Over the years, I’ve been camping more than I’d like to, I’ve stayed in all weathers, with every kind of tent throughout the UK and Europe, so I decided to give my top 10 tips for beginners to camp.
1. Spend less money for a fancy set-up
If you’ve never slept in a tent before and don’t know what you want to do You don’t have to spend hundreds of pounds on fancy gear. But, do not make the most common beginner camping error of buying an uni-skin tent.
We’ve all seen these inexpensive pop-up tents you can find in places such as Asda described as the ideal festival tent. Let us tell you that the cheapest single skin tent is a waste of money. Your gear and yourself will be soaked. Instead, why not ask a friend if you can borrow an outdoor tent, or try a night under canvas before booking a glamping break?
If you don’t have any friends who camp, why not hit eBay for a bargain on second hand items or try Freecycle, your local Facebook selling groups or even sites like AutoLeisure who do a really affordable range of tents.
2. Make sure you buy a bigger tent than the one you think you’ll need.
That 4 man dome tent may sound like a dream, but once you factor in camp beds or air mattresses, you’re not likely to really fit four people with all their gear inside! Always choose a tent that offers you more room, particularly for those who are camping by car and don’t have to think about weight or carrying your tent. Living and sleeping on top of one another is a sure way of creating a feeling of annoyance Therefore, you should always select the size of your tent which is greater than strictly necessary.
We recommend also buying a head-heighted tent. This means it’s possible to sit up in it, and makes for a much easier life.
Don’t forget that you are unlikely to get to full occupancy in any tent unless making use of narrow or small self-inflating mats and sleeping squeezed together on the floor.
3. Night time at night in UK is much colder than you thought.
Even in the months of June and July in the evening, the temperature outside within the UK is generally quite cold. Spending a night in a tent that is cold and chilly is not fun at all. Always carry extra blankets and use layers to help keep warm during the cold winter months.
4. Eliminate the electronic devices
Camping that has an electric hook-up (EHU) is expensive and also means your pitch choice and campsite possibilities will be limited.
Simply solar chargers are affordable and are capable of powering all essential devices like smartphones or laptop, but you can also splash out on something a bit more capable like the HUBi Solar Hub.
On a side note, If you’re considering taking devices such as hair straighteners for camping with you – no one is interested in the way your hair is straight put them away at home!
So why not consider camping as an excuse to unwind? Leave the tablet at home and take the opportunity ts take advantage of the benefits taking a digital cleanse.
5. Plan for wind, rain, gale-force winds, and more!
We should not get caught up in the bush. The weather in the UK is a nightmare. I’m writing this in the middle of July, it’s rainy, cold, and windy as I’m wearing winter boots and even an extra thick pair of tights.
Ok, sometimes we’re lucky when the sun shines, and the rain stops falling for a few seconds however, even if the forecast looks promising make sure you have an extra layer of clothing and waterproofs just in case.
6. Purchase camping gear and tents cheaper outside of the season
Due to the escalating demand and the increasing demand for tents, they are generally more costly at the beginning in the season for camping. Even though June may seem as a perfect time to purchase a new tent or camping gear, prices are generally much higher at this time of year.
I usually buy camping equipment in winter or early spring. Many stockists also have an outdoor sale towards the end of the season too typically at the middle of August, which is another great occasion to grab an excellent deal.
7. Purchase the previous year’s model of tent
Tents are like all other items of the consumer market, change often. Manufacturers introduce new models as well as add new features to their top selling tent models. So an updated model of the tent will always be able to fetch a premium.
Check for a prior year’ model as you’ll often discover them on sale because the retailers want to sell the latest premium models instead.
8. Plan activities and days out in advance
It’s no secret that kids aren’t always happy, especially when you’re planning your own digital detox, which is why it is essential that you’ve got many ideas of what you and your family can have fun while going camping.
Depending on your kids’ age, they may be able to go off and play and amuse themselves for hours. If your kids are lacking in imagination Do some research and bring a selection of boredom-busting activities with you.
Kite, a football, crafts and paints, cards, binoculars, Scavenger hunts, board games and books about nature are great ways of fending off boredom on the camping trip and not relying on technology.
9. Pick the right campsite
The camping site you choose can have a huge effect on how much you enjoy your first camping trip. Work out how far you would like to travel, if you prefer the coast or countryside, and if you want lots of facilities (in this case, the location is likely to be crowded and noisy) or if you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere with a wild camping feel (in which case, you’ll have to be able to compromise on amenities).
We’ve had the pleasure of staying at some great campsites over the years that we’ve returned to repeatedly; and we’ve also stayed at some that we’d rather erase off our minds!
10. Prepare!
Make sure you have a few essentials. The things like duck tape cable ties, batteries, a pen knife, first aid kit, and many more are useful to keep. Camping can be a tense adventure, which is one of the reasons it can be so fun but it’s important to be prepared.
If the force of the wind makes pitching your tent akin to the Krypton Factor challenge or you’re trying to get your tent packed down with torrential rain ….just go for it. A strong and determined spirit is a trait that (I think) makes hardcore campers distinct from muggles. Therefore, whatever you face, just accept it and make sure that you don’t let one tiny mishap ruin your entire excursion.
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