The Dutch are returning to nature when they go camping, with a 12% increase in the number of people choosing simple camping sites in 2013.

Small camp sites are growing in popularity, despite their more limited facilities. Although these days they do have proper toilet and washing facilities, parking cars next to the tents is still not allowed, Nos television said on Tuesday.

Some such as Camping Zegenoord in Loenen in the Veluwe national park have no electricity connection and use oil lamps after dark. However, there is often wifi available, powered by solar panels.

There are 137 natural camp sites in the Netherlands which together accounted for 500,000 overnight stays in 2013.