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.

Sleeping:

Blow up mattresses are cheap, and you can get a battery operated pump. However, they offer no insulation from the cold ground. If you find blow up beds comfy, put a yoga mat or roll out foam camping mat on top for insulation.

A SIM (self inflating mat) has a memory foam core and when you open the valve it puffs up, and you get both insulation and air.

It is an option to put a SIM on top of a camp bed.

If you choose a camp bed, which will keep you off the cold ground, you could put a yoga mat on top or a fleece blanket for extra warmth / comfort.

I always take my proper pillows.

I'd probably try it in the garden first. Your dog might object to camping.

I've been going camping (with my daughter) for the last 11years. I started off simple , but now have a nice cosy tent, camp beds, fab sleeping bag (The Beast sleeping pod). I wouldn't start off as a newbie this time of year though, although it's a good time to buy bargain tents etc. I'm 51 so I don't know how much longer I'll do it but it gave me cheap fun holidays when my daughter was growing up.

The idea of camping on my own really appeals to me! I’ve not done much camping in my life and my husband has terrible hayfever so won’t do it. I’ve camped in the garden with my daughter and even in the height of summer it gets colder than you’d think so you need warm clothing and a good sleeping bag.

If you live in striking distance from me (East of England) you're welcome to borrow some kit from me to try it out. I have a decent 3 man tent that's quite nice for one until it gets too cold (so end of September is the limit) and a 3 season sleeping bag and probably a sleeping mat assuming there's one without any punctures. No decent camping stove though.

I would say though that unless you're someone who sleeps on your back, nothing I've tried has made camping comfortable.

Also to say I bought an inflatable pump up tent in the sales in Nov many years ago at a vastly reduced price...if you are on your own an inflatable tent is a game changer, takes me 15 mins to put the tent up. I've got an even bigger inflatable one now that I can stand up in, with a separate living area...Eurohike 600 it's amazing.
also if you have room in the car buy tent carpet it helps stay warm, also get cheap doormats from the pound shop, ikea bags for wet clothes / boots, crocs or similar for going to the shower block or slipping on to go for a wee late at night lol and slippers for inside the tent

Give it a try! I would suggest trying a YHA campsite where the tent is already set up and has a bed bit like a futon. We did this in the new forest with my dog. It was a lovely site with toilets, shower block and kitchen. Fire pit outside each tent. Great way to see if you like camping without having to spend out on all the equipment and be nice and comfy.

Check out camping gear on Gumtree

I have done loads of solo camping with minimal kit (because I was carrying everything in a backpack) and I would add a sleeping mat to your list. If you are driving you could just buy a tent and a mat, and take bedding from home rather than investing in a sleeping bag. Take lots of layers of clothing.
I recommend Decathlon's Quechua range of tents for being good value and decent quality.
Everything else can wait till you know whether you've got the bug!

Could you go somewhere with already set up bell tents?
I love solo camping but agree that you need the right equipment and it can be expensive if you buy decent gear and then don’t like it.
I have a bell tent with a stove. It’s warmer than my house!

I love camping and I cannot wait until the kids are older and DH and I can leave them both behind! I have spunked invested about £2k on kit over the years but it has paid for itself over and over. I would not be without:

The best bed I could find. We have Decathlon bed bases and matching self inflating mattresses. Being off the floor helps keep you warm. www.decathlon.co.uk/p/inflatable-camping-bed-base-camp-bed-air-70-cm-1-person/_/R-p-309887

A double sleeping bag (not for sharing but to avoid getting claustrophobic and sweaty).

A Kelly kettle - perfect for basic cooking and boiling water everywhere. Light enough to carry when you’re walking.

A she-wee and hospital wee pot thing for night time to avoid toilet treks.

Earplugs.

Oodie for evenings around the fire.

I adore our family size Vango air beam tent. Not cheap but totally worth not having to dick around with poles.

I would do it on my own (with one of our dogs, not the other coz he’s a bit of a knob) in a smaller pop-up or air beam tent in a flash. It’s not really occurred to me to do it alone before this thread but now I’m very tempted indeed!

