Let’s be honest – nothing kills the camping buzz faster than a 3am trek to a freezing, muddy toilet block. I’ve done the soggy sock shuffle in the dark too many times, and after one particularly grim night in Snowdonia, I made a vow: never again without a proper camping
Let me tell you – nothing tests your patience like watching your phone die just as the rain sets in and your torch flickers its final goodbye. I used to think a couple of small power banks and the car socket would see me through a weekend away. Then came
Most people think you can get by with just a torch or your phone light inside the tent. Trust me, you’ll only make that mistake once. Good tent lighting isn’t a luxury. When you’re battling rain, fumbling for toilet rolls in the dark, or trying to keep calm with your
Think head torches are just for late-night hikes? Think again. Once you’ve tried cooking, pitching a tent, or finding the loo in the dark with just your phone light, you’ll get it. I learned the hard way. Cold, soaked in the Lake District, trying to unzip my tent with one
Let’s start with a common mistake – people think a folding camping table is just a “nice-to-have”. That it’s extra weight, or easy to skip. Then you try to cook a proper breakfast on your knees during an early Welsh rain, or serve tea from a dodgy plastic crate. Not
Let’s clear something up: most people think a thick sleeping bag is all you need to stay warm camping in the UK. Unfortunately, that’s very wrong! Truth is, UK nights can be brutally cold – rain or no rain. And if you’ve ever tried to get some shut-eye while your
A rough night’s sleep can take the shine off even the best camping trip. But just because you’re outdoors doesn’t mean you have to put up with lumpy ground and aching joints. The right camping bed – or camp cot, as our friends across the pond call it – can
Most people think you need a roomy tent to sleep wild in the UK. Truth is, I’ve had better nights (and survived nastier weather) in a well-chosen bivvy bag than in some so-called “waterproof” tents. If you want to keep things light, go stealth, or just avoid lugging a tent
Let’s set the record straight – camping in comfort doesn’t mean stuffing yourself into a high-tech pop-up spaceship. You just need a good bell tent. Simple as that. I’ve camped through sideways rain in Snowdonia, braved the Cornish coast winds, and even had a midnight standoff with midges in the
When most people pack for a camping trip, they think of tents, sleeping bags, maybe a decent torch or two. But here’s what gets left behind – and regretted fast: clean, breathable air. I learned that the hard way during a damp spell near Coniston. Woke up stuffy-eyed, wheezing, and
