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Extreme Sleeps: Adventures of a Wild Camper
Veteran globetrotter Phoebe Smith sets out to prove that outdoor adventures are available in the UK which rival anything found elsewhere in the world. In this sometimes scary, frequently funny and intriguing journey around the country, Phoebe attempts to discover and conquer its wildest places.From spending the night in the decaying wreckage of a World War Two bomber at Bleaklow to pitching next to the adrenaline-inducing sheer drops of Lizard Point, Phoebe’s extreme sleeps defy her perceptions of the great outdoors and teach her about herself along the way.
285 pages, Paperback
First published March 27, 2013
18 people are currently reading
311 people want to read
About the author
Phoebe Smith
17 books28 followersPhoebe Smith is an adventurer, presenter, broadcaster, author, photographer, speaker and podcast host.
She is an award-winning travel writer, photographer, presenter and broadcaster (specialising in adventure, sustainable travel, walking, solo travel, family adventure and wildlife conservation). She is host of the multi-award-winning Wander Woman Podcast an audio travel magazine. She regularly writes for The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Times (of London) and is a correspondent for BBC Radio 4’s From Our Own Correspondent.
She is also Sleep Storyteller-in-Residence at Calm where her stories have been listened to over 30 million times and been narrated by Stephen Fry, Joanna Lumley, Cillian Murphy, Jerome Flynn, Bindi Irwin and Danai Gurira to name a few.
She is co-founder and trustee of the #WeTwo Foundation a charity which empowers underprivileged young people and their local communities through conservation initiatives and life-changing expeditions.
She the first person to camp at all the extreme points of mainland Britain, solo, on consecutive nights, has slept the 3 Peaks and walked across Britain, sleeping rough while dressed as Wander Woman raising over £42,000 for homeless young people.
She is an award-winning travel writer, photographer, presenter and broadcaster (specialising in adventure, sustainable travel, walking, solo travel, family adventure and wildlife conservation). She is host of the multi-award-winning Wander Woman Podcast an audio travel magazine. She regularly writes for The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Times (of London) and is a correspondent for BBC Radio 4’s From Our Own Correspondent.
She is also Sleep Storyteller-in-Residence at Calm where her stories have been listened to over 30 million times and been narrated by Stephen Fry, Joanna Lumley, Cillian Murphy, Jerome Flynn, Bindi Irwin and Danai Gurira to name a few.
She is co-founder and trustee of the #WeTwo Foundation a charity which empowers underprivileged young people and their local communities through conservation initiatives and life-changing expeditions.
She the first person to camp at all the extreme points of mainland Britain, solo, on consecutive nights, has slept the 3 Peaks and walked across Britain, sleeping rough while dressed as Wander Woman raising over £42,000 for homeless young people.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
October 11, 2014
There is nothing like a pub challenge to start a book off. Especially when view in the cold light of a hangover. And this is how this book starts, Smith has a discussion with an Australian where they are playing the one upmanship game, about which country has the better monuments and natural features. She holds her own until he says Urulu, then the barrier refff, and she knows she is beaten. On subsequent vista, she goes to Urulu, and instead of going the full tourist route decides to sleep out under the stars.
This adventure sparks a challenge to herself, to sleep in some of the wildest places in the UK. She starts off in the Brecons, parking up and walking to high ground to camp, alone, overnight. She is successful, and undaunted by this decides to travel to all sorts of locations; the lake district, Cornwall, Essex, Dartmoor and the final camp at Cape Wrath in Scotland. Not all of it is camping, as she sleeps in caves, and bothys in some of the remote locations Most of the trips are alone, but she takes a friend on one of them.
Generally I liked the book. She has a good spirit and sense of adventure, and writes what she sees and feels. THere are some moments when she describes the mishaps, which made me chuckle, but the writing didn't sparkle, hence three rather than four stars.
This adventure sparks a challenge to herself, to sleep in some of the wildest places in the UK. She starts off in the Brecons, parking up and walking to high ground to camp, alone, overnight. She is successful, and undaunted by this decides to travel to all sorts of locations; the lake district, Cornwall, Essex, Dartmoor and the final camp at Cape Wrath in Scotland. Not all of it is camping, as she sleeps in caves, and bothys in some of the remote locations Most of the trips are alone, but she takes a friend on one of them.
Generally I liked the book. She has a good spirit and sense of adventure, and writes what she sees and feels. THere are some moments when she describes the mishaps, which made me chuckle, but the writing didn't sparkle, hence three rather than four stars.
March 15, 2015
It is an easy and interesting read. It makes the idea of wild camping accessible and definitely makes me want to have a go. I would have liked a few tips for your own wild camp thrown in, but the stories in themselves are interesting and provide some inspiration for locations.
I love that she is a woman doing these camps alone, I find her adventures inspirational. To me she is brave, and I feel more able to step into the wild as a single woman now I have read her wild camping accounts.... Well all except the sleeping in a wet, urine filled cave adventure!
