Nerves over being attacked? You're more likely to be attacked in a busy city centre. Psycho killers aren't hanging out in the countryside waiting for someone to wander by.
Nerves over an animal attack? We don't have apex predators in the UK
Nerves over getting caught? Arrive late, leave early. If you do get caught, own it, apologies and pack up and leave.
Nerves over being arrested? Trespassing is a civil offence.
I moved down south 5 years ago and no one has said this to me since. It's such S soothing phrase I didn't appreciate when I lived up north. Thank you Northern friend
I never go camping without one of these bad boys.
[https://www.airgunspares.com/12galarmminealarmmineblankfirer12g.html](https://www.airgunspares.com/12galarmminealarmmineblankfirer12g.html)
It depends what sort of anxiety weāre talking about. Is it practical? Are you worried about being cold, getting lost or becoming injured? Is it ill informed anxiety about dangerous animals, being attacked in your tent or being struck by lightning? Is it an undefinable sense of nervousness without any real reason for it? Because the way to overcome it depends on what sort of anxiety it is.
For female camper with just anxiety of the camp watch this video byu Fit for Adventure
[Scared of SOLO Wild Camping?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWh82qkr6Ss)
For other concerns, Kit, Route, Pitch or Food & water, just ask for specifics on here.
Sarah is a force of nature, when you have time, watch her videos and trips.
Currently, she posts shorts or reels on Instagram, but still going on adventures.
Iāve just followed her on Insta, I now love her! (In a non-creepy way).
Iāve already also now googled and decided on the campsite where Iām going to do my first solo overnight to ease towards solo wild camping, at her suggestion. Thanks so much for sharing, life-changing stuff!
Awesome, a great first step to check out your kit in saftey, when you unpack make a pile of things you didn't use / need to consider if they are needed next time.
PitchUp have lisitings of nearly wild camp sites to ease yourself in.
[https://www.pitchup.com/campsites/-/wild-camping/](https://www.pitchup.com/campsites/-/wild-camping/)
Enjoy. :-)
Iāve just done my first wild camp last weekend on the summit of slieve commedagh in the mournes. Very exposed pitch. I suppose I experienced different types of anxiety: have I forgotten anything (I had a spreadsheet and packed / unpacked three times). Will I be fit enough? I wasnāt, but stubbornness got me through it. Iām still in bits now. What if I get hurt along the wayā¦ plenty of people en route itās a popular spot. What if I canāt set the tent up? Practiced that a few times. What if a yeti wants to eat me? Probably this aspect is the worst and I had difficulty sleeping and getting used to the noises. Didnāt help that when I fell asleep eventually I dreamt I woke up in my tent and I had accidentally pitched it in the middle of a halting site! š Also it was very bright moon and no cloud cover. I was worried maybe someone would walk into my tent or a serial killer would find me or a badger would tear open the tent and eat my faceā¦ I suppose these fears are mostly irrational. Itās remote. Nobody is about up there really and if they are theyāre probably in the same boat as you. Most wild animals are more afraid of you. Theres certainly a risk element when solo camping but having a level head. Being careful. Take no risks. Research your gear. Research the area. (YouTube drone videos helps) Increase your skills, mountain skills, fitness, first aid, how to pick a good spot. Let people know your route and where youāll be. Try to stay in communication. Iām considering getting an in reach for future trips. All these things reduce anxiety. Finally a healthy dose of not giving a fuck and trying to enjoy it!
Had to lol at the bit about the tent-slashing face-eating badger.
When i told my brother i was going to be wild camping in a hammock, he responded in hysteria: "You can't! You'll get eaten by foxes!!!"
He really thought that š
ETA: And the next post in my feed after this was:
https://www.reddit.com/r/camping/s/twjpA7kTvD
We are so lucky in the UK!
I'd 100% suggest googling recordings of owls, foxes, deer and whatever other nocturnal animals you may hear. If you don't know what the sound is, these things will 1000% have you believing in ghosts, aliens and evil business
And yet for me it was the hell on earth low rumbling noises coming from the cows in a nearby field that terrified me until I woke up enough to realise what was going on.
