To wonder why people enjoy camping

[SirJamesTalbotAndHisSpeculum]

I can't think of anything worse. I know people enjoy it but I can't understand why anyone would want to be nowhere near a bathroom or kitchen. or anywhere comfortable to sit. Not only that, if the weather is awful you get cold. Or wet. Or far too hot. I just don't get it.

Tell me why I'm wrong.

We're going tomorrow. The living room is currently full of camping gear. We love it. Once set up it's so relaxing
We have electric hook up and good camping beds. I having a fishing bed which is comfier than my bed at home, I've had a hip replacement so need something higher and more sturdy than The normal camp beds The site is lovely with showers etc.
Dd gets to run around make friends and tire herself out.

Everyone is so friendly when you're all camping and they all look out for each other

I was trying to have a shower in my shoes! [grin[

I agree. Wouldn't go camping or glamping even if it was free!!

I'm new to tent camping (but used to go when I was a child) - first time last year for 3 days this year for 9 days and I love it. DS is 16, tall and an Explorer so an excellent tent putter-upper! We meet people & I love meeting people, my bed in comfy and warm, we have electric hook up, both years positioned near toilets and showers which I feel perfectly at home in (I play a little noise cancelling music!!), a coolbox, comfy chairs and a lovely refreshing breeze. I love it!! 10 nights (but stayed 9 as it takes me us ages to pack up! For £280 me da and the dog at the seaside whereas a caravan would be twice that for less time.

DS not da!!

This is turning into a competitive camping gear thread.

I meant nice refreshing breeze when I'm washing-up. Makes it practically enjoyable compared to at home😉

We hire a fridge in the summer it's outside 24/7 so the kids sleep well and no screens (that probably helps the sleep too).

It will however take me a few days to get my feet clean again

We have 5 tents. How's that for gear one up manship?

Are they all carpeted Aroundtheworld? Do you have a khazi?

I dont get it either.I need 4 solid walls,a bathroom and power points before I'll even consider staying anywhere.

I think the Mansion has a carpet. The other tents are, alas, carpetless. I have no desire to own a camping toilet. Emptying that sort of thing is not how I want to spend my holidays.

We saw TVs in tents last year!

It's alright at a festival or in the middle of nowhere but I don't get commercial campsites that cost £40 a night, you can book a cheap hotel for that.

Camping in the UK is grim (.... it's much cleaner abroad!) We go regular in southern Europe. It's lovely long hot summer days where you don't need much of anything! We choose sites with min 4* rating & plenty to do for the kids like playground and swimming pools. I find family camp sites very safe. My children usually make friends quickly which keeps them entertained ... it's really win win all round!

Why?

1. Kids love it. Between about 2-7yo it was the dcs favourite holiday by far. (And we've been long haul/Disney/safaris/Caribbean etc but nope - camping is their favourite)
2. You can get the best locations.
3. You properly, properly relax (although I do think you need a certain personality to be able to do it). But, round a campfire with friends, nothing better.
4. It's possible to be quite luxurious. We take mattresses, duvets, a fridge for champagne, dh catches lobster, we barbecue it etc etc

I recall a few years ago, dh and his friend had been spear fishing and caught some sea bass, it's on the barbie, we'd foraged some samphire, glass of chilled Sauvignon in hand, watching about 15 children ( including ours) who'd only met a few hours previous play chicken/twin/hero; loved it.

I’m not a fan of camping but not for the reasons you’ve listed. I have terrible hay fever and hate sleeping anywhere that’s not my own bed

I’ve just come back from a lovely holiday in a cottage on the coast .... not camping, never in a million billion years!!!!

My DC were outside all day, meeting other kids, no screens generally having a wonderful time. We walked miles had lots of fun together as a family. But we returned to a proper house with our own bathrooms and fully equipped proper kitchen. Why anyone would choose a tent is beyond me!!

I’d much rather have a night in a comfortable hotel than a week camping. I can’t see the point in being less comfortable on holiday than at home so YANBU

It does seem reading this that the key to happy camping involves a glass of alcohol in your hand.

We tried it once and I ended up sleeping in the Zipcar. I’m indifferent about adults going camping but friends that set off with multiple under-2s for three days under canvas in England on the basis that after bedtime they can chat outside the tent... wtaf.

YANBU I hate camping!

I grew up camping a lot across Europe.
I loved (and still do) sleeping in fresh air. Hearing the wind or the rain as you sleep. Hearing animals. Being able to camp (with farmers permission) in remarkable places close to remarkable isolated beaches/rivers etc. Unpacking and packing and pitching tent and cooking on stove etc. (Think I’d love to live on a boat for similar reasons). Eating in open air. Waking early.

I did not love - shared Loos and showers - always better when wild camping. Big City campsites (Rome and Athens and Venice and Istanbul spring to mind as a bit grim way back also London Boston). Some German and Austrian city sites really great.

Loved ability to travel from site to site and choose how long to spend places (where places are available obvs).

Have not camped much as an adult interestingly but mostly because dp refuses to. Do sleep outside from time to time.

I love it! Always feels like an adventure. DD went for the first time last year at 4 months old and we’re off next weekend for her second trip :)

I love camping and will never stay in a hotel under a duvet full of someone else's skin again. I have fantastic tents, I can make them cosy or cool, I can build cracking campfires and I love cooking outdoors. It's much more flexible than having to book a hotels weeks or months in advance so I can go where I want, when I want. I might consider a campervan at some point but I love hearing the sounds of Outside around me at night in a tent. Added bonus is hearing the sea.

I'm glad so many people don't like it as it means there's more last minute pitches on the quiet, out of the way sites. Y'all can keep your hotels and your matresses that a thousand sweaty bodies have slept on before you, and I'll be happy on my thick nest of blankets and in my own snuggly sleeping bag.

My DH is taking our 3 kids camping on Monday for 3 nights. I have the excuse of having to go to work. I have told him I do not want to go camping. It is not my idea of fun. I need a comfy bed, and a toilet v close by as I need to go for a wee at least twice every night. I will have the house to myself when I am home from work. I think we have reached the perfect compromise. If he wants to camp, he can take them and I will stay at home!