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Having made the jump into camping, we've just made our first purchase, the tent!!

So now, it's all the other stuff to go with it, but what would people deem essential and what is just a nicety? We've already got air beds, plan to use duvets to sleep under and have a 2 ring camping stove.

Table + chairs - Integrated (seem a bit small and flimsy) or seperate picnic type table and deck chairs (maybe more versatile)?

Cooking - do you need special camping pans, or would a cheap set of pans from the cheapy shop be ok? It's not for Gordon Ramsay!!

Plastic plates or proper ones, same with cups and glasses?

Lighting - what sort of lanterns are good value? How many?

Mail order, ebay or camping store?

I'm really sorry if this is a bit numpty, but I'd like some sort of idea before I buy stuff I don't really need. I don't want our first experience to be a bad one, but I'm also wary of spending a fortune, just in case we don't like it and end up only using it once!!

Thanks everyone, Timmy T

As long as your tent doesn't leak and you have warm beds to sleep in you'll be fine, what else you take is up to you. 

I used to use the duvet all the time but sleeping bags are smaller, make sure you put something (picnic rug or roll mats) under the airbed then put another blanket on top of the bed before putting your sheet on the airbed to stop condensation. 

You can either buy cheap set of pans or take a couple from the cupboard at home, same with cutlery etc. 

I've got a separate table and chairs as the ones that come together aren't strong enough for my big bum but they're great for kids.

Get a set of melamine plates bowls etc now's the right time of year to get them from the supermarket quite cheap.

Couple of torches and a rechargable lantern for light (solar lanterns or glowsticks if you've got kids are good)

As to where to buy from, I usually look at price on internet and see it in the flesh in camping shops, if it's cheaper buy it online, if not get in the shop.

Hope that helps a bit.

Well we have cheap pans from Argos £8.00, melamine tableware four place settings for £10.00, cutlery from Argos £2.00 the set, and plastic glasses from Woolworths for a couple of quid, and an adjustable table with three folding chairs  

What a list!! Thanks to everyone.  

Just one thing though, I think a couple of wine glasses are a must. A big plummy red never tastes the same out of plastic!!!!!

I have one tip that I gleaned elsewhere on this great forum, instead of pyjamas wear a pair of comfy tracky bottoms and a jersey top. Two reasons: one, it gets colder than you think at night when you're outdoors and two, they're great for trips to the loo, etc, if you're not keen on parading your well worn jim jams in front of a bunch of strangers

I have everything plastic (plates, cups, cutlery, etc) that I keep in a box in the understairs cupboard, makes packing so much quicker!

And lastly, before you leave prepare a flask of tea/coffee and make sure you know where your mugs are. The first thing you'll want when you arrive after the drive is a lovely hot drink, fortifies you nicely for setting up camp  Hope you have fun!

Quote: Originally posted by Timmy T on 10/6/2007

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Don't think the one to be obeyed would be too impressed eating off paper, the thought of eating off melamine is bad enough!!!

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