Pitch a tent and create your own luxury retreat right on your doorstep
SLEEPING under canvas can be fun for the family – and pitching up in the garden is free.
But if you are struggling for space in your own back yard and do not mind travelling, websites such as Camp In My Garden can help you find someone who is prepared to let you pitch your tent in their garden for less than £10.
Travel blogger Monica Stott, 29, from Wrexham in North Wales, enjoys camping in her garden with partner Matt Shannon, and their two children George, two, and eight-month-old Joseph.
The Caravan and Motorhome Club member says: ‘We have a small house but a big garden. We put up a six-man tent for friends to stay in when they visited us earlier this summer.
‘We could not be bothered to take it down and then started to use it as a special family holiday retreat.’
Monica decked out the interior with inflatable mattresses, duvets, blankets, pillows and cushions to give it a degree of luxury. A toy box was also kept under the canvas to keep the children entertained while solarpowered lights were put around the garden to create a magic night feel. Monica says: ‘Young children are quick to realise that being outside does not involve watching TV or playing on handheld computer devices. It enables them to play more creatively.’
To add to the appeal of camping, she organises outdoor games for the children, furnishes them with a magnifying glass for studying wildlife, prepares picnic treats and has a campfire.
For those that do not have a tent or are put off erecting one, a simple pop-up tent requires no skill to assemble and costs from £30.
Alternatively, you might ask family or friends if you can borrow their tent. Most tents spend far too much time stored away.
For those concerned about comfort, an airbed is a shrewd investment, costing from £10. You can also use duvets rather than sleeping bags if you are camping in the garden – and there is no need to worry about the weather or communal toilets as you can always pop back inside the family home.