talk to me about packing for me, DH & 3 kids inc a toddler and a Outwell Montana 6

[carries]

Not a seasoned camper/ Camped 4 x in past 2 years, and not since youngest was born Feb 2013/ We have a S-max and a roof box but I'm rubbish at minimalist packing. We've only ever camped for 4-5 days and the car is always full to bursting with the kids sitting on pillows! We are thinking about camping this summer when DD3 will be 16-17 mod. How do you seasoned campers pack and how to you prioritise what to take, especially with the weather we get in Britain?

Hello, We have 3 kids, slightly bigger car (but no roofbox) and slightly smaller tent. I guess your main issues will be what you take/leave behind for the youngest - eg buggy/travel cot for them to nap in, or just tuck them in with you. (We didn't start camping until our youngest were 3, but camped with my nephew and family last year at around the same age.)
We prioritise warmth and dryness over cleanliness - so don't scrimp on blankets, socks, changes of shoes etc, but don't take loads of changes of clothes. We don't take loads of crockery - prefering to do a fair bit of washing up and get the kids to help. We don't do a lot of 'worst-case scenario' packing (eg extensive medical kits, vast arrays of waterproofs etc) because we're always near enough to home that we would just abandon ship if we had to.
If the campsite has picnic tables, think about if you really need table and chairs maybe.
We are camping on the Scillies for the first time this year so will be refining our kit, so watching this with interest.
Sorry, that hasn't helped much. Hopefully an expert will be along soon...

We had less kit for 11 nights in France than for a weekend in the UK! Probably because we hired a fridge at the France site so no need for the coolbox. That is probably not very helpful to you though.

Travel towels are great and very small. Agee with thewalrus about layers for warmth and not being too fussed about cleanliness.