Sometimes, we do just need to take ourselves away from the hustle and bustle of the real world and escape to the wilderness. Surrounded by towering trees, glistening water, and being able to breathe in crisp, fresh air without worrying about pollution – what’s not to love? 

The one thing that could potentially ruin your country getaway is being underprepared, with a lack of equipment potentially leading to your trip’s abrupt end. To make the whole experience as enjoyable (not to mention stress-free) as possible, we’ve put together an essential camping checklist that covers all areas. 

Setting up camp

One useful camping hack is using tarp and bungee cords to tie down your tent to keep everything nice and secure. Due to their water-resistance and flexibility, it makes them the perfect piece of equipment to incorporate into your checklist. Along with your cords, don’t forget to bring tent pegs, a mallet, and poles to set up a comfortable camp, along with the tent itself, of course. It’s also important to bear in mind that small bits like this can go missing very easily, so don’t forget to bring some spares with you, if you have them! 

Comfortable camping

To ensure both a comfortable night’s sleep and to rest those legs after a long day of hiking, you’ll want to make sure to bring along some padded furniture. Sinking into a soft chair, whilst propping up an easy-to-assemble table to rest a mug of hot chocolate on will do just the trick, along with a cosy sleeping bag that’ll keep you warm during the cold nights. For additional padding when catching some z’s, you could also bring a sleeping mat and warm blankets. A teddy bear is optional. 

Just make sure that all of the equipment you bring along with you is either easy to store, or easy to fold away, so that your final day won’t be spent playing car boot tetris. 

Protection against the elements

It’s inevitable that a camping trip – especially in the UK – will involve you battling against the elements at some point, so come prepared. If you’re camping during the colder months, be sure to wrap up warm, remembering your hat, gloves, scarf, and extra layers. Always be prepared for rain, so ensure that everything you’re bringing, from your coat to your shoes, are waterproof to avoid any soggy hikes. If the forecast looks bleak, bring along a few spare pairs of clothing. 

Let’s not forget your summer gear for when the sun does decide to show its face. You’ll need sun protection, sunglasses, along with more lightweight, breathable materials; cotton is a great example of this, being a natural fibre that absorbs moisture.

Food preparation

Feeling peckish? With all of that walking and setting up camp, you’re bound to be hungry. Come prepared with all the cooking appliances you’ll need for a feast, including a camping stove, fuel, matches and lighters, pots, pans, plates, and of course, washing up liquid to give everything a good scrub. Make sure to stay hydrated too; it may be more helpful to bring a large water carrier so you don’t have to keep making trips to the campsite’s tap. 

To keep the campsite nice and tidy, take some bin bags with you on your trip and clean up your mess as you go along. Your surrounding will be teaming with wildlife, and you’ll want to avoid any harm being caused to the natural landscape. 

Staying safe

When preparing your camping checklist, don’t forget to pack all of the medical supplies you could need. Although it may not always seem necessary, it’s important to prepare for the worst case scenario. Pack your usual toiletries, your medication (if you take any), sanitiser for when there isn’t a tap immediately available, along with insect repellent and plasters (for those pesky blisters). Finally, don’t forget to bring a torch for the dark nights. If you are a hiker, you’ll know that pathways can be unpredictable, so it’s a good way to avoid a tripping hazard. 

When planning your next adventure, have a chat with a friendly member of our team to help you prepare your equipment. Whether you’re a nature lover or a thrill seeker, our stock has everything you could need from bungee cords to bungee straps.