Camping

Has anyone got a recommendation for a good campsite that's within a couple of hours drive of London, ideally nearish to the sea?

This is our list
Probs a bit out of date but worth a sniff

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lSRwSXS-1TMHbOevOUbdoKQx3PplvPRM&usp=sharing

Blackberry Woods in Ditchling is good, and nearer the sea than london but it would still be a bus/drive

Finally got round to using my OEX Phoxx 1v2 which I bought second hand last summer, in my first attempt at a bike-powered camping trip. It was a bit of a fail, as these tents are tiny, not much more room than a hooped bivvy. Turns out I get very claustrophobic and couldn't sleep at all due to panic / anxiety about being so enclosed, which I was not expecting. Also the fact that it's impossible to get in and out of in the rain without letting water into the sleeping area.

Sooooo I'm now thinking of getting an Alpkit Viso 2 which looks a lot less claustrophobic and the porch area looks ideal for keeping stuff dry. It's obviously not light weight, but it's listed as a backpacking tent so I'm assuming I could squeeze it into a pannier, maybe split into smaller bags and without the porch ground sheet. Also opens up the potential for trips with my partner if she can be convinced... Will I regret this? Maybe a middle ground option that ticks spacious and light weight boxes?

For any kind of comfort I'd recommend a three-man tent for two people and and a two-man for one.

This is what I'd be looking at from Alpkit in your shoes https://alpkit.com/products/jaran-3?variant=41234529255529

Thought I recognised this beach! A mates got a place a little up the road. Beautiful park of the world, and those sunsets are unmatched.

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I used a vango apex 200, it’s been designed to strap onto handlebars and while no super lightweight at ~2kg it isn’t heavy, is easy to pitch/pack up and had plenty of room for me and doggo in, the porch had enough for a 60l bag and boots… probably summer only as I wouldn’t want to spend ages in there in daylight as you can’t fully sit up, it felt specious enough! Can’t wait for the next opportunity to use it!

Cheers - yeah this looks like a good compromise between the two tents I posted, although the inner first pitch puts me off a bit.

@Sainsburys_Ed Thanks for the recommendation! Although after my weird claustrophobic midnight freak out I think being able to sit up fully inside is probably a must have

I have a weekend away camping coming up.
My north face tent is finally disintegrating after many years in service.

I’d quite like to be able to fit my 135cm by 190cm mattress topper inside as this makes for the comfiest bed. But I also don’t want a ridiculously big tent (I don’t think at least), so it can be used for occasional backpacking.

This looks nice and big, but I can’t find a review anywhere. And it’s probably a bit shit in bad weather (likely for the uk)
https://www.climbers-shop.com/camping/tents-and-footprints/wechsel-outpost-2-tent__11113460

These two look a bit better and sturdier. But I’m not sure what is preferable - side or top entry?
The wild country looks sturdier for inclement weather. But also quite a bit heavier.
https://www.climbers-shop.com/camping/tents-and-footprints/wild-country-trisar-2d-tent-in-green__11104333

https://www.climbers-shop.com/camping/tents-and-footprints/msr-elixir-2-tent-in-green__11053563

Can anyone recommend any camping chairs that offer decent posture/back support?

Helinox do one with a taller back. You’re still in quite a low position but being able to sit back in it definitely helps ease back pain.

https://helinox.co.uk/products/sunset-chair?variant=47898842038609

All excellent tents. The first needs guyropes, but the hooped tunnel design has been used in extreme locations for years. Choose the largest, or the lightest, or the one you can sit up in. Front entrance for lying in your sleeping bag as you cook, side entrance for easier in and out. At those prices you might have to buy whatever’s left in stock.

Have you thought about a pryamid type tent? This would fit the bill https://alpkit.com/products/tarpstar-2-pyramid-tent

I've just bought a Vango Heddon 100, which looks pretty roomy for a 1-man tent and it has plenty of height. It requires walking poles, but I'm going to see if I can bodge together some lightweight tent poles of the correct length for bikepacking purposes.

Once I test pitch it I can give you some feedback.

Wild camping in the dunes at Camber Sands. You wouldn't see a soul if you go to my secret spot. Which is next to a a bit of sea which is extra warm. Sometimes it's as warm as a bath. It's because it's next to a walled river channel. 50.93173814427063, 0.7722418622616425

lanshan 1 is good for this

Ta. I'd looked over that one as I don't have trekking poles and unlikely to get some just for the purpose of bike camping..but I've just seen alpkit do a collapsible one specifically for this tent which is probably a game changer

@fabfurrymarmots looks interesting, would be interested to hear your thoughts and how you manage with some lightweight poles. Def meets the headroom criteria by the looks of it!

@amey looking at lanshan 1 and it ticks same boxes as the other trekking poles tents mentioned..bit put off by having to do DIY seam sealing tho

Ta for all the input. Hoping to do a weekend away in mid August so will come back here and report how it goes. Leaning towards the alpkit tarpstar

The Night Cat version of the Lanshan gets some good reviews:

https://nightcat.com/products/night-cat-lanshan-1-pro-ultralight-tent

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjJ3-3o6J_M

I have been using the Tarpstar 1 for the last year and it's brilliant. It's like the Tarpstar 2, but the inner takes only half of the space inside the tent - you still get plenty of space to sleep, get changed and sit up, but you also have a huge porch. I initially bought it for bikepacking (for which it is brilliant), but now it's replaced my Vango tent on backpacking duties, too. I've used it in quite gnarly weather and had zero problems with it.

Would 100% recommend.

Can anyone recommend me a place to camp for a night or two that is close to woods and nature and as far away from motor traffic as possible? Streams, rivers and hills / caves a bonus ;-). Thanks

https://maps.app.goo.gl/LsQucofsoTTpxw7Y9

We went to Hole Station in Beaworthy a while back, really good isolated pitches in the woods. Definitely gonna go there again

😂 I’ll add these coordinates to the bucket list

Thanks 🙏

That looks great, I have bookmarked it