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THE BEST NEW KIT FOR 2015
w w w. c a m p i n g m a g a z i n e . c o . u k
the
GEAR
issue
MORE THAN 80 NEW PRODUCTS
FOR YOUR CAMPING ADVENTURES
Winter 2015 £3.95
BUYing WITH
CONFIDENCE
◗ WHAT’S NEW IN 2015?
◗ THE VERY LATEST
LIGHTWEIGHT STUFF
◗ SCANDINAVIAN GEAR
◗ BUDGET KIT TRIED &
TESTED: IS IT WORTH IT?
Display until 5/2/15
plus focus on the yorkshire dales / camping & star gazing
really useful tips to get you set for the new season
01 Front Cover.indd 1
08/12/2014 12:33
Come and discover
your next
adventure here!
Book now to save ££’s & avoid queuing.
Visit www.caravancampingmotorhomeshow.co.uk
or call 0844 581 1250 and quote ‘CAMP2’
Don’t miss the UK’s biggest start-of-season showcase,
with hundreds of caravans, motorhomes, tents, caravan
holiday homes and accessories under one roof!
All the major UK manufacturers will be showcasing their
latest models plus ‘special editions’ from major dealerships.
With over 350 exhibitors, it’s even easier to browse and
compare all the latest models.
Follow us:
@CaravanCampShow
facebook.com/caravancampshow
* Advance ticket prices £7.00 Senior (60yrs+), Adult £8.00 when booking before 23.59hrs on 16/02/15. Car parking is included
and a free Show Guide is subject to availability. £1 transaction fee applies and this can be subject to change. Children 15 years and
under go free when accompanied by a paying adult/senior. No dogs (except assistant dogs). Group ticket discounts are available
in advance for bookings of 10+, call 0800 358 0058.
p002-003.indd 1
27/11/2014 15:59
Tickets
from
£7
CARAVAN
Book tickets
now and save!
Have-a-go FREE activities
for the family, dog agility
shows and much, much
more!
Come and speak to the
experts who are on hand
to give the best advice
New to caravanning and
motorhoming? Visit the
learning zones and find
out just how easy getting
started can be
CAMPING &
MOTORHOME
*
SHOW2015
17-22 February
NEC Birmingham
Learn how to hitch up a
caravan and tow safely
Try manoeuvring a
motorhome under
expert supervision
Find campsite and
destination ideas to
suit all tastes
A great family day out
FREE!
Car Parking
Show Guide
Family Activities
Plus Kids Go FREE!
Organised by:
Supported by:
www.caravancampingmotorhomeshow.co.uk
p002-003.indd 2
27/11/2014 15:59
REGULARS
THE MONTH
What’s going on in the world of camping
06
CAMPING TALK
08
Your letters and photographs
LAW OF THE CAMPSITE
Gillian Law in praise of the long, hot summer 23
GEAR SPECIAL
COVER: GET INTO GEAR
Iain Duff brings you a selection of
the best new camping products
10
KITBAG
Nick Harding casts an eye over the
latest outdoor gear
38
NORSE CODE
The Scandinavian outdoor brands
leading a Viking invasion
40
LIGHTWEIGHT SCENE
Clive Tully’s guide to new tents and kit for
lightweight camping
48
SPECIAL FEATURE
CAMPING WITH THE STARS
Steve Goodier on combining a camping
trip with star-gazing
16
SITES
BIG SITE
Nick Harding’s site of the month
20
FOCUS ON...
THE YORKSHIRE DALES
Our guide to the best sites and things to do
24
TRAVEL
THE 39 STOPS
The latest from Iain Duff’s camping challenge
30
SKILLS
GUYROPE GOURMET
Josh Sutton’s recipe for success
REALLY USEFUL STUFF
Get your gear prepared for the new
camping season
03 Welcome.indd 4
44
46
WELCOME
à
WINTER 2015
I don’t know about you, but around this time of year, I start to go a little bit stir crazy. Short
days, long nights and miserable weather conspire to limit camping opportunities and once
the excitement of Christmas and New Year has passed, it really starts to hit home. But
instead of moping around with your nose pressed against the window, pining for spring, why not do
something about it?
The obvious way to offset cabin fever is to ignore the weather, grab your tent and get out there
anyway. But if winter camping is not your scene, the next best thing is to hit the shed - or the loft,
or garage - and sort out your camping gear. There’s always something to be done, even if it’s
simply a case of tidying things up and making sure you’ve got everything you need. See our guide
to preparing for the new season on Page 46 of this issue.
Of course once you start sorting through your kit, you’ll probably discover there’s quite a bit
you must (yes, must) replace or upgrade. There’s such a massive amount out there it can be a bit
overwhelming, but in this special gear-themed issue we’ve pulled together dozens of new products
that we think you’ll love. And we’ve not just gone for top of the range stuff - the budget-concious
camper is catered for too. Good gear is good gear, no matter how much (or little) you spend.
Enjoy
Iain Duff Editor
08/12/2014 16:00
Contact us.
Join the Camping community
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Camping Magazine Warners Group
Publications PLC. The Maltings, West Street,
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EDITOR
Iain Duff
01778 392442
@ [email protected]
TO ADVERTISE PLEASE CALL
GROUP KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER
Claire Morris
01778 391179
@ [email protected]
THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS
Steve Goodier, Nick Harding,
Gillian Law, Josh Sutton, Clive
Tully
MARKETING
MARKETING EXECUTIVE
Sarah Stephens
01778 395007
@ [email protected]
HEAD OF DESIGN & PRODUCTION
Lynn Wright
ADVERTISING PRODUCTION
Kate Michelson
01778 392420
DESIGNER
Richard Hallam
ADVERTISING DESIGN
Cathy Herron
01778 391179
PUBLISHED BY
PUBLISHER Rob McDonnell
Warners Group Publications PLC
The Maltings, West Street, Bourne,
Lincolnshire PE10 9PH
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This magazine is distributed by
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The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publishers. Every care is taken to ensure that the content of this magazine is accurate, but we assume no
responsibility for any effect from errors or omissions. While every care is taken with unsolicited material submitted for publication, we cannot be responsible for loss or damage. While
every care is taken when accepting advertisements, we are not responsible for the quality and/or the performance of goods and/or services advertised in this magazine. The Advertising
Standards Authority (ASA) exists to regulate the content of advertisements. Tel: 020 7429 2222
© Warners Group Publications PLC, 2015
FREE CAMPING E-NEWSLETTER
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03 Welcome.indd 5
GET A FREE PAIR OF
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WHEN YOU SUBSCRIBE TO CAMPING
WORTH
£10
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08/12/2014 16:00
THE MONTH
Things that caught our eye
THE BIG SLEEP
Not for us the snug fitting mummy-style sleeping bags beloved of
hardcore campers. Here at Camping we like bags that give you
plenty of room to move around. But even for us, this is probably
stretching it a bit.
Created by Yorkshire-based outdoors brand Snugpak, this is
officially the world’s biggest sleeping bag. It is more than 65ft long,
weighs in at 80kg and takes around half an hour to roll out. It was
launched by rugby league legend Robbie Hunter-Paul at Bradford
Bulls’ Provident Stadium as part of homeless charity Centrepoint’s
annual Sleep Out event. Sleep Out gives participants a glimpse of
what it is like to sleep on Britain’s streets, a harsh reality for some
of the 80,000 young people who find themselves homeless in
Britain every year.
WE LIKE
PORTABLE
BEER GLASS
Have beer will travel, that’s our motto.
And this portable pint pot makes
bevvying on the move an awful lot
easier. The double-walled insulation
material will keep your tipple icy cool
and the lid – available in blue, red or
black – means you’ll never spill a drop,
as well as keeping thirsty bugs at bay.
Available for £9.95 from
www.prezzybox.com.
6
FIVE
CAMPING THINGS THAT
NEED TO BE INVENTED
1
2
3
4
5
A silent zipper that doesn’t wake everyone
up when you go to the loo in the middle of
the night.
Underfloor heating (STOP PRESS: It’s now
been done by Outwell! See page 11).
Soundproof walls so we don’t have to
listen to… well, you know what.
A way of making a cuppa on chilly
mornings without having to get out of your
sleeping bag.
Retractable guylines that don’t get tangled
up when you put the tent away.
Winter 2015 campingmagazine.co.uk
06-07 The Month.indd 6
08/12/2014 16:06
and made us laugh over the last four weeks
SITE NEWS SPECIAL
WINNERS PICKED
IT’S THE AA CAMPSITE OF
THE YEAR AWARDS 2015...
The AA has named the latest
winners of its coveted camping
awards prizes – with Oakdown
Country Holiday Park in
Sidmouth Devon, scooping the
overall prize for Campsite of the
Year 2015.
Oakdown is some four miles
from the south coastal town of
Sidmouth and an even shorter
distance from the Jurassic
coast itself. It’s also near big
attractions such as Crealy
Adventure Park, Bicton Park and
Exmouth’s Country Life Museum.
The AA’s inspectors described
Oakdown’s main toilet block, a
converted wartime radar shelter
as “stunning”.
ENGLAND
Here is the full list of winners:
The Orchards Holiday Caravan
Oakdown, Sidmouth, Devon
(as above, www.oakdown.co.uk)
SCOTLAND
Witches Craig Caravan and
Camping Park, Blairlogie, Stirling
(www.witchescraig.co.uk)
WALES
Bron Derw Touring Caravan
Park, Llanrwst, Conwy (does not
take tents)
SOUTH WEST ENGLAND
Fauxquets Valley Campsite,
Castel, Guernsey
(www.fauxquets.co.uk)
SOUTH EAST ENGLAND
Park, Newbridge, Isle of Wight
(www.orchards-holiday-park.co.uk)
HEART OF ENGLAND –
Longnor Wood Holiday Park,
Longnor, Staffordshire (Adults
only, www.longnorwood.co.uk)
NORTH WEST ENGLAND
Manor Wood Country Caravan
Park, Coddington, Cheshire (www.
cheshirecaravansites.co.uk)
NORTH EAST ENGLAND
Golden Square Caravan and
Camping Park, Helmsley,
North Yorkshire (www.
goldensquarecaravanpark.com)
HOLIDAY CENTRE
OF THE YEAR
Fauxquets Valley Campsite
Park Foot Caravan and
Camping Park, Pooley
Bridge, Cumbria (www.
parkfootullswater.co.uk)
MOST IMPROVED
CAMPSITE (ROGER
ALMOND AWARD)
Longnor Wood
Wells Holiday Park, Wells,
Somerset (adults only, www.
wellsholidaypark.co.uk)
SMALL CAMPSITE
OF THE YEAR
Above and left
Churchill Farm Campsite,
Buckfastleigh, Devon (www.
churchillfarmcampsite.com)
The Orchards Holiday Caravan Park
Oakdown Country
Holiday Park,
Sidmouth, Devon.
All of the above feature among
some 900 inspected and rated
sites in the latest edition of the
AA Caravan and Camping Guide,
priced £12.99. More details at
www.theaa.com/shop. It’s also
available as a free app for iPhone,
iPad and Android.
Manor Wood Country Caravan Park
campingmagazine.co.uk Winter 2015
06-07 The Month.indd 7
7
08/12/2014 12:43
Camping talk
Pull up a chair, pour yourself a drink and join in the chat
STAR
R
LETTE
BOG STANDARD?
After a glorious June
and July camping
around the Isle of
Wight, New Forest
and Dorset, I was
surprised at the
hideous facilities
some campsites offer
- even those with five
star reviews. We love
camping but we also
love clean toilets and
a powerful shower!
The two campsites
that really impressed
us were Sumners
Ponds near Horsham
and Bagwell Farm in Dorset.
Both had hotel-style spotless
bathrooms. The two campsites
we stayed in the New Forest
and on the Isle of Wight were,
FACEBOOK
LIKES
Catch up on the latest camping chat online
quite frankly, a disgrace. Maybe
you could run a piece on good
and bad facilities and show just
how good they can be!
Edward Warburton via email
OK, folks, tell us your toilet horror stories. What’s the worst
campsite loos you’ve seen on your travels? And to balance it up
where are the best? - Ed
I’ve enjoyed camping for
many years and hope to
do so for years to come.
I’ve met people from all walks
of life and made many friends.
We all seemed to be united in
our love of the outdoors and
our generally tolerant attitude to
those who are not exactly the
same as ourselves. Judging by
his letter about dogs (Camping
Talk, December) I think Mr Olroyd
would be happier owning his
own campsite and restricting
access to his family, friends, and
others who share his narrow and
intolerant point of view.
Graeme Buchanan via email
@
This months camping talk
are a happy lot... kiddie
and dog haters haha
Daniel Grice @Danthecanvw
via Twitter
8
I know it’s winter and
there’s no camping for
a while, but are all the
Camping readers suffering from
SAD!? The December letters
page was full of misery: “hordes
of families”, “out of control kids”,
“mess, noise and the threat of
physical injury” from dogs? Come
on people, chill out. The camping
ethos is “live and let live” so let’s
put that into action!
