My wife died almost three years ago and since then I have been caravanning mostly on my own . I have a friend who was coming along sometimes but she has decided not to do so any more. I have a vintage folding caravan and attend steam rallies with a club I belong to. In addition I like to get away from time to time and, whenever possible , I prefer the smaller sites.
Welcome to UKCS; pleased to hear that you've kept caravanning since your wife sadly died, though it will have been difficult at times.
The Camp Site Search on here (tab at the top of the page) is extremely useful - say where you fancy going, tick what you need from a site, set the distance and you'll see a list of sites that should fit the bill. We tend to focus on the sites with 9 or 10 stars from the reviews, and read the first page of reviews (as we need to check dog walks, for example).
If you prefer smaller sites, it might be worth joining the CAMC for its Certificated Locations, or the CCC for its Certificated Sites; both clubs have small rallies or temporary holiday sites too, which can be a pleasant way of meeting new people.
Check the Other Outdoor Activities forum as well - there are steam rallies listed on there now & again.
Enjoy your camping!
You will find you are far from alone in being a solo camper, there's a number of us on this forum, but many a campsite you visit will also have a number of 'solos', it's not at all uncommon.
The camping community tend towards being a friendly bunch in my experience if you wish to organise things for yourself, so never a sense of isolation that I've found, but then I've got my dog, who's a good ice breaker with the 'neighbours'.
If something less DIY appeals, and guaranteed company as well, there are a number of clubs that exist and organise breaks for solo campers, Google 'solo camping clubs' to find them. They appear to be what they claim to be, just like minded people getting together, nothing more complex or demanding.
Isn't it strange the way life events change us - sometimes in very different ways? I was divorced in 2011 and I carried on caravanning as a solo after that period, trying out a few meets with various groups, and quite enjoyed the company.
However during the lockdown periods in the pandemic, contrary to the experiences of many people during that time, I found I actually enjoyed my enforced solitude! To the extent that, once 'the danger was passed' and we were able to mix and move freely again, I really struggled to come back out of my shell!
I hadn't really thought of myself as an introvert prior to the pandemic, but I certainly am now. (Is that the same as being antisocial? I'm not sure... but I hope not!)
I'd be interested to hear whether anyone else, now as a single, is enjoying the solo caravanning lifestyle (or indeed, in any other sort of camping unit)
------------- Life without dogs? I don't think so!
Well, a few years ago now, I ditched the then girlfriend (don't feel too sorry for her, after 10 years of her, think I'm the long suffering one most people felt sorry for! .. some relief they didn't have to suffer her again either ), kept the dog, and set about buying the caravan with the intention of seeing bits of the country I'd either never been to before or I loved returning to (Lake District tops that one!).
Really enjoy my solo trips, EXCEPT, I seem to have a few 'tag along friends' that somehow convince me that it'd be a good time if they came too! Not saying it's bad, just not what I'd really planned when I first thought of my 'solo' trip!
To be honest, I know people all over the country, and it's rare if I don't arrange to meet up with them when in the area, often more than once, or to do something of mutual interest for the day, rather than just a quick courtesy drink!
So .... my 'solo' trips are often not so solo, and I have 'company' for at least some of my trip!
Then of course, whilst me and my mutt have sole occupancy of my caravan, we have our annual rescue Border Collie rally weekend (which I'm at least still partly responsible for organising!), which is more of a week for some of us, and involves much socialising, drinking, eating, and not a lot of 'solo' time! ... even had a gate crasher for that last year, mate who lives nearby came over for a drink and crashed overnight in the van!
Despite a quite extensive circle of friends, now scattered across the country, sometimes a fairly busy social schedule, I have absolutely no problems spending time on my own, well to be more precise, just me and my dog! Give me a deserted east coast beach, or a desolate Lakeland fell, so long as my mutt is at my side, I'm happy.
.... just realised, my 'solo' trips are very rarely truly SOLO! ... does that make me a fraudster claiming to be a solo camper!!!!
Ask Admin to forward your contact details of the UKCS solo and single parent camping group.
They don't monitor UKCS, however they appear to respond ad hoc when Admin forward request to join the group to them.
I camp alone with my dog and prefer the solitude.
I don't mind spending some of the time meeting up with other campers, however I am done with trying to organise a meet due to bad experiences in the past.
I prefer the freedom of doing my own things to having to be mindful of others' needs and wants.
DK aka grumpy old woman
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Ah, DK168, you sound like a soul mate. I can identify completely with your experiences!
Monty15, Not sure your camping style can be regarded as SOLO trips! The only thing my trips have in common with you is sharing my caravan with my dog. She's all the company I need really.
------------- Life without dogs? I don't think so!
Quote: Originally posted by CyberCynth on 13/5/2024
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Monty15, Not sure your camping style can be regarded as SOLO trips! The only thing my trips have in common with you is sharing my caravan with my dog. She's all the company I need really.
I do try Cynth, even being a male equivalent of DK, consider it my absolute RIGHT to be a Grumpy Old Man, been working on it for many years now, but seemingly not grumpy enough to scare everyone off, but do have a notorious reputation for not being someone to pee off, even that doesn't scare em off, they STILL want to invade my space!
I really do try to just get away with my dog .... but other people!
Quote: Originally posted by CyberCynth on 13/5/2024
.....
Monty15, Not sure your camping style can be regarded as SOLO trips! The only thing my trips have in common with you is sharing my caravan with my dog. She's all the company I need really.
I do try Cynth, even being a male equivalent of DK, consider it my absolute RIGHT to be a Grumpy Old Man, been working on it for many years now, but seemingly not grumpy enough to scare everyone off, but do have a notorious reputation for not being someone to pee off, even that doesn't scare em off, They STILL want to invade my space!they STILL want to invade my space!
I really do try to just get away with my dog .... but other people!
Well, Monty15, you are obviously not being nearly grumpy enough! Sometimes you just have to say it like it is and tell folk who want to accompany you, "I really just want some time on my own!" Or as my dad used to say, when people were invading his space, "I've had enough of you, now, B----r off and leave me alone!" (He took grumpiness to a whole new level; completely off the Meldrew scale... )
------------- Life without dogs? I don't think so!
On a site on France now: slightly mad neighbour being very intrusive, even peering through window. “Allez vous en, monsieur, S’IL VOUS PLAIT!” He seems to have recognised I am not his best friend, and neither do I want to be.
Between husbands, I very much enjoyed solo camping in a comfortable roomy Cabanon ridge tent (with naff porch). I’d sit outside frying my bacon & brewing my fresh coffee, it was a great way to get a cheery (and sometimes envious) ‘good morning’ from passers by.
I say hi and bye to fellow campers when I go out and about walking the dog or when I am sitting outside.
Sometimes I would strike up a conversation, usually dog or food related, or to say "nice outfit" when I see one.
Usually people leave me alone.
Perhaps I have perfected the "leave me alone" look!
I really looked forward to this camping trip in France and the Netherlands currently, after spending nearly 3 weeks solidly with work colleagues and family, swiftly followed by another long weekend being spent with people at a charity related convention attended by over 200 people.
Solo camping with just the dog for company is bliss - do as I please whenever I please.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Solo caravanning.
), kept the dog, and set about buying the caravan with the intention of seeing bits of the country I'd either never been to before or I loved returning to (Lake District tops that one!).
via mobile 13/5/2024 at 6:01pm
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