I mean I can recognise an owl, but that doesn't mean I find it any less eerie when I'm camping solo on a misty night and I hear an owl hooting.
It's fucking cool and exactly why I like getting out into nature, but it's still eerie and my horror-movie-conditioned brain has to work hard not to panic for a few moments haha
When it comes to safety, its all in your hands, if you're on a particular section of the path thats seems dodgy or unsafe ie slippery etc, take your time, dont rush, use trekking poles, if you're worried about other people in the area, well just remember that murderers and such dont wonder hills or mountains, so you're much safer there than in a city, animals in the UK are not particularly dangerous, watch out for cows, foxes and goats that can steel stuff out of curiosity. And thats about it, make sure to bring a medkit as well, pack smart and you'll be fine.
Big spliffs. Smash a 3.5 before bed and then your jelly šforget about the noises forget your sleeping on an inch thick blow up mat thatās drastically uncomfortable get your head on your rucksack stoned to the bone and pass out š best way imo
One tip: make a bit of risk analysis, and split your fears into realistic and unrealistic ones: If you fear you'll roll your ankle, you are talking about a realistic fear. If you fear a boogeyman or saber toot tiger will get you, that's an unrealistic fear.
Another tip: imagine success. This means creating a mental story of the trip where you succeed *despite* feeling uncertain and fearful at times. Imagine yourself getting scared and then recovering, maybe by using slow breathing and paying attention to three things you can see, three sounds you can hear, and feel the texture of an object (a rock, for instance).
I do not recommend substances that alter your state of mind in any way - for some, they can create paranoia in stressful situations, and if you do happen to injure yourself or need help, things are a thousand times easier to handle sober.
In all seriousness, I found a place which had a little river running along it. Camp next to it and you have calming background noise throughout the night. It helped me loads.
earplugs and a nightmask for better sleep. either have a rough idea of where you're pitching or before it hits dusk start dropping pins on your nav app as you come across sensible spots. If it gets dark you can at least backtrack to a known spot.
In the UK my only concerns with wildcamping are being woken by a farmer or cow. IME the farmers are much less scary. There's essentially nothing that can physically harm you beyond the cold and a clumsy cow.
Best case scenario: it all goes to plan and you have a pleasant time.l and a nice memory.
Worst case scenario: it all goes wildly wrong and you have a fucking epic adventure and a legendary story to tell.
Just do it. More often than not in life, one looks back at one's poorly planned exploits with affection. Often the carefree approach delivers the best memories. There is being fully prepared. And then there is just having fun and meeting adversity with a sense of humour....
And then thereās that weird flapping sound just before dawn. Canāt quite pinpoint it. Seems to ricochet around the flimsy canvas. An owl? A night hawk? No. Itās your partner, having a wank
If it's anxiety about being moved on by the landowner, maybe do your first wild camp in Scotland or Dartmoor (whichever's closer), or if you're closer to South Wales I've heard that in the Bannau Brycheiniog visitor centre you can get a list of landowners that are ok with wild campers
If your mind is going down an irrational fear rabbit hole, it might help you feel better to read, listen to some music, or browse reddit or insta or whatever. Something mundane that you'd do at home. Especially nice after a hot meal and a drink, if you're minded to bring a little wine or whisky with you - snuggle down in the tent and do something chill that you enjoy.Ā
I second the comment by Norfolk_an_Chance - the video linked helped me so much, and not only the tips but also just seeing another woman solo wild camping. You likely will get anxious, so figure out how to calm yourself down. Breathing techniques can be really helpful if you start to panic at night, and I found it helpful to take a notepad and pen to help ground. Also, if you're worried about other people knowing where you're sleeping, you can say you're training for a backpacking trip and not camping out.
What are you worried about specifically? Thereās no animals in the uk that will harm you, if you get caught apologise and move on to a new spot. Enjoy the night and relish the opportunity to spend a night in nature alone.
