By James Warner Smith, from coolcamping.com.

No signal, no Wi-Fi, no connection to the modern world; there’s something wonderfully primaeval about wild camping. And if you want to get off-grid, while still staying safely within the boundaries of an official UK campsite, there’s a growing band of back-to-basics sites that now offer the ‘wild’ experience on the right side of the law. We’ve picked just a few of our favourite wilderness campsites from our collection on coolcamping.com – so forget the facilities and go wild this summer at one of these simple but beautiful locations…

Lee Valley Almost Wild Campsite, Hertfordshire

Who’d have thought such a wild, wooded location could be found this close to London? Within cycling distance of the capital, this rustic, campfire-friendly campsite has composting toilets, a cold water tap but very few other facilities and enchants every camper with its setting on the banks of the River Lee. The most intrepid visitors come by canoe, with boats slipped in and out of the water directly from the campsite, while hammocks can be used if you don’t fancy pitching the tent.
From £12 per person per night.
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Into the Sticks, Pembrokeshire

Sometimes it takes a lot to beat the beach-bound crowds in West Wales but this tents only campsite hidden between the Preseli Mountains and the Pembrokeshire coast is as off-the-beaten-track as they come. Some 22 acres of wild flowers, woodland and long wetland grass cover this well-named, natural escape. There are rough nature trails and fishing is permitted if you bring your own rod. Campfires are, of course, allowed.
Tent pitch and 2 people from £30 per night. Extra adults £10 per night; children (under 16) £5; under-4's free.
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Wild Camping Cornwall, Cornwall

Home to just two wild camping pitches, this pocket-sized campsite between the moors and the beaches of the Penwith Heritage Coast is a place where campfires, coastal walks and late night stargazing are all routine. Small though it may seem, every pitch still has its own, independent area – a whopping 50m by 50m, basically a field for each camper – while an adjacent 12-acre woodland, dimpled by small ponds, offers wildlife spotting supreme.
Tent pitch and up to 4 people from £38 per night.
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Digeddi Wildlife Camping, Powys

Inside a wide, arching meander of the River Wye, this meadow campsite does have toilets and showers but for the best pitches its worth wandering right down to the riverside and getting back to basis. Campfires are permitted on the stony shoreline, where canoes are pulled up as the water slips slowly past, and swimming is a must. Walk north to Hay-on-Wye before hiring a canoe to paddle back or bring your own and drift idly downstream.
Adults from £12.50; children (under 12) from £7.50; under-3s free.
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Ace Hideaways, Moray

Lighting a campfire among the bracken and trees that scatter this rugged Scottish campsite, you can’t help but feel utterly cut of from the outside world. There are composting loos, showers inside log huts and a rustic kitchen shelter, but wildlife still rules the roost – don’t be surprised to find deer wandering past the tent at dusk. For the most embracing interaction with nature, try gorge-walking or cliff jumping in the River Findhorn at the campsite’s neighbouring activity centre.
Adults from £6; children (under 17) from £3.50; under-2s free.
Learn more and book now