The ultimate camping guide
If you’re planning an outdoorsy holiday, have a look at this download-and-keep camping guide designed to boost your alfresco adventures (while avoiding any of the potential pitfalls).
Whether you’re a newbie camper or a practised pitcher, our camping handbook will help your holiday run as smoothly as possible.
Invest in the right camping gear
Yep, we’re starting off on an obvious note here, but you’re going to need a tent. A classic pole tent will serve you well, but if you’re not confident enough in your construction skills – or just want to save some time – a pop-up option is a speedier choice. Whichever option you pick, make sure it has a double skin for warmth and waterproofness when camping in cooler climates. Check out our tent buying guide for essential advice.
Once you’ve got yours, practise putting it up in the back garden before heading off on an adventure. There’s pretty much nothing worse than turning up at a campsite in the middle of nowhere and realising, heart in mouth, that your tent was delivered without poles.
You’ll also need a sleeping bag and sleeping mat to keep you warm at night, as well as a few other essentials. Have a look at our guide to the top camping gear if you’re intending to set yourself up with a whole arsenal of equipment.
How to choose the best campsite
So you’ve decided to take the plunge, but picking the campsite seems to be a minefield…? Simplify the process with these need-to-knows.
Your average pitch has space for a four-person tent and a car, but if you’re really pushing the boat out by bringing a massive tent and all the camping-related trimmings (think a pup tent, awning and gazebo) it’s best to check the pitch size in advance or book by pitch type.
As a first-time camper, you might want fancy facilities instead of just access to a loo and a shower block – if so, we’ve got campsites with hot tubs, swimming pools and games rooms.
For other ways to whittle down your choices, turn to the handy filters on Pitchup. You can search by destination or based on the type of pitch you’d like – be it with space for a tent, motorhome/campervan or touring caravan.
Once you’ve decided on that, dive deeper into the different options on the left-hand site of the Pitchup page. For example, if you’re after a tent pitch in England you might also want to think about whether you want it in a remote location, within 15 miles of the beach or in the forest.
For more info, dive into our guide to choosing the very best campsite or holiday park.
How to put a camping packing list together
If you think you’ll be embarking on alfresco hols a lot more, one of our best beginner camping tips would be to prep a packing list. We have a quick checklist you can follow, as well as a more in-depth guide to the beginners’ camping kit you should bring.
The main bits to remember are a tent, sleeping equipment (a sleeping bag and mat at the very least), cooking utensils, food, a first-aid kit, toiletries and a torch.
What food to bring on a camping trip
Off to the middle of nowhere? This is where you’ll really need to prepare. As well as getting a camping stove, learn how to use it beforehand and grab some gas. You can also attempt to grill food in the flames for an authentic open-air experience.
On the flip side, there’s no need to venture into the back of beyond on a beginners’ camping trip. Look out for sites close to amenities or with on-site pubs, food shops and cafés. You can also easily experience the vibes of being deep in the countryside while being a five-minute drive away from the nearest town.
Pack snacks of the nonperishable sort to avoid the faff of finding a supermarket or restaurant when hungry, then stock up on supplies like canned foods (tinned tomatoes, beans, chickpeas and so on) and dried goods (pasta, quick-cook rice and other grains) for proper meals. Fresh stuff can go in the coolbox to help it last a couple of days.
As for cooking gear, pack pans, containers, plates, camping mugs and cutlery. Whatever you do, don’t forget matches and a tin opener!
It’s worth putting together a meal plan ahead of time and checking whether your campsite allows fires if you’re set on building a blaze.
What to wear camping
Layers. It’s all about the layers, especially if you’re camping in a cooler climate or at a destination with changeable weather. You can invest in fancy gear if you like, but you’ve probably already got plenty of camping-friendly clothes at home. Bring leggings or long johns to wear under pyjamas; vests and long-sleeved tops are also fab for keeping you cosy.
You’ll need a few chunky pairs of socks, especially if you’re planning to hike. And if you take away just one key tip from this camping guide, it should be to take a warm jacket or fleece – and make sure to add a raincoat to your rucksack too.
Waterproof shoes, whether trainers or hiking boots, are a must. There is nothing, we repeat, nothing worse than spending days on end with soggy feet.
Bring sandals and your usual warm-weather garb for sunnier days (fingers crossed) as well.
Where to go camping
There are thousands of places to go camping both in the UK and globally, so we have created some helpful guides to help you narrow down your next camping location.
How to keep yourself entertained while camping
The best camping trips are about slowing things down and exploring nearby nature, but you’re likely to have a bit of relaxation time on site as well. For an off-grid trip, bring books and games; travellers attached to their mobile devices will want to check their campsite has electricity and wifi.
And if it rains? Go home. (Just kidding – we would never condone such behaviour.) If you’re threatened with showers, this is when indoor play areas, heritage sites and amusement arcades really come into their own.
Look at the 'local attractions' section of the listing of the campsite you’ve chosen on Pitchup.com and you’ll see a local area guide that should have at least a couple of indoor entertainment suggestions.
More top tips for beginners’ camping holidays
A few more bits and bobs to keep in mind from this camping guide include making sure to give other groups enough space and avoid hogging the shared showers – for extra tips on what not to do when camping, swot up by reading our etiquette guide.
Got to the end of this ultimate camping guide and think yes to the tent but no to some of the bits that go with it? Check out our lowdown on glamping instead and look forward to experiencing a posher take on pitching up.