A woman has left social media users utterly astonished by sharing her unique three-year adventure: camping nearly every single weekend in her Fiat 500.
From Compact Car to Cosy Camper
Tracey Devonport became an online sensation after posting photos of her innovative setup in the 'Car camping UK' Facebook group. Despite the Fiat 500's reputation as a compact city car, Tracey has proven its capabilities as a weekend home, showcasing various scenic locations she has visited over the past three years.
She directly addressed sceptics, writing: "To the lady who asked if you can car camp in a Fiat 500, yes, you can! Almost every weekend for three years!" In the comments, she passionately explained that this unique form of travel had profoundly changed her life for the better.
Public Reaction and Glamping Setup
The response to her photos was overwhelmingly positive, with many commenters describing her setup as surprisingly "glam" and "cosy". A key element of her comfort is a specially designed car boot extension tent purchased from Amazon, which significantly expands her living space while immersed in nature.
When one inspired user asked for details about the tent, Tracey enthusiastically responded: "I bought it from Amazon. A small car size. Do it!! It’s the best!! Good luck!" Her post revealed that while some people had initially laughed at her ambition to camp in such a small vehicle, she persevered, earning widespread praise for her determination.
Community Inspiration and Practical Tips
Tracey's story sparked a wave of inspiration within the community. One user shared their own experience, having removed the front and rear passenger seats from their vehicle to create the perfect camping space, also adding security films and tinted glass for privacy.
Another commenter expressed envy, noting: "I’m guessing your Fiat 500 is slightly bigger than an Audi S1 because I can’t sleep in mine comfortably! I always assumed the 500 was smaller... I'm envious of your set-up!" A fellow Fiat 500 owner hailed them as "the best little cars", using theirs "like a van" and vowing to try camping themselves.
Addressing a common practical concern, Tracey revealed she is 5ft 2ins tall, but believes someone slightly taller could also fit comfortably. However, she shared that her solo camping adventures are currently on pause as she has met a partner who owns a campervan.
Staying Safe and Understanding the Law
When camping alone, Tracey emphasised she was always careful about her location. She exclusively used popular park-for-night car parks, beaches, or low-cost campsites charging around £10 per night, admitting she was "too much of a scaredy cat to be isolated" in her car.
For those inspired to follow in her footsteps, it is crucial to understand the legal landscape. According to The Camping and Caravanning Club, wild camping is technically illegal in England and Wales under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act, which prohibits camping on mapped 'open country' and common land.
Camping is only permitted on non-campsite land with the landowner's explicit permission. Without this, you are trespassing, which is a civil offence. For safety and security, the best practice is to always use designated campsites.
Would you try camping in your car? Tracey's story proves that with a bit of creativity, even the smallest vehicle can open the door to grand adventures.
