What To Take Camping

In more years of camping than I’m willing to admit to, I’ve camped in all weathers, in all kinds of tents throughout the UK and Europe So I decided to share my top 10 tips for new campers.

1. Do not spend a lot of money on a fancy setup

If you’ve never been camping before and aren’t too sure if it’s for you You don’t have to spend hundreds of pounds on expensive gear. That said, please don’t make the most common novice camper error of buying one skin tent.

We’ve all seen these bargain popup tents available in places such as Asda described as the ideal festival tent. We’ll tell you, an inexpensive single skin tent is a complete waste of money. Your gear and you will get wet. So, why not ask your friend to borrow a tent, or even take a trip under the canvas in the first place by booking a glamping break?

If you don’t have a group of friends who camp, then do you want to try eBay to purchase a second-hand bargain and try Freecycle, your local Facebook selling groups or try places like AutoLeisure who do a really affordable range of tents.

2. Be sure to buy larger tents than you believe you’ll need.

A dome tent for 4 people might sound perfect but once you add in air or camp bed mattresses, it’s unlikely that you can actually fit 4 people and their gear inside! It is always advisable to choose a tent that offers you more space, especially when you’re car camping and don’t have to worry about weight or carrying your tent. Sleeping and living over each other can end up making you feel cranky and tired, so make sure you choose a tent that’s bigger than the minimum requirements.

We highly recommend that you purchase a head-heighted tent from the camping shop near me. This means the ability to get in it, which makes an ideal living.

Remember that you’re not likely to be fully occupied in any tent unless you are making use of narrow or small self-inflating mats and sleeping squeezed together on the floor.

3. The nighttime at night in UK is colder than you think

In the summer months, and even in July temperatures, night time outside across the UK is generally quite cold. Having to spend a night in a tent that is cold and chilly is not fun at all. Always bring blankets with you and layers of clothing to keep you warm at night.

4. Eliminate the electrical devices

Camping that has an electric hook-up (EHU) costs a lot, and it also means your pitch choice and campsite choices will be limited.

Solar chargers are cheap and more than capable of powering your essentials such as your phone, or you could spend a bit more on something more powerful such as that of the HUBi solar hub.

A side note: If you’re planning to take devices like hair straighteners camping with you, no one really cares about what your hair’s style looks like and you can leave them at home!

Why not see the camping trip as a reason to switch off? Take your tablet off and take advantage of the benefits having a digital detox.

5. Make plans for rain, wind and gale-force winds!

Let’s not beat around the bush. Weather in the UK sucks. As I write this, in the middle of July. It’s wet, windy, cold but I’m still in my boots from winter and even a thick pair tights.

Okay, so sometimes we are lucky enough to have the sun shines, and the rain stops for a few seconds although even when the forecast is looking good, always take extra layers and waterproofs in case.

6. Get camping gear and tents at a lower cost during off-season

In light of the rising demand and the increasing demand for tents, they are generally more expensive around the start of the camping season. So whilst June might seem like a good time to purchase a new tent or camping gear but prices are usually more expensive during this time of the year.

I usually buy camping equipment during the winter or early spring. Most stockists will also have sales during summer at the time of the season’s end typically at the end of August, which is another good occasion to grab the best price.

7. You can purchase the previous version of the tent

Tents, as with all consumer products, change regularly. Manufacturers come out with new models, and include new features in their most popular tent models, so an updated model of a tent is always going to attract a premium price.

Check for a prior year model and you’ll typically discover them on sale because retailers would rather push new premium stock instead.

8. Make plans for activities and days out in advance

It’s true that children aren’t always happy, especially if you are planning a digital detox, so you’ll want to ensure you’ve got lots of options for how you and the family can have fun while camping.

Depends on your child, others will be content to just go and play for a long time. If your kids aren’t as creative in imagination make a plan and bring a selection of boredom-busting activities with you.

Kite, a football, crafting and paint supplies cards, binoculars, game boards, scavenger hunts and nature books are all fantastic ways to avoid boredom when camping and not relying on technology.

9. Choose your campsite wisely

The campsite you choose will have a significant influence on how you will enjoy the first time you go camping. Determine how far you would like to travel, if you’re looking for a coast or countryside or lots of facilities (in which case, the place is likely to be noisy and busy) and if you want something more laid back with a wild, camping vibe (in this case, you’ll usually be able to compromise on amenities).

We’ve had the pleasure of staying at some great camping spots over the years that we’ve returned to repeatedly as well as at some we’d rather wipe off our minds!

10. Prepare!

Take a box of essentials. Things like duck tape, cables ties, batteries, a pen knife, first aid kit, and so on are all incredibly useful to have. Camping can be a risky experience, and that’s one of the reasons it can be so fun but it’s important to be well-prepared.

The gale-force winds can make pitching your tent akin to a Krypton Factor challenge or you’re trying to get your tent packed down in torrential rain ….just get on with it. The ability to overcome challenges and perseverance is something that (I believe) makes hardcore campers distinct from muggles. Whatever you experience, just take it as it and don’t let one small incident ruin your whole journey.