jackery Portable Power Station revolutionises winter camping by providing silent, fossil-fuel-free energy, essential for safety and comfort. They are a game-changer because they can reliably power critical appliances like electric blankets and portable heaters, charge GPS and communication devices, and run lighting without the noise or toxic fumes of a traditional generator.
Power Station vs. Gas Generator
Power Station
Green
Solar power with zero emissions
Quiet
Operates silently under 40 dB
Simple
Power at the press of a button
Affordable
Only an initial cost with no fuel or maintenance
Gas Generator
Pollution
Gas and oil fuelled at 371g CO2 per wH
Noisy
Motor operates consistently over 50 dB
Complicated
Multipart machine with high malfunction chance
Costly
Endless costs for gas, oil, and maintenance
Best Portable Power Stations For DIY Projects
Jackery Explorer 3000 v2 Portable Power Station
Jackery Explorer 3000 v2 Portable Power Station
The Explorer 3000 v2 is the ultimate powerhouse in the lineup, offering a massive 3,072Wh capacity and 3,600W output. It is engineered for full RV use, off-grid cabins, or essential home backup during storms, capable of running portable heaters, microwaves, and full-sized refrigerators for extended periods.
Striking a balance between portability and robust power, the Explorer 2000 v2 delivers 2,042Wh capacity with 2,200W output, making it the go-to choice for off-grid family camping, tailgating, and job sites. It can power most small appliances, large power tools, and e-bike charging.
This model provides 1,070Wh capacity and 1,500W output, offering a reliable, mid-range solution for weekend camping trips or extended basecamp use where you need to power an electric blanket, a small portable fridge, a kettle, and multiple devices.
The most portable option with 512Wh capacity and 500W output, the Explorer 500 v2 is designed for solo campers, overnight trips, or short-term backup of personal electronics. Its key features are its ability to operate reliably over the widest temperature range (down to -20°C for both charging and discharging) and its ultra-light design, weighing just 5.7 kg for single-handed carrying.
Note: The pass-through charging feature allows you to power appliances while recharging the power station simultaneously.
Explorer 3000 v2
Explorer 2000 v2
Explorer 1000 v2
Explorer 500 v2
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How to Stay Warm for Winter Camping
Electric Blanket
Glove Warmers
Hot Drinks
Battery Care
Drape the blanket over your sleeping bag or place a heating pad at your feet 15-20 minutes before you get in. This eliminates the "cold pocket" feeling inside your bag. A quality 12V DC electric blanket draws significantly less power than an AC model, meaning a Jackery can run it all night or for several hours without completely draining the battery.
Drape the blanket over your sleeping bag or place a heating pad at your feet 15-20 minutes before you get in. This eliminates the "cold pocket" feeling inside your bag. A quality 12V DC electric blanket draws significantly less power than an AC model, meaning a Jackery can run it all night or for several hours without completely draining the battery.
Preventing frozen extremities is key to comfort. Use the Jackery to power a small electric boot dryer or low-wattage glove warmers. You can dry out your wet socks, boots, and gloves overnight, ensuring you start the next day with dry gear and dramatically reducing the risk of cold injuries.
Preventing frozen extremities is key to comfort. Use the Jackery to power a small electric boot dryer or low-wattage glove warmers. You can dry out your wet socks, boots, and gloves overnight, ensuring you start the next day with dry gear and dramatically reducing the risk of cold injuries.
Staying hydrated with hot fluids keeps your core temperature up. Use the Jackery to power a small, efficient electric kettle or an immersion heater. While a gas stove is faster, a small electric kettle (rated under the Jackery's peak power) allows you to make tea, coffee, or instant soup easily, frequently, and safely inside your tent.
Staying hydrated with hot fluids keeps your core temperature up. Use the Jackery to power a small, efficient electric kettle or an immersion heater. While a gas stove is faster, a small electric kettle (rated under the Jackery's peak power) allows you to make tea, coffee, or instant soup easily, frequently, and safely inside your tent.
The Jackery itself can help protect your smaller electronics. Keep the Jackery and any small, essential batteries (phone, camera, headlamp spares) stored inside your tent, ideally. The Jackery acts as a small, warm shelter for your electronics, preventing the cold from draining their charge quickly, ensuring you have light and communication when you need it most.
The Jackery itself can help protect your smaller electronics. Keep the Jackery and any small, essential batteries (phone, camera, headlamp spares) stored inside your tent, ideally. The Jackery acts as a small, warm shelter for your electronics, preventing the cold from draining their charge quickly, ensuring you have light and communication when you need it most.