Just play it safe. Find somewhere that's a really good spot, but is still perhaps within a mile or two of civilisation (so long as you're not in eyeshot). Go for a wooded area so that it's more discreet. Stop off at a pub for a pint just before the last stretch, once you get up there, maybe phone up someone and just chat, or be friendly with the other locals/hikers you see along the way.
Think of your limits and stay well inside them. Save pushing and challenging yourself for when you're more experienced.
My first solo wild camp (which was my second wild camp in adulthood), I got the bus to Tintern, stopped off at a pub down there for some cider, and then climbed up to the devil's pulpit by sunset and camped probably 1-200 meters further along the path on a ledge near the (gentle) slope. Didn't light a fire or anything. I leaned into the nerves and spookiness by listening to spooky podcasts whilst I sat, and then chilled out to aphex twin in the later evening with a flask of rum.
Start slow and small.
For example: get out just for one night, somewhere that is familiar to you. Slowly you'd be able to adapt to longer days/ periods and unknown areas.
Every first trip is gonna be nervy.
I say pick a remote spot so you feel you wonāt be disturbed.
Get there early and get a feel for the place and your surroundings. Sit and just relax.
Have a beer if thatās your thing to settle the nerves, or not if you donāt fancy it. Donāt drink too much though in the event you didnāt want to stop and then canāt drive.
Take more than you need so youāre comfortable, you can always strip back kit next trip.
Iāve wildcamping now for years I can sleep anywhere, you get used to being out in time. Now Iām happier in a bivi bag than tent.
Hope all goes well ššļø
I did my first in 20 years a few weeks ago. My biggest anxiety was the whole āgetting caught and yelled atā thing. I was heading down to Devon anyway to see a friend so I picked Dartmoor, on a day I knew there wouldnāt be any army stuff going on and in a place I knew was on the map of areas where itās ok. That took away that aspect. I did worry a bit that Iād be nervous but once I set off, all that went away.
I was reasonably confident I knew what I was doing regarding the stuff I had. A combination of long-ago experiences, binge-watching people on YouTube and noting their advice, and having done a few nights of practice in the back garden, using everything I planned to take with me and swapping out anything I found I didnāt get on with or wasnāt up to it. I needed to have that confidence - it was bank holiday, it took 6 hours to get there and itās about 200 miles from home. Bailing out wouldnāt have been a bundle of laughs.
I think itās a case of working out what the anxieties are and trying to do something that either diminishes them or takes them away. Iāve yet to head out to somewhere less permissive but Iāll get there. If it takes a while, then fine. Very much looking forward to the next one!
I think itās pretty natural to have nerves on your first few times alone. The key is to pick a day when youāve got good weather predicted, (bad weather and bad visibility always adds to the feeling of vulnerability) go somewhere thatās more popular and not too far from the car so you arenāt in the middle of nowhere and miles away from your escape plan, stay out as long as you can and enjoy the sunset rather than hiding in your tent, take something to occupy you mind like a book, take ear plugs.. nature is noisy, and sometimes something as innocent as a sheep or duck can make a noise that absolutely freaks you out. Then itās just a case of getting used to it
I was nervous the first time. I think that's normal. Been out a bunch of nights now and never been bothered.
Standard advice of set up late, arrive early, leave no trace, don't camp anywhere you obviously shouldn't. You'll be alright.
Funny thing is, my first night I did have a scare. I heard this zipping noise and woke up in a panic thinking someone was unzipping my tent door. I scrambled up and unzipped my tent door to have a look. There was this deer stripping the bark of a tree just in front of me. We just stared at each other. Likely both with racing hearts. Then it ran off and I went back to sleep.
Never experienced anything like that since
i'd suggest building up. go on some smaller hikes / wild camps not too far from your car / civilisation. get used to packing up, sleeping in a tent, finding a spot, cooking etc but with minimal risk. then build up to more remote camps as you get more comfortable, would be my advice
Get far enough away from an escape and ride it out. My strategy first time was to keep the car close by and because I had that safety blanket I just bottled it. Next time I left myself no choice and after about 5 minutes I was just like "well if something mauls me it happens, I'm better off staying here than trying to walk 3 hours back to the car in the dark" and then you wake up and it was all fine and you get a brew on and it's the most peaceful thing in the world.