Brian Temperley Wiltshire
And so say all of us - Ed
Having been camping
and wanting to take a
variety of spices and
herbs with me, but not wanting to
take lots of spice jars, I looked in
a camping store and found that a
six-section pack sold for £11. So
I decided to see if I could make
one myself. I bought a seven-day
pill box from the pound shop,
downloaded some labels from
the web, stuck the labels over the
days and now have a seven box
refillable spice rack, all for £1 and
a little time. Enough for weekends, or longer spells away.
Pauline Featherstone South Shields
Top tip, Pauline. Does anyone else
have any similar money-saving
suggestions - Ed
When you feel like retiring
@Campingmagazine, can
I have your job? Being paid to
go camping has to be almost the
perfect job :)
Queen Boudica @Queen__
Boudica via Twitter
A few years to go yet, your
majesty! - Ed
Loving the out of office
reply on the editor @
Campingmagazine
‘Gone camping’. That’s
dedication for you :-)
Josh Sutton @Guyropegourmet
via Twitter
Winter 2015 campingmagazine.co.uk
08-09 Camping Talk ID.indd 8
08/12/2014 11:00
IN ASSOCIATION WITH COLEMAN
COLEMAN.EU 01275 845024
Snappy Campers
WIN PRIZES!
The Star Letter featured each
month will receive a prize from
Coleman. This month the winner
gets a Breckenridge Single
(£49.99). Offering a luxurious
night’s sleep on the campsite,
the Breckenridge sleeping
bag combines comfortable,
oversized dimensions with
high-performance Coletherm®
insulation for ultimate cosiness
and freedom of movement.
The sleeping bag’s large
hood ensures optimum heat
retention for a warm and
restful night’s sleep.
Take any photos on your last camping trip?
We bet you did, so why not enter our Snappy
Campers monthly photo competition and
you could see yourself starring in the pages
of Camping. And you’ll win a prize if you’re
featured! This month, our favourite photo wins
an Instant Dome 3 (£129.99)
STAR
P H OT
O
The new Instant Dome 3 features
Coleman’s revolutionary instant technology
for ultra-fast pitching. A high-performance
flysheet ensures maximum weather protection
and the Instant Dome’s fully integrated
groundsheet guarantees clean, dry and bugfree camping.
All other photos will receive an LED Micro
Quad Lantern (£19.99).
4 lights in 1 – this fun lantern
promises to brighten up your next
camping trip. Great for mealtimes
or family games after dark, the
appliance also features four handy,
detachable micro-lights each with
a different coloured, snap-on lens
for added practicality.
4
2
ENTER NOW!
To enter your photo, email a funny
caption, your name, address and
phone number to editorial@
campingmagazine.co.uk.
Or just upload your photo to our free online
gallery at www.campingmagazine.co.uk
Contact us.
@ [email protected]
www.campingmagazine.co.uk
3
5
STAR PHOTO A girl’s work is never done! Nick Godfrey Colchester 2 The cupboard is having
an oil change! Lorna Eaketts-Rogers Oxfordshire 3 This camping thing sucks. Dorinda
Ireland Handforth 4 What’s for breakfast then? Glyn Roberts Hampshire 5 A beautiful
sunset from our campsite in Woolacombe. It was about the only time we saw the sun on an
otherwise wet long weekend. Luke Watling Leicestershire
www.facebook.com/campingmagazine
www.twitter.com/campingmagazine
Camping Magazine Warners Group Publications PLC
The Maltings, West Street, Bourne, Lincolnshire PE10 9PH
You can upload your pictures to our online gallery at www.campingmagazine.co.uk/gallery
campingmagazine.co.uk Winter 2015
08-09 Camping Talk ID.indd 9
9
08/12/2014 11:00
GEAR SPECIAL NEW KIT
GET INTO
GEAR
The new camping season is just around the corner so it’s time to
start upgrading your equipment. But with so much kit out there,
where do you start? Well, right here of course. Whether you’re
searching for gear for sleeping or cooking, lighting up your tent
or storing your supplies, we’ve sought out some of the best new
products for 2015 to help you decide how to splash the cash.
G
SLEEPIN
VANGO
STARWALKER
SLEEPING BAG
SIERRA DESIGNS BACKCOUNTRY BED
American firm Sierra Designs has come up with what might just be the world’s first
zipperless sleeping bag. The Backcountry Bed is designed to adapt to whichever
sleeping position you prefer - back, side or front - without any additional hardware like
zips or Velcro to get in your way. It features an oversized central comforter, a self-sealing
foot vent that allows you to poke your feet out the bottom if it gets too hot and insulated
hand/arm pockets. There’s also a sleeve that allows you to attach the bag to your
sleeping mat for extra security.
OUTWELL
CONSTELLATION
SLEEPING BAG
Campsite sleeping bags don’t
get much luxurious than this. The
Constellation (single or double)
has an ultra-soft brushed outer,
100% cotton lining and Isofill
filling. It’s cosy, soft to the touch
and the rectangular shape –
common to all of Outwell’s 2015
adult sleeping bags - means
there’s plenty of room to move
around. You have the option of
unzipping fully to create a large
duvet and there are loops for
attaching sleeping bag liners.
10
We first saw this at the
Outdoor Show in Germany
back in July last year and
thought then it was pretty
cool. Vango insisted it had
to be kept under wraps for a
while (the big spoilsports) but
now we can share it with you.
Simply it’s a sleeping bag with
a hood, that - with a quick bit
of unzipping here and there
- can be transformed into
something you can wear while
sitting round the campfire or
making a late night trip to the
facilities. It’s just as quick to
convert it back into a sleeping
bag. Genius.
COLEMAN
HEATON
PEAK
COMFORT
Some sleeping bags can
leave you cold when the
temperature is low and
too hot when it’s warm
outside. The Heaton
Peak, with its soft and
comfortable cotton shell,
does the opposite. Cooler
in warm temperatures
and warm when it’s
cold, the cotton flannel
lining provides a layer of
luxurious comfort against
the skin. The thermo
collar minimises heat loss
across the shoulder area
and the zipper baffle also
reduces heat loss.
Winter 2015 campingmagazine.co.uk
10-14 Gear Guide ID.indd 10
08/12/2014 11:04
RIES
ACCESSO
DEXSHELL
THERMFIT
GLOVES
Pitching or packing up your
tent in the rain can be a cold,
miserable experience. A
waterproof jacket and trousers
are essential but how do you stop
your hands from turning numb
with the cold? Normal woollen
gloves won’t do the trick because
they quickly get saturated but
these new waterproof gloves
could be the answer. Completely
waterproof and with thermal
lining, they should keep your
hands dry and warm while the
close fit and anti-slip dots on
the palm and fingers give you
excellent dexterity and grip. The
same waterproof technology is
also used in Dexshell’s range of
hats and socks.
OUTWELL HEATED CARPET
A few years ago you would have been mocked for having a carpet
in your tent. Then in 2006, Outwell launched a range of colour coordinated carpets on an unsuspecting - and frankly unconvinced
- world. But despite the initial scepticism they quickly became
an essential part of many family campers’ equipment. So after
carpets, what is the next step? Yes, you guessed it... underfloor
heating! This year Outwell are introducing heated carpets to their
range. Quilted on top, with non-slip material underneath, you
simply plug them in to the mains and enjoy cosy toes. In addition,
Outwell are launching a three-layer insulated carpet, fleece flooring
and outdoor weave carpet, all available in various fits and sizes.
SIGG VIVA
Swiss company Sigg are
known for their aluminium
bottles but the Viva range
sees the introduction of
re-usable plastic bottles to
their portfolio for the first
time. All are 0.75 litres and
come in a range of colours
- anthracite, orange, green,
red, purple and blue. You
can also choose from a
range of tops: original, 3
Stage Sports or, the latest,
New Active, for what Sigg
calls “advanced aeration
functionality”.
MIGHTY PURSE
SPORT LUXE
With so much of our lives now
centred around our smartphones,
keeping them charged is vital.
That’s fine when you’re at home
or if you’ve got an EHU on the
campsite. But what if you’re at a
festival where you want to take
pictures, post them on Facebook
and tweet about the falafel burger
you’ve just eaten? That’ll quickly
eat up your battery, so finding a
way to top it up is essential. The
Mighty Purse can be used as a
normal handbag but it also has
a built-in charger that will give
enough of a boost to an ailing
battery to keep it going for a
couple of days.
CAMPINGAZ
CONVERTIBLE
HOT/COOL BAG
We like to think we’re a stylish
lot at Camping, which is why this
appeals to us so much. But not
only does it look good, it is really
useful too. With freezer packs, the
bag will keep food cool for more
12 and a half hours, making it
ideal for days out or for travelling
to the campsite. It’s also lined
with EVA foil that will carry hot
food up to 107 deg C. The straps
rotate for horizontal configuration
so you can carry a casserole dish
or any other food you want to
keep flat
campingmagazine.co.uk Winter 2015
10-14 Gear Guide ID.indd 11
11
08/12/2014 11:05
GEAR SPECIAL NEW KIT
COOKING
OUTWELL
CERVON GRILL
AND FIRE PIT
t
Outwell’s Cazal folding
barbecue continues to
be a big favourite among
campers but we reckon it will
be challenged by the new
Cervon Grill and Fire Pit this
year. This versatile piece of
kit allows you to cook over
an open flame (either fuelled
by charcoal or wood) with no
danger of falling foul of strict
site rules that ban campfires.
The fire pit is raised off the
ground on folding legs so
there’s no chance of the grass
being damaged. The stainless
steel grill has a four-step
adjustable grilling height and
it all folds away into a small
carry bag for easy transport
and storage.
new
ing
von
o
the
easy
JETBOIL MINIMO STOVE
metre
y life.
Jetboil’s cooking system has been an essential
part of the backpacker’s kit for a few years now.
But if there was one criticism of the stoves, it
was that you couldn’t turn the flame heat up or
down, making anything other than heating up a
tin of beans tricky. Now the new MiniMo has been
developed to address that issue - the simmer
control feature allows you to cook at varying
temperatures. The cooking pot has also been
redesigned, making it wider and shorter, allowing
easier access for cutlery. It all packs away neatly
and comes in a range of new funky designs.
p
d
th
CAMPINGAZ 400 SGR
It’s a bit of a monster this, but if you’re camping
for a week or two and you’ve got space in the
car, it could transform your campsite cooking
experience. As well as three Piezo-ignition
burners, the new 400 SGR has a motorised
rotisserie system where you can roast your
chicken. Just imagine the jealous looks from
fellow campers as the delicious smell wafts
across to their tent.
G
LIGHTIN
INOVA STS HEADLAMP
Every camper needs a headtorch. FACT. And this new one is a pretty good bet. With the Swipe-toShine technology, you control the various modes – dimming, strobe, red light – with a swipe of the
finger. The torch has a sturdy and waterproof polycarbonate body with adjustable angles to provide
illumination where you need it, whether you’re reading, cooking or outdoors.
COLEMAN CT20 FLASHLIGHT
A tough, lightweight torch with an anodized aluminium
body. On full setting it packs a punch – 200 lumens of
light power and a 100 metre beam. The low setting is
pretty impressive too (70 lumens, 60m beam) but with
the bonus of saving power and prolonging the battery
life. On low setting, it will fun for three and a half hours on
two AA batteries.
GOALZERO LIGHTHOUSE 250
The Lighthouse 250 is not just a camping lantern, it’s
apparently also a USB Power Hub. What this means
is that as well as lighting up your tent, you can use the
built-in USB port to power your handheld devices, like
phones and iPods. The lantern itself can be charged from
USB, external solar panel or the included hand crank.
12
Winter 2015 campingmagazine.co.uk
10-14 Gear Guide ID.indd 12
08/12/2014 11:05
OUTWELL DRAYTON
FURNIT
URE
These days packing for a camping trip involves everything – including the kitchen
sink. Outwell’s new Drayton opens up and folds out in seconds, with no assembly
required. Alongside the work surface there’s a built-in basin, where you can clean veg
and do the washing up afterwards. There’s plenty of storage underneath, including
two shelves, and budding Guyrope Gourmets can stash their cooking ingredients on
the spice rack.
VANGO SIESTA CHAIR
A comfy chair is a camping essential and
that’s the thinking behind this new design
from Vango. The steel frame is sturdy
and stable but still pretty lightweight
and the polyester fabric is strong and
durable. The wraparound design and
soft arms should mean it’s
a comfortable
place to park your
backside on the
campsite. Available
in junior, large and
extra large sizes,
it’s one for all the
family.
CK
BACKPA
S
THULE CAPSTONE
COLEMAN LOW SLING CHAIR
The Capstone backpack is one of three different
lines Thule are launching this year and it comes in
a variety of sizes ranging from 22 to 50 litres. It’s
taken almost three years to develop the range,
and it’s pretty clear that lots of design work has
gone into it. The USP is the fact that the height is
adjustable on the move, but there are also multiple
entry points, high-spec materials and a high
strength to weight ratio.
