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.