A few years ago my eldest said her friends from school talked about camping. It was something I had never ever done before, but I looked on Gumtree and found a man selling a whole camping set up. He said his family had grown up and wanted it all gone so we got all the camping/ cooking/ sleeping kit, it was tons of stuff including tables, chairs, an 8 man tent, kettle, gas bottles, fire extinguisher I forget what else. He said loads of people had enquired about buying one or two items, but he wanted it all gone in one go.

This was years ago and we have been camping every year ever since, we have purchased self inflating beds and changed our tent, but we still really enjoy it. There are some really nice places to explore so definitely give it a go.

I’m 44 and I do it. Multi day hikes with my dog. Sometimes campsites sometimes wild camping.

Am thinking the same and not only because its a cheaper option. Think it would be very freeing to camp in the countryside and wake up to sound and smells of nature, the dawn chorus etc..cool 😊🌿☘️🦉🐦‍⬛

Do you use any particular app please? @Runssometimes

There's loads of recent advice in the camping section.

There'll be plenty of lightly used camping gear online. It's a great way to get bargains.

Keeping warm is the key thing. Your tent needs to be decently waterproof. A sleeping mat is the next most important thing (you can use normal bedding if needed)

A seat, a stove.

Go somewhere with facilities and shops nearby first time in case you need something extra.

I used to go a lot on my own pre-DCs as had more A/L than DH.

How do you research where to go please? via an app or Google maps ? ta

How do you research where to go please? via an app or Google maps ? ta

Not a fan of camping- nowhere to hang my evening dresses or tiara !

What you need to know is don't spend the evening getting pissed in the local pub before erecting the tent. Tent first, then pub.

You can definitely give it a go, some depends on whether you have a car, in which case the whole scenario is completely different, because whatever happens you will be OK, and can take more for comfort. Other things are - can you go last minute once you have checked the weather. I would not advise trying to camp in a cheap tent in poor weather - amongst other things look for a Hydrostatic Head rating - this gives you a clue on how long a tent can withstand having rain on it, if it is not rated, it is a festival tent ! - it isn't the only thing, double skin, and being able to pitch it easily and securely against wind, bucket groundsheet, also come into play . Also make sure you can sit up, and preferably stand up in it, As others have said, it gets cold at night, and there is plenty of advice on here iro of that, even 5 degrees at night can be hard because you are not warm to start with, and it can be damp to boot. Hot water bottles (I take two !), normal pillows, off the floor, and a duvet rather than sleeping bag adds comfort, also wear a loose woolly hat, I sometime wear gloves and always the thickest of socks. Those cheap portable stoves are OK, and accept it is for boiling water, making tea, and a pot noodle / soup/ tins, porridge pots, or warming something pre-cooked in. Put your food in a box with a lid. Headtorch, light is everything. Something to anchor the dog with (if he is the sort to run off). Camping chair and slanket /dry robe etc to sit outside Portable phone charger. Book or kindle. Earplugs, people snore, or make noise, kids are up early etc.. Crocs, and an old towel can be helpful for going the loo, anything else other than decent walking boots will be soaked. It isn't nice walking through wet grass with crocs, but a towel dry and fluffy socks on re-entry is better than soaked cold trainers. Go minimal, or keep most things in boot of car. You may find that a sleeping pod, glamping hut etc. is not much dearer for your first time. They are often not luxurious as they sound, but you are off the floor and it isn't going to blow away in the night. Have a great time though, camping is lovely when it is good. xx

Depends what you want to do. There are many established routes in the Uk where you can find info online or there are route guide books. Wales coast path, Ridgeway, West highland way etc
I have the os maps app so will get an idea of what I want to do and then try and plot it and see roughly where I might be after a days walking and whether it looks remote enough to just camp.

Could you not just start with glamping in a shepherds hut or yurt? There are places near me in Cornwall that are £65-£85 a night.

Camping can be great fun providing you're warm and dry. Cheap tents are likely to be less waterproof. We bought second hand- it ripped and wasn't air-tight or waterproof. We bought a new air tent instead- game changer. Plug it into the car via an inflator and it blows up!
I'd go for a 4 man tent, a decent bed, warm sleeping bag, chair, camping stove/kettle, fire pit. The dog will need a bed and blanket as nights get cold.

Cool Camping is my go-to. You can search by priority - e.g. allows campfires, dogs - and it tends to weed out the manky places that have bars, children’s clubs etc. Only ever found naice sites on Cool Camping.