Light but robust, the low-to-ground design of the new Low
Sling chair allows you to stretch out your legs while the mesh
backing is designed to keep you cool. The chair folds up
compactly for easy transportation and storage and is fitted
with a cup holder.
KELTY PK40
The PK rucksacks were launched in the UK last
year as the centrepiece of Kelty’s TraiLogic range of
integrated products. The idea is that the backpack is
compartmentalised to accommodate each piece of
camping equipment easily so you know where to find
it when you need it. The PK40 is a new, smaller version
of the PK50, aimed at campers taking shorter trips.
VANGO META
The Meta can be used as a rucksack or can be
converted into a messenger-style bag using the
stowaway, detachable straps, making it perfect
for carrying your laptop around town. The 20
litre capacity is enough for using as a daysack
on camping trips. We particularly like the tasteful
heathered grey version.
10-14 Gear Guide ID.indd 13
campingmagazine.co.uk Winter 2015
13
08/12/2014 11:05
GEAR SPECIAL NEW KIT
G
CLOTHIN
CRAGHOPPERS
PRO-LITE SOFT
SHELL
BRIDGEDALE HAT
Best known for their socks, with their latest products,
Bridgedale have gone up in the world. Specifically up to
the head region. The quality materials and fit that they are
renowned for are utilised in the new range of hats that
come a variety of bright colours and patterns and styles,
including chunky knit, midweight and reversible. There’s a
new collection of gloves as well.
The new Pro-Lite collection
from Craghoppers has been
specially designed to be
lightweight and packable,
so much so they have put
together complete outfits for
men and women that weigh
in at less than 1kg – the
weight of a bag of sugar.
Part of the men’s outfit
is the Pro-Lite Softshell,
a water resistant and
windproof jacket,
that packs away into
its own pocket and
weighs just 355g.
SIERRA DESIGNS
DRIDOWN RAIN JACKET
A single solution for wet, cold environments, the uniquely
designed, 600-fill power DriDown Rain Jacket features
a stitch-free waterproof outer shell welded directly to
the liner to reduce bulk and weight. This design keeps
down insulation dry by preventing moisture from wicking
through stitching, eliminating the need for additional
seam tape or for a separate W/B shell over top of inner
baffling. Unlike many down jackets, the DriDown Rain
Jacket completely blocks wind to keep you warmer
while maintaining a high moisture vapor transfer rate
(MVTR) to keep you drier from the inside. Non-insulated
sides, underarms, and hood streamline fit, venting, and
packability. This distinctive construction keeps weight
to 540g
FOOTWE
AR
HANWAG
APPROACH II GTX
Approach shoes started out as
footwear for climbers on their way
to the crag, at which point they
would change into proper rock
climbing shoes. But you don’t have
to be a climber to appreciate the
advantages of an approach shoe.
While the treads aren’t as deep as
you might find on a walking boot,
the studs are shaped and spaced
to provide good traction on all but
the most challenging of terrains.
Add a breathable waterproof GoreTex lining, and you have a shoe
suitable backpacking without the
weight and bulk of a boot.
FEETZ POCKET
WELLIES
Think the weather might turn wet but
don’t want to carry a bulky pair of
wellies? This is the clever answer. As the
name would suggest, the pocket wellies
can be packed away in your pocket
ready to be pulled on over your shoes if
required. Available in blue, yellow, pink
or white, they’re ideal for festivals or for
around the campsite.
14
ANATOM S2
STONE ROAD
Anatom says this is its most rugged
approach shoe to date, offering boot-like
performance in a shoe that’s suited to
more demanding trails.
Yet it’s still pretty light. The new
Stone Road uses Anatom’s latest SR
outsole, made from non-slip rubber,
plus a light phylon midsole, shock
absorption, reinforced arch ridge and a
Bioform Heel Counter. Bellows lacing
allows for different foot shapes, while
the upper is a nubuck leather and
abrasion resistant mesh.
Winter 2015 campingmagazine.co.uk
10-14 Gear Guide ID.indd 14
08/12/2014 16:11
GET A FREE PAIR OF
HEAT
HOLDER
SOCKS
WHEN YOU SUBSCRIBE TO CAMPING MAGAZINE
Heat Holders are
seven times warmer
than normal cotton socks
and are designed to keep toes
toasty warm no matter what the
weather brings. With different
styles available making them
perfect for all the family, these
socks are sure to keep
the cold at bay.
WORTH
£10
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per year on direct
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camSubsGiftWinter15FP.indd 1
08/12/2014 11:45
GIVE IT A GO STAR GAZING
STARS IN
YOUR EYES
Steve Goodier looks to the heavens and swaps his OS map and boots for a star map
and a pair of binoculars as he reveals how to combine camping and astronomy.
16
Winter 2015 campingmagazine.co.uk
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08/12/2014 11:07
à
Camping is an outdoor hobby that takes you
into some wonderful places and stunning
locations. Astronomy is also an outdoor
pastime that gets you into the open air in some
wonderful places.
So if we were to combine the two, what would the
outcome be?
I think it would be fair to say that your weekend and
weeklong camping trips would take on a whole new
dimension and you would add a lifelong interest to the time
you spend away with your tent.
Let’s face it, one of the greatest requirements for
watching the night sky is a dark and light free environment
that gives unrestricted views of the heavens overhead.
And what do you get on most campsites? Yep, good
dark areas and often a good view of the sky overhead.
Ask any amateur astronomer what the biggest issue they
face is and they’ll tell you that they need to escape from
the glare of street lights – not east on our over populated
island.
Regular astronomers could do far worse than take up
camping to get them into the right sort of environment that
they need to pursue their nocturnal activities. Hopefully this
will inspire you, dear camper, to dip your toe into the world
of stargazing.
You already have your camping kit and all you really
need to get you going is a pair of binoculars and a map of
the night sky for the time of year you are going to be out
of doors. You don’t even need to do anything out of the
ordinary in the way of planning to start with - the chances
are you will be sat outside your tent anyway as darkness
falls either cooking at a barbeque, having a glass of two of
wine or just enjoying the company of friends.
You are already in the right place (hopefully) and all
you really need now is a clear sky. I once camped on a
site in Snowdonia underneath Mount Snowdon where a
caravanner set up a full sized reflecting telescope outside
his awning and waited for darkness to fall. There was a
steady stream of visitors to his van as people came to chat
and ask what he hoped to see.
It turned into quite a social event for the gentleman
GEAR
In addition to your regular camping gear, you will need to have warm
clothing with a woolly hat for the evenings. It is surprising how cool
even a warm summer night can become if you are just sitting still. A
torch is very helpful but make sure you cover it with red cellophane
or get one with a red beam setting. White light will destroy your night
vision immediately while red won’t and you will need to be able to look
at your star chart or books to identify what you are seeing. It will take
you some time to work out where everything is in the sky as you look
so be patient with yourself and take time to put a name to everything
you see.
Buy plenty of books on the subject – there are lots of good ones
around. Make sure they have monthly star maps that are easy to use
and show the views to all points of the compass. The sky changes each
month (and even by the hour) each night so a good book of maps (or a
good star map) gives times and dates. Ideally pay out for a Planisphere
(also called a star wheel) which can be rotated to suit time and location.
There are various computer programs that will help you identify
stars and constellations. There are also apps for smart phones and
tablets that can be downloaded and will show you the best of what you
see above when you point your device in any given directionIt might be
handy to have a small compass in your pocket too so you can identify
where north is and then you will know where other directions fall.
Carry a notebook and pencil or pen, and if you see something you
can’t work out, draw a rough diagram of it and mark it in relation to
other constellations you do know. Once back in your tent, or next
concerned and he seemed to like explaining the star
patterns to other campers. He certainly enjoyed the
numerous cans of beer he received in payment for a look
through the eyepiece of his telescope!
As with all hobbies and pastimes you can delve as
deep as you wish into it and become as specialist as you
choose, but to enjoy the splendours of our night sky you
really need little more than your eyes, a star map and the
right location.
A star filled sky stretching overhead with the Milky Way
morning, you will be able to use your books to see what it was.
Invest in some form of reclining camping chair that you can lay back
on and rest your shoulders and neck as you look upwards.
SITES
The obvious connection
that links would-be
astronomers with camping
is the fact that sites tend
to be dark and in country
locations which is what
is needed. Although most
campsites will fit your
requirements, some pride
themselves on having a
well-lit road system at
night and others have
lights dotted around the
camping areas to make it
safer for campers to move
around.
But what you are
looking for is a site that
offers a lot of darkness.
Some campsites advertise
themselves as “dark sky
sites” and others you will
find by accident. Farms are
always a good bet when
looking for darkness. The
other thing to bear in mind
is that as well as darkness
you need to have a good
view of the sky. Lots of
camping areas have heavy
tree screening so your
view of the heavens is
restricted. What’s required
is an open field with good
views in all directions.
Often elevated sites offer
great panoramas and a
search of the internet will
often throw up camping
sites that advertise
themselves as being
suitable for stargazing.
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08/12/2014 11:07
GIVE IT A GO STAR GAZING
Southerness Holiday Park
sketching a hazy and murky white path through it all, is a
simply awesome sight. One of my earliest memories from
childhood was being carried home one winter’s night on my
father’s shoulders and gazing up at the stars above.
I have no idea where we had been or why we were
walking back, but I have never forgotten those stars, such
was their effect on my young mind.
One thing that stargazing will teach you is patience as
you search for something you know should be there but
can’t seem to see. Take pleasure in that wonder of nature
above you no matter how much you see or don’t see. Enjoy
every night you get out and think how lucky you are to be in
such a place with a free display spread above you.
Advance at your own speed and take your time – you’re
doing this for fun not to tick off every star on a given list.
I read recently that the night sky is an amazing spectacle
that 90% of the population doesn’t get to see. That makes
you and your tent one of the very lucky 10%! ■
Awelfryn Caravan Park
Shell Island Campsite
Strathfillan Wigwam Village
STAY AT
Here are a few suggestions of camping sites that give you good dark skies
to star watch.
SCOTLAND
BINOCULARS
AND TELESCOPES
Telescopes range from expensive to
very expensive. There are some cheap
ones available from one or two places
and you can always buy second hand.
However, with telescopes, what you
pay for is really what you get and the
optics are very important. They are
great, but take a bit of setting up and
can be bulky to take on a camping trip.
Far better to invest in a pair of decent
binoculars and use them instead. They
can be a bit harder to hold steady (you
can buy tripods with a binocular holding
conversion if you really want to) but
as you will probably be sitting down
anyway, you should be OK. Don’t go for
too much power as the larger ones such
as a pair of 20x50 ‘bins’ will be hard to
hold really steady and will make it hard
to find what you are looking at in the
sky as the field of vision is so narrow.
Better to go with something such as
8x40 or 10x50. Binoculars such as these
will do just fine and in case you don’t
know, the first number is the amount of
magnification you get, and the second
the diameter of the lens in millimetres.
18
SOUTHERNESS HOLIDAY PARK
Southerness, By Dumfries, Dumfries and Galloway DG2 8AZ
01387 880256
www.parkdeanholidays.co.uk
Has a large camping open field near the sea with great views of the sky.
BEESWING CARAVAN PARK
Kirkgunzeon, Dumfries, DG2 8JL
01387 760242
Some trees but a good dark camping field with views of the sky.
STRATHFILLAN WIGWAM VILLAGE
Tyndrum, Crianlarich, Perthshire, Scotland FK20 8RU
01838 400251/400298
www.wigwamholidays.com/Strathfillan_Wigwam_village
A very dark camping field set deep amongst Scottish mountains.
WALES
AWELFRYN CARAVAN PARK
Newborugh, Anglesey, Gwynedd, North Wales LL61 6SG
01248 440230
www.awelfryn.co.uk
An elevated site on Anglesey, which has great sea views and also superb
vistas of the skies.
SHELL ISLAND CAMPSITE
Shell Island, Llanbedr, Gwynedd, North Wales LL45 2PJ
01341 241453
www.shellisland.co.uk
Another island site with lots of camping spots in isolated locations giving
great night sky views.
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WEATHER
BISHOPS MEADOW CARAVAN PARK
Hay Road, Brecon, Powys LD3 9SW
01874 610000
www.bishops-meadow.co.uk
Despite having a road and some site lighting on the caravan area, the
camping fields here are dark and the views are good for watching the sky
over the nearby Brecon Beacons.
It may sound obvious,
but you can’t do any
stargazing if the clouds
cover the sky. So before
you set off on your
weekend, make sure
you have watched the
forecast for the area you
are going to and ensure
that you have clear skies
to make the whole thing
possible. Another thing
to consider which many
people don’t realise is the
state of the moon. While
a full moon rising over a
mountain landscape may
look incredibly romantic
from the front of your
tent, it is not so good for
watching the stars as it
blots a lot of them out.
A really bright full moon
can cast shadows on the
ground and I have walked
over high mountains by its
light on many occasions.
