Camping Holidays

littlechezza · 22 January 2007 at 11:42AM

Can anybody recommend what is needed for a camping holiday, we know we need a tent and sleeping bags but after that we haven't got a clue what to stock up on, any tips on where to get the best stuff would be great as well

Thanks

lottee · 22 January 2007 at 11:47AM

Not really a tip on what to buy, but if you're planning on camping in this country, Cofton Country Holidays near Dawlish is a stunning place to stay.
http://www.coftonholidays.co.uk/

kippax1966 · 22 January 2007 at 12:28PM

Hi there

Look at http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk - very informative and friendly site. It gives a list of what you need for a trip, and the forums tell you the best deals.

Hope this helps

bestyman · 22 January 2007 at 12:34PM

The best camping web site is https://www.ukcampsite.co.uk , great helpfull forums there but I will give you a few pointers to get you going .
You can get by on as little or much stuff as you want .
I have gone full circle, started with the basics then bought loads and loads of stuff , got sick of packing it/setting it up so gone back to the basics again .
A good air bed is needed, a 12 volt inflater is much better than afoot pump.
Think about lighting can you make do with torches/leisure battery or do you want a 240volt mains hook up supply? ( could use fan heater then in colder weather )
What about cooking? Small 1 ring stoves are available for about £15 and these are ok for most . Take a portable folding BBQ for warm evenings.Paper plates/ cups or plastic washable ones, its up to you .
A coolbox is needed, again whether you want to pay for an electric one ( and a way to plug it in ) is up to you .
Folding tables and chairs are needed , maybee a small tv /radio. Decent tent pegs are a must . ( remember mallet )
A little bag and small toiletries are needed.
Camping toilet ( about £40) , a bucket or walk on the wet grass to the toilets in the middle of the night - the choice is yours .
Whatever you buy think about size and how easily it packs. You dont want to spen hours setting up and packing away especially if you are only away for one night .
Big tents are great once set up but I hate setting up so now have a self erecting pop up tent that puts itself up in 5 seconds!
Dont forget the booze and a corkscrew.
The first time you go why not go really local so you can nip home if you have forgotten anything .
Argos and tesco extras are a good place to buy camping gear ( finds nearest one while away for forgotten things) . https://www.towsure.co.uk are ok for some stuff . e-awnings.co.uk are worth a look if you want a tent . https://www.ebay.co.uk is good . woolworths and halfords also sell camping gear.

Hope this helps, any questions just ask.

bestyman

Benny24 · 22 January 2007 at 2:01PM

Bestyman's got most of it figured above. We've been camping for years and the UK Campsite website is excellent. We have never bothered with a camping toilet. Always stayed in places where there is a loo, i'd rather flush the stuff awat there and then then have to empty it later!!

We keep all the bits we take in plastic boxes, that stack easily and have lids to keep anything unwanted out. We use the one ring gas burners that work on the aerosol style gas cannisters. They give out tremendous heat and come in a little plastic carry case, we take two of these. And we also take a small gas BBQ called a 'firefly'. We use this for both breakfasts (bacon sausage etc) and dinners.

We light up with a small calor gas lamp which we use in the main part of the tent and we also have a head torch each for reading in bed and loo trips......always seem to need night loo trips after a few bottles of wine!!

Got ourselves a small aluminuim fold up table from Homebase, and a couple of fold up chairs. We take a cool box, and most of the places we stay have freezers where you can freeze up your ice blocks to keep the box cool. Remember to take double amount of blocks. One lot will be in the freezer whilst your using the other lot.

Remeber you can be as expensive and gadget like as you wish it's up to you, but as Besyman says you have to pack it all away after!!

Any thing else just ask

saxy1 · 22 January 2007 at 2:34PM

Its all the little bit n pieces that get forgotten like - scissors, sharp knife, foil, string, salt n pepper (we keep all the little sachets that you get in cafes) plastic storage pots for sugar. Poundland and wilkinsons are great for this kind of stuff.

tiff · 22 January 2007 at 2:53PM

Can't wait to get back out there

saxy1 · 22 January 2007 at 4:13PM

Wet Wipes!! you can never have enough of them when camping, especially if you have kids! or even husbands!!!

billy_the_kid_2 · 22 January 2007 at 4:38PM

A tip that we use. we pack all the bits and pieces such as cutley, torches, inflators, teatowels, washing up liquid, clothes hangers, scissors etc into a large plastic box (the type you get from diy stores) we pack it when the stuff is cleaned from the last camping trip. Its then left in the garage, loft etc. We just load it into the car and we know everything we need is there.

richardw · 22 January 2007 at 4:51PM

Don't forget it also depends on the climate when and where you are going and the food facilities on the site and how much cooking you want to do, also whether you are going by car, train, coach or plane. Warm places in summer, Nice Ibiza Venice, were the best camping trips I did.

arnie&caseysma! · 22 January 2007 at 5:08PM

The one ring gas stoves with the aerosol type fuel cans are best. Dont waste money on aluminium camping pots - take a proper frying pan and a pot to boil the water for coffee, they hold the heat so stuff cooks a lot quicker. Get a couple of thermos mugs aswell - available cheaper than you think. Plastic plates, forks, spoons etc, a small bottle of washing up liquid and baby wipes.

Midge nets are a must to have on standby for any wee fly about beastie, especially if you are camping in Scotland.

Last time we were camping I got stung by a wasp, the chances of it happening I suppose are quite slim but I was stinging all day til I got to a Boots and they use the store can of waspeze to calm it down for me. Worth investing in a can just incase (only takes one spray) unless you plan on taking vinegar with you......

We don't bother with airbeds but take a couple of roll mats instead, and if you like your comfort take a pillow.

Small folding table and chairs as above are a good idea as you will need somewhere to sit the plastic wine glass or beer bottle (don't bother with wine bottles, just take a box or wine!).

Also, if going to a site with washing facilities take a basin and a tea towel so you can take the dirty dishes to the sink in the basin and then bring them back in it when washed.

And lastly......carrier bags. Always pack up your rubbish and take it home or to the nearest bin.

I'll probably think of loads more after I post this but it will do for now!

Camping Holidays

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