How Does a Solar Generator Work?
Step 1
Connect solar panel to battery to make a solar generator
Step 2
Charge and store power using solar panels
Step 3
Power all your appliances!
Step 1
Connect solar panel to battery to make a solar generator
I bought the 3000 v2 primarily for my van conversions and longer photography trips in the Scottish Highlands during winter. This isn't a power bank for a weekend tent pitch; it's a mobile energy fortress. The huge capacity means I can run my low-wattage diesel heater fan all night long for three nights straight without having to worry about charging.
David M.
We used to dread winter camping with the kids due to the cold, but the 2000 v2 changed everything. It's got the perfect blend of capacity and portability for car camping. Our main draw is the electric blanket. This Jackery runs our double-size 150W electric under-blanket on a medium setting for almost two full nights, making bedtime cozy and eliminating the shock of cold sheets.
Sarah W.
The 1000 v2 is the sweet spot for serious solo winter camping where weight still matters, but you want real comfort. I don't need to power a fridge, but I absolutely need reliable heat. My main use is running a 12V heated mattress pad (about 50W) to pre-warm my sleeping bag and keep my core warm overnight.
Alex P.
For me, the 500 v2 is perfect. It's affordable, light enough to carry without hassle, and provides essential life support for short trips. In the winter, the main priority isn't massive heaters, but keeping communication open and having directed warmth. I use it strictly for keeping my phone and camera batteries fully charged (winter cold kills them fast) and, most critically, running my heated vest or my USB heated gloves on the 12V car port.
Chloe R.
PC MAG
The Jackery Explorer 240, an entry-level portable power station equipped with a 240 Wh lithium-ion battery pack, weighs a mere 6.6 pounds, and comes with a solid handle for carrying to outdoor adventures.
KOA
Thankfully, technology has changed that. Modern-day portable power stations are now super light and easy to transport, which is why they are perfect for camping. (Solar Generator 1500 Pro)
Tech Republic
The giant-lunch box format of the device makes it easy to store and carry from room to room. This is helpful in an extended power outage where you could place the device in a home office or kitchen during the day, and relocate it to a bedroom in the evening. (Explorer 1500 Pro)
Blog Recommendation
Lifestyle
The Best Places for Winter Sun in and around the UK
1. How does the typically low and cloudy UK winter weather affect a Jackery's charging?
The biggest challenge is solar charging efficiency. Since solar panels rely on light, not heat, they will still generate power, but the short daylight hours and frequent heavy cloud cover drastically reduce the wattage input. During deep winter in the UK, it's best to rely on AV wall charging (often very fast, e.g., ~2-3 hours for larger models) or using a 12V car charger while driving between locations for reliable power input.
2. Will the Jackery battery chemistry handle freezing British temperatures?
Yes, Jackery power stations are designed to handle extreme cold. Models like the Explorer 500 v2 are rated to operate down to -4°F (-20°C). However, to maximise efficiency and prolong the unit's lifespan, you should keep the power station insulated inside your tent, van, or sleeping bag overnight. Cold temperatures don't stop the battery from working, but they do reduce the overall capacity and output efficiency.
3. Which Jackery model is the minimum required to run an electric blanket all night?
For reliable all-night warmth (around 8-12 hours) in a UK winter, you would need a larger capacity model, such as the Explorer 2000 v2 or higher. A typical double electric blanket uses around 150W. A 1000Wh unit would only run this load for about 5-6 hours. The 2000Wh capacity of the Explorer 2000 v2 is necessary to consistently cover a full, cold night's sleep while accounting for power loss.
4. Can a Jackery help combat the inevitable condensation and dampness of UK winter camping?
Yes, moderately sized units like the 2000 v2 or 3000 v2 can provide short bursts of high-wattage power that are critical for managing dampness. This includes running a small travel hairdryer 800W range) for quick drying of gear and managing tent condensation, or powering a low-wattage dehumidifier for a few hours in the afternoon, as mentioned in the reviews.
5. Is the Explorer 500 v2 a worthwhile investment for winter, or should I just get a larger model?
The Explorer 500 v2 is excellent if your goal is essential life support and targeted, personal warmth. It's ideal for keeping all communications and navigation charged, powering LED lighting for long dark nights, and running low-draw items like heated scarves or 12V heated seat pads. If you don't plan on powering large appliances or electric blankets, the 500 v2 offers the best balance of portability, price, and essential winter power.
6. Is there free shipping?
Yes!
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