Message Forums

Later this month my wife and I are going camping for the first time!  A few days near York.

We have a tent, sleeping bags and inflatable bed.  I am aware that we will need several other items such as cutlery, cool box, chairs etc but can any of you advise me on cooking equipment or anything you might think we will not realise we'll need.

Thanks in advance  

Hi Briggers, welcome to ukcs, there's a checklist here that covers just about everything.

The suitcase type single burner stoves that use the disposable cartridges are very handy and are only about £10 in poundstetcher or instore. You can use pots and pans from home, you don't need special camping ones.

Freeze bottles of water instead of icepacks for your coolbox, they last longer and you can drink the water when it melts. also, freeze milk, orange juice, butter , bacon suasages, meat, before putting in the coolbox, they keep fresh a lot longer that way.

A light is essential, gas or battery, and a bucket with a lid, for night time to save trekking to the loo block in the dark.

Above all have fun, relax, and if you do find you need help putting up the tent, ask for help, most campers are only too willing to help.

Hi Briggers,

You've come to the right site for help and information. We've just been away for the first time after purchasing most of our equipment using advice from this site and had a fantastic time.

I must admit we threw ourselves in head first buying everything from a Campingaz stove and Cobb to a  Porta Potti!

One of our best buys however  was definitely the foil backed picnic rugs from Woolworths (about £6.99 each) which we used in the sleeping compartments, on top of the air mattress and of course for picnics.Made our tent really comfy!

Head torches were also invaluable for keeping hands free when rootling through your bags in the darkness!

If you use the search button above you can find information about pretty much everything in past posts!

Happy camping!

Hi Briggers & welcome to the most addictive forum on the net

If you're using an airbed take particular note of the tip Myzvix gives above - use a blanket or fleecey matress cover between the airbed and your sleeping bags, otherwise you will wake up with a damp sleeping bag  Condensation is caused by the cold air in the airbed hitting the warmth of your bodies, a layer between will help prevent this.

You will need something to carry water from the site tap to your tent - this doesn't have to be a camping water carrier, you can use a couple of empty 2ltr pop bottles, or a 5ltr Buxton Spring Water bottle, which you can throw away at the end of your holiday.

Unless you have a very small tent (whereby you may cook on the ground outside the tent) you will probably want to use a table to sit your cooker on and prepare meals on.

A bowl is a good idea if there are no washing-up facilities at the site, or if there are, a crate or something to carry the crocks over in.

Don't forget the kettle  and remember to grab the pillows off your bed at home & pack them in the car (something which is so easy to forget).

Make your own equipment list and allow space to tick everything off as it's packed in the car, but most of all.....enjoy your camping holiday

Welcome to UKCS, I agree with beefysmum about the suitcase style stoves, we have two and they have done us proud over the last couple of years. We have now invested in a Gelert double hob and grill, haven't christened it yet but we are away this saturday to Devon so will let you all know.

Also I say the same as JK98, wise words of wisdom there. Whatever your question you can be sure that you will get plenty of help here.

Enjoy!!!!

Many thanks for the advice so far.

This website certainly seems to be the best around for camping, and as many of you say, very addictive!

I've now started to think it might have been a good idea to ask for advice on this site regarding which tent to purchase!

We have already bought a Gelert Monsoon 4.  Although there is only 2 of us we liked the idea of a 4 berth tent for the extra room (and it was reduced to £90).  Was this a sensible buy?  We haven't used it yet and therefore could take it back.  Any recommendations for 2 people wanting plenty of space?

You wont go far wrong with a gelert !!

They are one of the best names at the lower priced end of the market!

I would take a couple of extra blankets ,even if the weather reports are excellent ,a warm night in a brick house is not the same as in a tent in the middle of a field ,it can get very cold !

Quote: Originally posted by babybels71 on 03/8/2006

---

Welcome to UKCS, I agree with beefysmum about the suitcase style stoves, we have two and they have done us proud over the last couple of years. We have now invested in a Gelert double hob and grill, haven't christened it yet but we are away this saturday to Devon so will let you all know.

Also I say the same as JK98, wise words of wisdom there. Whatever your question you can be sure that you will get plenty of help here.

Enjoy!!!!

---

Yes babybels didnt those stoves serve 8 people well!! They were brilliant!!  Tea anyone??

Quote: Originally posted by JK98 on 02/8/2006

---

You will need something to carry water from the site tap to your tent - this doesn't have to be a camping water carrier, you can use a couple of empty 2ltr pop bottles, or a 5ltr Buxton Spring Water bottle, which you can throw away at the end of your holiday.

 

Just adding my 2 penneth for what it's worth - I used proper camping water carriers for ages then realised that the reason the water tasted funny while camping was not the problem of the water pipes on every site we went to, but the fact that the taste of the plastic carrier was in our water!! So now, we always just stop at a shop en route & get a 5L bottle of Buxton spring water, 5L bottle's are good as they have a thick handle at the top which makes pouring a doddle!

Have fun!!