Camping in my car?

[User76443998]

To cut a long story short….

My child will be away for a week in the summer on a music camp. My child wants to go but often struggles being away from home and there is a 50/50 chance I will need to visit during the week or take my child out for a night “off” midweek (I would book a local hotel for a night if this happens).

There is also the possibility that they will be fine and not need me!

I would LOVE a break while they are at camp. A night or two away by the sea. The camp is in Devon and I love Cornwall.

I don’t want to book anywhere because a) money is as tight as tight can be and b) I might need to cancel for the reasons above.

I know Cornwall really well. Is it crazy to think I could go down for a few nights and camp in my car? Just parking on quiet residential roads? There is a local leisure centre in the town I would stay in that I can use for showers and I’d be swimming in the sea every day anyway. THIS IS JUST FOR ME, I ABSOLUTELY WOULD NOT CAR CAMP WITH MY CHILD.

Is it safe? I’d curl up on the back seat with a window open a crack and be covered with a duvet…

AIBU? I’m sure I’ll get some interesting replies. Off to sleep now so hope for some wisdom in the morning!

The campsites I know wouldn’t allow sleeping in a car (I have checked) and are expensive in the summer anyway. And the problem remains that if I can’t make it down I’d lose the money…

I’ve only slept in my car once when there was an accident and the road was closed so I had no option! But it was surprisingly ok and not too uncomfortable!

Very politely, this is not my first time with a child at camp. I don’t have just one child, but I do have just one child who I know may not cope at camp and may need me. This would not be anxious mummy wanting to scoop up her precious bundle, this would be camp leaders letting me know that they are really struggling and I probably need to step in.

But yes, they will (and do!) learn a lot of coping strategies while they are away. And they are keen as mustard to go. But the best laid plans etc…

Why not just find a camping site near where your DC is staying and camp in a tent.

You’ll have access to showers, toilets, electricity etc.

I wouldn’t sleep in my car.

There was a post last week of a man sat in his car for 3 hours and it was logged with the police and posters were telling her to go and ask what he was doing etc.
The OP and neighbours were all watching him the entire time.
The poor bloke was just sat there.

I can imagine the hysteria of a car being parked overnight.
If they see a phone light or someone sleeping in there they would lose their minds and you’d 100% have the police called.

You’re also relying on being able to find a free hotel in the middle of the holidays in Cornwall at the last minute - which is risky.
Having a tent means your DC could spend the night too if you can’t get a room.

You could also give your DCs leaders the campsites number, so if you did lose/break your phone, they could still contact you.

For me, I would like the idea of having a base and my child and their camp being able to get hold of me etc and me not have to think about where I was sleeping that night etc.

Sleeping in a car is incredibly uncomfortable - one night maybe , any more and you will likely feel dreadful

and it’s much colder than a tent

unlike a camper van you won’t have a loo or anywhere to cook - you may well spend campsite fees on access to cafes for the toilet and hot drinks and food

id never park a camper van on a residential street so I wouldn’t car camp in one either

Yes I've done this. Usually lose the nerve at the last minute and park up near the police station. Safe but not quiet 🤣

I would check last minute accommodation options once you know whether you will be going - youth hostels or booking.com. Cornwall does get busy but as you are only one person I'd have thought you would have some cheap options that would be safer and more comfortable than camping in a car.

That is not a good idea. You should not do that. You don’t need to go, she will be fine. If your child knows you are nearby then they are going to want to see you. Without you around your child will build resilience and learn to cope with you and bond better with her friends.

I think this is because in some tourist areas (mine!) van owners take the p&ss and park up at beauty spots with their massive white vehicles, blocking everyone else's views. They are also seen to not contribute to the local economy by using campsites when they can clearly afford lovely big motorhomes.
It's about volume - we get a lot of this in certain spots, and I can also tell you that the tell tale signs of toilet paper nearby when there are less fancy vans parked make use all feel a bit yuk

Have a look on house sitters UK? There is a chance someone might need a pet sitter?

Also sometimes the van life forums have people willing to get others park up on their drive (obviously would need to proceed with caution and check they are legit).

Obviously I can see that. I live near a beach myself! But I’m assuming that the OP isn’t going to do any of those things….

Its illegal to camp in England unless youre at a camping ground or have the owners permission on private land. In Scotland you could do this is if you liked.

How old is DC? Because tbh if they dont get so upset they need to leave and come home properly i probably wouldnt go and leave woth them for one night when all the other kids dont. Id just video call and encourage them to stay

But then she couldnt leave the pet to stay in a hotel with DC

They might, but if I wanted a sitter for my cat I’d be looking for references & want to meet both the OP and her daughter / son first. Plus the OP says she needs to be flexible on dates.

I'm sure people who live in quiet residential roads in Cornwall will be delighted with your plan.

I don’t understand why you won’t just camp properly in a tent at a campsite

There are some absolute nonsense answers on here. My car is adapted so I ca camp in it. So I do it all of the time. I have blinds. I take the back seats out. Everything. I lock the car from the inside.
in terms of caping outside of someone else’s house, I would not do it because of the possibility of being moved on by the police, or knocked up and shouted at by someone else. Also from a personal security point of view. That said, some people do.
look at someone called “ mean queen” on YouTube. She does it in quiet car parks and I think sometimes in residential areas. She has only taken the back seat of of her car. But she is more adventurous than me where she parks.
I usually park at campsites or motorway service areas. Costs around £12 per night.
You can also park in a pub car park. Ask the manager and they will let you park for free if you are buying food or drink.
for toilet needs, I use a nappy sack for solids. That is my biggest problem tbh. That’s why I prefer motorways.

I would not do it on a residential street, for you it’s just one vehicle but you will be one of many for the residents. Overnight camping along sea fronts is being discouraged because residents are losing their sea view to a steady stream of “wild campers”.

But in principle it should be doable. Lots of YouTubers make a living out of selling this as a lifestyle so you should be able to manage a short trip. Try Park4night for free wild camping options.

I'd block the windows for sure, I couldn't sleep with anyone being able to see me.

I wouldn't consider it but I'm not you - go for it. You won't be the first person to sleep in their car. A campsite pitch might be very inexpensive and feel safer you might even get electric thrown in. You wouldn't need to have a tent I don't think - you could ring and find out?

What about a youth hostel? Might be cheaper than camping if it just you….if you decide to try and camp in your car, I think you would need to move each night. There are also car parks where you can stay for £5 -£10 a night which have loos and even showers which some campervanners use. You might meet friendly neighbours who offer you a cuppa!

Go for it OP. We’ve done it a couple of times after parties when we intended to drive home but ended up drinking. It was fine.

Just beware of parking time limits in supermarkets, shopping centres, McDonalds etc. Often 2-3 hrs, automatic number plate recognition etc.

Use a power bank to charged your phone so you don’t flatten your car battery.

I wouldn’t feel safe in a car on a residential street tbh but I do this regularly in my van, it’s great!

To be honest once you've spent money on blackout material and a few other comforts, you might find a campsite comes out as competitively priced.

If you're parking on a street there will be street lights and passing car headlights to deal with.

Campsites with very basic facilities will be cheap and quiet.

If you were already set up for car camping that would be another matter. But if you really want to do it, I would try and find a spot somewhere rural rather than parking on a road.

I think It’sa lovely idea and I hope you’re
you do it. just stick towels on to the windows and roll it up so it stays in place