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 I agree! It is perfectly do-able you just need to think about what you really, really need to take. Anything else, leave at home, borrow or improvise!  I have just got back into camping, I am a single mum with a 9yr old and no car. I pack a 90 ltr rucksuck (it is big and heavy when full) with everything I need. If the weather is cold I take extra bedding and my daughter carries the sleeping bags. I carry the tent seperately as it makes the rucksack too heavy for me. I bought a tent slightly bigger than our needs as I really wanted some living space as well as sleeping space (which is a godsend if it rains). The tent weighs about 6 kg which I manage fine with the rucksack. We take - tent, torches, sleeping bags, campingaz twister stove and gas, 1 pan, small kettle, 2 bowls, 2 fork/spoon thingys, lamp, backpacker airbeds, pen knife, string, collapsible water carrier, extra blanket if cold, wipes, basic toiletries, clothes(bare minimum but lots of socks!) and waterproofs. Oh, and a small bucket with lid for night-time emergencies! I think thats it pretty much.  Obviously you need more stuff for baby but your other child could carry a small rucksack and a couple of light sleeping bags and the buggy can be loaded up no problem.

I try to go to places where there is space to give kids freedom and explore their environment which means I don't need to take stuff for my daughter to do. I personally avoid sites with lots of facilities and look for ones with woods, streams, beaches and good walks (these are cheaper too). She normally packs a book, pocket kite, beach ball, paper, pencils and a pack of cards and this is more than enough. Lots of the campsite reviews on here give you an idea of what is within walking distance and the cool camping books do also, as well as telling you how to reach sites by public transport.

We have been camping with friends in a car, but my daughter says that it's more of an adventure going by train, bus etc. We love it, happy camping!

Agree with Kerryemp, definately possible.

I go by train with a 25ish kg canvas tent and plenty of other clobber as well.....there's just me and my eight year old son and we muddle along just fine!

If you want to go, just go....and have fun.

Well. Hats off to Kerryemp and Splendidisolation! I don't think I could do it successfully, but they show it CAN be done.

Quote: Originally posted by kerryemp on 10/6/2009

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25kg? That is heavy. I can totally see why you do it though, I've been looking and looking and looking at canvas bell tents and I so want one but I'm not as strong as you!  

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It's an army arctic ridge tent ( I have got the arctic bell as well, but I've never taken that by train!) and I have to put the poles and canvas in different bags to make it easier to manage! I certainly don't carry it any distance!...it's onto train..off train....straight into taxi....etc.

I suppose I really ought to buy a lighter tent for these trips but I've actually just bought another similar canvas tent which should be better in  warm (?) weather..and it weighs the same!...If there's a difficult way of doing something..then I'll do it!

Im really not that strong.....daft maybe....but not strong.

Great to read the post above about the family that went from Leeds to Isle of Coll .....proves it's possible with a young family.

Hi Nanashirley,

That's where I go by train!...I also get that train but join it later in Birmingham....I think a fair few people go by train to Scilly as it saves having to pay the car parking fees in Penzance.

What was the weather like this Easter?....please don't say it was too good as I usually go at Easter but could not stretch to it this year!

Think about the load - 1 large family tent, 4 sleeping bags, stove, fuel, clothing, baby gear, buggy, mattress's. Plus the kids on a crowded train and how much the train costs these days. Hire a car it will be far easier.