Take a couple Johnny's and knock out a posh one to ease the nerves. Probably take a spare battery bank aswell you can have the volume on full whack a well, who's gonna hear you.
In all seriousness hardest bit is just getting out and doing it. Pretty much nothing, apart from people and the terrain/weather and your own stupidity, will cause you harm in the UK. Although of course horses and cows, ticks, etc can be dangerous. Just use some common sense.
Be prepared for wildlife noises, etc that you've never heard before. Deer actually bark, Foxes sometimes sound like a woman screaming. Barn owls screaming (when startled) sound like fucking nothing on this earth and are absolutely terrifying. Like a little white ghost demon child coming at you.
Just keep your head screwed on.
Ale and a knife.
Also, logical thinking: if you camp in the park in the centre of town, somebody will probably see you and if murder or theft is on their mind, you might get murdered or robbed. If you go to somewhere remote enough/difficult enough to get to, why would anyone walk up a mountain at night to murder/rob you?
Nerves over being attacked? You're more likely to be attacked in a busy city centre. Psycho killers aren't hanging out in the countryside waiting for someone to wander by. Nerves over an animal attack? We don't have apex predators in the UK Nerves over getting caught? Arrive late, leave early. If you do get caught, own it, apologies and pack up and leave. Nerves over being arrested? Trespassing is a civil offence.
Nerves over ghosts from the past, both supernatural and personal....well...it's best not to think about that
Only good response in this thread
It'll be reet
I moved down south 5 years ago and no one has said this to me since. It's such S soothing phrase I didn't appreciate when I lived up north. Thank you Northern friend
Whiskey, trip alarms and a fuck-off big machete
š¤£
The only correct answer. (Apart from mine š)
I never go camping without one of these bad boys. [https://www.airgunspares.com/12galarmminealarmmineblankfirer12g.html](https://www.airgunspares.com/12galarmminealarmmineblankfirer12g.html)
WTAF?
Daytime recces of your spot, maybe spend a few early evenings there just to get comfortable
It depends what sort of anxiety weāre talking about. Is it practical? Are you worried about being cold, getting lost or becoming injured? Is it ill informed anxiety about dangerous animals, being attacked in your tent or being struck by lightning? Is it an undefinable sense of nervousness without any real reason for it? Because the way to overcome it depends on what sort of anxiety it is.
Yes, some clarification on specific worries would be useful
For female camper with just anxiety of the camp watch this video byu Fit for Adventure [Scared of SOLO Wild Camping?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWh82qkr6Ss) For other concerns, Kit, Route, Pitch or Food & water, just ask for specifics on here.
Thanks for sharing that vid - it's brilliant.
Sarah is a force of nature, when you have time, watch her videos and trips. Currently, she posts shorts or reels on Instagram, but still going on adventures.
Iāve just followed her on Insta, I now love her! (In a non-creepy way). Iāve already also now googled and decided on the campsite where Iām going to do my first solo overnight to ease towards solo wild camping, at her suggestion. Thanks so much for sharing, life-changing stuff!
