Camping

Content creator Sophie Royston shares how she’s ditched hotels and embraced car camping for stunning views and flexibility

Adventurers are swapping hotels for cars in an emerging trend which sees them use their trusty cars as their hotel for the night. Sophie Royston, like countless other keen globe-trotters, has adopted the trend, using her Dacia as a mobile camper. The content creator insists the “freedom”, “incredible views” and simplicity of converting your car into accommodation beats the hassle of reserving a hotel.

The adventurous traveller, who boasts thousands of Instagram followers, embraced the trend with the intention to cut costs and save money, but confessed she now does it to reach stunning locations away from the tourist trail.

“I love the freedom of it. If I find somewhere beautiful, I can just stay there,” said Sophie. “Waking up and opening the back of the car to an incredible view is the best part.

“It was initially about saving money and using what I’d saved on a hotel to enjoy experiences. But this soon turned into the benefit of flexibility and spontaneity, as well as the spirit of adventure and essentialism.

“More people are realising you don’t need a campervan to enjoy an amazing road trip.”

Sophie used her car to camp beside a Scottish Loch as well as the snow-covered peaks of the Alps, using her vehicle as a home away from home. The 31 year old insists she gets a better night’s sleep in her car than she ever did when stopping in hotels.

She claims this is down to a new Sleep Pack that easily fits into her Dacia Bigster, which is available with a number of Dacia’s cars. “It makes me feel more free to sleep in my Dacia rather than stay in a hotel,” she added.

“I have stayed in hotels where you can see a beach in the distance, but with camping in my car, I can actually be on that beach. Quite the difference and quite the experience.”

As an avid hiker, she admits that car camping makes everything simpler, allowing her to reach her destination and recuperate on-site ahead of walking the next day.

With the trend gaining momentum and more people following in Sophie’s footsteps, she says: “It’s amazing to see more people embrace outdoor travel.

“There are so many solutions available to make this easier and more accessible like the Sleep Pack and the set up in the Dacia Bigster. I think this is why it’s growing in popularity.”

To get the most out of the experience, she recommends curling up with a good book or treating yourself to a hot chocolate before settling down for the night.

She adds: “Find the perfect park spot, get the Sleep Pack set up, cook some tasty food and then get cosy for the evening. I always make sure I get into some warm, comfy clothing, especially when car camping in winter, have a nice hot chocolate and then climb into the cosy set up and wind down for the evening.”

CAMPING in the great outdoors is not everyone’s cup of tea – but what if you could have a glass of cider instead?

This campsite in Dorset is set within the grounds of an apple orchard used to make award-winning cider.

Called Dorset Nectar Orchard Campsite, the site has room for just 14 tent pitches, so each is spaced out and fairly private.

There won’t be any children running about either as guests staying here have to be over 20-years-old.

For cider fans, this campsite is the dream stay as it’s set within an orchard with over 3,000 apple trees that forms part of the cider farm.

The main building at the campsite is a taproom where campers are welcome to buy and try 13 types of award-winning cider on offer.

GO SEA IT

£9.50 holiday spot with shipwrecks, seals offshore & horseshoe-shaped waterfalls

SIGHT SEA

£9.50 holidaymakers’ favourite Skegness activities… away from the beach

It also sells apple juice, craft beers and apple cider vinegar.

You can sip away on a tasty cider at one of the picnic benches while enjoying the spring sunshine.

There’s also the chance to barbecue or cook up a storm by your tent at one of the raised firepits.

Campers can join a tour of the cider farm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays too.

Along with the taproom and tours, the campsite has a hot food spot called Oliver’s Kitchen which opens on Saturdays offering hot food like cider sausage baps.

On Saturdays, there’s also live music in the Cider Garden.

For nature lovers, head out on one of the footpaths through fields and down to the River Brit.

For those who want to take home a souvenir, there’s a cider shop which sells biscuits, chutneys, jams, sausages, craft ales, local wines and of course, apple-related products from the orchard.

When it comes to pitches, it has to be a tent which sleeps up to a maximum of six people.

Prices start from £34 for a one night stay for two adults – or £17 per night.

When it comes to reviews, lots have praised the campsite particularly for its cider experience.

One wrote: “We loved the quirkiness of camping between the orchard rows. The trees give your pitch separation and privacy and it’s so peaceful!

“Added bonus having a taproom just up from the pitches with a wonderful beer garden with lots of space in the sunshine.”

Another said they loved the “relaxing live music and fab homemade Burgers on the Saturday as well as sampling their delicious ciders.”

Dorset West Bay beach which sits on the Jurassic coast is just a 15-minute drive away.

The beach might be recognisable to TV fans as it’s where the ITV drama Broadchurch, starring David Tennant and Olivia Colman, was filmed.

It’s known for its sweeping golden sands with enormous cliffs in the background.

The campsite reopens on March 27 with the bar open between April 1 and August 15, 2026.

Here are the UK pubs that have their own campsites with cheap pitches.

And here are more campsites that are affordable with some of the country’s best views.