Pitchup.com's camping guide
Welcome to Pitchup.com’s camping guide, where we delve into the nitty-gritty of how to have a holiday spent outdoors – whether your chosen accommodation is a tent, lodge, caravan, yurt, or something else entirely…
What is camping?
If you’re a beginner at all this, let’s get back to basics. Camping doesn’t just cover grabbing a tent and taking to the wilds nowadays (although you’re very welcome to do just that) – there are also all sorts of other options, including smart glamping sites and cosy camping pods.
The practice of holidaying alfresco can be very handily split into four main categories:
- Staying at a pitch on a campsite or holiday park with your own tent
- Rolling up at a campsite or holiday park with your touring caravan, motorhome or campervan
- Booking a caravan, lodge, cabin, pod or hut at a campsite or holiday park
- Renting a tent – whether a tipi, yurt, wigwam, safari tent or bell tent – at a holiday park or campsite
Some of these options come with all sorts of facilities (and even some luxuries) provided, while others expect you to bring along everything you'll need for your stay.
What is glamping?
Glamping is essentially a posher form of camping. At a glampsite, the accommodation will be provided by the owners and set up ahead of your arrival. Typically, a few fancy add-ons are chucked into the mix with this sort of break – think kitchenettes, welcome hampers and even hot tubs.
Beginner or seasoned camper?
Whether you’re a newbie glamper or camping connoisseur, there’s a site to suit you depending on your preferences, your travelling companions and the type of trip you’re after.
Guides for beginners
New to camping? Get to grips with the basics here.
- The ultimate camping guide
- Types of camping holidays
- 9 reasons to choose a glamping or camping trip over a hotel holiday
- How to choose the best campsite or holiday park
- Beginners' guide to camping in a tent
- How to go glamping – all your questions answered
- 7 top tips for motorhome beginners
- What camping gear do you actually need?
- Camping checklist
Tents
Now you're up to speed on what camping is, it's time to prep for your break.
Buying guides
- Tent buying guide
- Air tents buying guide
- Family tents buying guide
- Rooftop tents buying guide
- Bell tents buying guide
- Dome tents buying guide
- Tunnel tents buying guide
- Pop-up tents buying guide
- Winter tents buying guide
- Blackout tents buying guide
- Trailer tents buying guide
- Pup tents buying guide
- Festival tents buying guide
- Lightweight tents buying guide
- Wild camping tents buying guide
Caring for your tent
Learn how and why to look after your camping kit.
- Tent care guide
- How to clean a tent
- Why do tents leak?
- Waterproofing your tent
- How to dry out a tent
- How to remove mould and mildew from a tent
- Are tents fire resistant? How to be fire safe when camping
- How to keep insects and bugs out of your tent
- Tent repairs
Caravans
Touring caravans
- Touring caravan holidays
- Caravan holiday checklist
- Buying and owning a touring caravan
- Caravan accessories
- Pitching a caravan
- How to tow a caravan
- Hitching a caravan to your car in 10 simple steps
- Electric hook up for caravans
- Caravan awnings
- Caravan toilets
- Caravan waste water
- Caravan storage
- How to get a good tv signal in a caravan
Static caravans
Motorhomes
- Types of motorhomes
- Motorhome holidays
- Wild camping in a motorhome or campervan
- Motorhome aires
- Hiring a motorhome
- Driving a motorhome
- Motorhome insurance
Camping accessories
- Clothes for camping
- Choosing a camping chair
- Camping lights buying guide
- Tent lights buying guide
- Choosing the tent pegs you need
- Camping stoves buying guide
- Camping beds buying guide
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- Camping without electricity
Camping on a budget
If you're trying to work out the numbers or want to keep costs down, this is the section for you.
Camping with kids and pets
Travelling with younger travellers in tow? There are a few extra things to keep in mind for planning a tip-top family camping trip.
- 20 camping games to keep the kids busy come rain or shine
- 16 tips for stress-free family camping
- Camping with a dog
- UK's most dog-friendly holiday destinations
Handy camping hacks
Skills and knowledge that could be helpful once you've arrived on site.
- Camping hacks and expert tips
- How to put up a tent in 8 simple steps
- Taking down a tent
- How to tie guy lines
- How to heat your tent safely
- How to keep a tent cool
- How to get a good night's sleep in a tent
- Tent security: how to keep yourself and your valuables safe
- How to camp safely during the coronavirus pandemic
- Camping restrictions
- Cooking when camping
- Camping without a car
Campfire hacks
Camping in bad weather
Seasonal camping guides
Glamping
- Types of glamping
- Glamping on a budget
- Glamping with dogs
- Glamping and camping pods
- Shepherd's hut holidays
- Bell tent glamping
- Yurt holidays
- Gypsy caravan holidays
- Treehouse holidays
- Tipi holidays
- Geodesic dome holidays
- Eco pod holidays
- Safari tent holidays
Camping experiences
Activities, camping options and destinations that are all just a little bit different.
- Camping road trips
- Camping for large groups
- Wild camping: a beginner’s guide
- Camping on a farm
- Dark sky camping: a beginner’s guide to sleeping under the stars
- Long-distance walks and backpacking
- Camping abroad
- Camping pods: clever picks for comfy stays
Camping experiences in England
- How to walk the South West Coast Path on a budget
- The Atlantic Highway: a four-day camping road trip
- Camping on the North Downs Way
- Camping on the South Downs Way
- Camping on the Pennine Way
Camping experiences in Wales
- The Wales Coastal Way camping road trip guide
- A 5-day camping road trip in Wales
- Camping and hiking on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path
Camping experiences in Scotland
- The ultimate NC500 itinerary
- Scotland’s South West Coast 300
- A 5-day camping road trip in Scotland
- Where to camp on the Great Glen Way
- Campsites on the West Highland Way
Best campsites
- Best campsites for working remotely
- Best campsites for couples
- Best campsites for families
- Best campsites for groups
- Campsites with the best views
- Best campsites near a beach
- Best campsites for surfing
- Best campsites for paddle boarding
- Best campsites with pools
- Best campsites for mountain biking
- Best campsites in Cornwall
- Best campsites in the Lake District
- Best campsites in Scotland
- Best campsites in Wales
- Best campsites in Devon
- Best campsites in Dorset
- Best campsites in Norfolk
UK camping guides
- South West England
- South East England
- North West England
- North East England
- East Anglia
- Central England
- Scotland
- Mid Wales
- North Wales
- West Wales
Camping guides for the rest of the world
Check out some of the best camping-friendly countries across the globe.