![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/pictured-bradley-lane-park-ride-854104278.jpg\")
\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/pictured-bradley-lane-park-ride-854104232.jpg\")
<\/p>\nA STEALTH camper who loves pitching his tent in bizarre locations says there are a number of gadgets that can help beat the weather but it can still be brutal.<\/p>\n
When most people consider going camping they think of some picturesque spot in the countryside but Richard Severn, from Walsall, West Midlands, has other ideas.<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
The 36-year-old considers himself to be a stealth camper \u2013 someone who pitches their tent in urban environments, such as on a roundabout, and sleeps hidden in plain sight.<\/p>\n
Richard documents his adventures on YouTube under the name of Richie Outdoors and has set up camp in supermarket car parks, near busy train stations and on roundabouts on busy roads.<\/p>\n
The dad-of-two goes all out too when he sets off for an urban adventure and will even cook his dinner out there, saying he enjoys the \u201creal adrenaline rush\u201d.<\/p>\n
For Richard, stealth camping is a way for him to escape everyday routines and allows him to go on a \u201cmini adventure\u201d.<\/p>\n
Not only does he get a \u201creal buzz\u201d from it but he says it has allowed him to \u201cdevelop as a person\u201d.<\/p>\n Richard told Birmingham Live: "I started watching videos about stealth camping on Youtube about five years ago and I thought I'd give it a try.<\/p>\n \u201cI love the excitement you get from camping somewhere you shouldn't be – it gives you butterflies in your tummy. You get a couple of hours to yourself to unwind and relax – and it's a budget-friendly activity – so it ticks all the boxes for me.<\/p>\n "Before I started doing this I was stuck in a rut, getting up for work, looking after the kids, not having the time or energy to go out anywhere.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cBut throwing myself out of my comfort zone and doing something like this really has helped boost my confidence. I could just be sitting at home watching TV with a couple of beers – but instead I'm outside testing myself."<\/p>\n The dad is part of a \u201cgrowing community\u201d of urban campers who share their lifestyle and love of the outdoors on social media.<\/p>\n Richard also like to challenge himself when camping and combine that with his love of al fresco dining.<\/p>\n Many campers may think just taking some sandwiches will do as a meal but Richard likes to cook a proper meal, which he says also helps pass the time.<\/p>\n In the past, he\u2019s rustled up chicken curries, beef stews and wraps.<\/p>\n However, Richard says stealth camping isn\u2019t for the feint-hearted as he spent many nights battling the cold and wet \u2013 and there are a number of safety aspects to be aware of.<\/p>\n For Richard though, that\u2019s all just part of the challenge and he sees it as all \u201cbuilding you up as a person\u201d.<\/p>\n As for concerns about how safe it is, he says that if you can find the right roundabout with lots of trees for cover, it can be safer than camping out in the wild as you have an \u201cextra ring of security\u201d provided by the traffic going around you.<\/p>\n He said at first his wife and two daughters thought he was \u201cbonkers\u201d when he told them about his new hobby but are now fully behind him.<\/p>\n Richard said: "I think everyone I spoke to about it at first was a bit bemused.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/2022-seaside-council-forced-making-853162961.jpg\")
<\/picture>EYE-SHORE <\/span><\/p>\nOur seaside town is ruined by tourists camping on beach – council won't stop them<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/jr-camping-mistakes.jpg\")
<\/picture>INTENSE TRIP <\/span><\/p>\nI\u2019m a camping pro… here's the 3 biggest mistakes when pitching a tent<\/h3>\n
Most read in The Sun<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/crop-24492305.jpg\")
<\/picture>HARDMAN’S AGONY <\/span><\/p>\nDave Courtney’s health battle revealed as family say he ‘stopped the ride’<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/jbfootiethug-comp.jpg\")
<\/picture>VILE ATTACK <\/span><\/p>\nMoment footballer strangles girlfriend before she jumped from balcony to escape<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/JB-PAGE-9V2_COMP.jpg\")
<\/picture>GANGSTERDEATH <\/span><\/p>\nDave Courtney found dead in bed after shooting himself<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/TM-comp-Anton-v2.jpg\")
<\/picture>STRICTLY NO SMUT <\/span><\/p>\nStrictly bosses blast Anton du Beke after he stunned crowd with rude gag<\/h3>\n
Read More on The Sun<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/crop-24488220.jpg\")
<\/picture>![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/newspress-collage-24490078-1698051437512.jpg\")
<\/picture>![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/pictured-bradley-lane-park-ride-854104085.jpg\")
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/pictured-bradley-lane-park-ride-854104157.jpg\")