Our guide to camping joy
If camping isn’t your cup of tea – but you still fancy doing ‘your thing’ under canvas with all your home comforts and mother nature close by – a Sussex-based businessman may have found the perfect solutions for you.
Tim Bullen, founder of The Secret Campsite in Lewes, has come up with a formula that he believes guarantees an enjoyable experience, regardless of the weather conditions and your location.
And with millions of us looking for things to do this summer, now another staycation is a reality for the overwhelming majority, we thought we would share them with you, just in case ‘luxury and style’ are key considerations when you are making your holiday plans for July and August?
First things first – pay 'air-tent-ion'
It might sound obvious, but don’t forget to pack your tent with all poles and pegs before you reach the campsite. If you have an air tent (the latest in camping technology, using inflatable beams to hold up the structure), don’t forget to bring the pump. It’s wise to pack the tent in the car last so that if it’s raining you can keep everything else dry while you erect the tent.
Always overestimate the chill
Make sure to have a professional-grade sleeping bag (or one of the latest zipless varieties with an integrated comforter). These have been developed through years of research and for that extra touch of class, spruce up your campsite with a cashmere throw!
No lamp, no camp
Lighting choices are key to any camping trip, providing a warm welcome to returning campers and the lighting you need when the campfire has been reduced to embers. Old-fashioned storm lanterns provide a great ambiance to any camp setting, but the higher-tech LED lamps are often more practical for long-term use.
Remember, comfort is key
We all love the idea of sitting around the campfire on a log, discussing life’s deepest moral questions, but these aren’t solved quickly and logs aren’t as forgiving as memory foam, so pack camping chairs – one for each of your party. Bamboo canvas chairs are lightweight and stylish and provide hammock-like levels of comfort.
Cook in style
If you want something more versatile than the traditional camping stove, consider taking one of the lightweight and more efficient portable BBQs such as a stainless steel barrel-type model. Barbecuing is one of the most reliably popular forms of cooking if you are catering for a wide age group.
Don't forget to bring the brew
It sounds so obvious, but tea and milk are essential on the campsite, but for coffee lovers, there are many portable coffee machines available that can bring the barista-style coffee experience to your camping trip.
And make sure the toilets and showers work
Cleanliness is an essential ingredient of a happy holiday, so make sure that wherever you go, the site is blessed with good showers and ample toilets (that flush). There’s nothing worse than a bad loo experience to take the shine off a great time away.
Happy glamping!