As winter’s chill settles in and darkness draws close, there’s no better time to dream of summer adventures yet to come. While storm winds rattle the windows and rain drums against the glass, we find ourselves yearning for those long, light evenings spent beneath canvas, with nothing but birdsong and the rustle of leaves overhead.
These darker months offer the perfect opportunity to plan next year’s escapades, and what better way to spark your imagination than with books that transport you to sun-warmed tents and star-scattered skies? Whether you’re plotting your first wild camping experience or dreaming of returning to beloved spots, we’ve gathered a collection of reads that will kindle your wanderlust and help you through these shorter days.
From tales of Cornish coastal camping to guides that unveil Britain’s hidden wild places, these books promise to not only inspire your summer planning but also provide that vital connection to the outdoors when nature feels furthest away. So grab a blanket, settle into your favourite armchair, and let these stories carry you to warmer days ahead…
Books that will warm your winter evenings and fuel your summer camping dreams:
Non-Fiction
“The Salt Path” by Raynor Winn When life forces us to start again, sometimes the answer lies in the great outdoors. This extraordinary memoir follows Raynor and her husband Moth as they walk the 630-mile South West Coast Path, wild camping along the way. Their journey through Cornwall, Devon, and beyond offers a profound meditation on home, belonging, and the healing power of Britain’s wilderness. Reading this by firelight in winter makes every beach cove and cliff-top campsite feel tantalisingly close.
“The Wild Silence” by Raynor Winn The deeply moving sequel to “The Salt Path” delves deeper into the connection between nature and human resilience. Winn’s descriptions of camping in all seasons, from frost-bitten mornings to balmy summer nights, will have you reaching for your tent and planning your own healing journey into the wild.
“Waymaking: An anthology of women’s adventure writing, poetry and art” A stunning collection that brings together the voices of women in the outdoors. The camping passages are particularly evocative, offering different perspectives on solo camping, family adventures, and finding freedom in wild places. It’s the perfect book to dip into on dark winter evenings when you’re sketching out next summer’s camping routes.
“The Wild Places” by Robert Macfarlane Macfarlane’s lyrical exploration of Britain’s remaining wilderness will transform how you view potential camping spots. His vivid descriptions of sleeping in snow holes, ancient woods, and remote peaks offer inspiration for the adventurous camper looking to push beyond conventional campsite boundaries.
“Cornwall Coast Path” by Edith Bowman
While primarily a walking guide, it includes excellent insights about wild camping spots and official campsites along Cornwall’s dramatic coastline. The historical snippets about traditional Cornish camping spots are fascinating.
“The Living Mountain” by Nan Shepherd
Though focused on the Scottish Cairngorms, this classic makes you think differently about experiencing British mountains and wilderness, whether camping or hiking.
“The Walker’s Guide to Outdoor Clues and Signs” by Tristan Gooley
Written by a British adventurer and natural navigator, this book changes how you think about the British countryside. It’s perfect for enhancing your camping experience by helping you read nature’s signs.
Fiction
While practical guides and memoirs help shape our camping plans, there’s something uniquely powerful about fiction’s ability to transport us to summer adventures, sun-warmed Cornish coves and mystical moorland nights. These novels capture not just the landscape, but the ineffable magic that draws us to sleep wild in Cornwall’s ancient corners.
“The Not So Big Life” by Sarah Susanka
While not exclusively about camping, this book explores living with less and finding meaning in simplicity – themes that resonate strongly with the camping experience.
“The House Between Tides” by Sarah Maine
While set primarily in Scotland, significant portions take place during a sweltering summer in Cornwall. The protagonist’s camping experiences along the coastal path weave beautifully through this dual-timeline mystery.
“The Camomile Lawn” by Mary Wesley
A classic novel set in a Cornish coastal house during one pivotal summer. Though not specifically about camping, its vivid depictions of wild Cornish landscapes and midnight adventures will inspire anyone planning to sleep under stars in Cornwall.
“Notes from an Exhibition” by Patrick Gale
Set in and around Penzance, this novel captures the artistic spirit of Cornwall’s landscapes. The protagonist’s daughter’s camping adventures in the Cornish wilderness provide some of the book’s most memorable scenes.
“The Long Weekend” by Veronica Henry
A summer tale set in a Cornish beach town, featuring characters who escape their regular lives through coastal camping and glamping. Perfect for those dreaming of their own seasonal escape.