It’s best to avoid a full
moon unless you have a
particular interest in all
things lunar.
ENGLAND
GILL HEAD FARM CARAVAN AND CAMPING PARK
Troutbeck, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 0ST
017687 79652
www.gillheadfarm.co.uk
Gill Head ticks all the boxes – it is elevated and very dark and has a clear
view of the sky.
RUNNAGE RIVERSIDE CAMPING
Runnage Farm, Postbridge Yelverton, South Devon PL20 6TN
01822 880222
www.runnagecampingbarns.co.uk
High up on Dartmoor on a working farm. Very dark with good sky views.
Cloud Farm Camping Site
CLOUD FARM CAMPING SITE
Oare, Lynton, North Devon EX35 6NU
01598 741278
www.cloudfarmcamping.com
Set in a dark valley making it easy to get good starlit nights.
SPIERS HOUSE CAMPING IN
THE FOREST CAMPING SITE
Cropton, Pickering, North Yorkshire YO18 8ES
01751 417591 (Site)
www.campingintheforest.co.uk
Actually encourages people to come to the site to witness the dark skies
and good night sky views that you get here despite being set in a forest.
FOLKESTONE CAMPING AND
CARAVANNING CLUB SITE
The Warren, Folkestone Kent CT19 6NQ
01303 255083 (Site)
www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk
A cliff top site with views of an enormous sky above the English Channel.
FISHPOOL FARM CARAVAN PARK
Delamere, Cheshire, CW8 2HP
01606 883970
www.fishpoolfarmcaravanpark.co.uk
Despite a pub and road nearby, plus some on-site lights, you can get some
good night sky views from this mid-Cheshire site.
Runnage Riverside Camping
OTHER GOOD STARGAZING AREAS
Some other areas that are noted for their stargazing potential and dark
skies:
Romney Marsh
Kielder (officially the darkest place in England)
Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
Isle of Wight
Isle of Mull
Lincolnshire
Somerset
Bishops
Meadow
Caravan Park
Gill Head Farm Caravan
and Camping Park
Spiers House Camping In
The Forest Camping Site
Fishpool Farm
Caravan Park
LOOK OUT FOR …
Comets come along from time to time and each
year there are set times for meteor showers
when a clear night and a dark sky can give you a
spectacular display that you will never forget.
Here is list of the main ones to watch for – the
dates vary slightly year on year:
Quadrantids 1 -5 January
Perseids 10 - 13 August
Leonids 14 -21 November
Folkestone Camping and Caravanning Club Site
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THE BIG REVIEW
TATTERSHALL LAKES COUNTRY PARK
TATTERSHALL
LAKES COUNTRY
PARK
57 Sleaford Road,
Tattershall, Lincolnshire
LN4 4LR
01526 348800
www.tattershall-lakes.com
Open All year
Cost From £9.10 (own
tent and up to six
people)/£44 (bell tent for
up to four people)
Electric hook-up Yes
Children welcome Yes
NEARBY
Tattershall (0.5 miles)
Coningsby (1.3)
Woodhall Spa (five)
Horncastle (nine)
Boston (18)
New York (five)
Skegness (27)
Lincoln (31 miles)
THE PIES
HAVE IT
à
EATING OUT
OK, so all your eating out
needs are easily catered
for on-site. Step along
the road or path and
there’s the Tattershall
Park pub on the site’s
border. Or head in the
opposite direction and into
Tattershall itself, where
there’s a handful of pubs,
plus the Something Fishy
fish and chips take-away
in the Market Place.
All-singing? All-dancing? All wet? Or just another cream
pie fight? Nick Harding grabs a great lake break
'Twixt the fens and wolds of Lincolnshire
(a fen is a low, marshy area that’s prone to
flooding; a wold is an area of uncultivated
high ground, usually forested. Impressed,
eh? O-level geography, grade B). That’s where you’ll find
Tattershall Lakes.
It’s a huge campsite, too. Something of a 21st Century
take on a holiday camp, admittedly, but bear with me here,
not least because it’s open all year round.
Actually, it’s more than that. Away Resorts is the group
owner of a handful sites, with Tattershall and Whitecliff Bay
on the Isle of Wight, catering for tent campers.
They do have one common aim, however, and that’s to
restore some level of English eccentricity to the holiday
concept. We may have moved on (a bit) from knotted
handkerchiefs and knobbly knees competitions, but
the many, many offerings here at Tattershall really are
something to behold.
This is by no means a definitive list, but take this:
Outdoor stage, film showings complete with popcorn and
blankets (again, outdoors), jet skiing, 18-hole golf course,
swimming pool (we’re indoors now), gymnasium, spa.
Then there’s the bingo, karaoke, talent shows, live music...
it’s a veritable cornucopia of things to do.
Plus, there are the lakes themselves. Duck Lake, Water
Ski Lake, Jet Ski Lake, Fishing Lake (actually, there are two
catering for anglers), Castle Lake... you get the picture.
Trust me. And yourselves. Honest, let go of those
inhibitions. You never know, you might just unleash some
inner athlete. Either that or you can just head to the
woods, literally.
There are certainly opportunities for peace and quiet
Did you know? You can read and write reviews of over 6,000 campsites, including this one, with our F
20
Winter 2015 campingmagazine.co.uk
20-21 Big Site ID.indd 20
08/12/2014 11:11
(well, this is Lincolnshire).
Or you could go to the
beach. Skeggie (Skegness,
if you must) is some 30 miles
east. But wait, the beach has
come to you. Yes, they’ve
actually installed their very
own beach here at very much
inland Tattershall.
And yes, it’s a sandy beach.
OK, it’s not that huge. But
it occupies a small corner
of Water Ski Lake. Surely
it’s the camping equivalent of moving the mountain to
Mohammed... although ironically enough the one thing this
site doesn’t actually have is exactly that: a mountain.
THE SITE
You don’t even have to bring your own accommodation.
Sure, it helps. Otherwise, there’s the opportunity to glamp
it up in a ready-erected bell tent, festooned with bunting.
Bring your own accommodation and prices can work
out as low as £4 a night. OK, make that £24, for a tent
and up to six persons. Larger tents are happily accepted
(although, as ever, do let them know in advance). It’s often
only £1 extra for mains hook-up. Dogs are welcome, too.
Depending on where you end up camping, toilet block
facilities can be a bit mixed. In some case, it’s down to
portable units with small rooms housing individual toilet
and shower arrangements.
Elsewhere, head for the central Entertainment Hub
and there’s the Boathouse Bar and Diner, where you’ll
NEED TO DO
also where you’ll get free Wi-Fi.
The Propeller Bar’s for views out, appropriately enough
of any flight activity from nearby Coningsby (Lancasters,
Spitfires and more). Or, if you actually want to take a
flight in a Lancaster, head out to East Kirkby, a 20-minute
drive away.
There’s a small shop on site, although there’s also a
helpful list of six local supermarkets.
Noises overhead? Ah, that could be RAFBBMF, the
Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, operating
out of RAF Coningsby. There’s a strong RAF presence in
this part of Lincolnshire.
Aside from all the on-site razzmatazz, on a clear still
night you can see plenty of stars.
Tattershall Lakes is definitely one to appeal to the family
that Likes To Do Things. Frankly, it’s all here on site.
Did I mention cream pie fights? 2014 saw Away Resorts
going for a Guinness World Record for the Largest
Shaving Cream Pie Fight. It just fell short, but who’s to say
there won’t be another attempt in 2015. Just watch this
space... and duck! ■
This is really a rather
fascinating part of
England. Certainly one
that warrants further
investigation – and
you can’t be accused of
following the crowds.
}It might be a village of
less than 3,000 people
but Tattershall alone pins
its name to a farm park,
karting circuit and the
station potter. There’s
also the eponymous
moated castle, so close
by it shares the same
postcode as the site. It’s
now in the care of the
National Trust.
}Tattershall Castle may
look modern, thanks to
its all-bricks composition,
but it’s an original 15th
Century pile. It was made
at a time when such
building materials were
used as a way of showing
off an owner’s pure
wealth!
}Fancy seal watching?
Head down to Boston and
take the Boston Belle out
into the Wash and along
the River Welland.
}It’s a bit of a loop to get to
Lincoln (cathedral, castle,
cobbled stones etc) by
road, although you’ll see
its famous cathedral from
miles off.
}The Parrot Zoo at
Friskney, near Boston, is
home to the UK’s largest
collection of parrots.
}Sibsey Trader Windmill,
also near Boston, is
a restored six-storey
windmill. Get your
organic flour here, or
try some of the baked
goodies in the awardwinning tea shop. Also
nearby are windmills
Ellis (in Lincoln) and
Heckington (eight sails!)
DID YOU
KNOW. . .
Tattershall church is
where you’ll find the
grave of the renowned
Tom Thumb. He lived in
the village until he died
in 1620, aged 101 and still
just 47cm tall.
NEED TO
KNOW
www.visitlincolnshire.com
ith our FREE online Campsite Finder. Visit: www.campingmagazine.co.uk
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20-21 Big Site ID.indd 21
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08/12/2014 11:11
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p022.indd 1
05/12/2014 11:33
LAW
OF THE CAMPSITE
Gillian Law on whether you should pack light for camping.
à
How much “stuff”do you take
with you? Are you a minimalist, or
a “take it all just in case” sort of
camper?
I ask because of a conversation that’s
been going on on Facebook this week. A
friend just got back from a couple of weeks’
cycle camping in France. She had a fantastic
time, and had been posting lots of photos of
her fully-laden bike in front of beautiful views
of mountains and lakes and, well, just...
France. Lovely.
But the comments under her photos were
really split. Did she have “far too much stuff”,
or “not really much at all”?
When she got back, my friend carefully
weighed each of her panniers, and calculated
that she was carrying 21 kilograms of gear,
as well as her bike and, well, herself. “Far
too much! My aim is to cut it in half by next
year!”
But then other people started to respond.
“That’s nothing! I had 33 kilos on my bike
last time I was away on a big trip - and my
husband had 40 kilos”
Or:
“One jersey, two pairs of pants, a bivvy bag,
a toothbrush and some malt loaf, that’s all you
need.”
So, who is right? No-one, I suppose - we all
have to find our own strategies. I try to keep
things under control, whether I’m going by
bike or by car. Why take a whole load of junk
that you don’t need? Even if you arrive in a
car you’re likely to have to cart it across an
area of campsite to your pitch, and if you don’t
need it, why bother? But then, the definition
of “need” is a very flexible one. I have friends
who won’t go without a full batterie de cuisine
of pots and spatulas and herbs and spices.
And another one who insists on taking a
hairdryer. Did you know you can buy super-tiny
hairdryers and hair straighteners? Nor did I!
My own comfort level needs a decent sized
tent - a two-person tent for one, three-person
for two, and so on - plus plenty of warm things
in case I get cold. I like to be able to cook,
if I have to, and make cups of tea whenever
I want them. If I have a car, then heck, bring
chairs and a table – why grub about on the
ground if you don’t have to? Plus my knees
are getting stiffer every year…
But after saying “next year” would be
lighter-weight, my France-touring friend
then set off only a couple of weeks later
on another trip. (She’s a teacher - lots of
holidays, lucky thing…). And boy had she
taken those Facebook comments to heart.
Well, that and I think she’d really struggled
up hills with all her gear.
But now she had practically nothing
with her! A teeny-tiny one man tent, and a
minimum of kit all round. She turned into
someone who could tell you the weight of her
sleeping mat, and took a short one rather than
full-length. And as she said “I just wore the
same clothes and smelled bad!” But when she
got back, she admitted that she had hated
the tiny tent and the lack of “stuff”. The tent
was cramped and claustrophobic, her mat
wasn’t soft enough – and, who knows, maybe
people kept holding their nose when she went
past! I doubt that last one, but we all like clean
clothes once in a while. So there’s a balance
to be found. Make sure you have what you
need, but keep it under control.
If you like a snug and cosy tent, one where
your nose is practically touching the roof,
and you’re squeezed up next to anyone you
share it with, then great. But if you like to
spread out a bit then make sure you take that
into account - it’s important to have the right
tent and gear for you. If you have children, if
it’s likely to rain, if you’re far from anywhere
and need to cook, there are all sorts of
reasons why you need to fill up the boot of
the car, or the panniers on your bike.
Think of me next time you’re stuffing the car
full of junk, or writing an extra long packing list.
Do you need it all? Is it just going to be a pest
to have so much stuff? What can double up
and be used twice? Just don’t curse me when
you get there and have no tin opener… ■
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08/12/2014 17:00
FOCUS ON THE YORKSHIRE DALES
DALE ME IN
Steve Goodier takers a back to basics approach
to campsites on the Yorkshire Dales.
24
Winter 2015 campingmagazine.co.uk
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à
If you put all the separate
component parts together to
make a whole, Yorkshire is our
largest county. But no matter
what part of the county you think about
when you bring it to mind, nearly all campers
heading for the region have their sights set
firmly on the glorious Yorkshire Dales. There
is simply nowhere else like this wonderful
mountain and moorland upland in the United
Kingdom. Everyone has their own favourite
Dale and most will return to this area year
after year to camp on a site they are familiar
with.
