Camping without a car! Is it possible? And if so, how?

angie_baby

Hi All,

I dont drive but still really want to go camping with my DS this year.

Thing is i dont drive We live in London so i was thinking that it may be possible to travel by train to a camp site. Has anyone ever done this. Or am i just being crazy? And if you have done it, have you got any tips on what tent / how to carry it all? It would just be me and DS who is 8.

The more i write this post the more i think im going to have to get my dad to drive us somewhere!

Thanks All,

Moomin

myself and OH also live in London and I didn't fancy a long drive to cornwall, so we took a train to Penzance after work, stopped the night in a B&B and then caught a bus from the Bus Terminal (which I think is right next to the train station) to the St Ives Holiday Park (in Hayes). It was my first ever camping experience and I loved it. We stayed 3 nights and took a 2man tent, rollmats and basics. Lovely beach and site. Most people there had driven there, so we felt a bit out of place, but a lady came over and said how it was nice to see that we had done it 'properly' - ie backpacked it. so it really depends on how lightly you are prepared to travel. We didn't hook up to any kind of power generator and just took a couple of torches. Glad we didn't take the car, because the narrow roads round there would probably stress me out. Was nice to catch the bus around the area and not have to worry about parking etc. Although, must admit that the second tiem I camped, I took my car and we chucked in pretty much everything except the kitchen sink!!

angie_baby

So it can be done! My dad was looking at me like i was crazy. We would have to travel very light as it would be me carry the stuff! Dont think we would need a hook up.

Ohh off to look at small tents!!!

Any tips on those? Ive never been camping.

KeithP

Have a look on this website and you'll find lots of useful advice about camping.

www.ukcampsite.co.uk

eamon

Having a car just means that you can take more stuff that you don't need or will use. If you decide to camp then you can only take what you can carry.
Invest/borrow in good equipment. Tent (2 person would be big enough), sleeping bags, mats, rucksack, cooking, eating & drinking gear (don't forget a can opener).
For clothes think layers with a waterproof outer. Most sites have washing facilities so you don't need much. Anyway Tesco/Asda are so cheap if needs must.
Phone ahead and ensure that the campsite has pitches & shop (even nearby).
When you are all packed if you can't walk and use your hands/arms you have packed to much and need to rethink.
Lastly enjoy!

mobby-2554

If there's only you to carry everything why not use a back pack & a pull along case?

[Deleted User]

There is a campsite at Wool in Dorset which is very close to the railway station. It is pleasant and you can catch the train to Weymouth for a day at the beach. Ashurst campsite in the New forest is also very close to railway station. My brother used to hike with his equipment on his back and my husband and I used to used to go cycle camping. If we felt lazy we would catch train to campsite with our bikes. As the previous poster said you just don't take the stuff you don't need. I did see a camper with a garlic press! Don't forget a torch. Have fun

onlineid

I've taken my son to Italy via the train camping but you may not want to go that far! There are sites also in south of France and on Lake Geneva (Swiss side) which are accessible by public transport and you can hire all the equipment (thats what I did in Italy, including bedding) so can travel light. Can do the same on Herm Island (channel islands). The other one I've thought about is http://www.gocampinguk.co.uk/ camping (again pre-erected tent) with bike hire. I don't drive (also London with 8yo!!) and have just looked at sites which offer equipment hire. There seems to be much more in Europe than UK. Good luck with it, would be interested to know what you end up doing!

medsdemon

Please make sure you buy a lightweight tent and sleeping bags since you will be basically carrying for 2 people and the weight really adds up. Your DS should be able to manage his own clothes and sleeping bag in a little rucksack- it will make him feel grown up. Take torches ( head torches are great and buy candles when you get there for the evening. Cook on a disposable barbeque that you buy when you get there.

There are lots of sites accessible by public transport just hunt them out online. The smaller ones are nicer since you may see other backpackers there.

Have fun:).

Pee

It def is possible, but much easier when all campers can carry their own share - which isn't an option when camping with a child.

If you were going to a festival, you'd have to lug stuff miles from the carpark, so it isn't really any different using a train.

I'd try a short break with only one change of clothes for the first trip and then get a bit more adventurous!

angie_baby

Hi all,

I think i may have found a tent. Does anyone have any thoughts on pop up tents? Some of the reviews ive seen online seem to be pretty good. Plus im thinking that they might be lighter than normal tents?

I like the sound of these http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/tents/p/Lichfield-Kato-2/487

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/tents/p/Quechua-2-Seconds-III/629

and i really like this one http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/tents/p/Lichfield-Yana/974

Only thing is i think that they all pack away into discs? But if they are light and small enough im thinking it could be possible.

I really hope to have some fun adventures with DS this summer!