Know the pleasures and pitfalls when
For some it is a way of life, spending their leisure time outdoors. You can keep your five-star hotels and luxury apartments, they say. For this particular breed of holidaymaker or weekender, the only place to stay is inside a tent. Camping is an option i
Camping
Pitching your tent at home or on a local field will give you an idea of any faults that need addressing. It will also give you valuable practice at pitching.
Ensure your tent is big enough for everyone to get into comfortably. If you have to keep kit in the tent as well, factor that in. Remember that not all tents of a similar berth are the same size. Check out any size restrictions. Some sites may charge for two pitches for the largest tents.
Check all gear before the off, rather than discover a fault on arrival.
Make a list. People have been known to forget items and arrive at the other end minus a vital tent pole or accessories like a tin-opener. So list them all and check them off when you pack your bags and car.
Check the rules. If you are going to a campsite, make sure you are up to speed on the rules there, including whether all your kit is compliant.
Cooking outdoors can be placed in the “this is what it is all about” category. It is wise to read up on the safe and correct ways of using items like a double-burner camping stove, a small backpacking stove or a barbecue. Cooking outdoors guides like the GO Outdoors one are handy.
Care for your tent. Pack it away clean and dry, and prolong its life by re-proofing it to ensure it remains waterproof.
There are, of course, alternatives to putting the pegs in at a traditional camp site, although the general tips stay the same wherever you bed down. But it is wise to carry out specific checks.
Festival camping. It is best to arrive early to beat the rush.
“Festival camps come in different shapes and sizes and are often not split into specific pitches, so it usually comes down to where you can fit your tent,” says GO Outdoors. “One thing most festivals will have in common is that you’ve got to get all your festival gear from a car park to the campsite. Depending on the festival, this can be quite some distance. Festival campers will sometimes opt for the cheaper, smaller options in tents and camp alone or with a friend. As a tip, it’s worth considering the size of your festival group and looking into whether a large tent with a living area is worth splitting the cost. This could mean you get a better quality tent for less money.”
And check the festival website.
Wild camping on non-sanctioned campsites is only legal in Scotland and certain areas of Dartmoor National Park. Other areas need the permission of the landowner. Lightweight gear and the bare essentials are favoured. The message is “If you can’t carry it, you don’t need it”.
Glamping, the trendy relatively new version said to be divisive, with the purists not inclined to nod in approval. This luxury version of camping takes place at pre-pitched sites