Camping

Hi, I’d like to buy tent from some trips this year. We’re a family of three: two adults and a toddler. I’m thinking a tent with some separation for sleeping would be best, and probably some communal space.

Does anyone have any recommendations? Not too expensive but something that’ll last.

My experience with tents is limited to cheap festival ones!

Will you be car-camping or do you need something that you can feasibly carry on bike/your back? Decathlon is the place to start if value is a driving factor...

If you are camping with a toddler then a black out tent is a MUST.
Decathlon do black out, but the best in market is Coleman.

Without it you will wake up with a toddler clawing at your eyes at 4am when the sun comes up.

This is a good budget option - https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/air-seconds-family-4-2-xl-fresh-black-family-camping-tent-i-4-people/_/R-p-157654?mc=8572950&c=BEIGE
But you might want to spend a bit more to get some more communal space. If it rains keeping a toddler occupied in 200cm sq would be trouble.

Got a rough budget? You'll want something that pitches fairly quickly/easy to do solo.
https://www.attwoolls.co.uk/coleman-valdes-4-air-blackout-tent-2020 maybe?
Though that door step would bug the shit out of me.

Cheers guys! Will be in car. Hoping to spend around 300 if that’s doable (looking it seems it’ll be a bit more than that!). Will check decathlon too.

Do a load of research into tents, look at the plans and measure it out etc, then search eBay. We have 7 yo and a 4 yo, started with a nylon tent, now have poly canvas, which is so much cooler and warmer. We got an outwell Hawaii reef for about £250, not blackout, heavy but great family tent. (Def get blackout)

Hammock camping as an option? I’m creaky and wake up like a zombie even on an air bed. I sleep like a baby in a hammock. No trees? No camping has been my motto for a while now. Take a look at DD hammocks if you are interested. Add a lightweight large tarp and some bungees to create a communal sheltered area if it rains then family camping is golden.

No condensation, no lingering farts, no lumpy ground, no pegs, no poles - it really makes camping a pleasure. Just need trees.

I'd like to keep my gadgets charged while camping for 10 nights. Any recommendations for solar panels?

Or should I just buy a couple of extra large powerbanks and charge them before I leave home? Seems cheaper.

I bought a random solar panel off Amazon and was pleasantly surprised, charged my phone in a few hours in full sun and did OK under cloud. This one https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08LZ6BVZ9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Was just looking for something like that - will try, thanks.

I just bought an "only used once" tent off ebay, after having my tent nicked from the boot of the car.

Keen to get it up and see what's what before the big family holiday we are planning in it.

Question.
Who has a campite reco that is less than an hour from SE London and allows fires?

W

Can recommend: Wowo, Nethergong, Secret Campsite
but probably more than an hour

You can search on here and filter by campfire allowed. Used to be 'coolcamping', ignoring the rebrand the site has always delivered when I've booked through it...

https://www.hipcamp.com/

hook farm! https://www.hook-farm-west-hoathly.co.uk/ only weekends though, super chilled, just water and compost loos. fires encouraged!

Any advice on food to take? I'm trying to think back to my DoE days (26+ years ago) and struggling.

I've seen British army rations are available quite cheaply - are these as rank as I'd imagine them to be?

I'll be taking a kid camping on the tandem, so we're looking for light, filling, delicious and cheap. And she's a veggie, to add to the mix.

Can't help with the "light" bit, but pasta, tinned tomato, olive oil, easy quick cheap and filling (and can be delicious)
Does daughter like noodles? Udon is very easy to make too

For convenience I like these. Posh baked beans particularly.

https://www.firepotfood.com/collections/firepot-dehydrated-meals

Army ration packs look grim. Do you like to cook (ie have some experience, interest and skills) or do you want the easiest/simplest solution? Are you riding somewhere you'll be able to get some bits (i.e. if you're going past a shop that sells pasta and veg then weight isn't that important if you're only carrying it for 20 minutes) or do you need to be self-sufficient?

Idahoan Instant Mash, Lidl/Aldi cooked lentils in pouches, angel delight, curry / Dahl pouches, dates, tinned veg (already cooked, so dinner is ready sooner)+ tinned tomatoes and some herbs, rice noodles (ready a lot quicker than pasta). Microwave-able rice takes 2minutes on stove.
Chocolate custard powder and dried fruit.

If you buy readymade hiking meals, I'd stick to the puddings, or totally avoid anything that has mash as a component.

Sainsbury's do powered milk, if you want it for breakfast

If you buy readymade hiking meals, I'd stick to the puddings, or totally avoid anything that has mash as a component.

I love the Adventure Foods Vegetable Hotpot. So good!

I should have been a bit clearer, paying £6 for a meal that is 50% potato powder is a bit daft when you can spend £1 and get enough mash for a proper portion each.

IE buy a bean cassoulet or something to share.

Yeah. But they're light and they're 600 calories. If I'm climbing a Munro and camping I want calories to weight and convenience

whats the best inflatable sleeping mat to go for - budget up to £50?

I got one of these, was ok
https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15987854/eurohike-camper-self-inflating-mat-15987854
Bit of a bargain right now though, typically:(

I have got an Alpkit Dirtbag which is also ok.