I love that she is a woman doing these camps alone, I find her adventures inspirational. To me she is brave, and I feel more able to step into the wild as a single woman now I have read her wild camping accounts.... Well all except the sleeping in a wet, urine filled cave adventure!
April 14, 2022
täitsa muhe matkaraamat, mis rääkis natuke matkamisest ja rohkem telkimisest igasugustes kohtades, kus ma ka käinud olen, ehk siis Suurbritannia saare eri nurkades ja tippudes.
mulle muidu täitsa meeldis, aga... läägeks läks kuidagi, ja ma briti autorilt sellist asja ei oodanud! kui ameeriklane kirjutanuks raamatu, kus kõik on imeline ja äge ja sõltumata sellest, mis juhtub, lõppeb iga matkalugu tõdemusega, et elame ikka imelisel maal ja loodus on nii kaunis ja inimene olla on nii äge... see oleks täitsa okei. aga täisvereline inglane ei tohi olla nii siiralt rahul ja õnnelik, see kuidagi ei klapi ja ma olin iga kord pettunud, et nii jääbki või? kõik läks hästi ja pole mingit self-deprecationit ega muud poosi? kahtlane väga kahtlane.
mulle muidu täitsa meeldis, aga... läägeks läks kuidagi, ja ma briti autorilt sellist asja ei oodanud! kui ameeriklane kirjutanuks raamatu, kus kõik on imeline ja äge ja sõltumata sellest, mis juhtub, lõppeb iga matkalugu tõdemusega, et elame ikka imelisel maal ja loodus on nii kaunis ja inimene olla on nii äge... see oleks täitsa okei. aga täisvereline inglane ei tohi olla nii siiralt rahul ja õnnelik, see kuidagi ei klapi ja ma olin iga kord pettunud, et nii jääbki või? kõik läks hästi ja pole mingit self-deprecationit ega muud poosi? kahtlane väga kahtlane.
November 3, 2019
This was a book I randomly picked up in the Waterstones book tent at the Cheltenham Literary Festival when waiting to meet someone. It was on a display and as I flicked through then read a couple of pages it struck me as a good read. I later went back and bought it, albeit with some slight trepidation as I had never heard of Phoebe Smith, and I soon warmed to her book.
I don't normally read non-fiction, but I do love travel writing. Although I'm not much of a seasoned camper I like the outdoors and am not averse to sleeping in a tent in a field when with friends. However I was taken in by Smith's obvious love for the outdoors and her campaign to get society (re)thinking about wild camping, which is largely illegal in the UK. Throughout she makes a good point, which is the manifesto that holds the book together, about how the ban on wild camping should be lifted and society trusted to do it properly because of the health benefits , both mentally and physically, one can gain from sleeping in the wild. She has a great sense of humour, in fact it was a small conversation with a stranger about the TV show Most Haunted that drew me to the book, and generally came across as someone I would get on with in, although I probably would think twice about joining her camping because some of the horrendous weather conditions she describes in the book made me thankful I was reading it in bed. Obviously there are times when she embellishes slightly and at a couple of points I did roll my eyes on spotting the obvious "twist" that was coming, but I can't deny I was gripped throughout and finished this book in a few days. I did spot several errors throughout the book that I'm sure would be ironed out in a re-print, but in all I enjoyed this romp through the undergrowth and would certainly read more of Smith's tales of travels through nature.
I don't normally read non-fiction, but I do love travel writing. Although I'm not much of a seasoned camper I like the outdoors and am not averse to sleeping in a tent in a field when with friends. However I was taken in by Smith's obvious love for the outdoors and her campaign to get society (re)thinking about wild camping, which is largely illegal in the UK. Throughout she makes a good point, which is the manifesto that holds the book together, about how the ban on wild camping should be lifted and society trusted to do it properly because of the health benefits , both mentally and physically, one can gain from sleeping in the wild. She has a great sense of humour, in fact it was a small conversation with a stranger about the TV show Most Haunted that drew me to the book, and generally came across as someone I would get on with in, although I probably would think twice about joining her camping because some of the horrendous weather conditions she describes in the book made me thankful I was reading it in bed. Obviously there are times when she embellishes slightly and at a couple of points I did roll my eyes on spotting the obvious "twist" that was coming, but I can't deny I was gripped throughout and finished this book in a few days. I did spot several errors throughout the book that I'm sure would be ironed out in a re-print, but in all I enjoyed this romp through the undergrowth and would certainly read more of Smith's tales of travels through nature.
May 22, 2023
Phoebe Smith describes her "Extreme Sleep" solo tours and overnights from the south to the north of the UK. Her passion is infectious and her descriptions make the landscapes come alive before your eyes. Overall, the book is very inspiring to seek adventure virtually on your own doorstep. In terms of style, the individual texts remind me more of columns in a walking magazine, for me it worked better to read the individual chapters at a distance, as otherwise they tend to run into each other a bit.
