CAMPING KNOW-HOW

James Warner Smith, author of Cool Camping Britain, on what to do and take for maximum outdoor fun.

Size up If you’re a couple going camping, for example, buy a three-person tent so that you can keep your bags inside with you.

Practise first If you have a garden, try pitching your tent at home first. The initial attempt can take a long time, so it will make the process quicker when you get to the campsite (particularly if you arrive as it’s getting dark).

Talk to the expert Skip Tripadvisor and talk to the campsite manager. Most UK campsites are small, family-run businesses and the owners have often lived there for years, making them the local experts on everything from pubs to quiet beaches.

Get cooking Pre-cook a couple of meals at home that will be easy to heat up on the campsite, such as Bolognese or curry. It saves bringing heaps of ingredients. Freeze them in Tupperware and add them to your cool box – they’ll work like cool-blocks while they defrost, keeping the rest of your food cold.

Take a pillow If you’re travelling by car, there’s no need to skimp on comforts so take a pillow and definitely something to sit on. Never, ever sleep directly on the floor – the cold comes from the ground underneath you, so a decent air bed or foam mattress is important and, if you’re cold in the night, try adding layers beneath you rather than just over the top.

Cool Camping Britain (£16.95, Punk Publishing); coolcamping.com