Great Camping Hunt

Igol

roughyed wrote: »

I found a thermarest clone (Highlander thermalite) to be as warm as a roll mat but much comfier. I have only ever used a campbed with a rollmat on top so I can't say if its better or not.

I would imagine a thermarest will be warmer as it forms an insulating layer while the campbed is just a piece of fairly thin canvas. Although the camp bed will get you off the ground.

I'll second that. A lesson I learned in the army, when we had the luxuary of camp beds, before I started sticking the roll mat under me on a camp bed I was always cold on the underside.

graemeakajimmy

Savvysal wrote: »

Footprint groundsheets are a great idea - unfortunately they don't make them for all tents. I've got a Lichfield Arapaho 9 DLX now (who don't make them for this model) so I've made some extra groundsheets for the bedroom areas out of an old large footprint sheet I had and I also use an old groundsheet that I bought when flooded out in Oban whilst in the Vango Venture 500 under the riser groundsheet in the living area - worked a treat last time we camped out at Spring Bank. Helps keep the underside of the bedroom tents clean and helps keep things dry, especially if your ground sheet punctures which can happen.

If you have some damp proof membrane in the shed (which I do!) is there anything to stop you using this as a footprint groundsheet?

alessev1

Yes, get a good quality tent (Vango,Gelert), with enough space to stand up, and sit comfortably, preferably with 2 rooms, so children can have own space for playing and sleeping. Don't forget inflatable matresses, good quality sleeping bags, otherwise you would end up with cold feet - like me this year:)
Get enough cooking pots, plates, forks, spoons, cooking stoves with bottled gas( Argos:12 pack for £16.99), table with chairs, bottles for water,lantern, a big coolbag, a bowl for the washing up -washing up liquid and sponge.

With children - get enough clothes, if you go to the beach you would need 2 even 3 sets sometimes.
Get some entertainment games: badminton, dominos, cards, books, lego, balls, so the childrens are not bored.
Make a list for what you need to take, so you don't forget something, and even if you do buy from the shops there.
Most impotrant wish for a good weather and enjoy!

joolzian

magpiesnest wrote: »

finally persuaded people to come camping with us. only thing is they want good shower block facilities as it's thier first time camping. not wanting to ruin the experience i am looking for a campsite in the lakes with a good play area and good toilet block, somewhere we could light a campfire would be a bonus. been on ukcampsite but could search for hours. any recommendations out there?

A bit late for you but for future reference http://campfires.co.cc is a useful new site

TIPI_HOLIDAYS

MSE_Jenny wrote: »

You don't need the credit crunch or festival going as an excuse to unpack the tent: exploring the great outdoors is an easy way to get away on the cheap. We thought we’d tap MoneySavers' collective knowledge on the best value ways to camp.

What essential gear should you take … camp stoves, picnics, beer? How do you find the perfect spot to pitch up? How do you grab a bargain tent, that won’t mean waking up in a soggy sleeping bag?

Please post below to share you ideas.

:j
Hi,

Just thought we would let you know about a brilliant offer.

Pinewood Holiday park in Scarborough, North Yorkshire is offering

A BUY ONE GET ONE FREE OFFER ON THEIR TIPI HOLIDAYS.

If you book a Tipi holiday before 31st march 2009, you will get an other identiacl holiday to be taken between 1st sept and 20th Dec 2009 ABSOLUTELY FREE.

It can't be used in conjunction with any of their other offers, and full terms and conditions can be found on the website.
www.pinewood-holiday-park.co.uk

It's really glamorous top quality camping, with tipis already pitched (large tents!), some have wood burning stoves, decked floors, carpets, futons and other luxuries you wouldn't expect to find when camping.

:j

the_gorgeous_one

My daughter is 20 in June, we discussed her birthday and she has agreed to have a tent and all the bits that go with it, has anyone got a list of what would be needed and the best way to start, we have always used caravans and did buy a tent once but it didn't work out. I still have this romantic dream about camping but dont want her to find it doesn't work out when she doesn't have a car to sleep in. I also want her to be safe but she should be fine as she would go with others. Thanks in advance.

