Message Forums

UFO lights - can be hung, carried to the toilets with you (excellent for kids as lightweight) or laid upside down on the table so freestanding too. I understand you can get decent ones from Poundland (for a £1 obviously), but we got ours from Wilkinsons for £3.99. Just use rechargable batteries and take spares - easy, cheap and if they get broken your budget doesn't.

We have a large rechargeable but it doesn't last an evening fully and my husband kept hitting his head when it was suspended in the tent before we discovered UFO lights. We also have an old tilley lamp that my husband won't be parted from although we don't need it. Not used inside the tent in case it gets knocked over.

Also have head torches for directional light if need to be hands free.

Helen

Another vote for UFO led lights.  Cheap to buy (I got mine for about £3 from Asda 2 years ago) and cheap to run (I've only needed one change of batteries so far).  I have a small handheld torch for loo trips and late night dog walk although I am considering a head-torch.

The only drawback to the UFO's is that the light they cast is a cold blue/white, rather than the warm yellow glow you get from traditional lamps and torches.  They are however very practical!

For 'atmosphere' I also have an oil-burning lantern which casts a lovely yellow glow and as I use citronella oil it keeps the bugs at bay.  Absolutely useless for reading by though!

In our awning, we use a solar powered shed light.  the panel is quite small and sits outside in the sun charging up the batteries inside the light during the day.  once night falls, just flick the switch and you have a reasonable light inside.  more than adequate to see where you put your can/glass/cuppa etc and to move around without walking into things/eachother.

for sitting outside we use a campingaz lamp and for walking around the campsite we use headtorches or a windup torch depending on what we grab first.