Obviously what you take depends on the following factors:
- Who you are travelling with - friends, family, children?
- Where you are going - if it's wild camping then you'll need a different list than if you're visiting a park
- How long you'll be away for - a weekend trip may mean you decide to ditch the cooking utensils and eat out
- What type of leisure vehicle you own / hire / are visiting and how it is equiped
- What the weather is likely to be like - although in the UK it's best to plan for all eventualities.
Download our handy packing list to help you check you haven't missed anything vital...
Other tips from some of our experienced friends include:
- Take an old bath-mat (or 2!) to leave outside to wipe feet on - they are much lighter and very absorbent.
- Sporks - combined spoon, knife & fork - are the best invention ever saving space and washing-up!
- Cheap disposable glow-lights (make sure you take they away with you) are a safe and fun alternative for kids instead of torches/
- Before you pack games equipment like footballs, Frisbees or tennis rackets, check your campsite doesn't already supply them as part of the package.
- It's probably worth checking out where the first aid help is when you arrive. The campsite should provide first aid supplies, and have details of the nearest doctor and hospital.
- Write down the menu for all meals for your trip. This way you'll know what you need to take, or what you can wait to buy.
- Meals that can be cooked at home ahead of time, and travel well in a cooler, will save a lot of time for the first couple of nights of your trip. Precooked meats will last longer in the cooler than raw meats.
- If you only do one thing make sure you are warm at night - cold, sleepless nights are no-one's friend and one thing guaranteed to mean you think twice before venturing out again...
- Each time you go camping, make a note of anything you wish you'd taken at the time. Make a note of it on your computer, in notebook etc when you get home to refer to the next time you go.
- Be BBQ safe - never light a barbecue in an enclosed space, don’t leave children unsupervised near a barbecue and ensure the barbecue is fully extinguished after use. Never use a barbecue as a source of warmth when camping - barbecues can give off deadly carbon monoxide fumes when not properly ventilated.
