Remember, a blanket under is worth two on the top. Really it is!
Big warm jumpers or down jackets for the nightime, oh and pack the ski socks.
Don't walk round Go Outdoors like it's Ikea, picking stuff up beacause it's "only a quid". You get what you pay for in that place. Fine if its for a single trip to a festival, but if you want camping gear that will last years( as we all do!) don't skimp.
I have Camping Gaz lamps that are 30 yrs old, and will last another 30. I also have a few very clever solar LEDS that are brill!
+1 for dust pan and brush.
Ayrshire Coast
Go outdoors has decent stuff as well as cheap, but more cheap. However it has the best selection of car camping stuff I've seen - stuff I didn't even know you could get. Even folding wardrobes 🙂
We have a Vango Tigris 800 for the 4 of us - designed to sleep and house 8. Plus a fully enclosed porch as a kitchen/dining space. It's bloody excellent, but so big and bulky we could only be bothered to go away for one week last year, and schedule this year is so busy with assorted Guiding/Scouting/Brownie events unlikely to be used at all this year.
If anyone wants a marquee for a wedding, email in profile....
On a serious note, friends of ours were very "anti-camping". Lifestyle of various exotic holidays round the world sailing, skiing etc before my godsons arrived on the scene.
Turns out their kids love being cold and muddy in a field, they camp loads more than we do now.
Just got back the second car camping long weekend of the year, we don't have kids but often go with friends who do. The kids love it.
Car camping is nothing like festival, event or cycle touring camping.You have a car so use the space available - although be warned that you will need a larger car or roof box if like us you end up getting additional camping kit after discovering a 'need' after every trip.
Some may scoff at luxury camping - glamping - but in the UK where weather may keep you indoor the tent more than you'd like some luxury would help. I'd say an electric hookup is pretty important for family camping - powered coolbox, electric light, heater, charging devices,electric kettle, electric airbed - the type meant for spare rooms at home...
Buy a tent with a porch - integrated or an add-on which is useful to stop mud and grass being trampled in to the living area and means that you can get a tent carpet for the living area.
For your first trip borrow a tent and as much equipment as possible a) in case you don't like it b) to give you an idea of what equipment you need.
Get a bell tent. More expensive than a basic dome tent from halfords but cheaper than a lot of the better quality family tents. Really nice space to spend time in, cool in hot weather and seem to breath such that you don't wake up damp in the morning.
Here's our setup. Trailer is only because the dog takes up the boot.
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Alpkit aero sleeping mats for the kids, the big fat ones for grownups, plenty blankets and everyone sleeps brilliantly.
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what is Hi Gear kit like?
Hi Gear is owned by Gellert. I refer you to my previous post.
self inflating mattresses are one of the biggest advances in camping this century imo
This. Really, airbeds are a bad idea.
Just a quick question for the camping experts? Someone is selling a Outwell Montana 6 locally for a really good price.
It's 5 years old and the only issues are little mould marks on the ceiling and a few squashed insects marks. Obviously it's been put away damp as some point.
Should I steer well clear or is it not that big an issue?
I've got a [url= http://soulpad.co.uk/t/categories/canvas-bell-tents/4-metre-soulpad%28r%29 ]Soulpad[/url] (bell tent)
Pretty far from cheap, weighs a ton, and is just awesome - 2.5M high, 4M in diameter, one pole, up in less than 15 minutes, got a free upgrade to one that is fitted for a woodburning stove (yes, really). And on a really hot day the walls lift
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Another bell tent owner here. Love it!
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Camping is ace I like it very much.
But try not to go camping in Denmark near late summer in a thin (one layer) cheap summer tent and in thin summer sleeping bag both bought from Argos. This is especially true if your body is accustomed to equatorial climate as you will know what hypothermia feels like the next morning. You will suffer the whole night. 😳
