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Quote: Originally posted by dezzie on 04/4/2011

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Its a bit "off" to just point you in the way of the search button.

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Quote: Originally posted by oldham on 05/4/2011

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...]keep it simple...the more you take the less you go...

Leave the EHU until you decide camping is for you...

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Hi Mav

I think when you are starting out it helps to think about what you need in terms of the different areas – i.e. sleeping, living, eating. Makes it easier to work out what you need.

Agree with what everyone has said about sleeping being the most important. Personally I like the airbed (go for mid range £25-30 for a double) as the cheap ones tend to go down, plus if you don’t like camping it will come in handy round the house if you have guests or children’s sleep overs. I also like a double sleeping bag for me and the OH. You get the benefits of the warmth of a sleeping bag but it feels like a quilt. I get tied in knots in those mummy sleeping bags and prefer something cotton lined (think mine is a Coleman one and got it reduced for about £40).

Other than sleeping you can probably go cheap on the rest and improve later if you like it. Can pick up folding chairs for a fiver a go (less for children’s), a cheap folding table, two ring cooker for £20-30, cheap windbreak etc.

Best investment I made was in three plastic storage boxes. Means that I can keep a large amount of the camping gear packed and ready to go. In one I keep living accessories – torch, lamp, playing cards, plasters etc, in the other pots pans and plates, and in the third all the associated bits for cooking so tea towels, dish clothes, washing up liquid. I find that it makes packing so much easier and you are less likely to forget things. Everything is put away clean and dry before we leave the site and I have a sticker on the top of each on which I write anything we have run out of when packing up so I can replace it before the next trip.

Here’s my list if it’s of use (obviously you will need children’s bits and bobs too)

CAMPING LIST

TENT

Ground sheet

Mallet

Extra pegs

Windbreak

Sleeping

Air bed

Roll mats

Fleecy blanket

Sleeping bag

Pillows

Pump

Torch

Living

Table

Chairs x 2

Picnic  blanket

Light

Dominoes

Cards

Crib

Radio

Gas lamp (shed)

Cooking

Small wind break

Cooker (and gas – shed)

Gas lighter

Pan set

Frying pan

Splatter screen

Plates etc

Cutlery

Knife(s)

Cooler bag

Ice packs

Tin opener

Wooden spoon

Tongs

Washing up bowl

Washing up liquid

Sponge

Dish cloths

Tea towels

Matches

Dust pan and brush

Water carrier

Other

Midge repellent

Plasters

Paracetamol

Umbrella

Toilet roll

Clothes

Towels

Quote: Originally posted by Sceptical Camper on 05/4/2011

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Quote: Originally posted by dezzie on 04/4/2011Its a bit "off" to just point you in the way of the search button.

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No it's not - the power of the search facility may not be obvious to first-time users of UKCS Forums yet it unlocks a vast wealth of information. Search should be the newcomer's first port of call. Quite apart from helping newbies locate info, it saves the rest of us having to answer the same (understandably popular) questions again and again. Why keep reinventing the wheel?

As for 'just', I went on to offer explanations and advice on specific points as the thread developed. I spend quite a lot of time trying to explain stuff to new UKCS members in jargon-free plain English so it's a bit rich to imply I was fobbing Mav off.

Quote: Originally posted by oldham on 05/4/2011...]keep it simple...the more you take the less you go...

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Leave the EHU until you decide camping is for you...

Both those points are good advice for a first-time summer-only camper. Suck it and see - if you like camping you can add to your inventory as you go on.

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Quote: Originally posted by DaveWr on 04/4/2011

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Thermarest if you are well infused with cash.

http://www.fieldandtrek.com/thermarest


Alpkit Dozer et al if on more of a budget.

http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=category&category_id=289

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 your taking a big risk asking this lot on here by the time they've finished giving u advice on wot u need you would b cheaper buying a hotel  seriously tho u hav cum 2 the right place they REALLY r a great bunch of people on here & each & every 1 of them seem 2 hav sum great ideas & advice