Not sure about most of those areas, but Surrey Hills is def an option.
Did a recon trip a few weeks ago, and plenty of places. But there are a lot of trails and apparently people go for walks at night time so I suggest scouting the area before pitching up. And I'd definitely suggest pitching late leave early.
Here is the route I hiked looking for spots. Get komoot app (it's free) to view the route properly.
If it's a dark colour and you're pitching up late I wouldn't worry too much. Thought you were going to say you had a bright red family tent.
I use these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07FKJDQDJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I think if you really want a fire as opposed to a gas stove (no judgement, I know the appeal of a real fire to sit around on an evening) then the best option might be something like a bushbox
Should be okay so long as you’re responsible and do all the usual prep like ensuring all debris / leaf litter are clear from the ground where you site it and check for roots close to the surface as the ground directly beneath will still get hot. When you’re done and doubly sure the ashes have cooled completely then scatter them wide, replace the debris you’ve cleared and move on, leaving no trace.
It’s lightweight and collapsible and will fit easily into a pack. It won’t make the fire (and more importantly the smoke) completely invisible as nothing will, but it will help and is more stealthy and safe than a completely open fire.
I strongly recommend you buy the paper maps. Or at the very least print out the sections you're walking along and fold them into a dry bag, even if you do find a way to get them on your phone. There's a £7 map of the route here on Amazon and aguidebook as another option.
There are so many things which can go wrong with your phone, whereas paper tends to just work. You should always have a hard-copy map to fall back on.
I have a foldable fire pit from wolf and grizzly (https://wildbounds.com/a/s/products/fire-safe?variant=36077710901415) expensive but I'm sure there's cheaper alternatives. I combine it with a cheapie grill that fits remarkably well NASHRIO Portable Camping Grill,... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08197ZZPK?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
The fire pit is foldable but a little heavy, sure there are lighter options around but it works for me. I usually don't go that far from my car when camping in Scotland
That filter looks sweet. I used to take instant years ago, but I just can't drink that stuff. Then tried the Turkish pots (too heavy), then a french press (too delicate), then cowboy coffee (too many bits) so took a punt on this. One of the best low cost bits of kit I've ever bought, although mine didn't come with the cup, I just clip it onto my camp mug https://www.amazon.co.uk/GSI-Outdoors-Ultralight-Javadrip/dp/B001LF3ICU?th=1&psc=1
Oh yes eggs too - so quick and easy. Add a pack of sausages if space and weight allows, and your pan is big enough to cook them 😂
> > > https://www.amazon.co.uk/Go-System-Sirocco-Camping-Stove/dp/B005FQYDL6/
For what it's worth, if you're happy to wait you can get much the same stove off Aliexpress for 10-15 quid
zhuolang Portable Fire Pit... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08HMGT3GQ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share this one has been very good for me, and it is very compact and lightweight. I tend to clip it to the outside of my rucksack. Hope that helps!
Buy one of these :
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trekology-Camping-Mat-Sleeping-Mattress/dp/B07Q4GHH7H
If you have to have an inflatable matresss. Don't spend all that money for a first time. Use the trekology til it's dead, then think about getting a more expensive one.
I can't find an example in his videos. I'm a visual person, so I remember things I see easily, but the thumbnails he has are not helping with finding an example.
However I remember how he described it, and here is an example, which seems hugely expensive just to create a shield. But it should give you an idea, and you need only a small sheet.
SuperFOIL Radiator Insulation Foil RadPack (5m x 60cm) - 3.6mm Heat Reflective Reflector Bubble Foil | Save Energy & Reduce Bills - Insulates up to 3 Radiators Per Pack https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00GUDVUXW/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_Z0EBGSSVVRXHV25RA6VA
Well perhaps but I really do not think it's necessary. These are mostly used with wood burning stoves they get extremely hot.
I was referring to something like this - H&S 10 Plates Foldable Outdoor Camping Cooker Wind Screen Gas Stove Windshield https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00TY0BZ56/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_3Z1DP413M3VZKYQ51T5M?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
However, I can imagine you are getting frustrated with my replies as I appear to be ignoring your point about the ground. This is because I cannot see how your stove, or any gas stove could burn the ground. Perhaps it's my misunderstanding, for which I apologise.
Let's see what others say and I am more than happy to be corrected.
Bullet Proof? The Sawyer S3. It removes bacteria, protozoa, chemicals, pesticides, viruses + heavy metals.
Alternatively, if you don't have a £100 and/or the paranoia to pull the trigger on that, I'd go for the Water to Go bottle. It will filter viruses, bacteria, parasitic protozoa, chemicals, heavy metals and microplastics.
I've had a foldable gas stove and foldable wind breaker for years, sorts a kettle out fast enough and packs away small too. Never had any need for something sleek and modern.
Got one of these cheap as chips and once it’s was finished with dug a small hole in undergrowth and buried it Left No Trace
I have one of these (that I got for a fraction of the price, can't find them that cheap now) which I find pretty good:
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08M5PMSPF/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_4A0XXQS6FP08ZA6KWMFG
Either with the grill in place to cook on, or with a tripod made to hang a pot over the top of it. Works well. It has vent holes at the bottom which embers can fall out of however, so I usually make a bed of rocks to sit it on to protect the ground. But I was thinking one of those heat/fireproof mats you get to protect patios would do the trick.
But I'm tempted to try one of these:
Which would be much more lightweight, but a bit less solid and contained.
The app should be here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.ordnancesurvey.osmaps but it looks like they've broken something
Sounds like it's temporary: https://twitter.com/OSleisure/status/1397470650755862531
I'd check the Dims, but this is the one I have, it's awesome for the car, trips to the in laws etc.
It even has eyelets you can peg it down with!
Wayfarer meals are a massive rip off and rat packs are poor value, but this style is by far the easiest.
Night before/day that you leave for your trip, make some kind of energy rich food - I normally do a lasagna with a ton of meat and cheese. Put it into one of these bags:
and then seal the top with an iron. When you get to camp, just pop the pouch in some water, wait for it to boil, rip off the top and boom. So much cheaper, and has never failed me.
It's almost exactly the same:
I have this. It doesn’t have every single plant ever in it. But I remember it having a section dedicated to identifying edible plants/mushrooms and such. It also tells tells you a multi-step approach to checking if something is edible, if you’re not 100% sure. You can see the size in the customer reviews, I always pack it on camps, just in case :)