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

Amazing pizza @noodlebugz i think we’d love to try that as well. Your proved dough looks incredible! We opted for really easy recipes but still found it hard to juggle everything on only one cooking source. As I mentioned, we were short on tables/ surfaces as well so that obviously didn’t help us with food prep/ serving either.

With the Cadac we have the paella pan as well as the grill. I expect if/ when we get the pizza stone, we may not be able to pack it all in together - I assume it’ll be either paella pan or pizza stone… do you know?

We haven’t tried to pack either with it to be fair - seems to be floating round in the cupboard, but the pizza stone is less than 2cm thick in its bag so I imagine it would fit, may even fit inside the paella pan bag but If have to check.

Looks great @ViaRia01 !

Airbeam tents do take up a lot of car space.

You might now be on the camping trajectory of top box, trailer, ‘oh let’s get a bigger car’… with top box, trailer…

To supplement your cadac you can get single ring burners that sit on top of what I think are the same gas canisters.

e.g www.amazon.co.uk/Campingaz-Connection-Function-Lightweight-Festivals/dp/B0G49V4ZTT/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?adgrpid=184742018805&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.h3hyprLChU0WhA0xL3vr0SH76w73y25z0auC58WYK7-v5OS1I7_vg7JL4SwmM6TwMfyTj7Az4ggYx7tLtI6ChE3iBBQwya0AG_srds_ImXZas7-iFUFOXOs8fE4Oe26S6aTrQfs_TOtpEG-AJVHFhpJEglPhrNxoXOf5aTaP5F-a4Vk0EUM845Wp0-VY91tIltlpHGLcyDVTK70_eKbgWQ.whTnzCdoNCqyRPQrtwCDxPjpPaFhHMOVk_FulIDd7_0&dib_tag=se&gad_source=1&hvadid=779393360843&hvdev=m&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9045888&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=12211998384162308461--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=12211998384162308461&hvtargid=kwd-456732934940&hydadcr=8801_2248687_399604&keywords=best+single+burner+camping+stove&mcid=1fc7530330cf3c619f273fc180026662&qid=1779786259&sr=8-1-spons&aref=aJshuCKLWY&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1

I’m wondering about those micro camping chairs, like this
https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/products/helinox-sunset-chair-multi-791721?variant=55893126119750&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20278605250&gbraid=0AAAAADqy5mo8h9bAN80eCLEOzhGtCHdpm&gclid=CjwKCAjwidXQBhAZEiwA4egw6Do2m3LVJIvd50oBxthKmxGsBqgJpQRxTUihEKI9bkSRB3qjzE1UyBoCC20QAvD_BwE

I noticed lots of Vango stuff on other campers on site and I’m pretty happy with our Vango tent so far. Can anyone recommend Helinox/ Vango chairs in this style or another brand? Or anyone who would not recommend for any reason? Ideally I’d like a chair comfortable to lounge in but also possible to use at a table when eating (assuming I’d have to lean forward without support to some extent but as long as it isn’t far too low or uncomfortable I think it would be ok).

These are nice little chairs, but very low and small, suggest you try them out before committing. They are great for lightweight camping we have them to take on a motorbike, but you would just want a low coffee-type table with them. Decathlon do a cheaper version too (as with everything camping).

Those chairs look ok but always good to try them out first. They also don’t look ideal for sitting at a table with as they’re quite reclined.
Though we never managed to eat at a table - it was all too wobbly really. Unless it’s a picnic bench kind of table - they work well with small kids but they’re not very compact.

This sort of table is really handy, and it’s easy to slip into a full camping car as it folds flat. You can separate the legs from the top as well to make it extra easy to stash in the boot. We have a couple of these and they’re invaluable when camping, they’re a bit non slip too (within reason).
https://amzn.eu/d/00PZWeAs

Re chairs - basically, the comfier ones are a bit padded which is lovely and extra warm when it’s a chilly evening - but they take up a lot more space.
They’re basic, but these type (available in pretty much every camping / outdoor shop) fold down quite tidily and the cup holder is useful.
https://amzn.eu/d/05huayxP
If you’re tight on space they’re relatively easy to slot into the car.

I’ve got a similar chair but to be honest it’s not that comfortable so I bought this one and really like it - https://www.campingworld.co.uk/Mobile/en/gb/Outwell-Sauntons-Ergo-Core-Chair/m-m-30622.aspx?PartnerID=1631&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3uabiubXlAMVAJtQBh1GsAoFEAQYASABEgL2d_D_BwE&utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=UnitedKingdom

But I don’t sit at a table to eat, I’m only 5ft tall and everything I need for camping has to fit in my Smart ForTwo so I’m not the best source of info if those exact set of circumstances aren’t relevant to you!

thanks again for the recommendations/ advice, I will look into these. I definitely prefer to shop in person and try things out but there doesn’t seem to be much choice in store, so frustrating. I found a great independent camping shop but it’s not local.

I've also just bought a “ washing machine” (non electric) which you agitate with a handle, and then change for spin drying. Not bad for smalls or refreshing clothes during longer camps.
The majority of my camping is either wild or on festival sites, so I also have an entrenching tool, biodegradable wet wipes and a “loo” where you bag your waste for proper disposal.

Lidl do extremely large picnic blankets and they are very good.