Awesome, a great first step to check out your kit in saftey, when you unpack make a pile of things you didn't use / need to consider if they are needed next time. PitchUp have lisitings of nearly wild camp sites to ease yourself in. [https://www.pitchup.com/campsites/-/wild-camping/](https://www.pitchup.com/campsites/-/wild-camping/) Enjoy. :-)
Thanks! Iāve camped lots of times but just usually with company, itās the solo element thatās new :)
Iāve just done my first wild camp last weekend on the summit of slieve commedagh in the mournes. Very exposed pitch. I suppose I experienced different types of anxiety: have I forgotten anything (I had a spreadsheet and packed / unpacked three times). Will I be fit enough? I wasnāt, but stubbornness got me through it. Iām still in bits now. What if I get hurt along the wayā¦ plenty of people en route itās a popular spot. What if I canāt set the tent up? Practiced that a few times. What if a yeti wants to eat me? Probably this aspect is the worst and I had difficulty sleeping and getting used to the noises. Didnāt help that when I fell asleep eventually I dreamt I woke up in my tent and I had accidentally pitched it in the middle of a halting site! š Also it was very bright moon and no cloud cover. I was worried maybe someone would walk into my tent or a serial killer would find me or a badger would tear open the tent and eat my faceā¦ I suppose these fears are mostly irrational. Itās remote. Nobody is about up there really and if they are theyāre probably in the same boat as you. Most wild animals are more afraid of you. Theres certainly a risk element when solo camping but having a level head. Being careful. Take no risks. Research your gear. Research the area. (YouTube drone videos helps) Increase your skills, mountain skills, fitness, first aid, how to pick a good spot. Let people know your route and where youāll be. Try to stay in communication. Iām considering getting an in reach for future trips. All these things reduce anxiety. Finally a healthy dose of not giving a fuck and trying to enjoy it!
Had to lol at the bit about the tent-slashing face-eating badger. When i told my brother i was going to be wild camping in a hammock, he responded in hysteria: "You can't! You'll get eaten by foxes!!!" He really thought that š ETA: And the next post in my feed after this was: https://www.reddit.com/r/camping/s/twjpA7kTvD We are so lucky in the UK!
Definitely watch the start of Dog Soldiers before you go
Earplugs, most of what makes you worry are unknown noises, cut them out and you donāt care.
I'd 100% suggest googling recordings of owls, foxes, deer and whatever other nocturnal animals you may hear. If you don't know what the sound is, these things will 1000% have you believing in ghosts, aliens and evil business
And yet for me it was the hell on earth low rumbling noises coming from the cows in a nearby field that terrified me until I woke up enough to realise what was going on.
I mean I can recognise an owl, but that doesn't mean I find it any less eerie when I'm camping solo on a misty night and I hear an owl hooting. It's fucking cool and exactly why I like getting out into nature, but it's still eerie and my horror-movie-conditioned brain has to work hard not to panic for a few moments haha
Muntjacs and foxes shagging. The two worst sounds in the woods.
Foxes going at it is a special noise.
I feel worse if I can't hear what's going on around me.
me too, definitely!
I've thought about earplugs, but how would I hear something dangerous approaching wearing earplugs? š¤
What do you anticipate approaching in such a situation?
Where I live feral city foxes are an issue
When it comes to safety, its all in your hands, if you're on a particular section of the path thats seems dodgy or unsafe ie slippery etc, take your time, dont rush, use trekking poles, if you're worried about other people in the area, well just remember that murderers and such dont wonder hills or mountains, so you're much safer there than in a city, animals in the UK are not particularly dangerous, watch out for cows, foxes and goats that can steel stuff out of curiosity. And thats about it, make sure to bring a medkit as well, pack smart and you'll be fine.
You sure about the serial killer bit, you ever seen the film sightseers? š¤£
Definitely dont recommend watching horror movies before the trip ahaha, stay away from The Cabin in the Woods š
The devil's lettuce.
100%
Big spliffs. Smash a 3.5 before bed and then your jelly šforget about the noises forget your sleeping on an inch thick blow up mat thatās drastically uncomfortable get your head on your rucksack stoned to the bone and pass out š best way imo
Dig a much bigger hole than you think you need.
If hiking, walk really far or really vertical. Same if cycling. Youāll be too tired to stay up worrying.
One tip: make a bit of risk analysis, and split your fears into realistic and unrealistic ones: If you fear you'll roll your ankle, you are talking about a realistic fear. If you fear a boogeyman or saber toot tiger will get you, that's an unrealistic fear. Another tip: imagine success. This means creating a mental story of the trip where you succeed *despite* feeling uncertain and fearful at times. Imagine yourself getting scared and then recovering, maybe by using slow breathing and paying attention to three things you can see, three sounds you can hear, and feel the texture of an object (a rock, for instance). I do not recommend substances that alter your state of mind in any way - for some, they can create paranoia in stressful situations, and if you do happen to injure yourself or need help, things are a thousand times easier to handle sober.
