Do you have a ‘lovely’ camping set-up ?

[ViaRia01]

I’m looking for inspiration on how to get together a collection of ‘lovely’ gear for camping with my family - two parents, two preschoolers.

So, what I mean by this, is that while we are away we still want to have comfort, quality, colour and - did I mention - comfort?! We don’t want to ‘pack everything and the kitchen sink’, but for the things we do need, we want them to feel nice.

I’m struggling a bit to explain this I think but does anyone understand what I mean and do you have this sort of set up?

Examples I’ve found so far include:
I’m thinking the Heston Everdure mini barbecue. It’s pricey but the quality looks good and I think it will serve its purpose while being nice to use.

Wooden directors chairs as opposed to standard folding camp chairs. I know they’ll be a little more heavy/ bulky but I think I’d put up with that in order to have the nice look and feel.

I’d want a plug in cool box as we will want to keep food fresh rather than having very basic meals/ rations.

We will have an 8 berth tent rather than being all squashed into a 4 berth tent.

I really hope it makes sense but do let me know if not! Do you have this kind of lovely set up? Can you share the products you’d recommend/ avoid? Maybe some lovely photos too if you can?

Thank you

Ohhhh meant to say... screw in pegs & a cordless drill....makes getting pegs in and out an absolute breeze

Honestly the directors chairs sound awful. Half the fun is snuggling up round the campfire with blankets and being cosy.

We have quechua inflatable bed bases for under our sims, the sims are great on their own (all 12cm), but they’re even better with the base, plus you’re higher and those awkward bits you’ve unpacked but don’t need can go into the bed base.

Sleeping pods rather than usual sleeping bags, they’re oval shaped so your feet have lots of room, you can move around, curl up etc.

Directors chairs sound both very bulky and very uncomfortable, you need properly insulated camping chairs otherwise the cold will seep through into your bum and back.

We have an inflatable sofa with a good R rating for our ‘living’ room.

Have a look at overnight fishing gear/ bed chairs. We ended up with them, they are sooo much better than any type of air or foldable camping bed. Ok, the colours aren't great and they are not cheap but it's worth it for the comfort.

They also double up as very comfy sun loungers.

One more thing (didn’t realise I had so much to say about boujie camping!!)
Little side tables make a massive difference. Get a few and dot them about, so much more civilised having somewhere to put your drink/snacks/kids bits to hand rather than one table you have to keep fetching or worse, putting stuff on the ground to get damp and knocked over.

I don't like the sound the wooden directors chairs at all tbh. I've bought all sorts over the last 40 years. These are the ones I have and can't recommend them enough - I am probably away camping 20 weeks of the year (retired at 60) - They're comfortable, solid, well made... and expensive.

https://amzn.eu/d/1mhdyoe

How do you plan on transporting your camping gear? I had a relatively small trailer (with a solid lockable top) for a few years when camping abroad - I thought it was a brilliant way to carry everything - you can even carry bikes on top of the trailer's solid top. Previously I had a huge top box - you can't buy them this size anymore but even with a big boot it felt like a squeeze to take everything for 2 adults and 2 kids - hence the trailer for the tent, chairs, table, cooking gear. Honestly, you'd never know you were pulling anything.

@larkstar Yes i’m definitely now in two minds about the directors chairs, thanks for your recommendation.

I had thought that the boot and top box would be enough to transport everything but I will have to keep in mind what space I have and not pack too many home comforts!

@Ihatelittlefriendsusan seriously tempted by the sofa set, thank you

@backtoschoolsnot thank you
what is an inflating camping mat and how does it differ from a sim or airbed? I did google but just seems to bring up sims.

@Mayve a very good point on lighting and I agree this will make a huge difference. Those hanging lamps definitely fit the bill for my lovely camping set up but, ouch! Quite a lot to spend if you have several dotted around. But often these items are around for ages so I could hopefully start with a couple and then buy one or two ahead of future trips, to spread out the cost.

@backtoschoolsnot in interested in what you mentioned about the cool box. So if I had a really decent cold box with ice, do you think that could see us through a weekend trip? Without replacing the ice? Sorry if that’s a fun question!

I was looking at Yeti boxes, thinking that they were top of the range, but they refuse to answer the ‘FAQ’ about how long the cold will last so I just thought “well what’s the point then?!” and assume I need a plug in one. I’m very happy to stick with a passive one if it’s worth it and less faff than plugging in.

