Camping - Where Do I Start

Cruiksl

Hi,

I'm looking a cheap holidays for my DH and 2 children aged 20 months and just under 4 and was thinking of camping. Only problem is I don't know where to start :j .

What equipment would I need (apart from the obvious tent :rotfl: )?

Many thanks

BillScarab

Bear in mind camping isn't necessarily that cheap. Pitch fees can be quite pricey, but it is good fun and the children will love it. An excellent website for advice is www.ukcampsite.co.uk

What you need to start is (in no particular order)

Tent
Sleeping Bags
Air Beds or mats ( Iwould get self inflating mats)
Torches/Lanterns
Cooker
Pans, Plates, Bowls, Cutlery etc.
Water Carrier
Insect Repellent
Some sort of table and chairs are nice to have

CarliJ

I will copy the list i always print off when we go camping! Enjoy!

Camping List

Tent
Pegs
Toilet Rolls
Table
Cleaning Wipes
Kitchen Roll
Chairs
Air Beds x 2
Sleeping Bags & Pillows & Bottom Sheet
Cooker
Frying Pan
Fish Slice
Picnic Set for 4
Cutlery for 4
Sharp Knife
Large Metal Spoons
Tea Spoons
Plastic Glasses for Wine/Beer for 4
Matches
Mallet
Dust pan & Brush
Washing up Bowl, liquid, brush/sponge
Tea Towels
Wind Break
Lamp/Torch
Water Carrier
Air Bed Pump
Cool Box
Ice packs
Corkscrew/Bottle Opener
Suntan lotion
First Aid Kit
Dustbin Bags

:j

missstropy

Hi,

Ive been camping for years with my kids. The one I just did on Saturday was the worst one ever. We went up to Shell Island and it was full, so we ended up trying to put the tent up in horrid winds in a field with a water tap, no toiltets or showers. As it was a tent Id borrowed to try out ( I have 2 of my own), I just could not get it right. It ended up wrapped round a barbed wire fence shredded. I gave up0 and got home at 12midnight with 3 kids and the dog and pulling a huge trailer.

I can say the best camp site I have ever been to is St Davids Bay in Wales.(Sos cant do the linky things) Its safe, loverly beach 2mins from tents, shop on site, laundrette, Tavern for beer and food when your starving and cant be bothered to cook on a 2 ring cooker, small shop on site, small play area for little ones. I love it there and you can book it to make sure you have a pitch.

We were that fed up on Saturday that on Monday we pooled our resources together and bought a static caravan on a cheap and cheerful site in Rhyl. Not my favourite place but its got a beach and a bar and kids play area so were happy. Although I will miss camping.

You will find you will pick things up as you go along camping,
A washing up basin comes in handy for carrying your pots etc to the wash stands if there is one.
I take a small portable bbq
A cooler box with plenty of ice blocks

Oscar

Try your local freecycle for the tent and other expensive stuff or borrow before spending in case its not for you!

wanye

hiya,

heres my list of items i take when camping.

admittedly, it is aimed at festival camping, but it's still pretty useful. we're going to shell island in a week and a half's time. i just hope its not full up like missstropy experienced...

Essential Items FESTIVAL TICKET
PHOTO ID
TENT (check pegs/lines/poles/groundsheet)
SLEEPING BAG
AIRBED
CIGARETTES/MATCHES/PAPERS/TOBACCO /LIGHTERS/ROLLING MACHINE
WATERPROOF COAT
TOWEL/S
TOILET PAPER
MOBILE/SPARE BATTERY
MONEY (banking on site-long queues)
UTENSILS(cup/plate/cutlery/bottle-can opener)
PEN/PAPER
CAMERA/ram cards/+++BATTERIES+++
EVERYDAY MEDICATIONS (anadin/piriton)
COMB/HAIRBRUSH
BAGS (for dirty clothing/ footwear)
TORCH/BATTERIES/BULBS (spares)
SLEEPING MAT
RADIO (Radio Avalon 87.7 FM)
PILLOW
SUNGLASSES
BOOTS/STURDY SHOES
WELLINGTONS ?
DISPOSABLE BBQ
WATER CARRIER
CORDIAL
FOOD
BOOZE (no glass bottles)


EAR PLUGS/COTTON WOOL
NEXT OF KIN NOTIFICATION
CONTRACEPTIVES
SUN CREAM
READING MATERIAL
CLEAN CLOTHES TO GO HOME IN
TOILETRIES


MARK ITEMS WITH HOUSE NO & POSTCODE

Cruiksl

Thanks for all your responses.

I'm a total camping virgin ! Well apart from going with the guides but that was 25 years ago ! Do most campsites have showers, water etc ? What do most of you do for food ? Do you cook for yourself or book a site that has facilities ?

Another question is do you take your own portaloo or use the campsite facilities ?

BillScarab

I would say all of the sites you are likely to go to for family camping have showres, toilets etc. Many have freezers where you can refreeze your coll box freezer blocks. We only tend to go for weekends and often eat out or get a takeaway. If we do cook we tend to keep it simple or take a small BBQ (although some sites don't allow them).

We don't have a portaloo so always use the campsite facilities.

If you look at the site I mentioned earlier you can read reviews which helps you find a good site.

One of used is this one, http://www.newent.biz/ the kitchen had a freezer, washing machine and even a kettle if you wanted a quick cuppa and didn't want to light your stove.

BigD_2

I love camping! I don't know where your from but the New Forest is well worth checking out for camping sites, I went camping there last year and the animals roam free, they are absolutely everywhere, you wake up in the morning with horses/cows around your tent, there are donkeys and sheep everywhere! Is so good.

Make sure you check the floor before you lay your tent, last year we laid our tent and when we laid on the air bed at night it popped because something sharp came through and popped the air bed, was not a good sleep at all!!!

C_Ronaldo

Anyone recommend where i could get a good portable bbq from, ive een a bucket one in morrisons but has anyone seen another one

BillScarab

They had a similar bucket one in Tesco but it cost more. I must admit when I saw them I thought it looked ideal for camping, cheap too. The other option is a disposable one of course.

I'm sure the DIY shops and Argos will sell a variety of BBQs just a matter of choosing a fairly small one.