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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.

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Original poster

Any single campers out there?

55 replies

Daisybell1 · 09/04/2015 06:33

In theory, it should all be good - I have a tent I can put up alone, all the gear needed for me and DD, even nearby fields where we can have a practise camp, plenty of sites around me, but I'm really struggling to actually physically get out there and do it.

Its only DD (3.5) and myself so maybe that's putting me off. It feels a bit scary and unfortunately we don't have any camping friends we can go away with. I'm not a member of any of the camping clubs - I'm torn between whether the CCC rallies would give a group of ready made friends or be torture...

And now, of course, I'm tent shopping, convinced that although I CAN put my tent up alone, a nicer piece of kit would tempt me out more often.

Has anyone else gone through this? And how did you solve it without spending huge amounts of money on a new tent

OP posts:

crystal85 · 09/04/2015 18:32

Hey Hun
Good luck I'm not able to put our tent up otherwise I would join you
Husband works long hours to allow me to be a stay at home mum but I do love breaks away let me know how it goes xx

lavendersun · 09/04/2015 19:16

I go alone with DD sometimes as DH works away. I am usually knackered by the time everything is up and in place .... but by then I only have to open a tin of G & T (classy) and DD has usually made some camping friends. A bit older though (now 8).

Have you thought of going to sites where there is something going on. We are camping alone at Kelling Heath in Norfolk next, just because there are family friendly things happening. I have never been to anywhere like it before and it isn't my sort of thing tbh but I thought DD might love it.

Peanutbutterfingers · 09/04/2015 19:17

Hi, I do it, started last year with small dome tent and 4yo DS, just bought a big tent and we're heading off tomorrow to make sure I can put it up alone as promised.

For me the only way to make it happen is to book/plan in advance, put it in diary then make it happen. If you wait for the right time something else will always come up.

I've booked a week in Norfolk over Summer and that means I have to make sure everything works. Hoping I will come home and book a half term week somewhere too.

I don't have camping friends either. I feel sorry for DS sometimes as he's quite shy and finds trying to make friends with a group of children who know each other quite hard, but hoping that will be easier now he's a bit older. But funnily enough he LOVES helping wash up and tidy in a way he doesn't at home. Also I quite like when he goes to bed and I have kindle and wine and nice peaceful evening :)

pinkmagic1 · 09/04/2015 20:04

I have been doing it for a few years now. DH refuses to even try it so it is either go alone or not at all. I have a Gelert Atlantis 3 which I got in a sale for £35. It has a built in grounsheet so super easy to pitch single handed, but still has plenty of room inside and you can even stand up in the living area.

Tollygunge · 09/04/2015 20:22

I wish I had some camping friends! Where do you live? ??

pinkmagic1 · 09/04/2015 20:26

I am based in Nottingham, we normally camp in North Yorkshire or Norfolk. Would like some camping friends too.

Original poster

Daisybell1 · 09/04/2015 21:18

Wow thank you for your replies! I'm pleased to see I'm not the only one who's got the fear and that it can be conquered. I do have a partner but he farms and so can never get away.

Going for family friendly things sounds perfect, I must do some more googling. I'm in Cumbria so Norfolk may be a little far, but I can do north Yorkshire! I'd love to make some camping friends. And yes, I'm surrounded by gorgeous campsites so I really have no excuse.

and a reduced argos teepee didn't jump from the shop into my car earlier, oh no

OP posts:

RhubarbCrumbled · 09/04/2015 22:28

Hello, I take both DSs (4and 2 when we started) away on my own. I definitely had the fear of something going wrong and definitely of not being able to put the tent up. But I bit the bullet and made myself do it. I watched a LOT of videos of how to put the tent up and asked other people how they did it. Somehow the tent went up and we all survived and had an amazing time!

lavendersun · 10/04/2015 08:08

I would be happy for anyone to join us - we usually stick to East Anglia when we camp alone (because I can't be bothered to drive too far as we only go for a couple of nights). Furthest we go from Norfolk is the NT Clumber Park campsite.

If anyone wants to join us at Kelling Heath in June pm me for details.