Cool box can work depending on the weather, for a couple of days. If I have electric hookup I take a plug in one which copes with milk and butter etc.

i camp alone now - have a Vango 5 man.

I have a toilet which is my luxury! Also if I have electric- toaster, kettle, dvd player and heater!

seperate utility tent for cooking is nice as well.

We have a Yeti, we always get 4-5 days out of it, igloo are also very good.

This is a good tip, sounds very civilised

Loads of campsites have freezers so you can re-freeze ice packs for cool boxes. We take two sets of ice packs and have one in the cool box and one in the campsite freezer, and swap them over daily. Decent solid sided Coleman ice box or similar, keeps things cold really well. I think you’d probably be able to manage for a weekend without any bother. But don’t just pour a bag of ice in, it’ll go all watery and annoying (unless it’s a drinks ice box only!)

(eta your question more specifically- on a really hot day, the Coleman box with ice packs if not opened too much will keep things cold for about a day ish. Better if you keep it in the shade, outside the tent is cooler if it’s a really hot day, under a reflective blanket. We usually swap ice packs out daily. Can last longer if it’s not really sunny. )

I’d echo everyone saying comfy padded camping chairs are way nicer than wooden directors ones. Try some out at a camping shop to see what feels comfortable. Also fully agree with little folding side tables for drinks. We always take nice blankets for over our knees around the campfire (in the bbq after we’re done bbqing).
Tent carpet inside the tent makes it feel much nicer and cosy. Fairy lights too but don’t get big heavy ones, they’re hard to find things to hang them from.
Little flask with whisky and ginger and nice little cups to drink it from in the evening. Plus good insulated cups to keep tea / coffee warm. (This sort of thing- mug shaped not a flask https://amzn.eu/d/caiAiyY)
Pretty dock and bay type thin easy dry towels. Pack string to make a line to hang them up on outside the tent between trees.
And this is one of my fav bits - instead of melamine plates we have an eclectic mix of these type ones, from various museum shops and then the internet over the years! https://mostdeliciousdesigns.co.uk/collections/tin-plates
Hate the tin mugs though, I bought some once because they were so pretty but the lip is annoying to drink from.

A Lovely Set Up is so personal to your camping style.

Mine is this:
I never have EHU. I prefer ‘wild style’ sites where there is much more space between tents, secluded glades in woods or meadows. Don’t like camping in rows or Sites where people have TVs, projectors etc.

Cotton canvas tent. They are just nicer to be in. But must be packed away totally dry so I have ended up with it draped all over my front room on occasions. Lovely but not practical for everyone.

When we had poly tents: green not blue. I don’t think blue tents fit so well with an outdoor back to nature vibe. But current darker, more navy blue are better than the bright blue they all used to be

Cooler: Icey Tek. Yes it will keep ice for a weekend, if you pre chill it, pack it with frozen / chilled goods and don’t leave the lid open / keep opening it / adding non-chilled items. Coleman XTreme are also high performance passive boxes, cheaper but not as pretty. Plug in boxes are designed to chill to a certain number of degrees below ambient, so won’t do better with ice in hot weather. But you can buy ones that are properly refrigerated. They will make noise.

Bedding: I use a 10 Cm SIM but was also happy on 7.5. Kids can manage in thinner as they are lighter. For me, sleeping bag has to be cotton lined. If you use a duvet put something like a fleece blanket under your sheet, or sleeping on a SIM is a bit plasticky. Use blankets that you find pleasing.

BBQ: I love my Weber Go Anywhere.

Lighting: you can get lights that look like lightbulbs that are good. THESEare slightly garish but give good light and the batteries last for ages, I have them hanging inside and under my tarp. 6 for a tenner!

I use the IKEA cotton rugs in the bedroom compartment, you can get huge ones at low prices, they are washable. I much prefer them to synthetic tent carpets.

Accessories: I veer between traditional white enamel with blue rim plates and bowls, and retro pastel melamine. Little folding crates in lovely colours by Hay to keep cutlery and condiments in. You need a mug that suits you. I have a stainless steel insulated mug, practical for sitting out with my coffee, and a lovely original melamine orange one which gives me pleasure. Stainless steel insulated cafetière. Stove top espresso maker. Unbreakabke glasses that you like drinking from. I hate thick plastic so have some little tumblers that are finer plastic, and tumblers work better than stemmed glasses for wine when camping.

