pod camping

[queenoffairies]

Am so excited I have just booked a pod in the lakes (5 nights for £180 in the summer hols - bargain!). As this will be our first time camping (apart from one night in a friend's tent), I need to buy some equipment.

We have sleeping bags/duvets etc, and that is about it at the moment. So, as the pod is only 2.8m x 2.4m, I am appealing to you more experienced campers as to what equipment we would need/have space for. Tis me, DD1 (14) and DD2 (4).

I absolutely love the idea of a cobb, but think maybe that is a bit much for our first time but I guess I will need some kind of cooker? Money is a bit tight, so cant afford to get loads - therefore I want to make sure I get it right first time.

Anyone?

[SheepAreSuper]

Hi queenoffairies.

I'd suggest taking sleep mats to sleep on as the floor will be hard.
Raid the poundshop for plastic plates, cups, glasses and cutlery.
You can get single burner stoves (that run on butane canisters) for as little as £6 if you shop around. We use two of them.
You can get a cook-set for under a tenner. We use a tesco one for car camping.
You should have room for a couple of folding chairs. Again you can pick these up fairly cheap.

Enjoy your holiday.

[queenoffairies]

thanks Sheep is relieved someone replied

My DDs want to sleep just on the floor, with duvets beneath them I think I will get sleep mats as well though.
Those little burner stoves - how do they connect to the canister? I read on here that having two single stoves comes in very handy, so will get two I think. Plus, as we have electricity, I am thinking of taking my small slow cooker
Although the pod has a carpet, I was thinking of getting a picnic blanket as extra protection by the door, incase of muddy footprints etc - and then I can use them when we get home.

I just hope it doesnt rain!

[noyouhavehadawee]

Where is it at - we stayed in one at ;akes a few wkkes ago and they provided mats for 2 of us and we had blow ups for the other 2 of us. There isnt loads of room in them once you have your beds out so dont go crazy though ours had an outside storage box which was super handy and it came with a picnic table bench anyway so didnt need to take a table. Mostly we lived out of our boot when we staye din one last yr that didnt have such luxuries as storage. So you in a std pod as oposed to the family sized one?

[SeaShellsMyDogSmells]

I've never stayed in one but would be interested to hear how you get on! I would double check what they provide, ie is it just a shell? Should be fun :)

[queenoffairies]

Its Hillcroft NYHHAW, near Pooley Bridge. From what I can gather, it is just a shell, well - a shell with a carpet And yes, I think it is a standard one. I gather that room will be tight with beds down, so am trying to be economical with equipment

Thanks SeaShells - we are really excited I would like to upgrade to proper camping, but couldnt quite manage the expense of a tent, and then the pitch fees on top. Especially if we decided that camping isnt for us

[noyouhavehadawee]

Its great takes a lot of hassle out of it, we want to try again in a larger one for the 4 of us to see if bette rthen i will debate seriously selling my tent because these pods seem to be getting everywhere now

[JetLi]

Asda have reduced loads of their outdoor/picnic gear if you have one nearby? Gas stoves at £8, lots of different plastic plates, bowls, glasses, cutlery etc., sleeping bags, air beds. Worth a look if you have one nearby.

[queenoffairies]

Ooh, thanks JetLi - guess where I am going tomorrow

[StopRainingPlease]

Lakes? It will rain!

Don't forget lights and torches - we stayed in one in the Lakes last year, was supposed to have a light but didn't, and anyway might not be adequate for reading in bed.

I'm a big fan of quick-drying towels for camping, and you might need a portable washing line for stuff like that. Our pod last year didn't even have any hooks anywhere, so worse off in that respect than a tent.

Blow-up pillows might be appreciated, though you can always use a jumper .