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Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

Original poster

Want to go wild camping solo

45 replies

DestinationTravel · 17/08/2021 21:49

After waiting years (decades?) to find a partner to go camping with, I have decided to start camping by myself! Never done it, but feeling excited about getting started!

I would like to try wild camping as large campsites are not for me - can you recommend some good locations in England or Scotland? I dream of waking up with sea views!

Should I do a camper van or a simple pop-up tent? Is a campervan more safe/unsafe than a tent?

OP posts:
Palavah · 17/08/2021 21:50

Are you on facebook? Look up Adventure Queens

Lovemusic33 · 17/08/2021 21:51

I have a small campervan, I feel much safer, not sure if I would camp in a tent alone unless on a site.

FelicityBeedle · 17/08/2021 21:53

If you’re wanting wild camping a pop up tent or camper van aren’t what you need. Layby camping is your only option other than campsites in a van, and it’s crap. You will be moved along first thing.

I wouldn’t trust a pop up tent while wild camping, I’ve never heard anything good about them. In England it’s illegal, but quietly ignored if you’re unobtrusive, setting up and dusk and leaving shortly after dawn. It’s wonderful

Original poster
DestinationTravel · 17/08/2021 21:58

@Palavah

Are you on facebook? Look up Adventure Queens
Thank you will do!
OP posts:
Original poster
DestinationTravel · 17/08/2021 21:59

@Lovemusic33

I have a small campervan, I feel much safer, not sure if I would camp in a tent alone unless on a site.
That’s what I felt too - that I would be safer in a van and can drive off if needed. I just need to figure out parking locations carefully though. And it must be scary if you are the only one parked somewhere in the night!
OP posts:
CeeceeBloomingdale · 17/08/2021 22:00

I thought it was only legal in Scotland so that might affect your choice of location

Notsurenow43 · 17/08/2021 22:01

I don't so much wild camp but I find the quietest, campsites with no showers and water. For me it's a happy medium. Feels safer being with me and two preschoolers

HasselbackForLife · 17/08/2021 22:01

It legal to go wild camping on Dartmoor I believe

user16395699 · 17/08/2021 22:03

Define safe?

If you're asleep in the back of a campervan and someone breaks in and assaults you, how are you going to drive off? Or if they break in and drive off with you in the back?

ineedaholidaynow · 17/08/2021 22:03

You can wild camp in certain parts of Dartmoor

Lovemusic33 · 17/08/2021 22:05

There are a few groups on Fb that share places you can park up. Sadly the uk is becoming less and less friendly towards wild campers and vans although national trust are now allowing campervans to overnight in some of their car parks. I know a few spots as I have friends that live in their vans full time. I feel safe in my van, I just lock myself in 😊

KidneyBeans · 17/08/2021 22:08

@user16395699

Define safe?

If you're asleep in the back of a campervan and someone breaks in and assaults you, how are you going to drive off? Or if they break in and drive off with you in the back?

Helpful Hmm

I think it's fairly obvious the OP was comparing a solid metal and glass van to a zippable nylon tent.
Which part confused you?

Laquila · 17/08/2021 22:11

To be perfectly honest, if I was looking to take my first ever camping trip, I probably wouldn't go solo wild camping.

Are you tied to school hols? If not then I'd wait til Sept and book a small quiet site somewhere not too far away and go for a night or two in a borrowed tent to see what you reckon. Were you planning on hiring, if you went for the campervan plan, or do you have friends you can borrow one from?

user16395699 · 17/08/2021 22:13

The op was the one saying she wanted an option she would feel safe with. And it was the op who described her safety plan as being based on driving off if something happened.

Asking what safety means to her and pointing out there might be flaws in her safety plan is helpful. Encouraging someone to put themselves in an avoidably unsafe position is not helpful.

CampervanQueen · 17/08/2021 22:13

@FelicityBeedle

If you’re wanting wild camping a pop up tent or camper van aren’t what you need. Layby camping is your only option other than campsites in a van, and it’s crap. You will be moved along first thing.

I wouldn’t trust a pop up tent while wild camping, I’ve never heard anything good about them. In England it’s illegal, but quietly ignored if you’re unobtrusive, setting up and dusk and leaving shortly after dawn. It’s wonderful

Not quite true. Wild camping is perfectly legal in Scotland. Just spent two weeks there using a variety of laybys and carparks. Had some stunning views and we didn't get moved one once.
user16395699 · 17/08/2021 22:15

Also, no need to be a dick.

FelicityBeedle · 17/08/2021 22:15

@CampervanQueen
Sorry I wasn’t very clear I was talking about England all the way through that post. Yeah Scotland is much more accommodating

CampervanQueen · 17/08/2021 22:16

[quote FelicityBeedle]@CampervanQueen
Sorry I wasn’t very clear I was talking about England all the way through that post. Yeah Scotland is much more accommodating[/quote]
Ah makes sense.

Even in England you can get away with it (we've a few good spots in the Yorkshire Wolds!) but the risk is much higher so we tend to play it safe and use campsites.

Original poster
DestinationTravel · 17/08/2021 22:19

Has anyone done this solo? I don’t want to do anything too crazy, but sadly I have no one to go with.

I am not tied to school hols and looking at September/early October.

OP posts:
PoshWatchShitShoes · 17/08/2021 22:20

No, I wouldn't. I watched The Blair Witch Project many years ago and still could not cope with wild camping. I'm obviously easily impressionable 🙈😂

Laquila · 17/08/2021 22:22

I just don't see why you wouldn't make your first foray into camping a bit more reliable/safe/user-friendly if poss, and go to a campsite! Pitchup is a useful site, also Ukcampsites.co.uk used to be good, not used it in years though. Did you see my question about campervans, OP?

womaninatightspot · 17/08/2021 22:22

I drive past a "wild camping site" on the way to work. There are laybys and a pretty beach by the river it's almost out of sight of the road but not quite. I was quite impressed when we had a dry spell over summer there was nearly a dozen tents, washing lines a bbq going, even a tiny horse trailer converted to a caravan type thing with wood stove. Rained at night and by the next day they'd all vanished.

I live in a pretty part of Scotland lots of places near me where it's unusual not to find a campervan in a layby during the season. So long as you're not messy/ noisy no one minds.

ineedaholidaynow · 17/08/2021 22:22

@DestinationTravel could you go on a hiking holiday, or is just the camping bit you want to do?

CampervanQueen · 17/08/2021 22:23

@DestinationTravel

Has anyone done this solo? I don’t want to do anything too crazy, but sadly I have no one to go with.

I am not tied to school hols and looking at September/early October.

Not yet (the van was bought specifically for family holidays) but it wouldn't faze me in the slightest. I've done overnighters with my 6 year old and the dog (who would be bloody useless in times of crisis), and the thought of being unsafe hasn't crossed my mind.

Brave or stupid...? Not sure!

capercaillie · 17/08/2021 22:25

If you’re wild camping, you’ll need a good environmentally friendly plan for dealing with toilet stuff. At the moment, burying human waste is still tolerated in some places but current advice in Scotland is to carry out and dispose of properly. If you can’t deal with that, then wild camping not for you. Wild camping is also in very remote spots - not close to houses. Needs a good walk in away from roads etc. Plenty of quiet campsites if this also not possible. Pop up tents not suitable for wild camping - usually single layer and useless in rain.