Thumbcat · 10/04/2015 09:01

I've been camping alone with DS since he was 3.5. I have the same tent as pinkmagic and also have a non-camping DH. Definitely get a cheap tent on ebay first, as until you've camped you won't really know what you want from a tent. I'd recommend a tunnel tent for ease of putting up and also something you can stand up straight in.

You really do have to book something or you'll never go. Do lots of campsite research and go for something with things for children to do on site or lots of days out within easy reach. Ukcampsite.co.uk has a good campsite search facility and campsite reviews. Also have a look at the coolcamping website as they tend to list very family friendly sites.

Plan everything, meals, spare clothes, places to go if it rains etc, down to the smallest detail.

You'll have a great time and you may even be able to convert some friends into campers for future trips.

RhubarbCrumbled · 10/04/2015 13:13

There was a thread around a while ago about a Mumsnet camping meetup - maybe Kelling Heath could be it. I'll try and find the other thread now...

lavendersun · 10/04/2015 14:18

I too second actually booking something to make you go! We camp at wild sort of places generally .... but not when I am alone with Dd, hence the Kelling Heath trip.

If you look for places like that, a few more facilities, family friendly things going on I am sure you will have a fantastic time.

Original poster

Daisybell1 · 10/04/2015 14:36

Thanks for the further tips. The teepee is going straight back - it already had a hole in the groundsheet and blew over within half an hour.... I'm realising I find the weight of my Khyam reassuring!

Thank you for the site tips too - I love Clumber Park, I'd forgotten about the campsite there.

OP posts:

crystal85 · 12/04/2015 16:44

I'm not far from clumber park could we set up a mumsnet camp there?

Original poster

Daisybell1 · 12/04/2015 18:31

That would be brilliant Crystal!

OP posts:

jmolymax · 12/04/2015 23:45

Oooo I would love to join in a mumsnet camp! I'm really struggling to pluck up the confidence to take my daughters (age 8 and 12). I think I am a bit of a wimp!! We regularly camp but only with other half!

ClearlyMoo · 12/04/2015 23:53

Sounds like you've found MN campers, but my suggestion was going to be why don't you try going to a small family friendly festival: green man/ shambala/ end of the road etc?

You could camp in family fields and you'd make friends and there be other people's kids for your DD to play with

I've only camped alone at Glastonbury but it was lush both times (just me/ pre-DH/DC). The people I camped with were super.

crystal85 · 22/04/2015 17:16

Hey now the weather is getting better are we looking to do a camp weekend ?

Original poster

Daisybell1 · 24/04/2015 01:52

That would be brilliant! We're you thinking of Clumber Park?

OP posts:

lavendersun · 24/04/2015 07:18

We would come for a night if we were home alone/not going anything. I like Clumber Park.

Might have to bring my dog, depending on dog sitter availability.

crystal85 · 24/04/2015 08:27

Yeah I think that seemed to be an acceptable place for everyone. Maybe only one night to start with introduce ppl to it slowly lol. And don't need cookers etc just a pack up making it easier to set up.
Just need few dates ppl are free and then find the one most ppl have. Are we only looking at weekends or can ppl do week days too? X

Original poster

Daisybell1 · 24/04/2015 08:50

Clumber would be brilliant - it's 2.5 hours for us but happy to go for a night.

Lavender - may need you given what is currently in the boot of my car

We can be flexible - can do weekends but also any night with a bit of warning

OP posts:

lavendersun · 24/04/2015 20:34

Sadly it has to be weekends for us due to school- Saturday night preferably if every one else can do that as DD goes to the County music service first thing .. of course we could miss the odd week if the sun was shining and everyone else wanted to do Friday evening .

Daisy - what did you buy????

Any ideas of what month we are aiming for .

Original poster

Daisybell1 · 25/04/2015 12:09

I got a De Waard Kemphaan!

I can do weekends too and am fairly flexible over dates. Would outside school holidays be better?

Crystal - do you fancy it?

I don't mind bringing a stove (I have all the gear and no idea!)

OP posts:

lavendersun · 25/04/2015 12:30

That is great Daisy! Quite a find I reckon.

CP is about three hours for me too. I don't mind when it is really. I just need to make sure that DH is at work - he works away for more than half of the month, he will feel quite rejected if I go away when he is actually at home .

I have lots of crap gear too!

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