Folding washing up bowl with handles. Makes carrying stuff to the sink so much easier. Like this

Chairs: varies. I quite like the director style chair with the attached folding side shelf and pocket on the other side but they are not the best for lounging. If I had unlimited funds I would consider THESE . You can always drape a lovely throw or blanket over a comfy but ugly folding chair.

Essentials: removable shoes to keep mud and wet grass out of the tent. DoorMat outside door. Butchers / S hooks in your shower bag to create extra hanging over shower door. Dustpan and brush

Eat nice food. It is 100% possible with no extra faff or fuss.

I strongly recommend if you are going down the air tent route to get an outdoor revolution tent. Ours has lasted us 10 years and it’s still going strong.

We've built up our camping stuff over years. The most useful thing for us was two tables, we got some from Aldi that fold very small but fold out large, with stools inside. Then we keep one for eating from and the other for preparing food.

Also really good torches that double as lanterns. We had a lightbulb shaped one, i think from Mountain warehouse, that was great,had a clip so you could easily hang it from the ceiling or your belt.

My tip for camping generally is be as tidy as possible and keep vital things like a spare torch, car keys etc in a specific pocket in the tent so you always know where they are, and before it gets dark try and put stuff where it lives because looking for lost things in the dark is a nightmare (especially if it's your torch you're looking for lol).

The other thing we have is a box of all the kitchen stuff that is just for camping. So we just grab that box and know we have everything, rather than trying to remember peeler, grater, scissors etc individually. In that box is also strong black tape which is great for on the spot repairs of tents and other things.

its all very personal. For me:

a quick and eeasy to put up tent with a large living space and a large blackout bedroom (which means we get a good nights sleep and wake up when we are ready plus it doesn't get too hot)
I have always felt happier with the kids in the same section as us for safety and sleep better.
inflatable mattresses filling the whole bedroom area with proper duvets and pillows (bedding from home) everyone to stay warm.
Lightweight, comfy chairs
the plug in freezer box
lanterns, lights and torches to see inside and get to toilets easily

i avoid to much other stuff to make packing, set up, pack away as quick, easy and less stress as possible.

I am currently on my first trip with a Yeti cool box. I have only used some ice packs and initially some pre prepared frozen food to cool it down. I am 4 days in and everything is still cold.

www.coolboxesuk.com/collections/icey-tek-cube-boxes/products/icey-tek-25-litre-cube

Use vacuum storage bags to pack clothes,pillows,duvets etc. Take a dust buster to re pack.

Biggest difference for us was getting the big event awning from Colman, so we can still cook in the rain. And a big sturdy full size foldable table. We still have foldable decathlon chairs but their kind of small buckets that are very comfy. We're a bit too old to stoop in our old expedition tents so we will probably get a canvas bell tent in the next few years.

I haven’t read through all the replies so sorry if this is a repeat of what others have said.

We don’t use EHU so our comforts might be different to others.

We have an 8 man tent for 2 adults and 2 young children (Hi-Gear Zenobia 8 Nightfall, got it in the sale for £150 and it’s been amazing, stood up to strong winds and very heavy rain).

Tent carpet in middle of tent, some cheap insulated mats off Amazon for bedroom floors with a thin fleece on top to keep cold from coming up. Fitted sheets on the beds, own pillows from home and decent sleeping bags or duvet if you prefer.

We have the Coleman Xtreme cool box which cannot be plugged in but seriously it’s brilliant. We got some of those big gel ice packs, the types you get in food/meds that that are sent in the post so take days to defrost. Last trip, the box was cold Friday lunch time till Sunday afternoon when we got home and could have gone longer.

Nice cosy lights makes the difference for nighttime, I went for warm lights rather than bright white.

We also have a portable loo.. with 2 young kids it was needed and so glad we had it!

We do a lot of camping. Probably not as luxurious as you’re talking about. The things we absolutely love are…

Xped camping mattress. It’s expensive but keeps us warm, is so comfortable, self inflates, and has a groovy little hand pump to finish off. I honestly wouldn’t camp without it.

Cadac bbq. This thing is amazing. We even have a pizza stone for it so we can heat up pies, make pain au chocolat and obvs pizza too. It packs up well and has never let us down.

We have things like lightweight chairs which might not be suitable for everyone. They’re Helinox. Very well made and more sturdy than you might think.

Our latest favourite thing is an Igloo cool box. It last a few days and you can swap the ice packs over to keep it going. It’s not massive but suits 2 of us.

Hope that helps