New Camper - Any Hints or Tips Please?

AlwaysOptimistic

Hi there, as money is a bit tight this Summer, Im trying to convince DH that camping may be the way forward!
We have 3 kids aged 15, 13 & 7 and no equipment or idea basically!
Up till now, DH's idea of camping is anything less than 4* so I have a long way to convince him, but I think (naively maybe?) that it could be fun!
We are lucky in that we are self employed and able to take a month long trip during the school holidays, we were thinking of exploring the South West as its an area my DH has never visited and I know it can be beautiful.
Any hints, tips or general advice would be greatly appreciated
Thanks

good_advice

Hiya, we tried camping when our 3 were small. I would not do it again. You have to remember this is England and the grass will nearly always be wet. Morning dew or rain

We book a caravan now as we have a dog.

carolwat

Have you thought about venturing over to France if you have a month to spare. It is much much cheaper and the sites are far superior to this country with most having swimming pools and other facilities. If you join something like the camping cheques scheme or the acsi card you can save even more money if you choose your sites carefully.

WestonDave

If you have a month, then to some degree you can play the weather to your advantage as I doubt you'd want to be away for the whole of that time. When we first started we used to look at the forecast for the coming weekend, and if it was fine we'd phone round the campsites and see who had spaces.

Worth joining and having a look at ukcampsite.co.uk as its got a lot of reviews on there.

If you can borrow kit from friends etc then that is often better than buying something you decide later on experience doesn't quite suit.

Worth checking out ebay (in conjunction with reviews etc) as a lot of people buy a load of expensive kit, go once and then shove it on ebay! We got our main tent for £100 off there which is a massive nominally 4 man tent but can take an additional 4 person "room" and still with that in, leave some living space!

Yes grass is wet in the mornings so wear shoes accordingly - either wellies or sandals/crocs with no socks on. (As a kid our scout leader banned socks from camps specifically because wet feet dry, wet feet in wet socks don't and cause blisters etc.)

Worth looking around for sites that allow open fires - something that appeals to most blokes is a bit of pyromania!

If you keep your eyes open some of the supermarkets etc sell the equivalent of the "Bistro" gas cookers for as little as £10. They aren't the most economical for long term camping but as you don't have to get into big gas bottles etc, and just need a load of canisters they are a simple option. We got two (one a hand me down from a friend) and just use them - we keep talking about getting a better stove but haven't bothered yet.

If you have Go Outdoors nearby go and have a wander round their erected tents as that will give you a feel for what you like about tents even if its just as a reference for buying off ebay. You'll need something with standing height as crawling around on the floor isn't fun. That said it would be fun to get say 2 or 3 little pop up tents and sleep 2 in each for say one night in each location maybe with the odd night in a b&B or cheap travellodge type place as you travel around. Wouldn't need much kit then - maybe one stove to make a cup of tea in the morning, and maybe some chairs to sit out in the evening with some beers etc.

pretzelnut

Do it.

I camped a lot when I was a kid and a teenager. I have awesome memories. A lot of people have m&s conceptions about camping, but sites have improved lots in the last few years.

We have spent the last few holidays abroad, but have decided to get back into camping as you can just throw stuff in the boot and turn up at some places, so great for a very last minute spur of the moment thing.

We got a nice set up off eBay paid £150 for £1000 of camping stuff, basically everything but the kitchen sink.

We tend to set up and stay in one place, then venture around and explore the surrounding area. I'm not a big fan of setting up and down everyday to go somewhere new. I'm on holiday I want to relax. I don't want to be wasting days on end traveling cos that's not fun.

There are lots of amazing sites here in the UK, it depends on what you want in a site. Action packed or quiet and peaceful.

I imagine you don't want to just sit in a filed with a 13 & 17 year old in toe. You'll want a site where there's lots for them to do and entertain themselves. A lot of sites now do eurotens, where the tent and everything you need is at the site all set up for you and you just arrive. Also think of things you will do if it is a wet weather day.

Yes wet grass is inevitable at times but its all part of the experience. Camping in my opinion has a far better atmosphere than just staying in a caravan. All the kids make friends and play with each other as they run around the tents.

We did a practice run and had 2 nights away to set up the tent and see what we did and didn't need before we went further afield. My kids loved it, they loved being outside and sleeping outside and haven't stopped nagging to do it again since.

DO YOUR RESEARCH camping isn't always as cheap as you think it might be. By the time you've bought everything you need, tent, sleeping bags etc, pitch fees and everything else, it's sometimes cheaper to go abroad on a last minute all inclusive. But don't let that put you off. I go abroad for guaranteed sunshine, I go camping cos it's fun, and a great way to take the kids to places they want to go to.

sooty&sweep

Hi

A second vote for camping in France. The campsites over there are great !

If you on https://www.campsite.co.UK you''ll find lots of info and reviews of French sites too.

Jen

Bigmoney2

If you venture to France there are sites with ready erected tents , so you could give it a go without buying equipment.

If you decide to buy a tent I'd go for something you can standup in.

AlwaysOptimistic

Thank you all for your input, it is much appreciated we had already decided that if we buy a tent, it will be off Ebay, we weren't going to bother with sleeping bags, opting for air beds and the duvets off our beds instead :rotfl:
I guess the trouble with France is the fuel cost, we went to the South of France last year in a caravan owned by friends parents and it cost in the region of £400 for fuel and £90 in tolls for the trip. The North would be cheaper, but weather only marginally better than here, instead of 30 degrees guaranteed on the Cote D'Azur..... Decisions, decisions!

sooty&sweep

Hi

Have a look at France you may be pleasantly surprised !

Be careful about buying tents off eBay. There are bargains to be had but there is alot of rubbish on there too !

Jen