After more years of camping than I’m willing to admit to, I’ve camped at all times of the year, in every style of tent and all over the UK and Europe So I decided to give my top 10 tips for new campers.
1. Spend less money for a fancy set-up
If you’ve never been camping before and you’re not sure if it’s for you it’s not necessary to spend hundreds of pounds on fancy equipment. However, don’t make the number 1 beginner camping error of buying an uni-skin tent.
We’ve all seen these affordable pop-up tents sold at places such as Asda that claim to be the ultimate festival tent. We’ll tell you, one skin tent that is priced at a bargain is a waste of money. Your gear and you will be wet. So, why not ask someone you know to borrow the tent, or take a trip under the canvas first by booking a camping break?
If you don’t have a group of friends who like camping, why not hit eBay for a bargain on second hand items Try Freecycle, your local selling groups on Facebook or even sites like AutoLeisure which offer a excellent range of tents at a reasonable price.
2. Make sure you buy larger tents than the one you think you’ll need.
A dome tent for 4 people may sound great, but once you factor in camp beds and air mattresses, you’re not likely to really fit four people and their gear inside! It’s always worth choosing a tent that will give more space, especially when you’re camping in a car and don’t need to fret about the weight of your tent or carrying it. Being able to sleep and live over each other can end up making you feel cranky, so always opt for one that is larger than what is strictly required.
We highly recommend that you purchase a head-height tent which means it’s possible to sit in it, and makes for a much easier life.
Last but not least, keep in mind that you’re not likely to reach full occupancy in any tent, unless you’re using narrow self-inflating mats, and sleeping squished across the floor.
Click here for a camping shop near me.
3. The nighttime is chilly in UK is much colder than you thought.
Even in June and July, the night time temperature outside is quite cold in UK is generally pretty cold. Spending a night in a tent that is cold and chilly isn’t a great idea. Make sure to bring extra blankets and layers of clothing to keep warm in the winter.
4. Switch off the electrical devices
Camping with an electric connection (EHU) can be expensive as well as your pitch choice and campsite options are limited.
Simply solar chargers are affordable and can be more than capable of powering your essentials such as your phone or tablet, or you can buy something a bit more capable such as that of the HUBi Solar Hub.
In a related note, If you’re considering taking devices like hair straighteners camping with you – nobody really cares about how straight your hair appears put them away at home!
So why not view the camping trip as a reason to turn off your phone? Set the tablet aside and take the opportunity ts take advantage of the benefits to have a digital detox.
5. Plan for rain, wind, gale-force winds, and more!
Don’t beat around the bush. Weather in the UK is a nightmare. As I write this, in the middle of July, it’s very cold, windy and wet even though I’m in winter booties, and some thick tights.
Okay, so sometimes we do get lucky and the sun is shining and the rain stops falling for a short period of time however, even if the forecast is favorable ensure you’ve got extra layers and waterproofs in case.
6. Camping gear and tents can be purchased cheaper outside of the season
Because of the increasing demand that means tents are usually more expensive around the start in the season for camping. While June may seem as a great time to buy a new camping tent or other gear however, the prices tend to be more expensive at this time of year.
I always buy camping gear in the winter months or before spring. Many stockists also have sales during summer at the closing of the season, usually around the end of August, this is also a good time to buy a good deal.
7. You can purchase the previous model of tent
Tents, like all consumer products, change regularly. Manufacturers come out with new models, and include new features in their top-selling tent models. Therefore, a current model of the tent will always be able to fetch a premium.
Try to find a previous model since you’ll most likely find them heavily discounted because retailers would rather push new premium models instead.
8. Make plans for activities and days out in advance
It’s a known fact that kids tend to get bored, especially when you’re planning a digital detox, so you’ll need to make sure you have lots of options for how you and the family can have fun while camping.
Based on the age of your children, certain kids will go off and play for hours on end. If your kids are lacking in the imagination department Do some research and take some boredom-busting toys with you.
Kite, a football, paints and craft items binoculars and cards Scavenger hunts, board games as well as nature books are excellent ways to combat boredom while camping, without needing to rely on technology.
9. Pick the right campsite
The campsite you choose will have a big influence on how you enjoy your first camping trip. Find out how far want to travel, whether you’re looking for a coast or countryside or numerous facilities (in which case the campsite is likely to be crowded and noisy) or if you want something more laid back with a wild camping atmosphere (in this case, you’ll usually compromise on facilities).
We’ve had the pleasure of staying at some great camping spots over the years that we’ve returned to repeatedly but we’ve also stayed at places we’d like to erase off our list!
10. Be prepared!
Get a bag of essentials. The things like duck tape, cables ties, batteries, a pen knife, first aid kit, and so on are all incredibly useful to keep. Camping can be a tense experience, which is one of the reasons it can be so fun but it’s important to be prepared.
If the blustery winds make pitching your tent akin to being a Krypton Factor challenge or you’re trying to get your tent packed down in torrential rain ….just get on with it. A strong and determined spirit is what (I think) sets hardcore campers apart from the muggles. So whatever happens, just go with it and don’t let a tiny mishap ruin your entire excursion.