Late summer/autumn camping

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We're new to camping but have really enjoyed our "fair weather" experiences so far. We have a few more trips planned over the summer holidays but I'm wondering if we could squeeze another weekend trip in between schools going back and October hols? My main worry is that it could be too cold or damp and that might make for a miserable time. Kids are 7 & 10. Would we need any extra kit etc? Any suggestions for camping in the UK at this time of year? Looking for advice from more seasoned campers. Thanks

Electric hook up and halogen heater!

Agree with EHU and Halogen heater. Try and choose a campsite with heated shower block and take fleeces to keep you warm. We camp in early April some years and we take our slippers to keep our feet warm in the tent.

Lots of hot chocolate for the evenings and don't forget that it will go dark earlier so you need a light and some games.

Thanks for tips. Might hold-off buying a halogen heater and EHU until we make firmer plans.

I wild camp year round. In gales. Once on my own with four inches of snow outside. You don't need a halogen heater in autumn! What you do need is change of clothes which are kept in tent so there are guaranteed dry clothes. Stove for hot food/drink. Properly rated sleeping bags. And fleecy blankets and things to keep extremities warm - fluffy socks, hats, gloves. Nothing wrong with sleeping in your mittens!
It's likely to be far too warm for any of that stuff, especially if there's more than one person per tent! but at least you'll be prepared if you do get bad weather.
Lastly, entertainment for inside the tent... If it's rainy you want games, books, whatever. Don't rely on ball games and campfires etc.
Have fun, winter camping is great ☺️

I don't think it is too late in the year, British summer weather is so unpredictable anyway. Late summer camping is nice because the days are a bit shorter. Meaning that young kids get to stay up after dark and see stars and sit around the campsite. Take a star map and marshmallows and glowsticks. Also the sun rises later so less chance of the kids waking up at stupid o'clock. I think I've convinced myself to book some September camping now!

My one piece of advice for cold camping is an Oodie 😂. Oh and proper sleeping bags. I am always cold (especially hands and feet) but I absolutely love camping, as long as you’ve got warm clothes you’ll have a great time 🧡

Thanks everyone, the posts tonight are reassuring! Love all the tips for keeping dry and cosy and great point about shorter days with kids. Stargazing around the campfire sounds perfect. Off to investigate campsites...

As above really I would alos recommend a Down jacket as they pack up small but keep you really warm.
Sleep on a mat but put Polystyrene or card board under it as it insulates it well

Autumn equinox is my favourite time of year for camping. We go away the last weekend of Sept every year. Warm days but a little chilly at night so it's always just a bit misty at dusk and dawn.

Layers and a hat that's all you need.

Blankets, layers and warm pyjamas. I love camping when it’s cold outside 😁

When our dc were little we used to get them into pyjamas after tea and then clothes back on top ready to sit around the campfire. That way they weren’t getting into cold clothes before bed.

Lots of games that can be played in the tent in case of rain are a good idea too.

Oh and a bucket to save for night time toilet trips in the cold!

We never have EHU.

Choose a site where you can have a proper campfire and sit out in the evening keeping warm.

Make sure you have insulation under you at night: a SIM has its own insulation, the bags of freezing air conducting your body heat into the ground known as blow-up beds can be insulated by putting foam mats (interlocking play mats or workshop mats) underneath (even a layer of corrugated cardboard will do) or foam mats such as yoga mats or roll out foam camping mats on top.

I have roughly seen big cheap fleece blankets together to make a giant sleeping bag to put our (good 3 season ) sleeping bags inside.

Put pyjamas on under clothes before you get cold, keep warm before bed.

If you've only camped in high summer before, the big adjustment will be how much earlier it gets dark in the evening. Make sure you all have excellent head torches and get small people ready for bed while it's still light.

Also if you are dashing off on a Friday after work remember you haven't got as long to put the tent up before dark. I got caught out with that once - putting up brand new tent in the dark peering at instructions because only a few weeks before we'd have had ages of daylight left at that time!

Thanks for all the advice everyone. Definitely up for a bit more camping in September and early October as long as it's not too wet.