TikTok’s ‘free day out’ trend is booming — but some could land you in trouble

MoneyMagpie consumer champion Vicky Parry highlights the legal grey areas behind TikTok’s booming ‘free day out’ trend — and how to avoid mistakes while still enjoying budget-friendly outdoor fun

If your TikTok feed is anything like mine, you’ll have seen the surge in “free day out” ideas — wild swims in hidden rivers, peaceful forest bathing, even overnight “stealth camping” in beauty spots.

And I completely get the appeal. There’s something very romantic about the idea of packing up, heading out into nature and having a spontaneous adventure that doesn’t cost a penny.

What we’re not usually thinking about in those moments, though, is the legal fine print.

Because let’s be honest — when you’re picturing yourself diving into a sunlit river or pitching up under the stars, you’re not exactly wondering: “Do I have the landowner’s permission for this?”

That’s where I (slightly reluctantly) step in. I’m not here to be the fun police – far from it. As a consumer champion at MoneyMagpie, I’m all for helping people find brilliant ways to enjoy life for less.

But I am here to help you do it safely, confidently – and without an awkward confrontation, a telling-off, or a very quick pack-up-and-leave situation.

Because the reality is, some of these viral “ free ” activities aren’t quite as simple – or as legal – as they’re made out to be.

Wild swimming: allowed in some places — but not a free-for-all

Wild swimming has become one of the biggest TikTok wellness trends – and it can be a fantastic, low-cost activity.

But in England and Wales:

• There is no general legal right to swim in inland waters
• Rivers and lakes are often privately owned
• Entering them without permission can be civil trespass

In plain English: you’re unlikely to be arrested, but you could absolutely be asked to get out – which rather ruins the moment.

Where you’re on safer ground:

• The sea and tidal waters (generally public access)
• Official or managed swimming spots
• Places where access is clearly permitted

Verdict: Often fine – but worth checking before you take the plunge (literally).

Forest bathing: the safest (and genuinely free) trend

Forest bathing – slow, mindful time in nature – is one trend I can fully get behind.

Thanks to public rights of way and access land, you can legally:

• Walk on public footpaths and bridleways
• Visit many woods managed by organisations like English Heritage or Forestry England

The only real rule is:

• Don’t wander off into clearly private land

So yes, you can absolutely hug a tree, sit quietly with a coffee, or pretend you’re in a wellness retreat — all without spending a penny.

Verdict: One of the best free, legal options out there.

Wild camping: where TikTok gets it very wrong

This is the one that makes me wince slightly when I see it trending.

In most of England and Wales:

• Wild camping without landowner permission is not permitted
• It may be treated as trespass
• You can be asked to move on

There are some exceptions:

• Parts of Dartmoor (with restrictions and ongoing legal changes)
• Scotland, where access laws are very different

That dreamy overnight stay can quickly turn into packing your tent up in the dark if someone objects.

Verdict: High chance of being moved on — proceed with caution (or book a proper campsite).

Foraging: free food, but not a free-for-all

Foraging has become hugely popular as people look to cut food costs — and it can be perfectly legal.

You’re generally allowed to pick:

for personal use (often known as the “Four Fs”).

But:

• You must not uproot plants without permission
• You cannot forage on private land without consent
• Selling what you collect is a different matter entirely

Also worth saying — and this is less about law and more about common sense — if you’re not 100% sure what something is, don’t eat it.

Verdict: A great money-saver — as long as you stick to the rules.

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The legal reality (without the jargon)

Across all these trends, it really comes down to this:

• England and Wales do not have a full “right to roam”
• Much land and water is privately owned
• Trespass is usually civil, but that doesn’t mean consequence-free

Or, put more simply: just because it looks easy on TikTok doesn’t mean it’s automatically allowed.

As an aside – here is my own recipe for Wild Garlic Pesto .

My safer (but still fun) free alternatives

If you love the idea of these trends but don’t fancy testing the boundaries, here are some options I genuinely recommend:

• Lidos and outdoor pools: Often free or very low cost — and no one’s asking you to leave halfway through
• National Trust walks: The National Trust regularly offers low-cost or free access options
• Public footpath adventures: Plan a sunrise walk or picnic using mapped routes
• Urban foraging: Blackberries and fruit trees in public areas can be fair game
• “TikTok spots” — but checked first: A quick search can confirm whether access is actually allowed

It might not sound quite as rebellious — but it’s a lot less stressful.

The bottom line

I’m all for making the most of free activities — especially right now. And to be clear, I’m not trying to take the spontaneity out of things.

But the reality is that the UK’s access laws are a bit more “read the small print” than TikTok would have you believe .

So go for the swim, take the walk, enjoy the outdoors — just make sure you’re doing it somewhere you’re actually allowed to be. It’s a lot more relaxing that way.