Campers are passionate about the Dales
but then again, so are the people who live
and work there. It’s one of those places that
everyone is proud to be associated with,
either as a resident or a visitor.
It attracts tourists all year round, with
mountain bikers and walkers especially
adoring the range of possibilities it offers
them. But for the general tourist and family
camper there is no end of attractions,
including wonderful rivers, waterfalls and
viewpoints.
For such a popular region there aren’t as
many campsites as you would imagine and
some of the better ones are hidden away from
the road network and have to be searched
for. Often they are to be found on remote
farms under towering fellsides and have basic
facilities but are absolutely magnificent places
to bring the family for a camping trip.
Hidden tracks take the walker over
moorland tops, quiet lanes take the
adventurous driver across high level routes
with awesome views, and then there are the
towns and villages with the likes of Settle,
Hawes, Richmond, Grassington, Buckden and
Kettlewell (to name but a few) being must-visit
destinations during your stay.
The Aysgarth Falls, the awesome Hardraw
Force, Buttertubs Pass, Malham Cove and
Bolton Priory are all essential places to visit.
It’s not hard to see why regulars come
back time and again and newcomers quickly
add the area to their favourites list. For our
campsite selection we have tried to give you
a range of quieter farm locations in peaceful
locations to camp on. These have facilities
ranging from good to basic, but what they
all have in common is the chance to camp in
remote and stunning surroundings and get the
family back to basics and show them what
camping is all about.
We have chosen three of the better-known
Dales for you to choose from – Malhamdale,
Wensleydale and Wharfedale. Whichever one
you opt for in the end you can guarantee you
won’t be disappointed by what you find. ■
Contains Ordinance Survey data
© Crown copyright and database right 2015
campingmagazine.co.uk Winter 2015
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08/12/2014 16:19
FOCUS ON THE YORKSHIRE DALES
RIVERSIDE CAMPSITE
Let’s kick off our look at
Yorkshire Dales campsites by
visiting the Southern Dales and
visiting famous Malhamdale
where we have chosen a remote
farm site that is much loved by
regulars.
Malham is one of Yorkshire’s
famous must-see locations and
the magnificent limestone cliffs
of Malham Cove don’t disappoint
when you have taken the time
to walk up to them. Malham is a
quiet and secluded village tucked
into the heart of the limestone
dales and consists of a few
pubs, a small visitor centre and
lots and lots of charm. Once
people discover this village they
come back time and again. In
all seasons it is delightful, but if
you really want to see it without
the crowds then come early or
late season or aim to stay just
outside of the village at the quieter
Riverside Campsite (also known as
Town Head Farm) which is a haven
of peace and quiet.
The Pennine Way passes
through Malham and Riverside is
a popular stopping off point for
those walking it in the summer
months. As well as that, the cove,
cliffs and limestone pavement
above it (plus the surrounding
hills), attract lots of family
campers to the area too. In main
season this site gets really packed
as it is the nearest you can camp
to the cove and the cliffs are in
view from the field. The main path
up to the cove runs beside the
site as well.
You can really get to soak up
the atmosphere of the Dales
during a stay here, surrounded
as you are by limestone walls,
limestone outcrops and the green
RIVERSIDE/TOWN HEAD FARM CAMPSITE
Town Head, Malham, North Yorkshire BD23 4DJ
01729 830287
26
fields of the rolling moorland.
Riverside is a basic site located
on a farm at the head of the
village. It is an easy enough walk
to the pubs at night and there is a
small shop in the village too. Once
on site here you feel really remote
and the views are tremendous.
There is a small toilet and shower
block with wash area near the
parking section and the field is
slightly sloping in parts with a
brook running along the base of
it. Kids always love it here as you
are camping on a working farm
with all the wonderful countryside
smells that are associated with
that. They also have the freedom
to roam around a good sized field.
There are no electric hook ups
and most of the time you will have
to leave your car parked away
from your pitch and carry your
gear over, as there are only a very
few places where parking near
the pitches is allowed.
This is a real family location
and has a great atmosphere with
everyone having a good time
and getting on well together. The
site has a lot of rules in place to
avoid rowdy behaviour and the
owners ensure everything runs
well and efficiently.
The owners are really friendly
and know the local area well
and don’t forget to bring your
walking boots and gear as
you have magnificent walking
country all around.
This is a place to add to
your list of “must give it a
go sometime” sites as it is
well worth the time and effort
needed to get here - you will
enjoy a really unique camping
experience amongst wild and
spectacular countryside. ■
WORTH KNOWING
}
The site is next to the main path to Malham Cove so
it can get busy during the day as people pass by in
a steady procession to see the cliffs and watch the
Peregrine Falcons that nest there.
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BAINBRIDGE INGS CARAVAN AND CAMPSITE
Heather covered moors and
hills are the order of the day
in Wensleydale and when the
weather is settled, fine and warm
this Dale is a great location
for walkers, bikers and lovers
of dramatic scenery. Many of
the episodes of the television
series All Creatures Great and
Small were filmed around here
at villages such as Askrigg and
lovely Semer Water.
This is a popular area all year
round and is wider than most of
the other Dales. The drive down
its winding road is a delight
and many Dales lovers have a
soft spot for the market town of
Hawes in the upper dale.
And it is close to this
destination that we find our
second choice of site.
Bainbridge Ings Caravan and
Campsite is always busy and is
a popular choice for campers in
Upper Wensleydale.
Surrounded by hills and
moors, you could sit on your
chair outside your tent and look
at the impressive fells without
even moving off site once you had
pitched. But surely that would be
a waste of a superb area?
The thing you notice first of all
when you speak to campers at
Bainbridge Ings site is that most
are regulars who come back year
after year – which is always a good
indication of a quality location.
The site is wonderfully located
and gives dramatic views in all
directions from its elevated fields.
Bainbridge Ings is secluded and
well run and is a very quiet location
but is close enough to the tourist
town of Hawes to make a walk
into the pubs in the evening very
easy. The site also makes a great
base for touring the Yorkshire
Dales National Park, especially
the Northern areas. The site is
a Caravan and Camping Club
listed site and is also AA listed.
The camping field is spacious and
level and camping is only allowed
around the edges with a lot of
the camper vans using the hard
standing area in front of it
The site covers six acres and
has space for 30 touring vans
and around 40 tents – booking is
advised at peak times as the site
can fill up very quickly. The toilet
and shower facility is located
to the front of the camping field
and set in an area of its own and
has showers, washbasins and
toilets and there are also clothes
washing and drying facilities.
WORTH KNOWING
BAINBRIDGE INGS CARAVAN AND CAMPSITE
}
Bainbridge Ings offers mobile phone charging
with donations for the facility going to the local air
ambulance.
Hawes, Wensleydale, North Yorkshire DL8 3NU
01969 667354 www.bainbridge-ings.co.uk
24-28 Site reviews ID.indd 27
Although the facilities are
slightly off the camping field no
one seems to mind the short
walk to them.
Gas, milk and eggs are all
available to buy and there is WiFi although it is not received on
all areas of the camping field.
This is a happy site with the
owners being local and a mine of
information. There always seems
to be someone stopping for a
chat at the reception and the
site has that bright and breezy
feel about it that makes camping
here a pleasure. You are very
well positioned for exploring the
tiny roads that meander over
the hillsides linking the valleys
so make sure you take a good
map so you can locate them –
and make sure you include a
visit to neighbouring Swaledale
which never fails to disappoint.
You can’t fail to see walking
possibilities during your stay
here and most people who use
the site are outdoorsy types
who come for the hiking, the
mountain biking or simply for
the chance to see the moors
and visit the cafes in the quaint
Dales. ■
campingmagazine.co.uk Winter 2015
27
08/12/2014 17:02
FOCUS ON THE YORKSHIRE DALES
WOOD NOOK CARAVAN PARK
Everyone has a soft spot for
Wharfedale, with its narrow
lanes, towering fells and babbling
brooks and rivers that epitomise
everything a true Northern Dale
should look like.
With towns and villages like
Grassington, Buckden and
Kettlewell and attractions such as
Bolton Abbey Estate and Priory
as well as the awesome chasm of
the Strid on the River Wharfe, it’s
a must for all who come to North
Yorkshire.
There are several excellent
camping sites but we have
chosen one hidden away down
quiet back lanes.
Wood Nook Caravan Park
caters for tents, caravans and
campervans and is set near to
lovely Grassington in the heart
Wharfedale. This site is very well
located for walkers, mountain
bikers and tourists who want to
explore this area as a whole. It is
efficiently run and well landscaped
and offers a haven of peace and
quiet for campers who like solitude
and great locations. The site is
accessed down tight country lanes
where owners of trailers will have
to take care and be patient on
the approach at busy times of the
year. The site is set in six acres of
woodland and rolling fields and
WOODNOOK CARAVAN PARK
Skirethorns, Theshfield, Skipton North Yorkshire BD23 5NU
01756 752412 www.woodnook.net
28
has held a David Bellamy Gold
Conservation award for the last
10 years. There is a one-way
system on the approach drive
to the site and check in is at a
courtyard area where you will also
find the toilets and showers (plus
laundry) in outbuildings. Reception
is signposted and also has a
well-stocked shop that sells beer
and wine too. For the camping
field you make a tight turn left
after the reception area to pass
between buildings and go past an
undercover barbeque area. A curve
left and right brings you onto the
camping area which is a well cut
and looked after meadow with trees
and a building at the far end. It is
very quiet and well sheltered but
there are only a limited number
of electric hook-ups for campers
so you need to book these in
advance if you need one.
Overall, Wood Nook Caravan
Park can cater for around 50
units and can get very busy at
peak holiday times so make sure
you ring in advance to check
they can take you. For a good
base in the Yorkshire Dales where
you can really get away from it
all, and a great place to finish our
look at sites in the region, Wood
Nook is a very pleasant site to
stay on. ■
WORTH KNOWING
âThe approach lanes to the site are very tight in places
and if you are towing a trailer in peak season you may
find them slow going.
Winter 2015 campingmagazine.co.uk
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08/12/2014 11:15
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08/12/2014 16:15
Iain Duff’s
39 Challenge
Counties
NORTHERN SKIES
à
Camping editor Iain Duff was aiming to stay in all 39 of England’s
historic counties during 2014. Here’s his latest bulletin.
Campsites are like snowflakes,
no two are exactly the same. And
yet when you compare a list of
facilities, one site can appear to be
very much like another.
On paper, they might both have toilets,
showers, a playground and a shop. But you
don’t go camping on paper and that toilet
block they boast about on their website might
turn out to be a Glastonbury-style cubicle
in the middle of the field. The hot showers
could cost you a pound a wash and the kids’
adventure playground might turn out to be an
old tyre swinging from the branch of a tree.
So it’s not until you actually visit a site that
30
you’ll know what it’s really like. And one of
the best things about this challenge has been
getting out and seeing the full range of sites
that England has to offer.
For the most part I’ve been impressed. Very
few of the campsites I’ve visited would go on
my “never again” blacklist and several of them
I’d definitely want to go back to sooner rather
than later.
During a slightly frenetic half-term holiday
back in October last year, we visited four sites
in a five days, each offering a different type of
camping experience. First stop was the Lake
District and the Camping and Caravanning
Club’s Windermere site, in what used to be the
county of Westmorland (now part of Cumbria).
At the risk of stating the bleeding obvious,
it rains a lot in the Lake District. I realise this
won’t be news to anyone who’s ever visited.
I’ve been many times, and every single time
it has poured down. It rains in the morning
and keeps raining all day. In the evening it
rains and it keeps raining all night. And then
it all starts again in the morning. I say “starts
again”; of course it never actually stops.
But despite the area’s reputation for
sogginess, we keep going back, time and
time again. The Lake District gets more than
15.5 million visitors annually – around the
same number of tourists who go to London
Winter 2015 campingmagazine.co.uk
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08/12/2014 11:18
meaning a longer than expected walk to use
the facilities. On the upside, that did allow us a
close-up view of Doris – a campervan that was
lit up like a fairground ride.
Next day we drove 30 miles north through
the beautiful Lake District countryside to
Keswick in ancient Cumberland, our second
destination for this mini northern tour. Our
campsite for the night was Castlerigg Hall,
which sits at the top of a hill on the outskirts of
Keswick looking down over the town towards
the lake and the surrounding mountains. It’s
hard to imagine a site with more impressive
views. Even in relentless rain, on a gloomy day
in late autumn, the vistas are breathtaking. But
there’s more to this site than its spectacular
location. The facilities for campers are all
outstanding – particularly the pot wash area
and the campers’ kitchen, both of which are
up to (and beyond) a standard you’d be happy
with at home.
If there’s one downside of the site, it’s that
some of the camping pitches are on a slope.
And this was to be our downfall, literally.
