Camping advice needed!!

wannabedebtfree_2

Thanks to my lovely aunt I have recieved a 6 man (3 bedroomed) tent FOR FREE:T , she knows how desperate I am to get away, and with debts it won't be for a few years, she is buying one with a fitted groundsheet as she is worried her chihuahua will escape from this one:eek: (it has fitted groundsheet for the 3 bedrooms, but a loose one for the main area!)

Anyway, the reason I need advice is we are totally new to camping (having watched a horror film that involved campers being murdered my other half is a little worried now!!:eek: ) and we need to know the following:

A) What equipment is essential, and what can wait till we have some extra money?

Where is the cheapest place to buy the above!

C) Where can we find a brochure/booklet on campsites - I have been trawling the internet for hours, and my eyes have gone all googley!! (preferably in the south west of england so it doesn't cost too much in petrol!)

D) Security wise - how do you stay safe in something thats made of fabric and has a zip to get into? Both while in the tent, and while away from it (after watching one horror, then turning over to another camping murder horror this is important!!!)

I think thats my main queries for now, although I may come back and add a million more things - I am actually very excited:j , I may even see if we can get just a 2 night break before the end of September, we haven't had a holiday for 5 years!!

zappahey

wannabedebtfree wrote:

A) What equipment is essential, and what can wait till we have some extra money?

Where is the cheapest place to buy the above!

C) Where can we find a brochure/booklet on campsites - I have been trawling the internet for hours, and my eyes have gone all googley!! (preferably in the south west of england so it doesn't cost too much in petrol!)

D) Security wise - how do you stay safe in something thats made of fabric and has a zip to get into? Both while in the tent, and while away from it (after watching one horror, then turning over to another camping murder horror this is important!!!)

A. Sleeping bags, air bed or sleeping mats (or lots opf spare bedding underneath you), something to cook on (a single burner will do so long as you're happy eating things that can be cooked in one pot), something to sit on, something to read.

B. No idea but Millets have a sale on I believe.

C. Your local library

D. Bear in mind that, statistically, your biggest danger of violent attack comes from your other half or someone else you know, and he or she from you, then I wouldn't worry too much about security. Stranger danger is much overrated; you won't be murdered in your tent and just apply common sense regarding storage of valuables. We've camped for years and have never had a problem nor even heard of someone having a problem with violence or theft. Obviously that doesn't apply to those camping at festivals and the like.

Most importantly, go try it with an open mind, you might enjoy it.

topmum

We have been camping now for 6 years and love it. Been places and seen things we could never normally have afforded to go to if we had to pay for a hotel. I am sure you will love it.

Regardiing equipment the poster above has covered the basics well. Go for an air bed rather than a mat tho - lot comfier. Go Outdoors do a single one for £5. They also have good offers. Google them for website.

To find a good campsite go to [EMAIL="http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/"]http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/[/EMAIL] This is a great site as it not only gives you site details it gives you comments from people who have stayed there too.

Enjoy yourself and have fun and I will bet you love it

let us know how you get on!

ajbrynoffa

theres a good site for campsites,i think its https://www.ukcampsites.co.uk
or try googling campsites ,don`t forget a bucket with a lid!!

HLK

Hi - a little correction for above post - it's www.ukcampsite.co.uk.
HTH

chubberdog

Wanna!

Just do it! Stick to recognised camp sites, you won't go wrong. We have done it for the past thirty years, UK and europe and never had a sniff of trouble. Be sensible, try to take just one credit card and a bit of cash that will fit into a bum-bag. We have left radios, binos, kit in our tents on recognised sites and never had anything stolen. Campers tend to look after each other, and if your'e an obvious newbie, there will soon be some nosy older, overhelpful old git (Me?) to help you.....

Doug

chubberdog

Oh, Wanna,

Forgot to add, above poster spot on, go to library and get a 'Caravan and Camping Club' [The Friendly Club]handbook. It's usually in the reference section and full of good advice. Many of their sites are members only but are still worth ringing round.

Good Luck.....oh, until you can afford a little porta potty, a nappy bucket with a lid, or a good torch, is essential!!

Louisa_Jane_2

for campsites - https://www.alanrogers.com

Cumbrian_Male

I have a Camping and Caravanning Club Big Sites Book which is updated every 2 years. I still have the previous one which is yours for the asking.

It is worth joining up, maybe wait till next year, £30 for the year but we pay between £6-8 a night to camp on the Holiday site meets.

We had our fortnight in Skegness this August on a CCC Holiday meet. This was on a commercial site, We paid £6 a night the tents on the other side of the string fence paid the commercial site £17.50 a night.:D

Mrs_pbradley936

Look on Ebay for people like me who have bought all equipment and find they do not like it as much as they thought so are selling it off. Have not got anything now though

fudgem

regarding valuables, it's very unlikely you will have any equipment pinched, and anything like personal stereos etc can be locked in the boot of your car when you're out and about.

We used to have a touring caravan, and downgraded to a tent about 5 years ago, and think its the bees knees. People seem to be much more friendly towards us in a tent than they were when we were in a caravan