Hammock Camping UK: 7 Things to Know Before You Buy a Hammock Tent

Hammock camping works well in the UK as long as you have trees, a tarp or rainfly overhead, and insulation underneath you. Hung correctly, a hammock gets you off wet, lumpy or sloping ground, packs down small, and can be one of the comfiest nights you will have outdoors. The catch is that British weather punishes the basics: hang it too tight and you get squeezed, skip the insulation underneath and you will be cold even in a warm sleeping bag, and pitch without a cover and the first shower ends your night. Below are the seven things worth knowing before you buy a hammock tent, plus a quick comparison of the setups we stock so you can pick the right one for how you camp.

In this article

• Is hammock camping better than a tent?
• What is a hammock tent, and which type do you need?
• How do you hang a camping hammock properly?
• How do you stay warm in a hammock in the UK?
• Where can you go hammock camping in the UK?
• Which hammock tent should you buy?
• What else do you need for your first hammock night?
• FAQ

1. Is hammock camping better than a tent?

Neither is better everywhere, but each wins in different places. A hammock shines in woodland: you don't need flat, dry or rock-free ground, so a soggy forest floor or a slope that would ruin a tent pitch is no problem. Many people also sleep better slung off the ground than on a mat over roots.

A tent wins above the treeline. On open moorland, the Lake District fells or most of Snowdonia's high ground there is simply nothing to hang from, and that is where a lot of UK wild camping happens. If you are curious about other lightweight shelters, our guide to tarp tents vs tents covers the open-ground options.

2. What is a hammock tent, and which type do you need?

A plain hammock is just the fabric you lie in. A hammock tent adds the bits that make it a proper overnight shelter: a built-in mosquito net and a rainfly above you. In practice there are three styles worth knowing about:

• Gathered-end hammock tent. The classic shape, with a net and fly. Light and simple, and the best place to start.
• Hammock tent with a pad pocket. The same idea, with a sleeve underneath to hold a sleeping mat in place, which helps a lot with warmth.
• Flat-lay or spreader-bar hammock. Poles hold the bed open so you lie flat rather than in a curve. Heavier, but brilliant if you are a side sleeper or hate the "banana" shape.

Most versatile

Night Cat Hammock Tent

Hammock, swing or ground tent: the fully waterproof bottom means you can pitch it on the ground when there are no trees, no extra footprint needed. Built-in mosquito net, holds up to 149kg.

£84.99 View hammock tent →

3. How do you hang a camping hammock properly?

Most first-night problems come down to the hang, not the hammock. Get these right and the comfort follows:

1. Pick trees a sensible distance apart. Roughly 3 to 4.5 metres works for most camping hammocks. Both trees should be alive, sturdy and at least as thick as your thigh. Look up for dead branches before you commit.
2. Use wide tree straps, never thin rope. Rope cuts into bark and damages the tree. Wide webbing straps spread the load.
3. Leave some sag. A drum-tight hammock squeezes your shoulders and makes you more likely to tip. A common rule of thumb is to angle the straps at around 30 degrees from horizontal, giving a gentle smile shape.
4. Hang it low. Around sitting height is plenty. You want to sit down into it, not climb up.
5. Lie diagonally. Angling your body across a gathered-end hammock flattens out the curve. DD Hammocks' own camping guide recommends sleeping diagonally for a flatter, more ergonomic night.
6. Pitch the tarp or fly first if rain is coming, so you can set up the rest in the dry.

4. How do you stay warm in a hammock in the UK?

This is the big one. When you lie in a hammock, your body weight squashes the sleeping bag underneath you flat, so it stops insulating. Air then moves freely under the hammock and pulls heat away from your back. That is why people get cold in a hammock on nights when they would be fine in a tent.

