Camping Virgin - what do I really need ?

Cruiksl

Lol - apart from tent and sleeping bags, what do I really need to go camping ?

Would be really grateful for advice.

Redcedar

Depends on where you are going, for how long and what facillities you have at the campe site. But basics for us ( family of 4 - 2 children under 4)

Tent, ground sheet and pegs
Hammer or mallet
Air beds
Bedding ( we take duvets and blankets but sleeping bags are ok )
Something to cook on ( gas stove / BBQ )
plates, cups, saucepans, cutlery
A light of some sort ( lamp , touch, head lamps)
1st aid kit
Something to sit on ( blanket, chair )
clothes and spare clothes ( if its wet )
Bin bags ( useful for EVERYTHING!)
Cool box

When we go to France for a month we tend to take alot of things, electric hook ups, fridge , laptop all sorts but for a couple of nights you don't need that much.

I am sure others will add to the list, most of all HAVE FUN!

Cruiksl

Cheers.

Also a stupid question - my hubby has sleep apnea so needs to wear a machine at night that plugs in - do campsites have electronic access ?

DCFC79

Cruiksl wrote: »

Cheers.

Also a stupid question - my hubby has sleep apnea so needs to wear a machine at night that plugs in - do campsites have electronic access ?

yes some do and charge extra for it,

google uk campsites for a list of sites who have leccy

moneywaster-nomore

Hiya, you and me both, we are hoping to go camping this year and hoping to do it as cheaply as possible. :beer:

DCFC79

Could have done a search for similar thread, this 1 is similar

Bigmoney2

Cruiksl wrote: »

Cheers.

Also a stupid question - my hubby has sleep apnea so needs to wear a machine at night that plugs in - do campsites have electronic access ?

In which case you will need a hook up lead as well
Like this
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/product-search/text/hookup+lead

YORKSHIRELASS

There is a camping website https://www.ukcampsite.co.uk that has some useful info. One big word of warning though, there are people on there who spend huge amounts of money on camping and its easy to be persuaded that you need tons of expensive stuff. You dont.

I would advise you to set out with the basics, take a notebook and pen and make a list of extra things that would be handy.

Also be aware that camping stuff takes up a lot of room in the car and a lot of storage space in your home. The more stuff you have the more time it takes to set up. You need to balance this against being comfortable and enjoying your camping trip.

As we camp regularly I have built up some boxes of things like cutlery that are just for camping but a lot of things you can take out of your own kitchen to start with.

I have done a copy and paste of my basic camping list that I store on a word doc and print out before we go. Hope this helps.

TENT
BIN BAGS
WINDBREAK
EHU LEAD
PICNIC RUG
CAMPING KETTLE
AIRBEDS
AIRBED PUMPS AND BUNGS
MUGS / GLASSES
COOL BOX/ICE PACKS
SLEEPING BAGS AND LINERS
BABY WIPES
BLANKETS/SNUGGIES
HOT WATER BOTTLES
GAS BOTTLE
STOVE
MATCHES
PANS / CUTLERY / PLATES
W UP BOWL, LIQUID, SPONGE, T TOWELS
CHAIRS AND TABLES, STOOLS
HEAD TORCHES
LIGHTS
PILLOWS
MALLETT
KNIVE AND SCISSORS
CAN OPENER
FLASK
RADIO
BBQ & CHARCOAL

sooty&sweep

Hi

Have a look on www.ukcampsite.co.uk You'll find lots of information about what you need, reviews of different tents and you can search for campsites in whichever area you fancy visiting.

Be careful about buying too much until you know you like it as you could end up buying loads of stuff you don't need and you'll miss something you do need.

As another poster has said for example you don't really need sleeping bags you could just use duvets but make sure you've got lots of insulation underneath you as thats what will make you cold. Tables and chairs are nice to have but if the weather is decent you could just sit on a picnic rug on the grass.

Finally alot of people look to ebay for a bargain when buying a tent. There are some bargains to be had there but there is also alot of crap with a fancy description but not a decent tent so best to keep to the well known names and double check on ukcampsite for reviews about the tent.

Hope you enjoy camping

Jen

Cruiksl

Thanks for your help guys.

I have the tent, sleeping bags - something like this http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_745439_langId_-1_categoryId_236908 that I bought in a sale last year.

Have camping folding chairs and managed to get a roll up aluminimum table from Costco last year too. Have a little 2 ring stove and wind up lights so nearly there.

mutley74

last year i went camping for my first ever time.
If you plan to do this a few times buy a DECENT Tent. i am glad i bought a very good brand from Vango on offer at Go outdoors with a high hydrostatic rating of 3000 (higher the better) (kept us dry during a night of heavy rain).
You can buy most other things from Asda etc at reasonable price. I bought a simple stove, used pans from home. Kept food simple to ready made noodles, rice, soup, beans etc.

Buy plenty of good lamps and lights that are rechargeable, even one that has a manual recharger.
try a local campsite first so you can get to learn the ropes easily and work out what you need and dont need.
have fun