How early in the year would you contemplate going camping?

[SPARKLER1]

Ever since new year I have been really looking forward to all the camping holidays we are going to do this year. Not sure how brave I am to go before the summer. It must be freezing at night to go too early.

Horrible if it's too cold, but then I've camped (D of E- big mistake) in November so truat me, I know!

Taking the kids hopefully on the half term in May / June, that's about the earliest for me.

We went in early May last year and it was freezing at night even with duvets and blankets. I think we'll leave it until June this year

I went in February once (in Scotland) and it was great. Bitterly cold at night but had my 4 season bag so was fine. Was young free and single at the time so wouldn't do this with the kids. Did go camping end of April last year with them both (DD19 months and DS 3 months) - after a night of purgatory we bought a caravan - it was hellish. But will go again once kids are older

The earliest we've done it is Easter and it was really really cold at night. It was good fun though and we are going again this Easter. This year we are perpared thought with thermals and hats and gloves for wearing in bed!!! We also bought a little heather last year and that was great for keeping dh and I warm in the evening. Mind you I also had on nearly every item of clothing that I had brought with me as well as a blanket Oh and of course plenty of wine really helps to keep out the cold whoch I'm sure you'll be glad to hear Sparkler

Whitsun in the tent, easter in a caravan.

Whitsun was fine. Key is to make sure you have pleanty of insulation under you as well as over you. Lots of layers is the thing. Wine is deff an advantage and don't forget the bucket with a lid.

We've been at Easter, and it wasn't too bad, but we were lucky with the weather.

My tips - a three layer airbed (like the ones on bidup.tv ), a double sleeping bag (ours zip together, and lots of clothes on! Lots of wine definitely makes a difference, and for the after-effects of that, we now have a porta-potti for our tent

We first took DS at four months - we took a travel cot (who were we kidding!) but he slept between us in his grobag, and was warm as toast!

I love camping We go with our family, so there have been up to 8 tents on grand occasions. It's fab as everyone contributes something to the equipment - one family has a firepit (fantastic circular thing that keeps you very warm drinking your wine in the evening - cheekily classed as a BBQ to satisfy the camp patrol ), somebody else has a gas stove for that first cup of tea, and we always take a couple of BBQ's as well. Can't beat it

Okay thanks everyone. Easter it is then.
Amynnixmum - WHATEVER DO YOU MEAN????????