The missus has decided we’re going camping with the kids this year. We’re going with chums but have noooooo idea where to start. Recommend me EVERYTHING. For what it’s worth the kids are 1 & 3.

Is there a camping equivalent to CRC?

No idea where to start? Eh?

Tent is a good place.

A nice little shop like go outdoors will have everything you need 😉

Except the extra large vehicle to put it all in!

My first adult camping trip was in a £99 halfords set for 4….. good value as if you hate it you can just dump it on your way home!!

We’ve been told to get bigger than ‘4’ as we have sprogs in-tow.

Camping? In a tent? Outside? 😯

Oooooooooooooh no thanks, if there’s nowhere to plug in my straightners, no mini bar or decent porn channel its not a holiday……

Things I wish I’d known.

Hiking-camping is different to car-camping. If you can park next to your tent, you’re golden.

Tents, find a big outdoor shop with a display and have a poke about. Bear in mind that small sleeping areas are considerably warmer than large ones. You’ll be surprised how cold it gets at 4am.

The first time you put up a new tent, it’ll take you twice as long as you think; try not to be doing it in the dark.

Gellert are purveyors of the porous. I’ve never bought anything from them that hasn’t leaked or otherwise just been crap. Buy Gellert, buy twice.

Double inflatable matresses seem a great idea till you use one in a tent. Everytime one of you moves, the other gets bounced around. They go down in the night (though, y’know, Gellert) and they don’t insulate you from the ground particularly well so it’s like sleeping on an iceblock.

The alternative to the airbed is the Thermarest-style camping mats. These are ace, but really expensive. The answer is the Alpkit mats. I’ve got an old-style one (their ‘Fat Airic’) and it’s been amazing.

Avoid the cooking stoves which look like briefcases, they’re crap. Or at least, the one I bought was, but it might have been Gellert. I ended up getting the GoSystem Trek and, a couple of years later when I set fire to it, bought two more. You’ll be hard pressed to get better for the money, they’re ace.

Lights, lights, lights. Get a lantern and head torches. I’d also suggest hats or Buffs for midge-protection.

Just spotted this, which is a bit of a steal.

http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16546&category_id=253

head to decathlon if there is one near

yup decathlon do some good stuff at a good price

Hmmmm, my list would be something like this:

– decent size tent. One of the Outwell ones or something like we’ve got – a Vango Orchy 600.
– something to sleep on, bouncy airbed or otherwise.
– foldy outy chairs to sit on
– a cooker of some description. We got a 2 burner thing with grill and gas bottle.
– matches to light cooker.
– table to put cooker on + one to prepare food/eat at.
– wind breaks. Depending on where you cook, you might want to put one around the table you are cooking at, plus one to block out whatever prevailing wind there is.
– head torches/lanterns.

We’ve built our collection of stuff up over the last few yrs. It’ll be quite expensive if you are starting out – best to just get the essentials for the first trip – you soon realise what you are missing/require for next time.
We’ve also got an electric hook-up & a small fridge jobby.

It’s a good idea to make a list when you go as you remember stuff you’ve forgotten.

I buy the majorty of my stuff from decathlon – (I recommend Quechua tents)

Failing that go-outdoors is pretty good.

I recommend Outwell for family trips. Not worth it if you are camping for less than 2-3 nights as they are heavy and take a while to put up.
If you are going for a week etc and want to keep everyone happy in the British climate go for a site with a hookup then you can have nice lights and a heater.

More costly but lets face it camping is no fun with cold wet moaning kids and wife!

as for the best website I’ve always found the forums on ukcampsite.co.uk to be the place to use.

For family camping advice i`d say.
Always best to camp somewhere local to start with which has a good pub with a games room for the kids within stumbling distance(incase it pisses it down (Which it usually does) Do a few trial runs in good weather even if its just for 1 night over a weekend so you get the idea of whats likely to happen.
Kids will love it. What more do they need apart from fresh air and mud.
They may freak out a bit to start but will probably be overcome with excitement about sleeping in a tent that you`ll have a great nights sleep. If not be prepared for utter panic as one wakes up, wonders where the f8$k it is and screams the campsite down all night. (Only Joking)
Sleep with 1 child per adult incase the above happens- at least they will be reassured.
Finally – Its the best time for the Kids. Mine ask to go camping in december and get really upset if we can`t.
I may sound like an alcoholic but – Don`t forget the booze. Sitting out with a beer or galss of wine in the fresh air layered up is sooo nice. ( Even better if you can find a campsite that allows open fires to sit around). (search uk campsites)

as an alternative search for campsites that hire wigwams or tipis or even presetup tents. Trouble with camping is that it’s like biking you can buy cheap but it’ll be heavy won’t last as long and be not as easy to use (*as a sweeping and not entirely accurate statement) last campsite I was at had a chip van …..

That way you could maybe bodge through weekend #1 with duvets and blankets and take it from there.
Coolbox (*filled up), Folding chairs, portable bbqs, led lights, plates and cutlery, loo roll, tin opener, sun tan oil, oilskins, beer, toys …………………., long pointy stick with a nail in the end (coz there will be some git snoring like a train in the nearby vicinity) and don’t pitch up to close to loos and road etc..

If you are unsure buy decentish sleeping bags and mattresses – but a cheapish tent. If you like it then invest in a really good tent and all the rest of the kit.

Coleman Mackenzie Cabin 6

We had an Outwell tunnel tent and it was a complete mare to put up. Sold it after a couple of trips. Then tried a Cabanon canvas pyramid tent (Barbados I think). Much easier to put up – liked it. But was not big enough for three weeks away each summer so ended up with a trailer tent.
See if you can get something second hand – ebay, preloved or ukcampsite. There are tent reviews too on ukcampsite plus campsite reviews also.

Buy an Outwell, one that pitches as one/outer first is best. Enjoy!