I need to buy the following things ... any advice please?

[KISSassangel]

Most of our camp equipment was wiped out when our basement was flooded in our old house. since then we haven't been camping, so i'm not 'up' with what is available, best makes etc, so would appreciate some advice.

The list is:
child's sleeping bag, must cope with may half term weather (ie very varied)
some kind of cooker - we have one old trangia, which clearly won't cook for 12 people!
other cooking bits - saucepans etc
some plastic cups, plates etc
some kind of sleeping mat for dd
a lantern & probably a torch or two

I can get to a Blacks (good but expensive) or Millets (not so good?)
or is there anywhere online which supplies stuff?

You will get all that in Millets , I would say the stuff is fine in their lots of the same brands as Blacks.

For sleeping bags, I wouldn't bother specificaly getting a kids one unless you have worries about them slipping down inside it, (tie something tighty around the bottom bit to make it the length you want), they are not usually warm enough. For spring and autumn camping you will want at least 3 season if not 4, def 4 if you are going to scotland or the fells etc. I am a woose and have a 5 season .

I like the self inflating roll mats, much better insulation than the plain foam ones or the hollow airbeds, they are freezing and you slide off, I also sleep on a thick folded wool blanket for extra layers. (And a ambulance blanket on top of my sleeping bag- told you I am a woose).

Torches, go for the wind up ones, great for the kids, if they fall asleep with them on it doesn't mean yet another set of batteries. I got one for DS's scout camps out of woolworths and it is really bright.

thanks for that

We have bought fromhere before. Very reasonable

thanks will look around. all shopping cancelled atm due to too much crap, but will start buying stuff soon. just need to sit with a poorly dd tonight.

Argos is actually remarkably reasonable for some things - def worth checking prices against as most are the same or less than Millets etc but are the same brands.
We have a stove like this (but ancient and less shiny) on which you could def cook for large numbers if you had big pans. Cheaper without the grill though.

lol mrs badger, did you mean to link me to a watch?
i shall talk to dh about the size of our implements!
there will also be times when it's just us 3.

stove with grill
without grill
there's something odd about ARgos links at the moment -every on I clicked on yesterday took me to the same BebeConfort car seat .

don't think i'll be ordering online then!

one of our friends has something similar, so with 2 of those we should be able to cater for all 12 at once

this place should do the sleeping bag and maybe some other bits. Very quick service and good prices.

Hi kissangel, where about are you, as i have loads of camping stuff im away to advertise.

cambs

some great links, thanks

I like the look of the camping stove, it is worth having a look around I saw the same? one on another web site selling it for £33, so a wee bit cheaper than argos

oh yes, do shop around - remember to check delivery charges though

We bought our childrens sleeping bag from Shaws (We are in South Wales so dont know if they are national) but they were loads cheaper than the main stream camping shops.
Also do you have an Aldi or Lidl near you as they often do camping stuff on their specials.

how do i know if cheap stuff is tough enough? just concerned that some things won't cope with 6 kids using them for a week! (not cooking stuff - adults only)

Well the sleeping bags I bought were exactly the same as in the Towsure website and catalogue, but I do agree you have to make sure that items are going to last or it isn't a bargain.
This is harder when buying on line as you cant get an idea of how durable things are.
Cooking items try Ikea, plastic cups and plates, I would shop around, but might be hard to find outside of camping shops this time of year.
Try Riversway Leisure they have a website, we have used them a lot and their prices are reasonable, Towsure are expensive, but they have a good catalogue which you can use for ideas and checking prices.

We got most of our camping stuff online tbh
Ebay is fab, got the spangly campingaz double stove + grill for under £30 new!

good bargain minx, I really like the look of the cooker/grill

maybe one of the sadder things I have said, oh I do love camping stuff

I can reccomend towsure.co.uk. Prices are cheaper than millets and quality has always been excellent with everything from a taosting rack to a portapotty and tent.
If you are looking at ebay - buy now as soon as we get some good weather the prices all shoot up due to demand.
If you are happy to wait a while look in your local supermarkets April time. Our local Tesco and Asda did loads of cheap and cheerful camping equipment including £9.99 stoves last year.
Also outlet malls are good - mountain warehouse has outlets in Clarkes village (Somerset) Gunwharf quays (Portmouth) and Mcarthur Glen (Swindon).