Early October should be fine. Just take hot water bottles for night time and remember that it will get dark early so if you have kids, entertaining them in the evening will need a bit of thought as they can’t just play outside like they would in the summer.
This was taken on one frosty mid-October morning back in 2012.
The weather was dry and bright during my entire stay, and quite warm when the sun was out with light winds, it was glorious and perfect camping weather.
However, it did drop to near zero temperatures at night as can be seen in the pic.
I would advise to be prepared and packed for a cold weather trip.
My tent was a cotton canvas tent with a zipped in groundsheet, and I had carpet in the living area, and had a fan heater with me.
Sleeping arrangement was a SIM on top of a camp bed, with a 12 Tog combination duvet on top.
Very cosy.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'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$$ on it and walk away!
Going to the Station camp site Carrog near Llangollen Ratty. Been loads of times-beautiful site in the Dee valley with the river Dee passing right next to the site AND a pub in walking distance :)
Quote: Originally posted by SGThomas on 17/8/2021
Are you now over the frostbite?
Was that for me?
Cold does not bother me - I can cope with being cold, just don't like it hot.
I intend to continue to camp throughout the year, and had made enquiries with some CSs and CLs already.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
First time camping with my parents, went to a site in the Black Mountains, August Bank Holiday. I have never been so cold, but we weren't exactly prepared, blankets, no sleeping bags, no heater, and Dad had the bright idea to make beds out of bracken. Parents and I couldn't sleep, my little brother went comatose and had to be run around in the morning to wake him up. I'm sure you will do better.
This was my first cold weather trip back December 2009 over the New Year weekend in Devon:
The tent was polyester without a SIG so it was draughty and I had to use a portable butane gas burner that was suitable for indoor use in well-ventilated rooms in addition to the fan heater.
I used a suitcase stove with butane gas canisters to heat up a pot of chilli for a function, and found out butane did not burn well at sub-zero temperature the hard way.
I wised up after that, and the trip in December 2011 taught me a valuable lesson when the airbed developed a leak mid-trip, that prompted me to change to a much more reliable sleep system in the form of a SIM on top of a camp bed.
Cold weather camping can be fun, just need a bit more considerations and planning, and to choose your gears and clothing more carefully.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'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$$ on it and walk away!
With my admittedly short and limited camping career, I'm struggling to come up with a better month to camp in than October.
Weather can be chilly but oh so fresh.
October sunshine is the best sunshine ever invented.
The Hordes have either wimped off home due to the perceived cold, or started to save up for Christmas.
Having the campsite to yourself should not come as a surprise.
Prices dropped mid September. Any heating in the facilities get switched on around 30th September!
It all leads to peace, quiet, solitude... and permanently clean showers!
Quote: Originally posted by Mucker1884 on 18/8/2021
With my admittedly short and limited camping career, I'm struggling to come up with a better month to camp in than October.
Weather can be chilly but oh so fresh.
October sunshine is the best sunshine ever invented.
The Hordes have either wimped off home due to the perceived cold, or started to save up for Christmas.
Having the campsite to yourself should not come as a surprise.
Prices dropped mid September. Any heating in the facilities get switched on around 30th September!
It all leads to peace, quiet, solitude... and permanently clean showers!
It's a yes, from me.
April as in Easter is also great for the same reasons as the less hardy children tend to stay away until the week of the late May Bank Holiday.
I have 2 trips in October, can't wait!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Quote: Originally posted by Mucker1884 on 18/8/2021
With my admittedly short and limited camping career, I'm struggling to come up with a better month to camp in than October.
Weather can be chilly but oh so fresh.
October sunshine is the best sunshine ever invented.
The Hordes have either wimped off home due to the perceived cold, or started to save up for Christmas.
Having the campsite to yourself should not come as a surprise.
Prices dropped mid September. Any heating in the facilities get switched on around 30th September!
It all leads to peace, quiet, solitude... and permanently clean showers!
It's a yes, from me.
April as in Easter is also great for the same reasons as the less hardy children tend to stay away until the week of the late May Bank Holiday.
I have 2 trips in October, can't wait!
DK
Agreed.
First weekend of March is also a favourite for us, but that's the nieces birthday weekend, and they have a caravan. As it's usually just the 4 of us, they allow us inside of an evening, to sample their wonderful blown air heating! Same goes for NYE, with James Bond, then Jools Holland on their telly!
Just a shame we have to mooch back out in the cold to get back to our beds in the tent next door!
Quote: Originally posted by Mucker1884 on 18/8/2021
Agreed.
First weekend of March is also a favourite for us, but that's the nieces birthday weekend, and they have a caravan. As it's usually just the 4 of us, they allow us inside of an evening, to sample their wonderful blown air heating! Same goes for NYE, with James Bond, then Jools Holland on their telly!
Just a shame we have to mooch back out in the cold to get back to our beds in the tent next door!
Easier for me now to camp during winter now I have a van.
I contacted a handful of CSs and CLs that open all year round and asked if I need to book in advance in the low season between November and Easter, and they all advised me to do so.
I shall watch the weather more closely - if the weather is bright, dry with light winds, then I am off at least once a month.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'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!
We've moved from a 7 year old Kampa Hayling 6 in Polyester to a Dometic Raratonga 6 TTC - The Kampa got killed by storm Evert :( Incredible experience, and a fitting end to a workhorse of a tent! So, grabbed the Rarotonga a few weeks ago, but most sites booked up so looking at Oct half term to try it out "properly".
The other half is freaking out about how cold it will be, so I am trying my best to be as prepared as possible and assuage any fears.
It's the sleeping situation that's probably the most worrying... So... I have a miniature oil radiator, foil insulation mats for the floor, SIMs a minimum of 5 cm deep, 3 season sleeping bags, additional duvets and hot water bottles for each bag. Plus, thermals & hats etc. Am hoping that's the missus plus the kids (6, 8 and 10) sorted! I'm always too warm, so dread to think where I'll end up having to sleep lol.
Sleeping bags say comfort 3 degrees, so we're sorted, right? Or is there something I've missed? Thanks!
Quote: Originally posted by crabby2009 on 23/8/2021
I'm really enjoying these stories thank you!
We've moved from a 7 year old Kampa Hayling 6 in Polyester to a Dometic Raratonga 6 TTC - The Kampa got killed by storm Evert :( Incredible experience, and a fitting end to a workhorse of a tent! So, grabbed the Rarotonga a few weeks ago, but most sites booked up so looking at Oct half term to try it out "properly".
The other half is freaking out about how cold it will be, so I am trying my best to be as prepared as possible and assuage any fears.
It's the sleeping situation that's probably the most worrying... So... I have a miniature oil radiator, foil insulation mats for the floor, SIMs a minimum of 5 cm deep, 3 season sleeping bags, additional duvets and hot water bottles for each bag. Plus, thermals & hats etc. Am hoping that's the missus plus the kids (6, 8 and 10) sorted! I'm always too warm, so dread to think where I'll end up having to sleep lol.
Sleeping bags say comfort 3 degrees, so we're sorted, right? Or is there something I've missed? Thanks!
You did not mention dreaded airbeds in your sleep systems, therefore, I believe you should be fine.
Wear layers to bed plus the hat - one can always remove a layer when it becomes too hot.
However, please bear in mind that oil radiators are not very effective in warming up a cold room, a fan heater is much better for that. However, the former is quieter in operation.
Considering a fan heater is not that expensive, if you have room to carry one, then I would advise to get and bring one along with you.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'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!
Thanks DK :D Good point about the fan heater - figured the noise might disturb the kids, but could be the ideal way to get the room up to temp before letting the radiator tick over!
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: October camp