WitchEcho

Hi,

We went camping for the first time last summer and a few people have asked for lists of things to take with them, so here's our checklist for car camping, that I've built up since last year, of all the "stuff" we take with us, I hope it's useful for someone! :cheesy:

Equipment
Tent – canvas, poles, pegs
Groundsheet
Mallet
Tent Waterproofer
Windbreak
Sleeping Mats
Sleeping Bags
Camping Pillows
Self-Inflating Matresses
Lantern
Handheld Torches
Head Torches
Stove
Fuel
Cook Set (2 saucepans, frying pan & kettle)
Plates
Bowls
Cups
Cutlery
Cooking Utensils
Chef's Knife
Chopping Board
Scissors
Water Carrier
Lighters
Matches
Canvas Fold-Up Chairs
Parasol
Fold Up Table x2
Cooker
Fold Up Stand
Wash Basin
Bike Rack
Roof Bars
Cool Box
Cool Bag
Ice Packs
Plastic Boxes
Compass
Day Sacks
Map
Picnic Rug
Padlocks
Large Padlocks
Chain
Electric Hookup
Windbreak with canopy
Electric Lantern
Citronella Candles

Emergency Kit
Extra pegs
Vango Tent Kit (guylines, extractor, etc)
Self-Adhesive Patches
Duct Tape
String
Rope
Good Knife
Mountain First Aid Kit
Replacement Tent Poles

Personal Items
Towel
Toiletries
Insect Repellent
Bite Ointment
Water Bottles


Essential Clothing
Jeans
Lightweight Walking Pants
Combats
T-shirts
Jumpers
Fleece
Waterproof Jacket
Wooly Hat
Wooly Gloves
Sun Hat
Walking Boots
Trainers
Sandals
Sunglasses
Walking Socks
Crocs/Flip Flops
Wellies

Obviously you don't have to take all this, but this is what we've found useful over the last few trips we've done.

bakerboy35

good list there. will help on future trips

artichoke

any recommendations for a good cooker suitable for a tent holiday to cook for a family of 4?

ideally 2 rings and a grill for toast...

Before we had kids we used to go backpacking camping and travelled very lightly...

then when we had 2 kids we got a VW campervan and enjoyed the comforts of a 2 ring cooker and grill, plus fridge and sink with running water....

van now has no engine :eek:

so we are borrowing a family tent and trying out the family tent camping experience....

the tent is a large one with 3 bedrooms and a central area you can stand up in - so will actually give us more room than the old VW camper.....but i am used to the indoor cooking in a camper van with fridge and cuboards..

but am baffled by all the kit for tent you can buy.....

what is necessary to make cooking in all weathers safe and comfortable?

are kitchen service units necessary? are camping larders needed???

any advice on family tent camping with a 3 and 4 year old?

art

flea72

artichoke wrote: »

any recommendations for a good cooker suitable for a tent holiday to cook for a family of 4?

ideally 2 rings and a grill for toast...

Before we had kids we used to go backpacking camping and travelled very lightly...

then when we had 2 kids we got a VW campervan and enjoyed the comforts of a 2 ring cooker and grill, plus fridge and sink with running water....

van now has no engine :eek:

so we are borrowing a family tent and trying out the family tent camping experience....

the tent is a large one with 3 bedrooms and a central area you can stand up in - so will actually give us more room than the old VW camper.....but i am used to the indoor cooking in a camper van with fridge and cuboards..

but am baffled by all the kit for tent you can buy.....

what is necessary to make cooking in all weathers safe and comfortable?

are kitchen service units necessary? are camping larders needed???

any advice on family tent camping with a 3 and 4 year old?

art

tbh, the grills on a camping stove tend to be the size of a slice of bread, so try making toast for 4 on that, and youll be there all day - other than that, i cant think of anything that we cook under the grill, that cant be done in pan - a toasting fork over a gas ring does work, but its a real waste of gas

we have a calor gas 2 ring burner, but have recently switched over to having two of the single ring stoves that come in a case, and run on cannister gas, as they arent so bulky

ive found that having a table or camp kitchen is useful, as cooking with them on the ground soon wears thin, also i find with young kids, its safer to have the stoves off the ground out of their way

never had the need for a camping larder, i keep everything in the crates we transported it to the camp in

Most modern tents (ie not canvas) state you shouldnt cook in them. What other option you have if its raining, other than maybe taking a seperate gazebo solely for this purpose, i dont know. but then again, alot of sites charge you extra to have these up on your pitch. Personally i have always cooked inside the tent, but am just over careful of what im doing. Kids are kept well away from the kitchen area

Camping with a 3 and 4yr old is easy. the fresh air makes them really sleepy, peeing in a bucket (for once) is acceptable, and wellies is standard footwear. Camping with teenagers is when you have problems, as it means early mornings/nights, and no ready access to electrical items

Flea