One criticism I have is that Phoebe Smith wants to whet everyone's appetite for hiking, but in places the texts come across as somewhat unreflective and thus gatekeeping and competitive. They are small examples: At one point she asks an oncoming hiker indirect questions so that she doesn't have to "admit" to asking for directions and he helps her out so that she can "save face". At other points it is about her having done her workout for the day or she makes condescending comments about people sitting in cafés in hiking areas with clean hiking clothes and she is the only one who enters there with her dirty hiking shoes and has done the real tour.
One criticism I have is that Phoebe Smith wants to whet everyone's appetite for hiking, but in places the texts come across as somewhat unreflective and thus gatekeeping and competitive. They are small examples: At one point she asks an oncoming hiker indirect questions so that she doesn't have to "admit" to asking for directions and he helps her out so that she can "save face". At other points it is about her having done her workout for the day or she makes condescending comments about people sitting in cafés in hiking areas with clean hiking clothes and she is the only one who enters there with her dirty hiking shoes and has done the real tour.
June 27, 2018
A great read for anyone with an interest in wild camping. Phoebe’s writing style is very laid back and self depreciating which allows the reader to believe that they too could take part in such adventures. There’s no macho bullshit in there at all.
The book follows her from wild camp virgin to veteran (although she would never categorize herself that way) by way of a series of camps from Lands End to John O’Groats.
To earn a fifth star from me this book would need a decent map and co-ordinates listing for each camping site as it was quite hard to work out where she was on a map (maybe it’s intentionally vague to keep the spots ‘wild’). I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and it’s given me some new ideas on where to camp in the future.
I feel slightly bad that I got this book second hand so no proceeds from my purchase will reach the very deserving author. So I promise that if I’m ever in the same pub as Phoebe I will buy her a beer in lieu of a royalty payment!
The book follows her from wild camp virgin to veteran (although she would never categorize herself that way) by way of a series of camps from Lands End to John O’Groats.
To earn a fifth star from me this book would need a decent map and co-ordinates listing for each camping site as it was quite hard to work out where she was on a map (maybe it’s intentionally vague to keep the spots ‘wild’). I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and it’s given me some new ideas on where to camp in the future.
I feel slightly bad that I got this book second hand so no proceeds from my purchase will reach the very deserving author. So I promise that if I’m ever in the same pub as Phoebe I will buy her a beer in lieu of a royalty payment!
October 19, 2017
When I first started reading this book I almost ditched it because it didn't seem particularly well written and some of the anecdotes, that were clearly meant to be humorous, were not. However, the Norfolk Coast chapter was excellent - it was clear the author had taken far more time over this and it was very engaging. After that I was hooked - probably because I'm an avid outdoor type and had no trouble conjuring up the environments and situations she describes - I've also hiked through many of the same places. I initially gave it a 3 star rating but then changed it to 4. Why? Because the book left me with renewed enthusiasm and energy for more outdoor adventures and, as that appears to have been her intention at the outset, she certainly achieved it.
September 12, 2017
If you've never pitched your tent away from basic facilities like water, this book will give you a good feel for the logistics and complications involved in wild camping. If you have (and didn't hate it!) then I predict that like me you'll find yourself longing to go and explore some of the specific places Phoebe describes. I particularly appreciated her honesty around some of the hiccups, pitfalls, last-minute weather-induced changes of plan, and even the occasional irrational panic of sleeping alone under canvas that can be eased only by tiptoeing outside in your PJs to have a look around. Easy reading, but inspiring.
May 6, 2020
Enjoyed the book... live the spirit of adventure even better that it is a woman often travelling solo. Motivates me to go and sleep outside and also more curious about going to stay in different bothys. I don’t like the connection to extreme sleeps as this doesn’t feel like the main point of the book... it’s more marketing to fit in with the job job Phoebe has reading calm stories... rather than the book content itself... feels like the title doesn’t match the book content.
January 10, 2024
Though a low rating from me, I think it’s more because I was anticipating the book to be better then it actually was. For someone of her experience, she seem to make quite a few errors regarding her kit, running out of water etc. That said, it’s highlighted some places I would love to explore. I felt Raynor Winn more inspiring.
May 22, 2019
A very honest book about camping wild, with the thought by thought development of each trip and the building of confidence in each adventure. I didn't find many revelations or helpful hints, and would definitely recommend testing kit before a trip.
December 26, 2022
Loved this book. Full of adventure and truth about the outdoors. Being from Scotland I didn't realise you weren't allowed to sleep outdoors in England or Wales legally. Thats mad. Will def have to try it one day it sounds magical.