Heavy rain, mud and a steep hill tend not to be
a great combination, and so it proved as we
packed the tent away. First our youngest
son and then my wife slipped and fell
into the quagmire. Pro-tip: always have
a clean set of clothes in the car when
packing up in rotten weather.
Somewhat soggy and bedraggled
we eventually got everything
squashed into the car and set off
across country for our third county
in three days, Northumberland. The
good news was the weather was going
to improve… or so we were told.
To be fair, when we arrived at our
Durham Cathedral
site – the award-winning and very nice indeed
South Meadows – it was lovely and sunny.
There was a gentle breeze, but this actually
helped dry out the tent, which was still sodden
from the deluge of rain in the Lake District.
The camping field was flat, with well spaced
out pitches and opposite a superb play park.
In fact all the facilities at South Meadow were
excellent, including the spotlessly clean toilets
and showers and the family shower rooms.
Ominously it looked like the weather was
going to take a turn for the worse – rain was
forecast (natch) and the gentle breeze was
going to pick up during the night. Did it ever.
When we went to bed it was a little blowy.
By 1am it had turned blustery. Half an hour
later it was squally. And by two o’ clock we
were seemingly dealing with a full on tornado.
I woke again to see the front two beams of
our inflatable tent being bent almost double as
they were battered by the 50mph gusts.
I spent the next 20 minutes desperately
flailing around in the darkness tightening
guyropes and hammering in more pegs, while
The view from Castlerigg Hall
Walking in the rain
every year. In fact it’s probably just as well the
weather is so bad, otherwise the place simply
wouldn’t be able to cope with the number of
people who’d flock there.
We’d been to the Windermere site a couple
of times before and it’s one of our family’s
favourite places to camp: not only is it set in
a beautiful part of the country but it’s a lovely
site too. It’s pretty huge but feels relaxed
and welcoming. The amenities are first-rate
too, with a cosy pub, a TV/family room, a
new children’s playground and a superb
backpackers’ hut.
The only issue was the fact that the nearest
toilet block was closed for the season,
campingmagazine.co.uk Winter 2015
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31
08/12/2014 11:18
Iain Duff’sCounties
39 Challenge County Files
26 CORNWALL
You can read about my
trips to Cornwall, Surrey
and Huntingdonshire and
keep track of my progress
on my blog at www.
campingmagazine.
wordpress.com.
Home of the Eden Project, Lands End, brilliant beaches,
super surfing, Cornish pasties, cream teas and much
more. One of Britain’s favourite holidays destinations,
Cornwall is full of great campsites.
NOW YOU KNOW
Hundreds of Lego pieces are still being washed up on
the beaches around Cornwall, 17 years after a container
carrying the toys fell from a cargo ship into the sea.
STAY AT
Messing about on the river in Huntingdonshire
Tollgate Farm
Budnick Hill, Perranporth, Cornwall TR6 0AD
01872 572130
www.tollgatefarm.co.uk
27 SURREY
It’s close enough to London to make it a base for
visiting the capital, but Surrey offers plenty of
attractions in its own right, including Thorpe
Park and Mercedez-Benz World
NOW YOU KNOW
} The biggest vineyard in the United Kingdom
is located in Dorking, Surrey
The playpark at South Meadows
STAY AT
Chertsey Camping and Caravanning Club site
65-67 Bridge Rd, Chertsey, Surrey KT16 8JX
01932 562405
www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk
28 WESTMORLAND
This historic county (abolished in 1974) forms a large
part of the southern Lake District, including the
hugely popular tourist destinations of Windermere
and Bowness
NOW YOU KNOW
The last day of summer?
simultaneously trying to avoid stepping in
muddy puddles in my flip-flops. It seemed
to make little difference so I resorted to the
fallback position when in a tent being battered
by strong winds: zip up the bedroom, close
your eyes, put on your iPod and hope for the
best. It did the trick. In the morning we were
still in Kansas - sorry Northumberland - and
the wind and rain had calmed down.
After a couple of days exploring the area, we
hit the A1 for our next stop in County Durham.
Compared to the sites we’d visited earlier
on the trip, Strawberry Hill Farm was basic,
but that’s not to meant as a criticism in any
way. This is very much a rural site and enjoys
peaceful, bucolic position. As the name would
suggest, it sits on a hill, and there are lovely
views over the rolling countryside.
The modern amenities block features free
hot showers and a fully-fitted laundry room,
with washing machine, tumble dryer, ironing
facilities and hair dryer. The small shop sells
basic supplies. But what made this site for us
was its proximity to the historic city of Durham.
As we discovered on site owner Howard’s
useful information sheet, the park and ride is
only a 10 minute drive away. For just £2, a bus
will drop you off in the city centre and take you
back to your car at the end of the day. ■
32
} Lake Windermere is the largest natural lake in
England
29 CUMBERLAND
In 1974, Cumberland was combined with
Westmorland and parts of Lancashire and the West
Riding of Yorkshire to form the new county of
Cumbria.
NOW YOU KNOW
STAY AT
Castlerigg Hall
Keswick, Cumbria CA12 4TE
017687 74499
www.castlerigg.co.uk
} The Cumberland sausage has been a local speciality
in Cumbria for around 500 years.
30 NORTHUMBERLAND
The Northumberland coast is often referred to
as England’s best kept secret with 30 miles of
spectacular beaches – huge expanses of golden sands
without the crowds you’ll encounter in more popular
parts of the country.
NOW YOU KNOW
STAY AT
South Meadows Campsite
Belford, Northumberland NE70 7DP
01668 213326
www.southmeadows.co.uk
} Northumberland has more castles than any other
county in England.
31 CO DURHAM
Durham City, home to the iconic cathedral, is the
centrepiece of a county of rolling countryside and
dramatic coastline
NOW YOU KNOW
} An amateur team from West Auckland won the first
football World Cup in 1909 – then did it again in
1911, thrashing Juventus 6-1.
STAY AT
Strawberry Hill Farm Campsite
Running Waters, Old Cassop, Durham, County
Durham DH6 4QA
0191 372 3457
www.strawberry-hill-farm.co.uk
32 HUNTINGDONSHIRE
Now part of Cambridgeshire, the historic county
includes the towns of Huntingdon, St Ives,
Godmanchester, St Neots and Ramsey.
NOW YOU KNOW
} Oliver Cromwell represented Huntingdon in
parliament the 17th Century – and John Major did
Winter 2015 campingmagazine.co.ukthe same between 1979 and 2001.
30-32 County Challenge ID.indd 32
STAY AT
Windermere Camping and Caravanning Club site
Ashes Ln, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria LA8 9JS
01539 821119
www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk
STAY AT
Willows Caravan Park
Bromholme Ln, Brampton, Huntingdon,
Cambridgeshire PE28 4NE
01480 437566
www.willowscaravanpark.com
11/12/2014 15:43
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08/12/2014 11:49
GEAR SPECIAL BUDGET KIT
BUYING
BUDGET GEAR
IS IT WORTH IT?
Everyone loves a bargain but is cheap supermarket camping
gear really worth it? Iain Duff considers whether or not you’d
actually be better off in the long term if you spent a little more.
à
When we decided to try camping
again as a family after our first son
was born, we bought all our gear at
a Makro cash and carry. It was an
impulse buy; a bundle containing a tent, four
34
sleeping bags, four mats, two chairs, a table,
a stove and a lantern. It basically contained
everything we needed for our first trip, all for the
princely sum of £99.
Now, there’s no question that the quality left
a little to be desired. The tent struggled to cope
in heavy rain and the sleeping bags probably
wouldn’t have kept you very warm in the depths
of winter. But overall it was good enough
for our needs and at less than £100
wasn’t much of a risk if it had all gone
pear-shaped. It turned out we loved
camping and as the years went on
we invested in better – and yes,
more expensive – gear.
The equivalent amount of
brand-name gear bought
from a specialist camping
shop would easily have
cost us £500 and the
reality is we probably
wouldn’t have
taken the chance.
In fact I wouldn’t
be working at
Camping magazine today if it hadn’t been for that
bargain bundle we bought almost a decade ago.
I’ll let you decide if that’s a good thing or not!
Ten years on and budget camping gear
is everywhere. In the summer, the big three
supermarkets Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda all
fill their aisles with low-cost kit, while out of town
retailers like Argos and Halfords have been selling
cheap gear for a long time.
But what is really interesting is the emergence
of the budget retailers on the scene in the last
couple of years. German supermarket chains Aldi
and Lidl both include camping equipment as one
of their special buy seasonal promotions – a range
of cheap products that are only available for a
limited time. Surprisingly the quality on offer here
is nowhere near as poor as you might imagine – in
fact, despite the obscure brands, some of it is just
as good as the recognised names.
The hardware chain Wilkinsons and home
retailers The Range also feature low-cost camping
equipment prominently and even Poundland gets
in on the act in the summer months, selling various
outdoor bits and pieces for – yes, you guessed
it – a pound.
But the big question for camping consumers
like you and me is whether the stuff they sell is all
it’s cracked up to be or if shopping at the budget
end of the market is a false economy. Is that £35
electric cool-box from Lidl as good a bargain as
it seems or will it seize up after a few trips away?
Will the £1 tent pegs from Poundland actually go
into the ground without bending double? Quality
is key here because without it you could end up
having a miserable time and have to spend even
more money on replacing the shonky stuff.
It’s probably fair to say you get what you pay
for. Those £1 pegs probably aren’t a good deal if
you’re not sure what the ground conditions or the
weather will be like. And for such an important
piece of camping equipment, it’s probably too
much of a risk. I’m not sure I’d want to rely on
them to stop my tent blowing away during the
Winter 2015 campingmagazine.co.uk
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night. On the other hand, I’ve found most of
the gear I’ve tried from Aldi and Lidl to be of an
extremely high quality for the price.
Even if you accept that product quality is not an
issue, there’s the question of whether buying from
these retailers is the right thing to do, regardless
of the price. As serious camping devotees,
do we have a moral responsibility to choose
outdoor brands and retailers that are run by fellow
enthusiasts? After all, these are the organisations
that drive product innovation. No supermarket is
going to invest the money on tent research and
development that the likes of Vango, Outwell or
Coleman spend and that will dry up unless we
support them by buying their products.
And what about those specialist retailers? They
are specialist for a reason – the staff know what
they’re talking about because they go camping
themselves and you know shopping there will be
an enjoyable experience. The friendly advice you’ll
get from your local camping store simply isn’t
going to be available in Tesco, Lidl or Wilko’s
Bear in mind that most of the budget retailers
begin to sell their camping gear in spring and
stock is often limited. When it’s gone it’s gone, so
if there is something you fancy then you’ll probably
need to be quick off the mark. A good tip is to sign
up to their enewsletters for up-to-date information
on stock and the latest deals.
At the end of the day it’s difficult to give
absolute advice. There are pros and cons to
budget shopping. Everyone’s circumstances are
different and we all spend what we can. Rather
than going for the budget option for all your kit,
you might want to go for a recognised brand name
for the really important things – tent, sleeping bag
– and top that up with low price gear.
But if the only way someone can afford to go
camping is by doing all their shopping at a budget
retailer then they should go for it. And if that
encourages them to continue camping and buy
better quality gear in the future then that has got to
be a good thing.
TRIED & TESTED
We decided to try out as selection of low-cost camping gear from Aldi
and Wilko’s to find out if it was up to scratch. Here are our findings:
* Prices were correct at the time of purchase
MICRO PILLOW £3.98
It’s light and compact but if you like
a solid pillow then this isn’t for you.
However if all you need for a good
night’s sleep is something to raise
your head slightly above ground level
★★
then this will do the trick. ★★★★★
WALKING POLE £6
Initially these adjustable poles
seemed great and at £6 appeared to
be a bargain – then somewhere along
the Cleveland Way the telescopic
mechanism in one broke, rendering
★★★
it useless. ★★★★★
FIVE-PIECE COOKSET
£5
The various sized pans fit inside
each other for carrying, although the
“pleather” strap that is supposed
to hold the whole thing together
is rather flimsy and has a habit of
coming loose. I found the pans
needed a fair bit of elbow grease to
★★
get rid of burnt-on food. ★★★★★
EMERGENCY PONCHO
£1.50
It’s not the most stylish looking thing,
but for £1.50 you’re not expecting
something from Stella McCartney’s
new collection. More importantly it
did keep me dry when I got caught in
a downpour at a festival. ★★★★★
MALLET £2.29
This proved to be a bit of a disaster.
After two solid thwacks on a peg, the
rubber head flew off and it had to be
binned. ★★★★★
campingmagazine.co.uk Winter 2015
34-36 Budget Gear ID.indd 35
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09/12/2014 11:45
GEAR SPECIAL BUDGET KIT
CAMPING COT £19.99
A camp bed that is easy to put up and surprisingly
comfortable to lie on. The only downside to this is that
it’s pretty heavy, although if you’re travelling by car
that’s not going to be a big issue. ★★★★★
POWERBANK £14.99
A powerpack designed to recharge your phone or tablet
on the move, especially when you have no access to
mains power. It’s rain, shock and dust proof, making it
ideal for camping, hiking or festivals. ★★★★★
MULTI FUNCTIONAL KNIFE £1.99
No that’s not a mistake, it really is £1.99 for a 17
function multi-tool. The sturdy stainless steel tool
features everything from a fish descaler to a magnifying
glass and it comes in its own nylon pouch. Obviously I
can’t vouch for its long-term reliability but at less than
two quid this could well be the best bargain of the lot.