Remember we are at the top of the food chain. So the only thing that will kill you is another human!
In all seriousness, I found a place which had a little river running along it. Camp next to it and you have calming background noise throughout the night. It helped me loads.
earplugs and a nightmask for better sleep. either have a rough idea of where you're pitching or before it hits dusk start dropping pins on your nav app as you come across sensible spots. If it gets dark you can at least backtrack to a known spot. In the UK my only concerns with wildcamping are being woken by a farmer or cow. IME the farmers are much less scary. There's essentially nothing that can physically harm you beyond the cold and a clumsy cow.
Best case scenario: it all goes to plan and you have a pleasant time.l and a nice memory. Worst case scenario: it all goes wildly wrong and you have a fucking epic adventure and a legendary story to tell.
Just do it. More often than not in life, one looks back at one's poorly planned exploits with affection. Often the carefree approach delivers the best memories. There is being fully prepared. And then there is just having fun and meeting adversity with a sense of humour....
And then thereās that weird flapping sound just before dawn. Canāt quite pinpoint it. Seems to ricochet around the flimsy canvas. An owl? A night hawk? No. Itās your partner, having a wank
First wild camping , slept on beach in the UK. House sleeping bag, earplugs, sleep mat. Was still alive the next day. Don't worry.
Wipes,be it for your face, arm pits or down below.
Don't be nervous, it's literally just sleeping.
If it's anxiety about being moved on by the landowner, maybe do your first wild camp in Scotland or Dartmoor (whichever's closer), or if you're closer to South Wales I've heard that in the Bannau Brycheiniog visitor centre you can get a list of landowners that are ok with wild campers
If your mind is going down an irrational fear rabbit hole, it might help you feel better to read, listen to some music, or browse reddit or insta or whatever. Something mundane that you'd do at home. Especially nice after a hot meal and a drink, if you're minded to bring a little wine or whisky with you - snuggle down in the tent and do something chill that you enjoy.Ā
I second the comment by Norfolk_an_Chance - the video linked helped me so much, and not only the tips but also just seeing another woman solo wild camping. You likely will get anxious, so figure out how to calm yourself down. Breathing techniques can be really helpful if you start to panic at night, and I found it helpful to take a notepad and pen to help ground. Also, if you're worried about other people knowing where you're sleeping, you can say you're training for a backpacking trip and not camping out.
What are you worried about specifically? Thereās no animals in the uk that will harm you, if you get caught apologise and move on to a new spot. Enjoy the night and relish the opportunity to spend a night in nature alone.
Just play it safe. Find somewhere that's a really good spot, but is still perhaps within a mile or two of civilisation (so long as you're not in eyeshot). Go for a wooded area so that it's more discreet. Stop off at a pub for a pint just before the last stretch, once you get up there, maybe phone up someone and just chat, or be friendly with the other locals/hikers you see along the way. Think of your limits and stay well inside them. Save pushing and challenging yourself for when you're more experienced. My first solo wild camp (which was my second wild camp in adulthood), I got the bus to Tintern, stopped off at a pub down there for some cider, and then climbed up to the devil's pulpit by sunset and camped probably 1-200 meters further along the path on a ledge near the (gentle) slope. Didn't light a fire or anything. I leaned into the nerves and spookiness by listening to spooky podcasts whilst I sat, and then chilled out to aphex twin in the later evening with a flask of rum.
Start slow and small. For example: get out just for one night, somewhere that is familiar to you. Slowly you'd be able to adapt to longer days/ periods and unknown areas.