June 15, 2017
Written like a child's "What I did on my summer holidays" essay. I found it dull beyond endurance and couldn't get to the end (despite skimming over large sections of text). Disappointing.
March 23, 2019
Her idea of extreme sleep was cute
August 29, 2019
Disappointing
I really wanted to like this book and had looked forward to reading it for a longtime but found it dull and the narrative voice incredibly irritating.
I really wanted to like this book and had looked forward to reading it for a longtime but found it dull and the narrative voice incredibly irritating.
July 30, 2020
This book gave me the courage to go on my first solo hike and camp a few years ago. It was absolutely life changing in terms of my confidence and self esteem. Hopefully one day I will manage another.
August 4, 2020
Really enjoyable book demonstrating how we can all put a little adventure in our lives. Phoebe has helped inspire me in to ensuring I get out and practice my own Extreme Sleeps.
September 26, 2021
As someone else mentioned, the prose is engaging but doesn't sparkle. The chapters are fairly formulaic and repetitive but are at times inspirational.
January 4, 2024
Prose: 3
Interesting Content: 3
Perspective Shift: 3
Summation: It is what it says on the tin. Interesting stories, the writing was decent enough, but doesn’t leave much of a lasting impression.
Interesting Content: 3
Perspective Shift: 3
Summation: It is what it says on the tin. Interesting stories, the writing was decent enough, but doesn’t leave much of a lasting impression.
October 18, 2020
This is an entertaining book, with some great stories of camping in beautiful places in the UK, certainly worth a read.
February 10, 2021
This book has inspired me to continue wild camping on adventures! I look forward to when we can once again travel and wake up surrounded by nature.
July 10, 2016
An inspiring and eye opening look at just how wild the island we call home is. I really enjoyed this account of Phoebe's camping experiences and having never camped before felt that I not only learnt a lot but cannot wait to explore the UK myself. It has definitely left me with a yearning to travel!
The only thing lacking for me would be pictures, I found myself googling the amazing places that were mentioned to get an idea of what the places looked like. I would have loved to see some photographs of the adventures too.
The only thing lacking for me would be pictures, I found myself googling the amazing places that were mentioned to get an idea of what the places looked like. I would have loved to see some photographs of the adventures too.
August 31, 2016
What is Britain - often I think of dreary weather and gloomy towns. This reminded me of the Britain I used to read of in my childhood, the one with goblins and witches, the one with meadows and vales, one I've never been to before but would now love to visit.
Also, I haven't had a dose of British humor in a while. Phoebe Smith has that dry self-deprecating descriptions of her flailing failings down pat. Really enjoyed the loose collection of anecdotes. Even if it didn't bring any epiphanies, or on a literary journey, descriptively I've travelled the isles of Britain.
Also, I haven't had a dose of British humor in a while. Phoebe Smith has that dry self-deprecating descriptions of her flailing failings down pat. Really enjoyed the loose collection of anecdotes. Even if it didn't bring any epiphanies, or on a literary journey, descriptively I've travelled the isles of Britain.
November 15, 2015
The author challenges herself to sleep in some of the wildest places in the UK, starting off in Wales, just walking off piste a little to camp on her own for one night. Then goes travelling to all sorts of locations to sleep in caves, and bothys in some much more remote locations. I liked the sense of adventure, including some that didn't go so well. The writing was not exceptional, but the locations and the experiences make up for it.
November 10, 2013
Kept picking it up & going back to it between other books. Each chapter focuses on a different area/camp so it suited being read like this.
Enjoyed writing style but all the way through kept feeling like she was doing something that shouldn't be done & what if everyone did it? Was also slightly jealous of her bravery.
On the whole an enjoyable read for anyone who enjoys the outdoors.
Enjoyed writing style but all the way through kept feeling like she was doing something that shouldn't be done & what if everyone did it? Was also slightly jealous of her bravery.
On the whole an enjoyable read for anyone who enjoys the outdoors.
July 7, 2015
A funny, touching, and inspiring travel book. As someone from the UK who has been to a couple of these locations it was interesting to read from this angle. Recommended to outdoorsey types and people who have been in the great outdoors in the uk. Also for people who enjoy travel books in the same class as Bill Byson.
August 28, 2015
Less like reading a book more like a collection of blog posts. Mildly inspiring in that I wasn't aware of the b-29 in the peaks, but not a book that left me with any substantial feeling after the fact.
April 2, 2016
If you're looking for a book to inspire you to get out and do something worthwhile then this has to be it. I happened to see Phoebe Smith speak recently about her extreme sleeping experiences and was blown away. I'm pleased to say the book is just as good.
November 28, 2022
So much fun. Gave me some great ideas of wild camping, e.g. in Dartmoor. I loved the chapter where she went to find the cave of someone who lived in the cave for years! It's a shame wild camping is not allowed in so many places.
September 23, 2013
Quite interesting. Each chapter can be read as a short story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews