Never been camping, AIBU to thing I can give it a go by myself and what do I need to know?

[Tigerthatcameforbrunch]

Camping was never one of those things we did as a family growing up. I'm quite outdoorsy and practical. I haven't booked a holiday this year because I've been so put off by the cost (holiday accommodation seems so expensive now, particularly if I want to take my dog which adds £20 a night).

Am I being completely crazy thinking at the age of 40 I can buy a cheap tent and sleeping bag and have a nice time camping just me and the dog? Id aim to do what I'd typically do, walks during the day and pub dinners. But just saving on the accommodation.

Air BnB all the way
weve never been charged £20 for taking a dog

camping is shit unless you have the right gear and by the time you get that £££, you might as well get a air bnb

Yes. I’d get a decent tent though not a festival tent and a three season sleeping bag and a good mat. Lots of secondhand options if you want to save money. Some beautiful campsites and hikes and lots of info online.

Could you borrow a tent (and other camping equipment) from friends just to try it for a weekend? The tent, a decent airbed, a warm sleeping bag, comfortable chair, etc can all quickly add up to quite a lot.

It took me a while to get the hang of camping. Ive discovered i prefer campsites that are quiet, no electric hookups, allow fires and aren't too close to a road, walking distance to a pub is always a bonus. Clean toilets can make or break a camping trip.

And personally I only camp at sites that allow a campfire.

Nothing wrong with that plan. Keep it simple on the tent front and bring warm clothes for sleeping in and a hot water bottle. Start with one or two nights.

Don’t get a cheap tent or sleeping bag - borrow one or invest! For short 2-3 nights, I’d make do on rollmat, 3/4 season with linings, pillow and torch, and rely on pub for food and to top up my warm flask.

As a middle ground consider YHA.

I wouldn't go with a cheap tent (disaster if it rains) or a very cheap sleeping bag (don't underestimate how cold the night can get even in summer). Now I'm in my 40s I like to have an airbed of some sort. Take loads of layers.

Other than that, you can definitely do it. Practice erecting the tent before you go, make a you have lots of snacks as cooking takes time and effort.

Agree with @DragonScales re borrowing a tent, would add to practise putting it up too.

We started with a small tent and then bought a larger one as we found that far more practical in wet weather and maybe that would be more suitable with the dog? With a small tent it was tricky getting in and out when it was raining if the access is via the sleeping area (wet footwear, rain on sleeping bags etc). Also a little more space to put your stuff.

Camping is amazing in good weather but not so good in cold, wet weather.

Also research the campsites to make sure it has everything you want maybe access to footpaths for walks; shop, cafe or pub within walking distance. Campsites that have a fridge and freezer for ice packs for your cool box are useful.

When are you planning to go, OP? It'll be getting a bit cold and wet now for a first-time camper.

And as PP said, a small tent is no fun in the rain.

Are you planning for next summer or are you somewhere other than the UK? I’d say you’re coming to the end of comfortable camping weather so for a first time, I’d wait until spring /summer.

I’ve been camping with ex partners/kids etc but this year is the first time I’ve been camping alone and I love it. Buy a 4 man pop up tent for ease and a comfortable amount of space to sleep/change (they’re still tiny, no way 4 actual humans could sleep in one, 2 at a push!) and take the bare minumum of stuff for your first time. If you camp somewhere with a town or pub nearby you don’t even have to take cooking stuff - although you may want a single gas burner and a kettle, so at least you can have tea or coffee in the mornings.

If you’re wild camping (or even if not) a bucket and a loo roll behind a windbreaker can make an emergency loo to save middle of the night toilet trips.

Keep fly screens closed at all times and take flip flops or crocs for ease of going in and out. ideally keep shoes outside the tent in a bag or box. You can store stuff in the boot of your car if you’re parked close to the tent, but make sure to close the boot every time or your battery may go flat due to the interior light being on a lot. Put all the carry bags for the tent/air bed/ sleeping bag etc together in the boot so you can find them when you pack up. ‘A place for everything and everything in its place’ has never been more important than when camping!

Sealable bags and or clips for any food, a hanging bag for shower stuff and baby wipes for in between. A torch, frozen bottles of water in a cool box will defrost over 2-3 days to give you cold water.

Sorry that went on a bit! Basically once you’ve tried it you’ll hone your own list, but that’s what I’ve learned this year. Good luck and enjoy!

Totally do it op!!! I would say warm hat and warm pjs (wooly ones!), a good battery operated light (try decathalon), wellies in case you need to leave the tent and an insanely warm coat!! Enjoy!!!

I go by myself and a few things that make life more comfortable -
Warm sleeping bag, can always unzip if hot
Hot water bottle, pop in sleeping bag before last week.
Simple stove.
Simple meals, cans/packet meals plus eating out, porridge pots for breakfast is ideal.
A tent you can stand up in, doesn't need to be huge.
A rough plan of places to visit locally from campsite depending on weather.
Comfy bed, airbeds tend to deflate so either a camping mat/canvas bed or folded blankets are warmer.
Comfy chair with something to put your feet on, this can be the cool box!
Baby wipes- clean you and everything!
If you can borrow equipment that's much better then build your own as time goes on.
I've got a much pared down kit from when I went with DD, simple and easy to pack/setup

I think, like many things, 'trying out with cheap equipment' is much more likely to end up with you not enjoying the experience.

Like playing your sport, or going hiking in cheap / not very water-proof or ill fitting boots. You are uncomfortable so don't enjoy it as you might have if you'd had better equipment at the time.

Same with camping - the better your sleeping bag, the warmer / more comfortable you will be and the better you will sleep so the more you will enjoy it. Ditto the quality of the tent and he cooker you take etc etc etc.

It is a bit chicken and egg - of course you don't want to spend £££ on top quality equipment until you know you'll enjoy it, but OTOH, you are more likely to enjoy it if you are well fed and dry and not cold.

Is there anyone you know who might go with you ?
Or lend you some equipment ?
Or at least advise you ?

As in September?
Bring proper gear. The nights are cold - it's great to go camping.

My suggestions to add:
*Choose a campsite wisely. All sorts of different ones. For me hot showers and washing up is important - but not as important as a 'nice vibe'

• Borrow kit if you can. *If driving, you can pack a fair amount into a car..but the 'hassle' is also packing /unpacking so try to keep it simple.
• Book a pub nearby for dinner
• Bring a chair to sit on
• Being cold is awful. So good sleeping stuff is key. If you have a car, you could bring duvet and pillows- you don't need to have a sleeping bag
• When you leave your tent to go walking, put stuff that might get wet back in the tent. Move bedding away from the edges of the tent too

Have fun!

Beware, if you enjoy camping, you can spend huge amounts on tents and kit and it can be very addictive!!

Thanks all. It sounds like you think I could manage it, but I may not actually enjoy it. I don't know anyone with kit I could borrow. I am concerned about it becoming an expensive experiment

I love camping solo with just my dog! I am 43 and only caught the camping bug in my late 30s.

There is a woman on Instagram who has set up a group for solo women campers. It might be worth having a look at her page
https://www.instagram.com/solonotsolocamping?igsh=dHRsbmpxOWZib250

YANBU to think you can go camping on your own, I do it all the time and really enjoy it.

Buying really cheap kit and heading out at this time of year: YABU.

Come over to the MN camping board and get advice from experienced campers who love it!

We love going on trips also in autumn and winter and enjoy it but we are a scout family with way too much equipment

We've been kind of forced into becoming campers as it's huge round here. In the summer all the classes have a camp, friends invite us on camps. We've got on board and always have a great time.

Get a tent that has a bedroom and a living area so you can have a separate area where no wet things go. We got blackout and it's been brilliant for actually getting some sleep. It stays cooler if the sun is on it and you can sleep longer than sunrise.

Camping is the best holiday ever. But perfecting that space takes time. Do you have a car?

For me, what made it great was having one of those plastic chest-of-drawers you can get from B&Q, so you're not rummaging around in bags to find things (doubles as a bedside table), a comfortable mattress, and a tent that's not too big and not too small (sorry to be vague, but in my case this was a smallish 3-person tent).

Those LED lights that you press to switch on in the night can be useful.

I prefer loose bedding like soft fleecy throws (under and over), rather than a sleeping bag.

Something to wee into in an emergency! So you don't have to venture out in the wind and rain to find the toilet block... (hopefully you will plan around the weather forecast and not face this particular challenge, but still)

Kit has changed since I last did it a few years ago and prices are much more competitive. You don't have to spend a fortune.

I am an airbed, blankets and duvet camper! Fleecy pjs and thick socks. If it's just you keep your clothes in a suitcase in the car, make sure you have something to boil a kettle for a hot drink and hot water bottle.

i once read on here that a woman went camping for the first time and woke up in the morning with a ………
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SLUG ON HER FACE!

🤮😱🤮😱🤮😱🤮😱🤮😱🤮😱🤮😱🤮😱🤮

You can get a Sendero Eurohike 4 Family tent for £100. Buy a decent chair, air mattress, sleeping bag and some cooking equipment (a gas stove, some pots/pans and a little barbecue). Wait until good weather is forecast and then book 2-3 nights somewhere not too far away. If you enjoy, repeat somewhere else. If you still enjoy, do 4-5 nights further afield. If you’re still a fan, try a full week somewhere quite far away. And if you’re still loving it at this point then you continue spending your holidays like this every year 😊

Echoing others - give it a go!

I saw a PP mentioned Stella's solo adventures on Insta and she's great at inspiring you to give it a go.

Taken my family lots and started going solo as well with the dog - it's brill. Just make sure you don't get cold - blankets, duvets, socks, hot water bottle etc even when it feels warm.

Enjoy!