The fix is insulation that doesn't get compressed:

• A sleeping mat in a pad pocket keeps the mat from sliding out from under you in the night.
• An underblanket or underquilt hangs below the hammock fabric, so it keeps its loft. It is the warmest option for autumn and winter.
• A sleeping bag you can actually get into in a hammock. Wriggling into a bag while swinging is awkward, which is why centre-zip designs are popular with hammock campers.

The principles are the same as on the ground, just more important. If you are planning colder trips, our winter sleep system guide explains how mats, bags and layers work together.

Warmer overnights

Night Cat Hammock Tent with Sleeping Pad Pocket

A dedicated pocket holds your sleeping mat (sold separately) underneath you for cushioning and insulation. 70D nylon, built-in bug net, about 1.8kg (4lb).

£84.99 Shop the pad pocket version →

Made for hammocks

DD Jura 2 Sleeping Bag

Centre zip and a waterproof footbox, so you can step in on wet ground, pull it up and sit back into your hammock. Comfortable down to -5C. Junior, Regular and XL sizes.

From £60.00 See sizes →

5. Where can you go hammock camping in the UK?

The rules are the same as for any wild camping. In Scotland, the Scottish Outdoor Access Code allows lightweight camping in small numbers for no more than two or three nights in one place, well away from buildings and roads, and asks campers to never cut down or damage trees. That last point matters for hammocks: use wide straps and move on if the bark looks fragile.

In England and Wales, wild camping generally needs the landowner's permission, apart from specific areas such as parts of Dartmoor. Campsites with woodland pitches and private woodland sites are a good way to learn. Wherever you go, leave no trace: take everything away, including your rubbish.

6. Which hammock tent should you buy?

Match the hammock to how you will use it. Here are the three Night Cat setups side by side, using the figures from each product listing:

Our quick verdict: if you want one shelter that still works when there are no trees, go for the standard Night Cat Hammock Tent. If you mostly camp in woodland in the cooler months, the pad pocket version keeps your mat where it belongs. If you are a side sleeper or simply can't get comfortable in a curved hammock, the Pro Flat-Lay is worth the extra weight for car-based trips, festivals and short walk-ins.

Sleep flat

Night Cat Pro Flat-Lay Hammock Tent

A 4-pole spreader frame so you lie completely flat. Complete system: hammock, bug net, rainfly, aluminium poles, tree straps and a sleeping pad all included. Holds up to 150kg.

£174.99 View the flat-lay →

7. What else do you need for your first hammock night?

Keep the first trip simple and close to the car or a campsite. Beyond the hammock tent itself, you will want: insulation underneath (a mat or underblanket), a sleeping bag suited to the season, a head torch for setting up after dark, and a small stuff sack or dry bag to hang your kit off the ground. You can browse everything in one place in our hammocks collection. If you're heading out on a supervised expedition such as DofE, check with your leader before swapping a tent for a hammock.

Frequently asked questions

Is hammock camping comfortable?

Yes, once the hang is right. Leave a gentle sag, lie diagonally across a gathered-end hammock, and most people find it comfier than a mat on hard ground. If you can't get on with the curve, a flat-lay hammock with spreader poles solves it.

Can you go hammock camping in winter in the UK?

You can, but insulation underneath becomes essential. A compressed sleeping bag won't keep your back warm, so use an underblanket or a sleeping mat held in a pad pocket, plus a bag rated for the conditions and a tarp pitched low against the wind.

Do you need a tarp for hammock camping?

In the UK, yes. Rain is the norm rather than the exception, so you need a tarp or rainfly over the top. Hammock tents like the Night Cat range come with a rainfly included.

How far apart should the trees be for a hammock?

Around 3 to 4.5 metres suits most camping hammocks. Closer than that and you'll struggle to get a comfortable sag; further and the straps may not reach.

Is wild camping with a hammock legal in the UK?

The same rules apply as for tents. It is broadly permitted in Scotland under the Outdoor Access Code, while in most of England and Wales you need the landowner's permission. Always protect the trees with wide straps and leave no trace.