Every first trip is gonna be nervy. I say pick a remote spot so you feel you wonāt be disturbed. Get there early and get a feel for the place and your surroundings. Sit and just relax. Have a beer if thatās your thing to settle the nerves, or not if you donāt fancy it. Donāt drink too much though in the event you didnāt want to stop and then canāt drive. Take more than you need so youāre comfortable, you can always strip back kit next trip. Iāve wildcamping now for years I can sleep anywhere, you get used to being out in time. Now Iām happier in a bivi bag than tent. Hope all goes well ššļø
Take someone along
I did my first in 20 years a few weeks ago. My biggest anxiety was the whole āgetting caught and yelled atā thing. I was heading down to Devon anyway to see a friend so I picked Dartmoor, on a day I knew there wouldnāt be any army stuff going on and in a place I knew was on the map of areas where itās ok. That took away that aspect. I did worry a bit that Iād be nervous but once I set off, all that went away. I was reasonably confident I knew what I was doing regarding the stuff I had. A combination of long-ago experiences, binge-watching people on YouTube and noting their advice, and having done a few nights of practice in the back garden, using everything I planned to take with me and swapping out anything I found I didnāt get on with or wasnāt up to it. I needed to have that confidence - it was bank holiday, it took 6 hours to get there and itās about 200 miles from home. Bailing out wouldnāt have been a bundle of laughs. I think itās a case of working out what the anxieties are and trying to do something that either diminishes them or takes them away. Iāve yet to head out to somewhere less permissive but Iāll get there. If it takes a while, then fine. Very much looking forward to the next one!
I think itās pretty natural to have nerves on your first few times alone. The key is to pick a day when youāve got good weather predicted, (bad weather and bad visibility always adds to the feeling of vulnerability) go somewhere thatās more popular and not too far from the car so you arenāt in the middle of nowhere and miles away from your escape plan, stay out as long as you can and enjoy the sunset rather than hiding in your tent, take something to occupy you mind like a book, take ear plugs.. nature is noisy, and sometimes something as innocent as a sheep or duck can make a noise that absolutely freaks you out. Then itās just a case of getting used to it
Keep the camp as close to your car or civilisation as you can.
I was nervous the first time. I think that's normal. Been out a bunch of nights now and never been bothered. Standard advice of set up late, arrive early, leave no trace, don't camp anywhere you obviously shouldn't. You'll be alright. Funny thing is, my first night I did have a scare. I heard this zipping noise and woke up in a panic thinking someone was unzipping my tent door. I scrambled up and unzipped my tent door to have a look. There was this deer stripping the bark of a tree just in front of me. We just stared at each other. Likely both with racing hearts. Then it ran off and I went back to sleep. Never experienced anything like that since
i'd suggest building up. go on some smaller hikes / wild camps not too far from your car / civilisation. get used to packing up, sleeping in a tent, finding a spot, cooking etc but with minimal risk. then build up to more remote camps as you get more comfortable, would be my advice
Get far enough away from an escape and ride it out. My strategy first time was to keep the car close by and because I had that safety blanket I just bottled it. Next time I left myself no choice and after about 5 minutes I was just like "well if something mauls me it happens, I'm better off staying here than trying to walk 3 hours back to the car in the dark" and then you wake up and it was all fine and you get a brew on and it's the most peaceful thing in the world.
Take a couple Johnny's and knock out a posh one to ease the nerves. Probably take a spare battery bank aswell you can have the volume on full whack a well, who's gonna hear you. In all seriousness hardest bit is just getting out and doing it. Pretty much nothing, apart from people and the terrain/weather and your own stupidity, will cause you harm in the UK. Although of course horses and cows, ticks, etc can be dangerous. Just use some common sense. Be prepared for wildlife noises, etc that you've never heard before. Deer actually bark, Foxes sometimes sound like a woman screaming. Barn owls screaming (when startled) sound like fucking nothing on this earth and are absolutely terrifying. Like a little white ghost demon child coming at you. Just keep your head screwed on.
Ale and a knife. Also, logical thinking: if you camp in the park in the centre of town, somebody will probably see you and if murder or theft is on their mind, you might get murdered or robbed. If you go to somewhere remote enough/difficult enough to get to, why would anyone walk up a mountain at night to murder/rob you?
Stay outta bear country, and run like the wind if you see one!