When I told people I was going to spend 3 nights camping alone in the woods I got a bit of a mixed reaction. Actually it wasn’t that mixed, everyone thought I was mad. You might do too, or you might be facing the same reaction if you are planning a similar trip.
Debbie was also taking time out for her own solo mini break, although with a bit more comfort! Solo breaks away aren’t something that we had ever done before, we always travelled either the two of us, as a family or with friends.
But after 12 months of various states of lockdown during the pandemic we both felt the need for a break and didn’t want to wait until half term.
Time for a mini break
We decided that as soon as the restrictions on overnight stays were lifted, we would each head off on our own solo mini break.
Debbie chose Whitstable for her break. She spent 3 nights in a lovely little apartment right next to the harbour. Perfect for exploring the town and long sunset walks along the beach.
I wanted to spend my time away doing something a little bit different and decided to spend 3 nights camping in the woods.
Why camping?
I have spent plenty of time camping before and know that it is a great way to unwind and really get away from it all. I also knew that if I stayed in a cottage or apartment I may never leave the sofa!
So my first thoughts for my mini break were to do a bit of glamping. I was drawn by the ease of having everything set up and a nice comfy bed to sleep in.
But I wanted to challenge myself and have a more authentic camping experience.
Camping in the woods
I found this great little set up on airbnb, The Woodland Wild Camp.
Set within a private woodland, it provides the perfect opportunity to get away from the daily routine and reconnect with nature.
The host, Holly, has done a great job setting up the campsite. The site consists of a bell tent, fire pit, compost toilet (with tent) and hammock. That’s about it. Holly provides drinking water, charcoal and some cleaning items but otherwise you need to bring everything else with you.
It isn’t a luxury camp so don’t expect the comfort of a glamping trip. What it does provide is an authentic camping experience in the woods without needing your own tent and equipment.
For me, this was the perfect way to spend my 3 nights away.
Things to do while camping
I enjoyed the solitude of camping alone in the woods, but I didn’t spend my whole time just sitting in a tent! If you are thinking of your own solo camping trip then here are some ideas of things to do to keep you occupied.
Spend time in nature
This is something that many of us miss out on when we are wrapped up in our day to day lives.
We might head out for walks in the countryside or our local parks. But how much time do we actually get to spend away from the sights and sounds of other people?
By camping alone in the woods I managed to get genuine time to myself. Well, myself and all the creatures I was sharing the woodland with!
I took the time to look for local wildlife, although being a woodland in Essex it wasn’t anything too exotic. I spotted a couple of pheasants wandering through my camp and plenty of rabbits in the nearby fields. Nothing that you couldn’t see on a day out, but having the time to sit and watch them without interruption was wonderful.
Another great thing about solo camping is falling asleep to the sounds of nature. I crawled into my sleeping bag at night listening to owls hooting and unidentified creatures scurrying past the tent! Then at sunrise the birds would find their voice and let me know it was time to wake up.
Find a local pub
Of course you don’t need to completely cut yourself from civilisation!
If you are spending a few nights camping solo you might want to seek out a local pub. In the UK at least, country pubs tend to be friendly, cosy places full of character and charm. You can normally find at least one pub in every village, so you are never too far from one.
British country pubs are renowned for their great beer and home cooked food. So if nothing else it gives you the chance to have a hot meal without lighting the campfire!
Practice your photography
Being surrounded by beautiful countryside and wildlife is a great opportunity to practice with your camera.
I am very much an amatuer when it comes to photography, so it was great to have time alone to play with the settings and try different things. I wanted to attempt some star photography, but the weather had other ideas.
It is worth taking along a tripod if you have one, especially if you want to feature in any of your photos. There will be no one around to take that snap for you! I also used it to practice some different shots at night around the campfire.
Whilst I took our big camera, you don’t need to have a top of the range digital SLR to practice your photography. You can have just as much fun and get great shots using just your camera phone.
Relax by the campfire
There is something about staring into the flames of a campfire that is almost hypnotic.
I spent hours sitting by the fire, keeping it topped up with wood, toasting marshmallows or simply reading.
The campfire cooked my food, heated my water for washing and provided me with warmth in the evening. It really was central to my time camping in the woods.
Snooze in a hammock
I was lucky enough to have a hammock strung up between two trees at my campsite. Is there anything more comfy than laying in a hammock? I’m not sure there is.
Even when I was trying to read in the hammock, the gentle swaying and the sounds of nature all around meant I kept dozing off!
I did attempt to sleep in the hammock overnight, but only lasted a couple of hours. It was just a little bit too damp and cold, despite my attempts to wrap up! Definitely one to try in warmer weather though.
Take a walk in the countryside
A walk in the countryside provides a welcome change of scenery from the campsite.
Whilst it is great to take time out to relax and unwind at camp, it’s also good to explore a bit of the local area. You don’t need to be out trekking for hours, but a bit of a walk is a good way to break up the day.
If there are any landmarks or interesting sights within walking distance then that would be an ideal place to aim for. If not then even a walk to the local pub can involve a pleasant walk through the local countryside!
Read a book
It’s not often you get long periods of genuine quiet time to read. When you are camping alone then suddenly you have plenty of time.
I was reading my book in the tent, the hammock and by the campfire, I also took it with me when I was having lunch at the local pub.
Not that I spent the whole trip reading, but it was the perfect way to fill the time. Much more relaxing than the endless scrolling that inevitably comes when you reach for your phone.
The benefits of taking time out alone
Now that our solo trips are finished we are wondering why we had never done this before! Suddenly all the benefits of spending a little bit of time alone have become clear.
The obvious one being the peace and quiet of not having kids running around! But also getting to set your own schedule. To do whatever you want, whenever you want. No waiting around for others to get ready. No compromises on what activities to do. No arguments over where to eat.
Just decide what you want to do and do it.
Although our solo trips were driven by the stresses and strain of lockdown and the desire to get away, it is definitely something that we will be repeating in the future.
I love spending time in nature during my me time. It gives me so much peace and appreciate every little things in life. But before that I make sure that the place is safe for solo campers