How late in the season do you camp? (with young DC!)

[MegBusset]

We have done two long weekends this year (Whitsun and July) plus two weeks in France (August) but am just wondering if we can squeeze in one last jaunt... however, the next weekend we have free is the start of October. We have never camped post-August with the kids so kind of forgotten what it's like that time of year, is it normally bitterly cold at night? (We would only go if the daytime weather was reasonable, ie dry!)

I have just booked for the first weekend in August and I think for the first time ever we will use EHU and fan heaters.

Hoping it will be ok with extra layers for sleeping etc. We do have a large tent with a large canopy though so there will be plenty of space to sit inside.

Fingers crossed someone will come along with great success stories of October camping!

I mean that we have booked first weekend in October not August!

We've booked for last weekend in September and it's the first time we have camped post summer holidays too so no advice I'm afraid but watching with interest.

We were at a barbeque earlier and I was freezing by 6pm but that was in summer clothes. We're just going for layers, extra blankets, a big campfire and holing up in our friends' caravan until bedtime if all else fails!

we camped last night and it was freeeeezing. not doing it any more this year. we had sleeping bags and duvets and everything. brrrr. I'm going to save for a camper van.

We found mid-Sept last year in Norfolk very cold in the early mornings. Which part of the UK are you thinking of though? East Anglia gets v cold winds but the South West might be warmer? Or sheltered areas in the north?

We've done October half term before. Have also done a cold Easter before.

My DP and DS1 were camping this weekend and were very cold. DP says unless there's a mini heat wave he's putting the camping gear all away until next year.

We're in Norfolk so yes the wind does get nippy! I think we'll give it a miss probably, sad to say.

Was it last October or the one before that was really hot - I remember having to dig out my beach stuff which I'd put away for the year. If we get another one like that then we'll camp!

We have an electric tent heater, which we put on for short blasts. Also remember layers under sleeping back trap air. Eg ground sheet, tent base, picnic blanket, camping mat, fleece blanket, and then sleeping bag. We are never cold in bed. But toilet runs can be cold

Late season camping is great, the nights draw in sooner so the kids can experience the dark, torches, stars etc without staying up fantastically late. Campsites are so much quieter too. However, it is cold and by October I think I would be contemplating the use of EHU for a heater! But we are hoping to go in September, it should be fine unless there is an unusually cold snap. Just remember to pack your woolly hat!

I usually camp in October half term ( whole family) and have now twice camped February half term (me & Dd, males not convinced).

That said, I wouldn't do it without my bomb proof canvas tent, carpet, and heater .....

Next camp booked for me is Sept 27th for the weekend, planning October half term now ;-)

I think the key is to leave it late to book, then consult the weather forecasts and Run for the Sun. (Or rather the temperatures)

I don't have DC so I appreciate it's very different (and easier) for us, but an obvious thing one might not think of like packing layers that will actually fit over eachother planning what order to put them on and having them to hand and putting them on gradually throughout the evening really helps, I find.

We're lucky in that we have a van so can take ridiculous amounts of counter-cold weather gear; massive Weber fireplace, sheep skins, blankets galore, lots of outdoor lights for extra cosiness etc etc.

I am going to camp next in her tent to Vivi.

Are tent heaters safe?

I camped a few years ago over the August Bank Holiday and it went down to freezing at night.

Luckily I'd had a whole bottle of wine!

The more the merrier Pancake! Although I forgot to mention the secret weapon in my warmth arsenal - my basset hound which I use as a kind of canine hot water bottle - I zip her into my sleeping bag with me, so you'd have to put up with houndy wind aromas all night....

We only use electric heater. And it is goes off auto automatically if it falls over. We only put it on when we are sat playing cards etc. never when not there or asleep. Only needs a five ten minutes to warm tent.

Vivi..probably a stupid question, but what is a Weber fireplace?

I know a family who camp every October. They use a Halogen heater to keep warm at night. It has a cut out feature if it topples over, though I'm not sure I'd feel that safe with it on all night.

Could you use an electric blanket in a tent? Would an electric radiator on all night be safe?

That's a brilliant idea Vivi, I shall get my trumping special aroma's DP to sleep over my legs. We may get gassed.

Sahmof this is the Weber Fireplace (check out the whimsical couples enjoying a snuggle in the warm glow), basically just a big daddy firepit.

Totally impractical in that it is pretty enormous, but it kicks out mega heat (the lid ensures the heat come out of the sides, where you are, rather than straight out the top like most fire pits) and it just makes everywhere we go feel like home.

Thanks Vivi. That looks fantastic! Must add to my wish list.