Camping, What do i really need to buy?

nettles77

As went to shop yesterday and they were trying to tell me i needed lots of stuff but dont know if i really do or where they just trying to make me spend a fortune. Thanks in advance.

Olliebeak

Oooooh Nettles - please remember that these guys are salesmen and very often on commission. It's their job to make you spend a fortune - and very good they are too.

It all depends on what kind of camping you want to do, and what level of comfort you want to do it in! Another consideration is whether or not you'll have children with you. Are you the hardy outdoor type who can manage on a bedroll, lilo, camp-bed 4 inches off the ground or will you need a full-size inflatable bed? Prepared to sit on the floor to eat or want a table and chairs? Cooking on a camp-fire, little primus stove or want a two-burner cooker with grill? - or stuff the cooking and get a takeaway lol.

Honestly though, if this is your first-time camping, I'd keep the spending as low as you can - at least until you find out if you actually enjoy it. Do you know anybody who camps - maybe you could borrow a couple of items from them for a trial run.

You can always try freecycle for some stuff.

nettles77

Olliebeak thanks for that, sorry i should have said there are 2 adults and 2 children ages 5 and 3.

cazscoob

have u looked in halfords they have great tent bundles inc tent, sleeping bags, air beds and lights from £70 upwards!!! we bought this bundle 3 years ago and its still going strong!

we usually take lights/torches, we have a small gas cooker pots and frying pan, plastic plates cups cutlery(can be bought very cheap!) fold up seats, football, usual clothes towels and toiletries. it depends how luxury you want it to be??

oh i and usually take lots of tins and if im taking bacon etc i freeze it and keep it in a cool box which usually lasts a day or 2!!

Olliebeak

You will definitely need to consider safety precautions where the cooking facilities are concerned with kiddies around.

As you're a family, at least a two-ring burner with grill and one of those 'stands' to put it on.

I know you can buy those sets of pans/kettle where they all go inside each other for space saving, but one thing that we always found to be necessary was a proper non-stick frying pan! Some of those camping pans can really decimate a fried egg and the kids will never forgive you for serving up crispy, burnt fried eggs with burst yolks :rolleyes:!

If push comes to shove, put the kettle on and pot noodles all round with lots of fresh fruit for dessert .

Don't forget a supply of loo rolls, kitchen roll, hygienic hand-spray, baby-wipes and basic first-aid kit. Take your own washing-up liquid (small amount at the end of the bottle so it can be thrown/given away afterwards) and cooking oil (the solid vegetable oil is useful) as those are ridiculously expensive in camp shops!

Pack of cards never goes amiss either.

onetomany

hi i found this on another thread its not my list but im planning on using it from now on Hi,

We went camping for the first time last summer and a few people have asked for lists of things to take with them, so here's our checklist for car camping, that I've built up since last year, of all the "stuff" we take with us, I hope it's useful for someone! :cheesy:

Equipment
Tent – canvas, poles, pegs
Groundsheet
Mallet
Tent Waterproofer
Windbreak
Sleeping Mats
Sleeping Bags
Camping Pillows
Self-Inflating Matresses
Lantern
Handheld Torches
Head Torches
Stove
Fuel
Cook Set (2 saucepans, frying pan & kettle)
Plates
Bowls
Cups
Cutlery
Cooking Utensils
Chef's Knife
Chopping Board
Scissors
Water Carrier
Lighters
Matches
Canvas Fold-Up Chairs
Parasol
Fold Up Table x2
Cooker
Fold Up Stand
Wash Basin
Bike Rack
Roof Bars
Cool Box
Cool Bag
Ice Packs
Plastic Boxes
Compass
Day Sacks
Map
Picnic Rug
Padlocks
Large Padlocks
Chain
Electric Hookup
Windbreak with canopy
Electric Lantern
Citronella Candles

Emergency Kit
Extra pegs
Vango Tent Kit (guylines, extractor, etc)
Self-Adhesive Patches
Duct Tape
String
Rope
Good Knife
Mountain First Aid Kit
Replacement Tent Poles

Personal Items
Towel
Toiletries
Insect Repellent
Bite Ointment
Water Bottles


Essential Clothing
Jeans
Lightweight Walking Pants
Combats
T-shirts
Jumpers
Fleece
Waterproof Jacket
Wooly Hat
Wooly Gloves
Sun Hat
Walking Boots
Trainers
Sandals
Sunglasses
Walking Socks
Crocs/Flip Flops
Wellies
theres some great tips on this thread http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=993135 hope this helps

coffeebean

Hi Nettles77,
I camp a lot, and the best advice I've had is on this website, https://www.ukcampsite.co.uk, they are all fantastically friendly, and there is a wealth of information on there.,, from tents and equipments to the best/worst campsites.
Beware though, it's a bit addictive!

whatatwit

My big Tesco had some camping stuff on offer this week.
Also Poundland had some of the camping/cooking tins in.

Sarahlou_2

coffeebean wrote: »

Hi Nettles77,
I camp a lot, and the best advice I've had is on this website, www.ukcampsite.co.uk, they are all fantastically friendly, and there is a wealth of information on there.,, from tents and equipments to the best/worst campsites.
Beware though, it's a bit addictive!

I will second that website- it's fantastic...

We started off with a tent (we now have a caravan) when DS was 5 months old. We paid approx £170 for our tent, I would really recommend spending on a good make tent Litchfield for example, some of the budle deals at Argos etc often include poorly made tents. Everything else you can pick up fairly cheap.

Have you tried caravan dealers? As crazy as it sounds, many take tents in exchange for caravan awnings so may have some good quality second hand tents for sale. We exchanged ours when we bought a caravan.

I'd pack plenty of activites for the kiddies in case it rains (it is hard work in a tent with bored children!). We also bought an all in one waterproof suit for our DS which was a lifesaver for first thing in the morning when the grass was still damp but he wanted to play out, saves having to pack tons of clothes!:T His was about £10.

However, if it's sunny - you're laughing! We have had some fantastic camping holidays and have brilliant memories. We only had a little three door saxo, used to put baby in the front and I had to sit in the back al lthe way with an alsatian on my knee :rotfl:. We'd open the doors on arrival and everything would fall out - happy days!

Have fun!

BlimusOreilly

I love camping but hate sleeping bags (as they make me feel claustrophobic) - so I stick our duvet in and me and my youngest son snuggle under that on a double blow-up airbed. That way, if you are too hot, you can at least stick your limbs out without having to unzip and adjust!

SUESMITH_2

camping stuff quite often comes up on our freecycle, so thats worth a try. dont forget your mallet (voice of experience)