Hello there - wild camping in England is a bit of a thorny issue. In some areas, like the lakes district, wild camping just happens, noone I know actually asks permission, and noone really ever gets in trouble - you just stay out of the way, out of sight, obey a few countryside code rules , don't leave any little or foul the watercourse, that kind of thing.
Other areas, it gets a bit complicated - everywhere tends to belong to someone - the general rule is that you should be asking permission first.
Have a look around here:
http://www.bassplace.freeserve.co.uk/wildcamp/index.htm
to get the idea.
I understand our friends north of the border have a little more freedom.