★★★★★
BAMBOO SOCKS £3.99
A pack of three cushion-soled socks made out of
viscose derived from sustainable bamboo, a natural
antibacterial material. Proving you can have quality at a
low price and still be environmentally friendly. ★★★★★
DRY DUFFEL BAG £9.99
A rugged, roll-top, waterproof PVC bag that, with a
44 litres capacity, has loads of room for carrying gear
you want to keep dry. The seams are welded for exrtra
protection. And at half the cost of similar products from
more recognised brands it’s a superb buy. ★★★★
SELF INFLATING PILLOW £2.99
Open the valve and this will be inflated within a minute.
You can top it up depending your own preference. On
one side it’s a soft polyester flock fabric, and the other
is a non-slip material. It all rolls up into its own carry
bag. ★★★★★
LED LANTERN £2.99
This feels a bit lightweight but the 12 LEDs pack a
mighty punch. The fader switch allows you to control
the brightness and there’s a carry handle. OK, the builtin compass is a bit unnecessary but overall it’s a great
value little lantern. ★★★★★
36
Winter 2015 campingmagazine.co.uk
34-36 Budget Gear ID.indd 36
08/12/2014 11:20
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08/12/2014 12:36
êêê NEW GEAR
KITBAG
Camping casts an expert eye over
the latest outdoor gear.
Reviews by Nick Harding (NH)
VICTORINOX EVOWOOD 81
Expect to pay £32.99
www.burton-mccall.co.uk
From top penknife producer, Victorinox, look out for the
Evowood range, part of its Delémont collection.
The 81 here is the starter model in the range. It includes
a blade, nail file with nail cleaner, serrated edge scissors
and a key ring. The Evo Grip handle is walnut.
Small enough to be carried on your key ring, overall
length is 11cm (6.5cm closed), while blade length is
3.9cm. There’s a slip joint locking system. Weight is
20g. NH
SPRAYWAY
PANDORA/ZEUS
Expect to pay £260
www.sprayway.com
Announced just in time for winter
2014, Sprayway’s Pandora (for
women) and Zeus (men) are
lightweight, packable alpine-style
jackets with a three-layer GoreTex shell.
Other features here include
articulated sleeves (for easier
movement), helmet-compatible
hood, chin guard, two external
map pockets, security inner
pocket, drawcord adjustable hem,
with a choice of three colours for
each
Back length for the size 12
Pandora/Medium Zeus (it’s
available in three colours) is
74cm. NH
RING RT5182 HAND-HELD LED
SPOTLIGHT
Expect to pay £34.99
www.ringautomotive.co.uk
Safer, brighter, long-lasting, less power-sapping...
LEDs have plenty going for them as lights. Just take a
look (not directly, of course) at the RT5182 Hand-Held
Spotlight from Ring Automotive.
It has a super-bright 360 lumen output and comes
with a rechargeable, lightweight lithium-ion battery.
You’ll get up to two hours illumination on high-power,
or eight hours on low, from a single charge.
The handle has 90-degree rotation, so you get
all-round illumination, and it has a stand-alone action
to keep your hands free. Dimensions are 15.5cm x
20.5cm x 12.5cm and it weighs just over half a kilo.
230V and 12V charging is also included. NH
POWERMONKEY EXPLORER 2
Expect to pay £79
www.powertraveller.com
Latest off-grid, portable charger from British
manufacturer Powermonkey is this, the Explorer 2.
With a water ingress protection (IP) rating of 67, it’s
waterproof for up to 30 minutes in a metre of water,
and all connections are similarly weather proof. It’s also
been tested at temperatures down to -30degC.
The unit comprises a 6000mAh lithium-ion battery
boasting the capability to recharge an iPhone 5 up to
three times. Use it to charge your tablet, sat phone,
camera GPS or more
The full kit comprises charger, waterproof charging
cable, and USB adaptor out and in tips. Length is
8.70cm, diameter 4.5cm, and it weighs 286g. There’s
a choice of four colours for its rugged, anodised
casing. NH
38
38-39 Kitbag ID.indd 38
Winter 2015 campingmagazine.co.uk
08/12/2014 16:17
AQUAPAC TRAILPROOF BAGS
Expect to pay ££45/£55/£65 (40-, 70-, 90-litre Duffel Bags),
£13/£17/£25 (7-, 15-, 25-, 70-litre Drybags), £50 Toccoa Daysack
www.aquapac.net
BIOLITE
KETTLECHARGE
Waterproof bag specialist Aquapac has a real something-for-everyone
range in Trailproof – some eight products including three sizes of Duffel
Bag, four Drybags and this, the range-topping 28-litre Toccoa Daysack.
All Trailproof variants are waterproof to IPX6, so they’re even expected
to stand up to temporary immersion. And they all come in Acid-Green
colouring.
Key features include fully-welded 500D reinforced, abrasion-resistant
vinyl, chunky buckles and strong webbing. NH
Expect to pay £159.95
www.whitbyandco.co.uk
Newest addition to the BioLite
camp stove range is this,
the KettleCharge. It uses
thermoelectric technology to
convert heat to electricity, which
is then stored in the unit’s folding
handle.
The KettleCharge can be used
with any stove and it can boil up
to 750ml of water, also producing
10W of electricity which is
outputted via a USB – sufficient to
charge a GPS device, smartphone
or more.
Packed size is 8cm high, 20cm
diameter. Weight is 907g. NH
DEXSHELL BEANIE HAT
Expect to pay £22.95
www.dexshell.co.uk
How about this for a waterproof beanie? It’s from Dexshell and
is one of a whole portfolio of not just hats but also gloves and
socks. And all waterproof.
Construction is three-layer – outer, waterproof and breathable
middle membrane, and moisture-wicking inner liner. The design
reckons to keep any rustle to an absolute minimum.
Shown here is the Orchid Heather version - also available
in Maroon or Sky – of the model with
earflaps. There are more conventional
beanies, as well as peaked variants,
starting from £18.95. NH
NOMAD COOLERS
Expect to pay £125.50-£342.40 (25-110 litres)
www.coolicebox.com
Want something to keep food frozen for up to three days? Or cold for up to 10? Or hot for one?
There’s versatility and performance in these Nomad coolers from the Cool Icebox Company.
In solid colours and a variety of sizes, they’re made from roto-moulded polyethylene with
high-density insulation and marine-grade stainless steel fittings, and fast-access rubber latches.
They’re water resistant, too, and can actually float.
Nomad’s Cool Box sizes are 25-, 55-, 70-, 90- and 110-litres, although there’s also a 20-litre
Cool Chest, at £189.
The wheels are an option, although they can be retrofitted. You can also order a cushion to turn
the Nomad into a seat. NH
campingmagazine.co.uk Winter 2015
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08/12/2014 11:22
GEAR SPECIAL NORDIC KIT
LIFE IS SWEDE
Iain Duff looks at some of the Scandinavian camping and outdoor brands
that are leading a modern-day (friendly) Viking invasion of our shores.
à
When you think about
Scandinavia, what comes to
mind? Perhaps Sweden’s most
celebrated exports Ikea, Abba
or Volvo? Or maybe Denmark’s biggest
contributions to the world, Lego and Hans
Christian Andersen? What about Norway
and its fjords and trolls? Scandinavia crime
thrillers have never been more popular –
whether on TV, the big screen or in books.
And of course we can’t forget the Vikings,
40
who pillaged their way round Europe a few
hundred years ago.
These days, the Nordic people are – for the
most part – far more friendly. Surrounded by
some of the most stunning scenery the world has
to offer, they are known for their love and respect
for the great outdoors, no matter the weather.
Couple that with their expertise in classic product
design and you have a perfect formula for
creating excellent outdoor gear and clothing.
That explains why Scandinavian brands are
renowned for their high quality, innovation, good
design and functionality. From pioneering family
tents to high-spec, lightweight shelters; from
cosy parkas you can wear around the campsite
to technical jackets for mountaineering; from
winter sleeping bags to underfloor heating for
tents, the Scandinavian companies seem to
have pretty much every aspect of outdoor living
covered. We thought it was time for a quick
guide to the leading Nordic outdoor brands and
some of their top products.
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THULE
Swedish company Thule’s whole reason for existing is to make it easier for you
enjoy the outdoor lifestyle by helping you transport the gear you need to the
place you want to be. In their home town of Malmo, that might mean skis and
snow chains, but for you or me it’s more likely to be camping gear and bikes.
Roofboxes are probably the thing that Thule are best known for, and for campers these can be
invaluable. But as well as roofboxes, cycle racks and kayak carriers they also produce a variety
of duffel bags, rolling luggage, daypacks and laptop and camera bags. And after decades of
helping you deliver your gear to your destination and leaving it at that, now they want you to use
their gear while you’re participating in your activity of choice. And to achieve this, they’re moving
into the traditional backpacking market with a new range of rucksacks launched this year.
THULE TOURING 780
With tents getting bigger and bulkier (the downside of the inflatable tent revolution) and cars generally getting
smaller, fitting all your gear into the car boot can be impossible, even on a weekend break. Something like the
new Touring 780 gives you that extra space that allows you to take all the gear you need, without the hassle of
a trailer. It’s easy to fit yourself and once it’s on you can pack it with a surprising amount of kit. Next time you’re
stuck in a traffic jam during the summer have a look at the cars around you and count how many of them have
Thule roofboxes fitted. You’ll be amazed.
OUTWELL
If there’s one brand that sums
up the Scandinavian ethos
when it comes to camping
equipment it has to be Outwell.
Now the leading family camping brand in Europe,
it is still wholly owned by the Arens family, who
started the business in Denmark 20 years ago.
Outwell was founded 1995 with the simple
aim of providing high-quality family tents and
camping equipment at reasonable prices. What
started out as a small range, quickly grew into the
all-encompassing collection that we see today.
Innovation remains at the heart of everything
Outwell does and over the years they have
introduced many features that have become
standard issue including: luminous guylines, tent
carpets, rain safe doors and tinted windows.
Outwell currently has around 60 tents in its range
but the flagship model remains the Montana 6 –
said to be the best selling family tent of all time.
OUTWELL CLIPPER M
An inflatable tent from Outwell’s new Air range, , which features individual valves on each of the five tubes, as
opposed to the single inflation point on the Smart Air tents. It is just the right size for a small family or a couple
to take on weekends away. The tent can be fully pitched in 15 minutes leaving you plenty of time to get on
with enjoying yourself.
www.outwell.co.uk
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08/12/2014 11:23
GEAR SPECIAL NORDIC KIT
DIDRIKSONS
The Swedish outdoor clothing brand
Didriksons has been around for
more than 100 years but they are
relative newcomers in this country.
It started up on the west coast of
Sweden in 1913, manufacturing
waterproof clothing for the local
fishing industry. More than 100
years later, the company claims to
be Scandinavia’s leading brand for
outdoor clothing. It’s family friendly
clothing designed for the outdoors
but with a touch of style that means
you can wear it anywhere - out on
the hills, around the campsite or
going to the pub. Apart from the
bright colours, what impresses us
most is the ratio between the quality
of their products and the price.
HILLEBERG
Hilleberg’s high-spec,
technical tents are aimed at
the serious backpacker and
mountaineer, and they are
famed for their innovation
in materials and design,
attention to detail and
exhaustive testing.
HILLEBERG NALLO II
This is definitely one for the more serious camper or backpacker. This is a super-lightweight tent but one that is designed to cope with
the sort of weather conditions you’ll encounter in a harsh Nordic winter. It’s spacious enough for two but is light enough for a solo
camper At more than £400 it’s certainly not cheap but it exudes quality.
www.hilleberg.com
KOZI KIDZ
Kozi Kidz was set up in 2009 by husband and wife team
Linda and Tomas Torstensson. Although they are based
in the UK (Linda is English, Tomas is Swedish) they take a
decidedly Scandinavian approach to their children’s clothing
range. Their Swedish-designed outfits are colourful and stylish as well as
functional, offering everything from base layers to wind and waterproof outer
layers. Kozi Kidz say their philosophy is all about allowing children to enjoy
playing outside whatever the weather. The idea is that youngsters will love to
wear the stuff, while parents can be assured it will keep them warm and dry,
as well as conforming to stringent safety regulations.
