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Most of my camping experience is without a car - much of it out in the wilds - I'm only just now getting into this whole car-camping lark, now I've got three small children.  Just got a tent that weighs twice as much as my whole rucksack-full would have in the old days!

The thermarests you already have will be great. I also recommend a trangia stove - but consider getting a gas convertion thing for it.  Meths can be a bit messy and slow to heat things - a gas powered trangia is IMHO the best relatively lightweight stove around.  We have amassed our lightweight gear over years, but it can get really expensive - down sleeping bags (with silk liners!) are great, for instance.  For me part of the joy of camping is that you're ditching most of the paraphenalia of everyday life, and just existing with the basics (while still being comfortable, of course).  It's amazing what you can do without - just go through all the things you usually take any ask yourself 'do I REALLY need this?'  Get yourself a rucksack too. It sounds like you won't have far to walk, and you can stroll into the campsite with a smug air of self satisfaction as you pass by the other campers with their excess of unneccesary kit.

And another thing - if you're going to Keswick don't worry about forgetting anything - you've got countless opportunities to buy whatever you thought you could do without in town, just minutes walk from the bus stop.

The Highlander rucksacks are well thought of.  OH is off on a bushcraft course this week and has done his homework and this name came up again and again.  He got his from an army surplus shop, 66 litres for about £50.

Ali

Have you looked at http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk ? they have a lot of useful, lightweight stuff. There is a lightweight forum here: http://s11.invisionfree.com/tramp where there are lots of friendly helpful people - many cycle campers but some backpackers as well.

Quote: Originally posted by bluebottle on 15/5/2007

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Have you looked at http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk ?

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i have no intention of backpacking but all those cute gadgets bring out the girlguide in me and i want them

My wife and I went backpacking to Italy last year. We are both in our fifties and hadn't done anything like that since before we were married. We are going to Germany camping at the end of June, again without the car. My advice would be to reduce the non-essentials such as clothes, books etc to a minimum. Also make sure your tent has enough space for your gear as you won't have a car to store it in. We bought a two-man Vango Gamma 250 which was ideal. Get the biggest rucksack you can as space is more important than weight. We also got a luggage trolley which was great for carrying the tent and the extra bag we had with us. Hope you have a great time.

I'm new to family camping but done a lot of back packing. heres some top tips.

Self inflating Thermarest  is a must.
Good sleeping bag that packs small and light.
Adjust your rucksack properly it makes the world of differnece
Decent Boots.
Take half of what you think, then leave half of that.(20Kg is too much, get it to 15kg if you can)
Trangia and a Meths bottle for cooking. Porriage is a lightweight breakfast, freeze dried food tastes yuk.
Don't take spare shoes, or jeans. (Make sure your boots are waterproof though)
Do take a flash light.
If it rains too much, get a B&B ! ;-)

Good tips, thanks.

We already have lightweight thermarests :-) Best bit of kit ever! Also have decent walking boots. I'm not planning on carrying more than 10kg - I'm so unfit it would kill me! We're going to use the sleeping bags we already have for our first trip (as it's not really backpacking haha - we'll only have to walk less than a mile from the bus station to the campsite!) but planning to get something smaller for next time.

I was in Keswick today (live nearby) and had a thought about your post..

When you get into Keswick, the bus stops right next to an excellent local supermarket (Booths).  You'll be able to stock up on any food you need, so don't bother bringing any.  More importantly - if you don't fancy carrying all your gear to the campsite, you could always surreptitiously wheel your shopping trolley (with your camping gear in too) down the road to the campsite!   Just wheel it back later on to get your £1 back.