Pod camping: what do I need?

[NorrieTheMouse]

I haven’t camped since I was in the Guides and DH is a complete newbie. Managed to persuade him to give pod camping a go in August with our DC (7 & 4). We’ve booked a pod with no electricity in the Lakes.

I’ve found lots of “camping for beginners”-type guides but they’re obviously for canvas rather than pods, so I’m struggling to know things like what sort of sleeping bag ratings we’ll need.

Any other tips would be welcome too!

i assume a basic "unfurnished " pod?

in that case everything you`d have inside a tent plus cooking, table, chairs. we did a pod once. we prefer our proper tent. more space!

Thanks @wibbleee - the pod has mattresses but is otherwise unfurnished.

How did you find the temperatures inside the pod, compared to in a tent?

Place marking!

we had one end of may, so cant really comment! theyre usually insulated though. if you have electric sockets take a cheap fan heater? one with safety cut out (most do). ours wasnt furnished, but had a double electric socket. useful for charging stuff. 3 of us and we had to put sleep mats etc away in a corner every day which was a pain! we had nice weather so cooking etc was fine outside. cant imagine how it would be on that tiny porch though!! how many of you will there be? there was 3 of us. theyre also quite dark inside even on a sunny day. we wouldnt use one again, would rather use our tent, which was bigger lol! we tried it just to see what they`re like.

we had it end of may. 1/4 size of the tent space, so sleeping stuff had to be packed away everyday, which was a pain. warmth wise, well they`re insulated? sleeping bag wise look for a decent 3 season. buy cheap and nasty.....will bite you in the bum on a chilly night lol! if its got electric use a fan heater with safety cut out (most do as standard). equipment wise EVERYTHING except the actual tent and in your case mat. so sleeping bags, pillows, torch, stove........

sleeping bag wise we have a vango nitestar 375 , vango lattitude 300 and i have an alpkit down bag.

definatley 3 season. look at the comfort temperature, NOT extreme. thats what will keep you just about alive lol! vango`s a middle of the range quality stuff. also look at alpkit (online).

go outdoors has a big sale on at the moment.

some gas cannisters dont like the cold, so keep inside the pod overnight (if it doesnt say extreme). otherwise the gas pressure is terrible and its a long wait for a cup of tea. when I wildcamp/ hike if its a cold night I chuck the cannister at the bottom of my sleeping bag. but in summer in the pod will do fine. put a hot water bottle in the sleeping bag 10 mins before bed wrapped up in your jim jams....lush.

We've stayed in quite a few pods. I always find they get very warm and there is usually just one tiny hatch to let air circulate at night.

Take frozen hot water bottles and a cool bag/box to keep things chilled in. And a kite for the kids. You'll be fine!!

Thanks for the advice @wibbleee, especially about sleeping bags. Will take a look at Go Outdoors. Is it worth getting children’s sleeping bags for the kids rather than adult ones? Currently thinking the 4yo might be snugger in a small one but the 7yo would be OK in an adult one?

There’ll be 4 of us in a “large” pod - it might not be massive but I guess at least we won’t be comparing it to a big tent given our lack of experience! Need to think about how to pack clothes etc to make best use of space.

Thanks @WhatNow40 - I wish DH or I were capable of flying a kite!

we never bothered with kid sleeping bags. just buy adult and to stop them wriggling too deep tie it off with a belt/ string/ whatever. its a bit of a con kiddie bags, often not warm enough and more on designs with unicorns or shit! a decent adult one will last for years. give them a good shake out before use as the bag needs to be fluffy so to speak (or known as loft) to trap the air pockets and work. down especially (if you have the cash). wash as little as often, especially synthetic as it affects the fibres. use a liner/ single duvet case even. these are the duvet covers so to speak. i mean you don`t use a duvet with no cover do you?? same for sleeping bags to keep them clean and also some add warmth.