Seasoned campers: what do we need for a REALLY comfortable and happy week camping in the UK.

[flowergirl24]

We’ve got a (large) tent. Three small kids who are excited for Friday when we head to a non-electric campsite in Wales.

If you are a regular/experienced camper, please can you share what we need to be comfortable for this trip?

We’ve got sleeping bags and two double air beds. Our test in the garden wasn’t great for me as I woke up with two DC’s heads pressed tightly up against me!

Don’t worry: we’re from farming families! We’ll be leaving the pitch spotless. My daughter is already asking if she can do a beach clean 😂

I think people have generally given great advice!
Mine would be, it gets hotter than you think in the tent during the day, and colder than you think at night.
I always sleep in something like a t shirt and joggers rather than a ' night gown or pyjamas ' it's warmer and better for walking to the toilet/ washroom, and loads of socks , and crocs ! If you have them they are a campers greatest friend😂
Bin bags
Something to put dirty laundry in, I got a collapsible basket from Poundland, saves dirty socks t-shirts etc. Getting mixed up and it's all ready to put in washing when you get home
Happy camping!
Oh and bottles of water it's nicer than the stuff out the tap usually.

I bought a massive tarpaulin thing years ago to be used as protection against wet ground or something to sit on instead of a blanket for the beach but mainly in case the tent ripped and I needed an emergency cover. Never used it but I take it away with me every time.

If you're driving close to your tent my advice (from festivals) is to take the bedding off your bed (good sheets, duvet and pillows) and make up your camp bed with it. Use your most beautiful sheets and make your camp bed a haven. From hardcore wild camping, don't forget things to make life fun - hot sauce, a kindle for when you can't sleep and all the sweets.

After a night camping with my kids, my tip is everyone gets separate beds. My 4yo apparently fights entire armies in her sleep, and grows extra arms and legs while doing it. Sharing a double bed with her was a mistake....

My other tip is more snacks and drinks than you think you need.

Decathlon bed bases, good sim, real sheets and duvets, ear plugs.

Very good camp stove. Good coffee.
comfortable chair.

from there minimalism. More stuff is more to pack, set up, tidy and take down.

A toilet

Just come back from a festival and the tent toilet we brought with us was the best thing ever. I am weak of bladder and too old to be traipsing on a mission to the loo in the middle of the night.

Foil, cling film, food bags, Tupperware and rubber tin lids. I've lost count of the number of times the half eaten tin of baked beans fell over in the cool box!

Cable ties... infinitely useful for situations such as securing umbrellas to camp chairs.

Hand sanitiser... little one in handbag, giant one on camp table. Kitchen towel.

Travel Johns.

Take a lidded box (a really useful box is great) full
of the useful stuff you need to grab quickly; torches, wipes, elastic bands, sarnie bags, posters etc
all
in separate ziplock bags. The box cAn then be used as an impromptu seat or bedside table.
pack things in separate bags within your bag eg underwear, swim stuff, so you can almost get what you need even if it’s dark.

I’ve added washing up gloves to my list this time. I had such cold hands after washing up in lukewarm water all the time and scissors would have been v useful
too.

Bottle opener and corkscrew