Camping for the 1st time- advice?

diable

How far are you travelling as there was a lovely little camp site in Coombe Martin down your way?

I think this is the one.

stikiuk

This is a really great thread, I'm hoping to go camping for the first time ever this summer with my 2 children. I have taken all the great advice from here onboard, i'm actually pretty nervous about going lol. We are going to try Wales around Snowdonia national park. I have been pickin things up each week from the £1 shops!

shelley_crow

I camped really cheap at shell island last year. We even bought a camping stove, the only we forgot....pans! Ended up buying food for two days, which cost more than the pitch!

Thriftybynature

I had bad nights sleep on the double blow-up bed due to OH turning around and the roll-together. Finally figured it out, so now we take 2 single lilos, then on top put one of the fitted, slightly padded, mattress protectors, then a fitted sheet. Then us! Then on top a sheet and finally the sleeping bags zipped together. I now no longer feel like I am on a boat being tossed and turned, but there is padding under us and enough on top.

Another great tip is to invest in some good vaccuum bags that you put clothes/duvets into at home. Pack up your bedding/clothes to cut down on space - and you can then fit in a proper pillow each. When you leave the campiste, most footpumps have a reverse function so you can suck the air out of the bags again. But I would recommend an electric pump or one you can put into the car fag lighter!

This last tip is from a friend who had expensive vaccuum bags, I've only ever tried cheap ones so if anyone can recommend some then please pm me!

hcb42

we have single blow up beds too. I couldnt stand a double airbed with the OH either!

Thriftybynature

Cooking! You have a coolbox so you can take the first 3 main meals with you - first one pre-cooked and cooled, then next 2 frozen and they will slowly defrost in the coolbox. Meals such as bolognese sauce, chilli, stew etc freeze well. Ooo and invest in a garden solar light - invaluable if coming home late from the pub as you can find your tent entrance no probs.

Thriftybynature

hcb42 wrote: »

we have single blow up beds too. I couldnt stand a double airbed with the OH either!

I felt as though I had had an epiphany when I had the single lilo idea! I used to wake up so cross, and it put me off camping but when I thought of it - just this last year - I was back in the camping zone again. I am surprised more people don't mention it.

So what are people's luxuries when camping? I save up posh toiletries samples eg molton brown, plus any nice foodie gifts I've been given throughout the year.

Thriftybynature

... those torches that strap to your head.

sorry to hijack thread with lots of posts, but coincidentally tonight OH and I were talking about our upcoming camping trip in Aug and how to improve on previous ones. Deffo make a list while you are there on stuff not to bother taking again, stuff that you want to take in future and also good ideas. Then try to remember to look at it just before your next camping trip! We try to have a 'debriefing session' about a week after camping and make a note of what not to bother with and what to do differently. We've just been looking at the notes I made last year!

cleggie

Thanks for so much brilliant advice you guys! i am now getting more excited than nervous about going camping!

Thriftybynature- good Question- what are peoples luxuries when camping? I would say a bottle of wine or some beer!!

spadoosh

stikiuk wrote: »

This is a really great thread, I'm hoping to go camping for the first time ever this summer with my 2 children. I have taken all the great advice from here onboard, i'm actually pretty nervous about going lol. We are going to try Wales around Snowdonia national park. I have been pickin things up each week from the £1 shops!

Might i suggest here beautiful site at the foot of snowdon. We had a spot next to the lake early last spring, wonderful mornings. Really good for walking (obviously). Also has fire pits :T