Glamping - things that can only be learned through experience.

[PerspicaciaTick]

I've taken the plunge and booked a glamping holiday for the family. I haven't camped since I was a teenager and I need to know what I can do to make the experience as pleasant as possible so I've chosen a place with proper beds and chairs as a good place to start.

What do I need to do/plan/take? I'm planning on making sure that torches and shoes are in a pre-agreed place by the door for night time toilet visits, what else should I think about?

we needed woolly hats for in bed. It was absolutely freezing.

Hot water bottles definately. We've had some cold glamping experiences even in sumner!

Have you got electricity?

Hats and hot water bottles - great. I'm guessing proper PJs too then?

We do have some electricity (the website talks about charging phones etc.)

And there is a BBQ type thing to cook on - any recommendations beyond bacon and sausages?

If you've got a plug then take a kettle (if it's not provided), if no plug a good flask to store hot water - it's amazing how long a stove can take to boil water!

Lots of blankets, and if you've got a wood fire stove / log burner then kindling / fire lighters and matches.

We go glamping loads! Love it.

Cooking:

Chicken / vege kebabs with couscous / pittas / housmous

Normal BBQ fair

We always put a stew on the wood stove if it's colder.

What kind of glamping - bell tent, camping pod? If you'd be happy to link the place we'd be able to recommend a bit more as glamping varies enormously.

The most useful lesson we learnt when glamping...a potty makes for an excellent sick bowl.

Oh and make sure you have some sort of welly tree.

We've done camping pods (wooden wigwam types) and hated that, somewhere in North wales. Electric and a bed, but severely limited on space.

Safari style tents at featherdown and elsewhere, FD is expensive and no electric - but showers and toilets with each tent. Was brilliant - we try and get groupons for featherdown farms.

Medieval pavilion type tents with beds, sink, fridge, toaster and kettle. Crealy meadows in devon. Bloody loved it.

Did look at yurts on a site in the lakes, would like to do that at some point.

We're trying geodomes this year.

The best thing we take on camping holidays (and when we have glamped) is a bucket for using as a toilet over night. When it is throwing it down and cold in the middle of the night/first thing in the morning, you won't want to have to run to the toilet block in your pjs.

Are you taking children with you? How old are they? Good wellies and full waterproofs are essential and more warm clothes than you think you will need. DH always grumbles at the amount of warm clothes we take with us, but when it's cold we are really grateful for them.

Wow, thanks everyone. I think it is called a lotus tent. It's on the IoW, can't do links on my phone. The DCs are 12 and 7, so no potties any more. A bucket might be handy though .
I'll check about the kettle, I think there is a wee hob thingy too.

OK, we run a glamping site so hopefully can answer some of your questions!
What time of year have you booked, and if its during a cold spell then does the unit come with a wood burner? Burners will keep it warm when you go to bed, but probably wont last all the way through the night, so as others have said, a wooly hat, some snuggly socks to put on are probably a good idea.
Do they provide all your bedding and towels? Is it just a duvet or are there any extra blankets - at this time of year you will probably need an extra blanket or two on the bed.
A head torch is probably a good idea - they can be purchased quite cheaply, so one each might be good - they are much more convenient than a lantern or a hand torch for trips to the loo in the night.
Wellies are another must, and extra clothes as its so muddy out there at the moment that a simple walk can leave you covered in wet muddy trousers. If you have waterproofs, as others say, thats a good idea too.
What are the cooking provisions - we have outdoor covered cooking areas up on a platform, so even if its pouring there is a gas stove and a cup of tea within minutes, and somewhere dry to sit - if all you have is an outdoor BBQ then make sure you know where a local pub/fish and chip shop is because you dont want to be struggling to light a fire while everyone is starving.

Thanks Nettle, it's not until the summer. I feel sort of responsible for making everything run v.smoothly as I campaigned hard for a change if scene .
I'll look into head torches, DS will be thrilled. We have plenty of blankets, so can always bung some spares in the car, the site provide bedding. Must buy new wellies for DS as he has outgrown his, if AI do that now I might be able to get them before sandals replace them in the shops.
The tent has a basic micro-kitchen. It sounds like some porridge might be an idea.
We have identified a local Chinese take away!

If you've got room to take a bucket, take a cheap portapotti instead - much more civilised. I take one ordinary camping. Read the instructions.
Loo roll for ordinary loos - often none there. An old towel to use as a threshold mat. Hot water bottles, flasks, wet wipes. Big old blankets you can wrap around yourselves while sitting outside in the evenings. Insect repellent, ditto.
Address of nearest Travelodge, just in case!

A storm kettle nearly as quick as an electric one.

hopefully summer will be good then - hope you have a great time and report back on the lotus tent!

popaloo is a good portable loo, and its all biodegradable

I have had a quick google and if I've got the right place it looks fab! Lots of good advice here, sorry if any of it is repeated.

Take a couple of massive umbrellas and leave just outside the tent, way easier to use if you need to go to the loo block/kettle than putting on coats, especially if warm.

And, if it is warm enough but wet, shorts can be much easier than trousers, as legs can be towelled dry.

A stack of games such as cards, uno etc.

Take a woolly hat and extra socks, you will be surprised how even placing these things on can make a difference to your comfort, and allow you to sit out by the fire for longer.

Firelighters (no one need know ) and marshmallows with wooden kebab sticks, or find some suitable on site. If you do have a fire, fill a bucket of water and leave nearby in case.

Have a supermarket delivery to the campsite. Keep things like tea/coffee to hand. Make sure you have some food which can be heated quickly- instant noodles, soup.

Lots of plastic bags to help when you shower. Also take a few butchers hooks as you can place over doors in showers and tents and hang lots of stuff up.

I prepare and freeze quite a bit of food at home for camping. Things like chili and bolognese warm up quickly and I do chicken and pork in marinades to defrost and chuck on the BBQ. Helps to keep everything in your cool box cold too.