I've just booked a 2 night break for me and the kids at the end of October half term. My hubby thinks that I'm mad but I'm convinced that we will be fine. Any tips for cold weather camping please? We will have EHU.
So far I've gathered together, tent carpets, rugs, airbeds, fleece blankets for under and over the beds, sleeping bags, electric heater and single hob.
Having not done much winter camping myself, i can only imagine that the main priority would be warmth. Not sure where you are going, but in October up here in Scotland there is a fair possibility of snow, so that may also need to be one of your considerations?
As you have already mentioned, carpets, rugs, electric heater etc will all be a must for October camping. I have a trip planned in November, but we are rough campers so no EHU. Could be fun (and cold!!)
Hope it all goes well for you.
Scotty.
------------- A bad day's fishing is better than a good day at work!
Not just warmth but pack for the dark too......chances are you'll be spending longer in the tent than you normally would, so plenty of things to keep the children (and yourself)occupied
Expect condensation especially if in a poly tent, when we camped last October it was warmer than expected (for October) but still got cold and dark early and caused plenty of condensation on the entrance pole of our Bell tent. At easter it was cold and I watched the frost melt inside the tent onto the roof liner which saved us from being rained on, maybe see if you can somehow attach an old sheet to the inside of the roof which will also insulate it a little even if you only put it up at night and take down once the condensation rain stops.
Hot water bottle. Warm PJ's fleece sleeping bag liners. Hot drinks,
heath63
------------- New Year: Hesketh Bank
Feb/March: Red Squirrel
March: lakes
June: Morecambe
Aug: Lake District(not camping camping)
October: Red Squirrel
- Change into pj's early on in the night and put your clothes on over them. Heats them up. Much more cosy when it comes to getting ready at bedtime.
- Hot chocolate (with rum for the big ones).
- Make sure there is always a spare set of dry clothes kept in the car. Nothing worse than getting wet or when your clothes get damp.
- A fleece throw or blanket for over your knees.when sitting, especially if sitting outside on a lovely clear starry night. What a difference it makes (i use one at any time in the year!)
- and I might be thought a clatty so and so but in the winter i dont shower every day when camping - far too cold for that! Wet wipes and a discreet wash with the water from the kettle left over from morning coffee!
Jan Hope 1 nite
Feb Marsden 1 nite
Feb Glencoe 2 nites
March Edale 1 nite
April Edale 1 nite
April Edale 1 nite
May Riverside Nutters / DSG 4 nites
May Well i hole 1 nite
June Edale 1 nite
June Jersey
July GNBC Edale 2 nites
July Edale 1 nite
July Portugal
August Tribfest
Be prepared for sub-zero temperatures which will make butane and even butane/propane mix canisters ineffective.
I discovered this when I camped over New Year weekend in 2009.
I now use a liquid fuel stove, a Coleman Dual Fuel 2-burner stove, that runs on white gas, as in unleaded petrol, Coleman fuel or equivalent.
Can't beat cold weather camping, no bugs, and seldom many people especially ankle biters and critters!
Devizes C&CC Christmas 2011:
Less than 2 months later, same pitch, in Feb 12:
Hats are very important, as much heat is lost via the head, so wear one to go to bed.
Enjoy!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
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- 2026: FR+DE
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'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
thermal vests and leggings under your pj's are great - me, the oh and all our 3 kids wore them for bed. Definitely a woolly hat and gloves...thick socks...games/cards/books etc to play as it goes dark earlier...a radio...a campsite that allows campfires is also a bonus...fleece jackets...lots of cocoa/hot drinks/cup a soups...
can't wait for our October break too
------------- Camping trips for 2013...
*May half term, 5 nights - Black Bull Caravan Park, Pickering
*July/August 13 nights - Invercoe, Scotland
*October half term 6 nights - Beech Croft Farm, Buxton
One very cold night and me in my winter bed time attire, Mart asked me if ITN were coming in the tent .On asking why , he said i looked like i was gonna kidnapp him.
Wooly hat, buff , hoodie ect!
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.