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Camping

Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

Original poster

Challange? Help a novice make a shopping list from scratch.

32 replies

ChittinIt · 15/07/2014 12:27

Hi guys, have decided to try our hand at camping this summer. I have not been since primary school! But have very fond memories. I think the kids would love it.

So I have 4 kids. 9, 8, 5 and 3. Me and DH.

We have absolutely nothing camping related and our budget for everything is £500.

I see millets have a spend over 200 get an extra 20% off, but I really don't know what we need and what we might be tempted to buy but wont need.

I'd like us all in one tent as well.

Any advise would be great, I've tried reading threads but the jargon... I have no idea whats being said! Lol.

Thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
ChittinIt · 15/07/2014 12:28
  • Challenge! How embarrassing!
OP posts:
CampingClaire · 15/07/2014 12:40

ChittinIt
Right...I'd head to a GoOutdoors or whatever mega camping store is near you...the quality will be better than Millets and you'll still get a great deal. You also want to see tents when they're up...stand in them etc.
I'd get a six sleeper if I was you. That should give you a bit of space (3 bedrooms) and a living area too. Try and get a sewn in groundsheet as it'll help keep bugs and draughts out! Good makes are Outwell and Vango but there are others too. Outwell have a great website where you can get a video tour around the tent and most of them have pitching videos too. See if you can see something you like in a store and you may get a great buy on Ebay!
A double burner gas grill will give you space to cook for all of you but see if you can borrow one from someone. Take duvets from home for the start unless you have sleeping bags - after all you may hate it and never want to camp again so try and get away with buying as little as possible for the first trip.
Make sure you get Self Inflating Mats or Airbeds though and cover them in blankets/throws (cheap or ones you already have) to help with insulation.
Pots and pans and plates etc can all be home ones to start with.

If you get into camping...you'll find yourself permanently envying other people's kit so best not to buy it all at the beginning!
Don't take jeans for the kids...if they get damp at the hems they're thoroughly unpleasant!! Take lots of fluffy socks (£1 shop) as they'll forget to pop shoes on when nipping outside and they'll end up with damp feet and cold toes.

You'll get loads of replies to your ask as we love to offer 'friendly' advice!!

chocomochi · 15/07/2014 12:48

Agree with campingclaire and just buy the bare minimum i.e tent and inflating mattresses. If you do enjoy it, you can always add to your camping gear.

Camping tables and chairs you'll need for eating, but again, you can always eat on the picnic blanket instead of buying things you may not use again.

Ice box is a good one to take to keep food fresh. We have one from Clas Olsen which can be plugged into a car charger, so keeps cool without ice blocks (though ice blocks do help when the car is switched off!).

CampingClaire · 15/07/2014 12:49

Point number two...it's only a trip in a tent. Think about how/what you like to eat and how you'll stay warm/clean. Everything after that is all stuff you'll want to get for your new hobby but may not be necessary at this stage!! Spend as little as possible on a decent tent (unless you can borrow one) and everything else you'll probably have at home.
Only one more thing....get a large lidded plastic box to keep pans/plates etc in. It stops bugs/mice running over the stuff and it gives you a surface to use.
Enjoy your holiday!1

Original poster
ChittinIt · 15/07/2014 12:55

I don't know anyone who camps so borrowing a tent isn't an option. This is some great advice, thank you.

I know someone said not millets, but how does this tent look?

this one here

OP posts:
CampingClaire · 15/07/2014 13:20

it looks ok (slightly doubtful why its so cheap) but the waterproofing is a bit lower than i'm used to and it looks like it may move a lot if its really windy!!
Where are you? I've done a quick gumtree and there are some good buys on there.

A Vango Avington 6 berth for £220 seems a better buy for the money if you can check it out first! It's in London.

Original poster
ChittinIt · 15/07/2014 13:41

I'm in Manchester.

OP posts:
CampingClaire · 15/07/2014 15:04

Where is Chesterfield in relation to you. There's a Vango Amazon for £250 on gumtree there. (I'm determined to spend your money on the best tent for the money)! Sorry!!

ViviPru · 15/07/2014 15:16

Completely agree that it's not worth buying loads of gear till you know camping is for you, but also good advice from CampingClaire, if you buy a tent that's too low-grade, you'll never find out if you genuinely enjoy it or not because you'll be too busy being annoyed by the shortcomings of the tent!

