Hi I have been camping for years and things change, new kit, but you need basics, comfy bed, warm, food, cooking, seats, cool box and blocks, light/ torch BBQ, matchs and a good box to keep all in, have a look at Homebase big black box on wheels, best thing to keep it all together. Oh and dry weather helps.
It's amazing what stuff you pick up by just reading this forum! We adopted the idea of the plastic drawers for storage and keep everything in there, plates, cutlery, candles, matches, spares, glue, etc. Goes up in the loft, comes down and I just wash the pots before it's just lifted into the trailer.
Another good thing we have are the folding storage stools like these:
If you like co-ordination you can even get them to match your tent. I have a small one by the bed, keeps bits and bobs like book and stuff in and use overnight as bedside table, plus we have a longer one in living room which I keep my crocheting in and doubles as a footstool. The box part folds flat and fits inside the lid for transporting.
Of course vacuum bags are brilliant for transporting bedding, towels, blankets, etc.
Be warned, the more suggestions you read, the more stuff you'll want!!
------------- May/June - Spring Valley
Aug/Sept - Leekworth
Great thread, plenty of good information for my upcoming start of my future camping holidays!
I keep looking at 12v cool boxes to keep my food chilled, instead of just a cooler to save on having to beg to freeze ice packs (going for 6 nights)
Despite a few comments about not rushing to buy loads of gear, could that be seen as something we'll worth buying?
And what size do I really need, for just a few days food, surely the halfords 24ltr one would do?
Take 2 x mallets (or a mallet plus a lump hammer, or a claw hammer), if two of you can knock pegs in (or pull them out) it makes pitching a lot quicker.
Take good pegs. And definitely include some rock pegs. Halfords have some on offer at the moment.
Take plenty of bedding layers (a couple of fleece blankets can make all the difference if it gets a bit cool at night. Also good for draping over chairs to make them more comfy in the evening or for wrapping yourself in when sitting outside.
Don't forget to take a torch (and batteries) and keep it handy.
One thing we forgot once was a chopping board. Sounds silly but, you don't realise how much you use one until you haven't got one!
A large picnic mat for the kids to play on / sit on outside the tent, and on days out, is always useful. Also useful for sunbathing etc.
Sounds obvious but, don't forget a washing up bowl and washing cloths/sponges/brush (someone else has already mentioned the liquid). If you're struggling for packing space, Outwell do some collapsible ones (other brands also available).
Keep a washing line and pegs in your kit.
Flip flops or Croc-type shoes that you can just slip on and which don't need drying out when they get wet.
Don't take thick fluffy towels which take an age to dry out.
......and now for a bit of advice that doesn't involve kit. Keep the tent tidy. Because of the limited space it can get messy so easily, especially with children, and then it becomes a frustrating nightmare to find things. It's a bit of a chore to always put things away before doing something else but it will make your experience much more enjoyable.
Vacuum bags are great if space in the car is tight. We take lots of bedding and bolsters, and vac bags reduce them by at least half their bulk. I get mine from an eBay shop callled Seal and Store. I pack the little hand pump in the bedding bag for repacking. By rolling on the bags to expel most of the air first, the amount of manual pumping is greatly reduced. They are great at home too!
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.
Topic: what advice/tips you got for a Noob ?
