What are the absolute minimum equipment for Camping and what is a good cheap tent?

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I would like for us to go camping on a budget so what do we absolulty need?

And does anyone know a good cheap tent.

It will be DH, DD (18months) and me

When we camp we don't go too far away, that way if the weather turns, or someone is ill, you can just pack up and go home.

Try to take just the basics, Food, Shelter, Warmth is all we need! Tie hair up and don't worry about washing it. I find camping a wonderful excuse to have a weekend without giving a damn how I look or smell .

I would invest in a decent tent though, it's something you can use over and over again, and go one size bigger so you have room to breathe in there.

I don't actually own a tent, we usually just gate-crash friends/family's tents (I have a big family and we all go together). But this year we're getting our own car so we are thinking of getting a pop-up tent. You can get good quality 4 man tents that pop-up, designed for use at music festivals, by drunk teenagers, so should take the stress out of putting the damn thing up.

I will also suggest a picnic blanket with a waterproof back, plastic plates and cutlery, one of those gas cooker thingys, warm jumper (even in the middle of summer it will be cold at night), waterproofs, bottled water, teabags, beer and as many sandwitches as you can fit in your car! Suncream.

Good sleeping bags - don't scrimp here, you will be sorry!! Put a layer between the groundsheet and the airbed too, to stop the cold rising.

We gathered equipment over two or three camping trips, starting with a boot full of stuff, then a roofbox and a boot full of stuff then a trailer and a roofbox and a boot full of stuff and a bike rack so you can see how these things progress!!

Keep it basic first time in case you hate it but investigate lights/lamps and a good little stove are the essentials too.

Our first tent was a Nevada 5 from Argos (in the sale it was about 80 quid) and was perfect for two adults and two little children). We moved on to a bigger tunnel tent with more living space (just before DH decided camping was the devil's work and refused to go EVER AGAIN). LOL

Do you have friends that you could borrow stuff from?.. or gate-crash their camping trip perhaps?. It's not for everyone...if you can try it without spending too much money, it might be a better idea.

If you want to spend out then must haves are:

Tent
sleeping bags with something for them to go on (mats/airbeds)
Food (you could eat out every lunch and evening and take/buy quick stuff for breakfast or just eat cereal)
cool bag with blocks (for milk etc)
stove
something to sit on (you could do without but it makes life so much easier)
cutlery (just takes stuff from home)
plates/cups(ditto)
kettle
torches/light
good warm and waterproof clothes
jumpers and spare blankets
wine
first aid kit

a surface to cook on/eat off makes a world of a difference.
(tbh if you still like it after just buying those basics above...then you are a stayer i reckon )

You don't need a kettle! We just use a saucepan. Take pillows though - really regretted not having them the first time we went camping.

You WILL want biscuits and crisps, even if you aren't cooking. But there is NOTHING like a fry up in the morning when camping, it's the best brekkie ever, so worth taking the stuff for that if you can be bothered.

Depends what kind fo camping you want to go in for really. All our stuff fits in 2 rucksacks or on the back fo the bikes.
The only thing you REALLY need (in this country) is a good waterproof tent (and beer). Everything else depends on what kind of camping you are planning.
My big must is decent sleeping bags but if you have a car you can get away with using lots of duvets esp in hte summer. Most people like an airbed which does make things a bit more comfy. as for the rest I think the main thing that makes camping enjoyable is organisation and BEER (or wine)

We....ll. With just 3 of you and your dd a toddler...are you ok with cosleeping? (we do anyway).

If so, and you can't borrow/freecycle a tent, I'd get one just big enough to fit a double airbed.

If you like it and upgrade, it is actually quite useful to have a spare smaller tent, imo.

Tescos etc do cheap deals

that said, I'd really recommend my tent to a small family, it is a vango ventura 500, and the beauty of it is it is mainly one large living space (with small porch) which is handy if you have small kids to watch. Very waterproof too ;-) .

Cotswold Outdoor do some inexpensive "bare minimum" camping packages. When you think about it people backpack and camp.

Our minimum Pre dc used to be

Tent, mallet
Roll mats
Sleeping bags
Wee stove and cooking tins
few mugs plates and cutlery sets
Water carrier
Torches
Kettle (only cost about 2.99 and boil quicker)
Picnic blanket
Decent sharp knife is useful,
essential utensils like tin opener

We are just getting into that big tent-chairs and table stuff, I miss those days when we packed a little dome tent onto a motorbike and went exploring.