Am I mad to consider going "camping" on my own?

[RiverCityFan]

In a few years time my youngest will have left home and I'm thinking about life on my own.
One idea was to buy a small trailer tent to go off camping at the weekends. I think I've found one that looks easy to set up on my own. I would be staying at proper sites.
In my head I will have lovely relaxing weekends visiting new places in the UK!
The reality may be a little different
Will I stand out like a sore thumb as a single female ? Is it safe
Has anyone gone camping on their own?
Am I mad to be considering this?!

I do it all the time. I even do (not stricly legal but tolerated) wild camping on my own. Its a real buzz.

I’ve camped lots in my own. I now caravan on my own. I also used to camper van on my own. I don’t want to go away and meet other single people....I want to be on my own.

I love it,peace and quiet. I can do what I want, when I want. I don’t think I stick out like a sore thumb. But then I’m not bothered if I do. I’m quite happy to go to a cafe for lunch on own. In the evening I’m generally back at the site.

If you arnt keen on the putting up tent aspect, inflatable tents are really big business now for this very reason.

I've done it before. Well, I had my dog with me. It was bloody lovely.

Should have said, I use a DD hammock with a tarp overhead myself and its so much comfier, less to carry and generally easier than tents (when away from proper campsites)

I've not gone camping myself but you might want to check out this Facebook group called 'Love her wild: women's adventure community'. Lots of women on there who go solo camping.

I have a blow up tent. It is quite a big one but nonetheless it is really still hard work putting it up! They weigh a ton. Size wise you do want somewhere you can sit in comfortably if it’s wet /cold. Folding campers are awesome but tend to make comfy nests for mice and other hibernating critters over winter...

I would love to be able to do it but not been able to drive puts the kibosh on it. Even the smallest tent and camping gear is to heavy to carry more than a short distance.

Go for it

RiverCityFan I'm currently scouring ebay, gumtree and local FB selling sites for a Conway/Pennine Countryman 4 berth folding camper . I'm hoping that people who bought one this year when they couldn't get away for their normal overseas break will not want to store them over the winter and will sell them !! I like the Countryman as it is light enough to tow with my VW Golf but really easy for one person to erect. I'm not bothered about having a toilet in the camper as only plan to go to sites with facilities but recent night time loo visits mean I'm wondering if my advancing years may be a reason to find the toilet in the unit a good idea!!!!

If only going for a night or two, I won't need an awning but if away for a week then the awning is easy to put up too and provides storage for wet coats and boots or just somewhere to sit out of the wind . I'm lucky enough to have parents with a big barn that I could store it in too.

Wow, OP.

That trailer tent looks amazing - I assume that's a bed in it too?

You've almost got me wanted one now!

I've got a campervan and have been away in it a few times on my own when I've done courses. Loved it. Nobody even realised I was on my own I wouldn't have thought.

My plan is to do more travelling when I can, with or without the husband.

I don’t like camping but would be happy inside a camper van. Though that trailer tent looks like a good option. I helped opening a canal lock last year to a retired woman who was single handedly traversing all the canal networks in one of the smallest canal boats I have ever seen. Her permanent home was in London. That’s an expensive way to travel the country though.

it is brilliant, pick an adult only site with few caravans and preferably one where you can have a fire. Find a walking distance pub or stock up on a brilliant bottle of wine and some very good treats. You will never look back!

@Valkadin

I don’t like camping but would be happy inside a camper van. Though that trailer tent looks like a good option. I helped opening a canal lock last year to a retired woman who was single handedly traversing all the canal networks in one of the smallest canal boats I have ever seen. Her permanent home was in London. That’s an expensive way to travel the country though.

I watch Canal Boat Diaries - about a bloke who does just that by himself.

I also remember watching a programme on the history of caravanning (thanks, BBC4). There was a woman who got one of the first small caravans and took it all over Europe, staying anywhere, often in very remote places, just by herself.

Sounds fun

Why not buy a van as your main vehicle. Kit it out with the basics in the back, put an awning or a vehicle attaching tent on it and that way you can sleep in the van which will be warmer and safer but you would have all the benefits of camping.

I intend to live this way when I retire.

I have a friend who does this, she belongs to a camping club too and goes to rallies (pre covid!) sometimes and made other single camper friends.

But personally I would book premier inns or similar for just me, wouldn't feel secure in a tent alone unless I took my (shared custody) dog

We have a people carrier, and I just take the seats out and sleep in the back. I can't be arsed with putting up a tent.

I really like the look of the Raclet, OP. I've seen them on European sites with families in them as there are lots of additions you can buy.

We have a much bigger folding camper that is definitely a two-man job.

That camper will be lovely to tow and relatively easy to put up. Have fun!

The Raclet looks great. We’ve got one of their Safari trailers which we love. That’s definitely a two person job to put up.

It might be worth trying out putting it up by yourself - I can recommend Burcroft Camping in Northampton if that’s near enough you, they’re really helpful.

I'm divorced and go camping on my own all the time. I also camp at festivals alone. I'm 58. It's a lively inexpensive break in nature and not a problem at all.

I've done the last three weekends. I take a small hike tent and sit in my car in the evenings. I've also camped in Europe taking all my kit in a holdall on a 15kg baggage allowance.

Never had any issues.

@crackofdoom

I do it all the time in my van, which isn't really a camper, but you can take the seats out and put a blow up mattress in the back, and it has windows and curtains. Never ever had a problem, or even a comment. I absolutely love it.

Off up to Dartmoor this weekend (except that, unusually, a gentleman friend has invited himself along this time. To be honest, I think that this will be a different experience, but not necessarily a better one. Losing the joys of solitude will hopefully be compensated by (ahem) other pleasures ).

Can I ask which van you have? I am looking at doing something similar and am considering a Berlingo with individual removable rear seats, so I can still take passengers when needed. I intend to make some modular storage to replace the seats on some trips. (Or perhaps get a Bootjump type system. I'd like a vehicle that can be used as a regular vehicle too and that goes under car park barriers.

Wow, thanks everyone for your ideas and suggestions. I'm actually quite excited about my plan now!
Time to start researching places to visit!

Enjoy yourself, crack of doom

Sounds amazing. No way would i stay in a flimsy tent on my own though. Get a camper. Stay safe