Whether you’re about to embark on a camping holiday or you’re gearing up for your first festival, there are camping essentials you must know as a camping beginner to ensure your first time is drama free!

Below are all the things we wish we’d been told before embarking on our first-time camping trip a very long time ago (back in the days when ‘online’ meant the washing was out)! From advice on the camping equipment, you mustn’t be without, to camping tips and hacks that’ll help it all go smoothly in the great outdoors. 

Of course, should you need any more advice about camping for beginners, simply get in touch or pop in store. We’re always keen to help - and will happily have a chat with you over tea or coffee at our in-house coffee shop.

Buy a tent that’s bigger than you need

A tent is a must - obviously. But many people buy a tent that is too small because they overlook the fact that they need space inside a tent to change clothes or store luggage in.  

Our advice? Buy a tent that can accommodate one more person than intended.  This will give you extra space for changing, washing and for your keeping your luggage in. If you’re buying a tent for a festival, remember you’ll need a porch you can store muddy boots - there’s nothing more rotten than dirty, wet sleeping gear!

We recommend: Coleman and Kampa both make good value tents for festivals and short-term camping trips.

 

Practise putting your tent up in the garden first

It’s simple, yes. But don’t skip this piece of advice! Not only does having a trial run at home mean you’ll be able to get your tent set up quicker when you reach your campsite (which is a blessing if it’s late at night or raining), it gives you a chance to check there’s no camping equipment missing. 

Yes, we have heard stories of beginner campers reaching their camp spot only to discover that their new tent is missing a couple of poles! It’s also the reason that we suggest buying a tent from a reputable store, like Attwoolls. 

Attwoolls TV has lots of advice on pitching different tents, as well as how to fix 

broken tent poles if the worse comes to the worse!

 

Sleeping bags shouldn’t be pricey when you’re a beginner

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by sleep bag choice when you’re camping as a beginner. But for a first-time camping experience in the UK, there really is no need to splash out on an arctic-rated sleeping bag when a standard rectangular one will do. Also, buying affordably gives you a chance to decide whether camping is for you and, if it is, upgrade should you want to go on more outdoor adventures perhaps further afield. 

We recommend: Outwell do a range of bags that are a good price and will 

perform well in UK weather.

 

Check your sleeping mat or airbed fits inside your tent

A sleeping mat or an airbed can make your beginner camp trip more comfortable. Which type you choose is really up to personal preference. 

Some words of warning though: foam mats aren’t great if you’ve hip or back problems and there’s no real point in spending a lot of money on fancy self-inflating mats when it’s your first time. A cheaper airbed and foot pump will give you a comfortable night’s sleep, without breaking the bank. 

Whatever you decide, just make sure you try your sleeping mat or airbed out inside your tent - the two need to fit together perfectly. Some mats can be wider than a tent interior, leaving you very little room inside the tent, whilst others can be longer. Meaning you might damage the tent seams trying to force your mat in or, worse still, you may have to sleep with your feet sticking out the front of the tent!

We recommend: Vango Dreamer 5cm

 

Camping around an open fire might not be all it’s cracked up to be

Romantic as it might be, a campfire can be hard work. You need good skills to get a campfire going and keep it alight, so if you’re not handy with the art of fire starting maybe think about packing an alternative. 

We recommend taking a lightweight gas stove with you as a backup to ensure you get a hot cuppa in the morning. 

The Campingaz Chef Folding Camp Stove is a table-top stove with a convenient carry case for extra protection during transport and storage. It’s good value for money, it's lightweight and it’ll give you the flexibility to test your outdoor cooking skills before either abandoning the idea altogether or upgrading to a double burner. 

Plus, its flat wide base is good for teenagers on a rowdy campsite, because it’s hard to knock over. 

 

Candles and tealights are a no no

Please don’t risk using candles and tealights on your beginner camping trip. Instead, bring head torches - they are useful for so many camping situations, including those middle of the night trips to the loo. They’re also a great festival camping equipment investment: they’re almost impossible to lose and are hands-free so you can dance and explore without having to carry a torch.

Alternatively, lantern-style torches provide good lighting inside a tent and most tents have a lantern or torch hanging strap at the centre of the roof. For both lanterns and head torches, remember to take them fully charged and pack spare batteries.

 

Do not leave home without these in your camping kit

No beginner’s camping trip in the UK is complete without these absolute essentials to tick off your camping checklist. Pack them, along with your sense of adventure, and you’re good to go!

  • Loo roll
  • Ear plugs (in case nature is a little louder than expected)
  • Emergency water and snacks
  • Bin bags (to keep dry clothes dry)
  • First aid kit
  • Gaffer tape (because it fixes just about anything!)