That Eurohike tent does look like a good bargain, although it might prove to be a PITA to pitch.... (nothing to suggest that other than bargain price for the size, so could be fine)

ViviPru · 15/07/2014 15:19

If you get into camping...you'll find yourself permanently envying other people's kit so best not to buy it all at the beginning!

Great advice. I spend a disproportional amount of time while camping compiling a mental list of things-to-buy on our return.... It's one of my favourite camping past times....

CampingClaire · 15/07/2014 15:56

Hi ViviPru I agree about the Eurohike...it looks 'ok'. I think it would be fine to pitch...I'm more concerned about it's sturdiness in bad weather. If it's a calm, sunny trip I think it would be fine.

FrozenAteMyDaughter · 15/07/2014 16:21

What about this one? www.leisureoutlet.com/camping-and-outdoors/Seven-Eight-Person-Tents/OLPro-Wichenford-Eight-Person-Family-Tent.html

Bit more expensive but it has a significantly better hydrostatic head than the Eurohike at 5000mm and is a similar size I think. Gets a couple of good reviews on UK Campsite too (though one bad one admittedly).

Otherwise, I would go for a Vango or a Khyam - an Outwell would be too expensive I think.

FrozenAteMyDaughter · 15/07/2014 16:26

Or one of these perhaps (albeit they are 6 man rather than 8 so you may have a bit less space to play with)?:

www.decathlon.co.uk/t62-xl-air-6-man-tent-family-tent-grey-beige-id_8171137.html

www.decathlon.co.uk/t62-6-man-family-tent-beige-id_8056079.html

www.decathlon.co.uk/avington-600-tent-id_8315738.html#avantages

CampingClaire · 15/07/2014 16:32

FrozenAteMyDaughter Welcome to the "lets spend someone else's money forum'!! We're having great fun!!
My fav is the Avington as I think it's the best make out of them all. Quechua fine but no sealed groundsheet so that rules it out of my book. I'd seen the Avington one on Gumtree but thought it was too far so 'Well Done' you on finding that one!!
ChittinIt Buy the Avington is my advice.

Honeymoonmummy · 15/07/2014 16:37

Aldi have just had a camping week and still have some stuff in our local store (Cheshire). I think their tents are supposed to be good. They also have a decent looking camping fridge. There's a go outdoors and decathlon in Stockport and Warrington; not sure about Manchester itself. Would agree that generally go outdoors is much better value for money than millets.

Honeymoonmummy · 15/07/2014 16:38

We have an outwell Montana 6 which is an awesome tent and has lots of good reviews but i would buy a cheaper one first in case you hate it as other posters have said. Most stuff eg plug in fridge you can use for other things such as long days out.

Honeymoonmummy · 15/07/2014 16:47

Oh and for your first camping trip go to a site REALLY close to home - first time we went with DD we went to a site 20 mins away! It means if you forget anything crucial you know the area/ can pop home and if u have really bad night can just drive home and come back for the tent in the morning!

MrsPnut · 15/07/2014 16:50

I would investigate ebay for a second hand tent to begin with, look for one of the good makes - Outwell, Coleman, Vango, Kyam and perhaps gelert.

You can often pick up a bargain and if you decide that camping is for you then you can begin to make a wish list for your next tent.

MrsPnut · 15/07/2014 16:51

this is a pretty good deal

OP posts:
FrozenAteMyDaughter · 15/07/2014 18:27

What is it ChittinIt? The link doesn't work for me and I would love to see

Original poster
ChittinIt · 15/07/2014 18:29

Works for me, its a huge 8 man tent, £400 though. Hi Gear Oasis 8 Premium Family Tent.

OP posts:
FrozenAteMyDaughter · 15/07/2014 18:33

Probably because I am on my phone. That tent looks amazing. Mahoosive too!

ViviPru · 15/07/2014 19:19

Oh and for your first camping trip go to a site REALLY close to home

Really good advice. Once you're on the site in lovely countryside you could be almost anywhere. We still do close-by trips regularly several years on.

Pointlessfan · 15/07/2014 19:30

Do you use freecycle? Worth a look as people often give away camping stuff and anything I've had from there has been in good condition. We always take a homemade, frozen meal eg chilli to have the first night. It'll defrost on the way there and act as an extra cool block and will save you cooking after getting the tent up. I would get some decent waterproofs and cheap flip flops for the shower. Insect repellent and citronella candles essential and take a washing up bowl, brush etc - we didn't the first time we went camping and washing up was tricky to say the least!
Also clothes pegs are handy for all sorts of things - drying towels, sealing open food bags etc.