How to be comfortable when camping

When people ask me about my holiday plans and I tell them that I go camping every year with my family I sometimes get some funny looks which say ‘wouldn’t you much prefer a nice beach holiday or city break’? Sure, I also enjoy globetrotting and sun lounging but camping has been one of my favourite holidays for as long as I can remember.

When you think of camping you might picture a small tent being battered by the elements and some poor campers huddled for warmth whilst trying to cook something from a tin over a gas fire and I am sure there are camping purists out there that really want to escape modern comforts and get back to nature, but for those of us who want to have a relaxing break here are some top tips for being comfortable whilst camping.

• Tent: This might seem obvious but make sure you have the correct tent for your trip. You will want a tent which will keep you safe from the elements as well as providing enough space for you and your fellow companions to sleep and live comfortably. I would suggest you always go for a tent bigger than you think you need as you will probably end up taking more gear than you are expecting. Also, consider the space you will want in the sleeping area for getting up/ getting dressed and where you’re going to store your bag of clothes.
• Bedding: One of the most important things when camping is to make sure you can get a good nights’ sleep. Make sure you choose your sleeping gear carefully. You will need something to sleep on like a sleeping pad or mattress. Make sure to find one which has a good amount of padding so it provides a plusher sleeping surface and you don’t end up feeling the ground through it. You will also need something to sleep in. Sleeping bags come in a range of materials and shapes so spend some time researching what will best suit your needs. Simply Hike stocks a huge range of adult and children sleeping bags for everything from family camping holidays to Expedition, 4 season sleeping bags.
• Cooking: Over the years camp kitchens have come a long way and with the help of electricity you can practically have all your modern cooking equipment when camping. We have the added bonus of taking a camper van with us which means we have an oven and 2 ring gas hob where we prepare most of our meals. Don’t forget you can also take a toaster and kettle with you and a good cold box is key if you don’t have a camper van with a fridge to keep your food fresh. It’s best to only keep a couple of days worth of food and buy more as needed to make sure you don’t run out of space.
• Home Comforts: Most campsites will offer electricity hookups and WIFI for those of us who want some modern comforts such as lighting, heating and somewhere to charge your phones/ tablets/ laptops. Don’t feel like you can’t take advantage of these. I tend to work from our tent when I’m away so electricity and WIFI is key for me! Don’t just consider electricity as a home comfort, buy some inflatable lounge-furniture for the ultimate chilled out evenings complete with your favourite hygge blanket.
• Prepare: If you’re unsure what you will need for your camping trip then why not attend a Camping Show? There are several around the UK where you can see camping products and talk to the experts to get a better idea of what to pack. The Camping and Caravanning Club website has a handy list of events going on for some inspiration.