TOP 10 CAMPING KIT

1 SLEEPING BAG

You might sleep on top of it in the height of summer, but you’d be foolhardy to attempt camping in the UK without one

2 SLEEPING MAT OR MATTRESS

Creates a padded barrier – sometimes with additional insulation - between the cold groundsheet and the sleeping bag.You could bed down straight onto the groundsheet, but we guarantee you’ll wake up with all sorts of aches and pains

3 LIGHTING

Don’t even contemplate leaving home without at least a torch. We’d recommend at least one lantern for the tent and a couple of head torches – which are ideal for reading in bed

4 GAS STOVE AND GRILL

You might be able to get away without one on a big site with a café and takeaway, but when you’re out in the sticks, muesli and orange juice simply can’t compete with a bacon butty and a mug of tea

5 FOLDING CHAIRS

Unless you’re backpacking, make room in the car for at least a couple of comfortable lightweight chairs

6 COOLBOXES AND FRIDGES

You can get buy without one for short breaks in spring and autumn, but for longer summer holidays, it could be more important than a sleeping bag

7 FOLDING TABLE

Just like the kitchen table at home, the camp table rapidly becomes the hub of your holiday, where meals are eaten, plans are made and good times shared

8 WINDBREAK

Nice to have rather than essential, but will make sitting outside that bit more bearable when the weather’s iffy

9 BARBECUE

Far from indispensable, but a great excuse for an impromptu party with your neighbours - barbecues, beer and wine cannot exist independently of one another

10 FOLDING CUPBOARD

You can certainly cope without these, but like air-con in the car, once you’ve got used to them, you won’t want to do without them