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Hi,

We have decided that we are going to start camping think it will be a good experience for the children but we have no idea what we need to but what tent is best etc and we are hoping to go the 6th of july.

So can anyone tell me a list of items we really should buy to take with us.

We are looking at th gelert horizon 8, does anyone know if this tent is any good, there are 2 adult and 2 children but would like the space of a bigger tent.

Also i have been looking at site for booking somewhere to stay while looking i couldnt really understand the tariffs, there are a list of things like for the pitchand then pp could someone try to explain all this to me.

Thank you for reading and im hoping someone can help me

Hi, we started camping 3 yrs ago and have never looked back, we have 3 kids although the 19yr old does not camp as often now. We initially bought one of those cheap package deals from Argos which included a tent, sleeping bags and inflatable beds and the only things we used out of that now are the beds. The tent was too low and the sleeping bags were hell to get back in their covers.

What I would suggest you look out for is:

Size and height of tent, you want to be able to stand up and live in it should weather not be too good. Also you need to think of space it will take in your car as well as the other 'kid' gear.How easy is the tent to put up, do you need a small army or just the 2 of you (my kids are no help). Water column, the higher the number the better it will withstand British rain.

Invest in good sleeping bags, Millets do some reasonably priced ones, you want them nice and warm and easy to put away into small bundles again. Inflatable sleeping mattresses are always inflated easier with an electric inflator, Tesco's do a really good one.

With regards to other equipment it very much depends on car space and level of comfort, this is my camp gear (apart from that above)

Hob and portable BBQ, Folding table with chairs, Folding relaxing chairs, Larder to put hob and BBQ, Folding table for other cooking stuff, Electric Hook Up (EHU), Zipped larder for food (not nice to have flies around your food). I also bought a v cheap kettle and toaster from Sainsbury's for around £5 each.

We have a  pop up gazebo which creates extra space but due to fire regulations not all campsites let you have it on your pitch and some will insist that you hire another pitch for it.

Oh nearly forgot electric coolbox from Halfords which you can hook up to your 12v output in your car to keep things cold during journey and on-site.

I can get 4 of us, plus equipment into our Zafira plus roof box.....just! I've got my eye on a Gelert toilet for the nite time kiddies wees but I really don't think I have anymore space or money!

Hope it helps, welcome to camping hopefully you will enjoy it as much as we do, and don't forget to look at site reviews before you book.

May: Bath

July: Whitstable

August: Parc des Alicourts, France

TigerLily

In the Features/Tips section of this website, there is a 'camping checklist' This lists all the equipment you could need, as well as all those little bits and bobs you might overlook e.g torch, a light, matches, cooking things etc. I agree that if you can borrow any equipment and 'try before you buy' as it were, this would be a good idea. Take just the basics the first time, find out if camping is for you, AND your family, and upgrade later.

Good Luck and Have Fun

Sarah 

We started last year and really love it! I would say essentials are cosy and comfy sleeping gear. Hot water bottles nice when temperature drops! We manage fine with 2 suitcase stoves (around £9.99 each and in a little case- use small gas bottles just bigger than can of hairspray and pretty powerful and cheap) We also manage fine with a normal cool box and most sites let you freeze your icepacks. You can upgrade all this stuff if you really get into it. Agree- take the basics (but make sure you will be cosy and warm) and buy more stuff if you really like it. Also agree that tent you can stand up in and have  bit or living space you can stay in if it rains is essential. Overall, so far we have found there is a trade off between tent size, fitting it in your car and time to erect! You need to find the right balance here! 

We are going to go for the horizon 8 seen it errect and love it, the size is great.

My nan went camping last year to franch so we will probably borrow alot of her things instead of buying so that if we dont like it we havnt splashed out on everything.

Hot water bottles is a good idea for hubby and me, kids will have nice warm pjs on with a sleeping bag and if it is really cold we will have other blankets to put on them

You are all really helpful on here thank you

  Hi lwoolley

  Really pleased to hear you're giving it a go, I'll try not to repeat what's already been said.  As you've now decided on a tent thats great and the biggest headache over with. 

  The essential part after that is being warm, so try to go for season 2/3 sleeping bags.  Rather than waste money buying cheap bags then needing to upgrade, try to get quality (our youngest aged 7 had to have a pink bag, so started with an argos one, waste of money, she was too cold, then next bag: junior season 2, again no good, not big enough, finally bought a season 3, at last.  Could have saved myself  £30!!!)  It seems that Vango nitestar's are recommended on here.

  Next thing is something to sit on and a fold up table (which can double up for a kitchen/some thing to rest drinks on/eat from etc) and something to cook on (suitcase stoves) and something to keep food/drinks cool

  After this it really is about making use of what you have a home, ie picnic sets/melamine plates, blankets, pillows, airbeds or self inflating mats.

  Now is the time to make the most of the supermarket offers (for cheap fold up camping chairs) especially Aldi and Lidl which have quality gear and reasonable prices.  Yes the specialist camping and outdoor stores are great, but give it time, if you get bitten by the bug, you will become addicted and end up upgrading all your gear...............................

  But for now, so long as you are warm and get a good nights sleep, everything else will fall into place.

  Good luck and best wishes Sam

  Ps Don't forget to buy a mallet!!!!!!

What about the meridian 10 for £250?

http://www.campingandleisure.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=1_126&products_id=1382&osCsid=052fe19007d9d49fbd75d40337aba423