KOZI KIDZ SMIDIG
The new Smidig range is warm but lightweight and can be packed away compactly
when not in use, handy for on the campsite or for keeping in the car. It regains its
shape as soon as you remove it from its carry bag. The Smidig designs are aimed
at spring or autumn wear - or for cooler summer evenings. In fact, any time when
it gets a little bit colder. We particularly like the colourful boys’ jacket, with its high
collar, knitted sleeves and detachable hood.
www.kozikidz.co.uk
BERGANS OF
NORWAY
DIDRIKSONS
ANGELINA
We don’t pretend to be fashion gurus,
but one thing we do know is that
parkas are currently “on-trend”, with
celebs like Rhianna and Kate Moss
rocking the furry hooded look. And
who can blame them – everyone
loves it when fashion meets function
don’t they? (Have you been drinking?
– Design Ed) The women’s Angelina
Parka from Didriksons is a combination
of high street fashion high performance
fabrics and details. It’s a 100%
waterproof, windproof coat with fully
taped seams, a classic fishtail cut and
a draw cord to adjust fitting. The hood
is fitted with an extra wide, detachable
faux fur trim to help you keep warm
and look cool!
42
Like many of the Scandinavian brands,
Bergans has a long history, that dates back
to 1908 when bicycle manufacturer Ole
Bergan invented a frame rucksack after suffering back pain
during a hunting trip. Rucksacks are still an important part
of what they do, but these days the company is a leading
manufacturer of all sorts of outdoor equipment and clothing,
from lifestyle to technical gear. As well as clothing, they also
provide tents, sleeping mats, sleeping bags, backpacks and
folding canoes, all with that trademark Nordic combination
of style and technical excellence.
BERGANS BERGFLETTE
This extra thick, zipped cardie uses Bergans’ Technowool
material - a 63/24/13 per cent wool, polyamide (ie nylon),
polyester mix. There is a smorgasbord of qulaity features are
a fixed hood with drawstring, two zipped pockets, two inner
pockets, extended back and elasticated cuffs
www.bergans.com
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SILVA
Silva has been developing products in Sweden for
sport and outdoor activities since 1933. Its focus
areas are running, cross-country skiing, cycling,
orienteering and outdoor activities – and it is that last
category that interests us most. Their range includes head torches,
compasses, dry bags and campsite dining products – all designed
and constructed to meet demands of the tough Nordic climate.
SILVA NINOX II HEADTORCH
A good head-torch is one of the essential items in every camping kitbag
and they don’t come much better than Silva’s Ninox II. The successor to
the popular Ninox, it is small, lightweight and comfortable to wear but casts
an unexpectedly large amount of light. Silva’s Intelligent Light technology
simultaneously provides a long distance spotlight (up to 50 metres) and close
range floodlight, making it suitable for use in the tent and around the campsite.
www.silva.se
TENTIPI
Tentipi’s Nordic tipis are
based on the traditional
design principles of kata tents
traditionally lived in by the
nomadic Sami people of northern Sweden
Sami people. Instead of wooden poles and
animal hides they use the latest materials and
construction techniques. The tents are quick to
pitch and are rugged enough to withstand the
toughest conditions. And with the option of an
open fire or stove they provide a unique camping
experience.
TENTIPI SAFIR 7
Tentipis look great, and while that alone would be
enough to make us love them, they also perform
superbly: they’re versatile, are made with quality
materials and offer excellent protection against the
elements. The polycotton Safir - the top of the range
model – is just as suitable for trekking across the
Sahara as it is as a spacious family tent for camping
holidays. Comedian and camping enthusiast Ed
Byrne is a fan – he took his son camping in one
last year. If the price is a bit too steep (the Safir 7 is
£1450) there are less expensive models available.
www.tentipi.co.uk
FJALLRAVEN
Founded 55 years ago in northern Sweden, Fjallraven – meaning arctic fox –
specialise in outdoor equipment, mostly clothing and rucksacks. It all began when
Ake Nordin created a revolutionary backpack frame that allowed walkers to carry
heavier loads and gave more people the chance to experience the outdoors. Since
then, their product line has expanded to include tents, sleeping bags and clothing, and they now
boast several design classics in their range, including the Greenland jacket, Vidda trousers and
Kanken backpack. As well as producing technically advanced, functional, weatherproof equipment
specifically designed for outdoor life, the company has a strong environmental ethos in its production
and takes a strong interest in promoting public interest in the outdoors. It’s not just outdoor people
who like the brand… in recent years Fjallraven has become popular in the fashion market in the UK.
You’re just as likely to see a Fjallraven jacket being worn on the terraces on a Saturday afternoon or in
town centre pubs in the evening as you are in the great outdoors.
FJALLRAVEN HIGH COAST WIND ANORAK
Fjallraven’s new High Coast range includes lightweight summer jackets, trousers, sweaters and even a dress, made
from light, cool fast-drying materials. The windproof anorak is made from a new polyamide/organic cotton blend
treated with wax to provide protection from the wind and even give some water resistance. It’s available in men’s
and women’s styles and includes a “kangaroo” pocket that also acts as a pack bag. At £130 it’s not a budget jacket,
but you’re paying for classic Scandinavian design and workmanship.
www.fjallraven.co.uk
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08/12/2014 11:24
Guyrope Gourmet Josh Sutton finds spice is the variety of life (or something)
à
With all but the bravest campers
hunkering down for the worst of
the winter months, I thought this
might present a great opportunity
to re-stock the camping spice box and share
a few thoughts on what I always take along
as camping essentials needed to spice up a
campsite meal. I remember my first encounter
with the world of herbs and spices, as my
stepmum suggested I add a pinch of mixed
herbs and half a teaspoon of hot chilli powder
to the chilli con carne I was rustling up for
supper one evening many years ago. The
thing with herbs and spices is that you usually
have to get the quantities right. Needless to
say I added half a tablespoon of chilli instead
of half a teaspoon. Not even the dog would
touch it – a meal wasted!
I learned my lesson quickly, and apart from
one incident, which involved a touch too
44
much turmeric, I’ve not repeated my mistake
since. Dried herbs and spices are ideal for the
camp kitchen; they keep for months and don’t
require refrigeration. Best kept in an airtight
container, a decent spice rack will enable the
aspiring guyrope gourmet to feed a family and
friends with meals to remember (unless of
course you use a tablespoon of chilli, in which
case the meal will be unforgettable for all the
wrong reasons!).
It’s no secret; I have a thing for army
surplus gear. I keep my herbs and spices in
an old ammunition box. Not the one I use
for a smoker obviously, nor the one I keep
my tool kit in. I picked it up for a fiver in my
local surplus store and it sits patiently in the
camping kit box waiting for its next
outing.
It is said, that strong
spices were
once used by cooks in medieval times to
disguise the taste of rotten meat, but that
is a modern myth as spices were far too
expensive to waste on rotten food. Their
delicate flavours can help to transform a dish;
a simple bolognaise can be transformed into
a spicy chilli sauce (provided you use the right
quantities!) with the addition of a little chilli
powder. I have a range of regulars, spices,
herbs and condiments, which stand sentry in
my army ammo box.
Winter 2015 campingmagazine.co.uk
44-45 Guyrope Gourmet ID.indd 44
08/12/2014 11:25
Salt & pepper A good quality flaked
sea salt and a decent pepper mill are at the top
of my list. I just can’t get on with the fine stuff
and ready ground black pepper, they seem to
loose their flavour somehow.
coriander, as well as cloves, cinnamon and
cardamom. A key ingredient for most curries,
it’s also delicious stirred into a mayonnaise for
a spicy dip.
Chilli powder I’ve learned my lesson,
peril, it stains everything! Tumeric has a
slightly bitter taste, so too much can easily
overpower a dish. It will lift a good curry.
and only stock a mild chilli powder, that way
if I do mess up the quantities, I at least have a
fighting chance of finishing the meal.
Paprika My kids joke that I put paprika
in everything I cook, which is not strictly true.
I do love the deep red hues and the subtle
smoky flavour of this spice. You can buy
smoked paprika too for a more intense flavour,
which is great in a sticky barbeque sauce or a
fine paella.
Ground cumin Cumin provides the
base flavour for lots of middle-eastern and
curry dishes, it brings out a faint woody aroma
and a delicious nutty flavour. Use it sparingly
as it can be overpowering.
Ground coriander Coriander is
another curry classic, you could even go so far
as to call it “curryander” as without it, the tikka
masala just won’t tick!
Garam masala This is a blend of
spices, which includes both cumin and
Ground turmeric The yellow
Star anise I use star anise for flavouring
basmati rice; it has a delicious aniseed flavour
and can also work well in a simple ratatouille.
Dried bay leaves The humble bay
leaf will add a depth of flavour to any stew or
casserole.
Dried basil Dried basil brings a flavour
of the Mediterranean and finds its way into
practically anything I’m cooking with a tomatobased sauce.
works wonders in bolognaise, chilli, and all
kinds of stews. It’s also great straight from the
bottle on your chips.
Dried oregano Another Mediterranean
herb, which works well with basil. Try
sprinkling a little on toasted haloumi, or
Manchego cheese, and add a dash of good
olive oil.
Soy sauce The ultimate eastern
Henderson’s sauce If you don’t
flower and is the most expensive spice on the
market. I use it for flavouring pilau rice, and of
course my favourite paella dishes. ■
know about Henderson’s relish, then it’s time
you tried it. Suitable for vegans, this sauce
condiment, great for stir-fries, and is the secret
ingredient in my bolognaise sauce! (shh, don’t
tell anyone)
Dried saffron Comes from the crocus
Devilled eggs
A simple lunch snack on the campsite
Ingredients
•
•
•
•
•
Six hard-boiled eggs
2 heaped teaspoons of mayonnaise
Quarter teaspoon of ground cumin
Salt and pepper
Half teaspoon Dijon or English mustard
Method
Remove the shells from the boiled eggs.
Halve and scoop out the yolks into a bowl.
Set the whites aside. Add the remaining
ingredients to the bowl with the yolks and
stir well. Place a spoonful of the mixture
into each of the halved egg whites and
serve with crusty bread or toast.
campingmagazine.co.uk Winter 2015
44-45 Guyrope Gourmet ID.indd 45
45
08/12/2014 11:25
THE
STUFF
Whether you’re a newcomer to camping
or a grizzled old veteran there’s always
something new to learn. Here you’ll find
some of the really useful stuff that is
guaranteed to improve your camping life.
O
THE DUFFER’S GUIDE T
PLANNING
AHEAD
Camping editor Iain Duff’s tips for
getting ready for the new season
1
Think about where you want to go and
for how long. Perhaps somewhere
completely new, or an old favourite with
a twist. You could even split a week or two
between sites.
2
3
4
5
Do your research. Try to involve the
whole family in choosing where you
want to go and which site to stay at.
7
8
Plan your meals. It’s not something
you need to do in January, but plan in
advance economical, easy to prepare
meals to cook on site.
Is your insurance up-to-date? Make
sure your policy replaces old gear with
new. If you are not insured, consider
cover. And find out the get-out clauses.
9
Going abroad? Check your paperwork
is in order. If you are planning an
overseas trip, check all your documents
are valid well in advance (especially
passports). Shop around for good ferry and
site deals and arrange breakdown cover.
10
Think about how you’re going to
pack your car and have trial run.
Consider a roof box or trailer to
spread the car’s load. Sort out a proper bike
rack and, if necessary, get a lighting board.
Once you’ve done all that, you can relax, have
a beer and feel smug… nothing can possibly
go wrong*
*Please note, this is not a legally enforceable
promise
Book early Book it now rather than risk
the disappointment of not being able to
get the site and dates you want.
Draw up a camping gear checklist.
We’ve got one on the opposite page to
help you on your way.
Unpack your stored gear. It’s a big job
but don’t put it off. You’ll need time
to check what needs to be cleaned,
repaired or reproofed and then get the jobs
done. Again, see opposite…
6
Check your wiring Sort out your electric
connection and cable now rather than a
few days before the holiday.
46
Winter 2015 campingmagazine.co.uk
46-47 Really Useful ID.indd 46
08/12/2014 17:06
FAMILY
CAMPING
CHECKLIST
ESSENTIALS
 Family tent
 Sleeping bags
 Pillows
 Airbeds/sleeping
mats
 Pump
 Lantern(s)
 Torch/headlamp
 Spare batteries
 First aid kit
 Bottle opener and
corkscrew
 Washing-up liquid
and scourer
FURNITURE
 Table
 Kitchen unit
 Carrier for dirty
dishes
 Fire extinguisher/
fire bucket
 Tea towel
 Washing line
 Matches
 Dustpan and brush
 Bin bags or carrier
bags
 Water carrier
 Mini toolbox
 Penknife
 Folding camping
chairs
 Storage cupboards
COOKING
 Plastic glasses
 Tin opener
 Bottle opener
 Barbecue and tools
 Kettle
 Plates, bowls, cups  Coolbox
 Kitchen roll
 Cutlery
 Coffee, tea, sugar
knife
 Sharp
 Double gas stove
and gas bottle
 Pots and pans
 Chopping board
PERSONAL
 Wash bag
 Toilet paper
 Disinfectant wipes
 Toothbrush and
toothpaste
 Soap/shampoo/
shower gel
 Towels
 Insect repellent
 Sun screen and
after sun
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
 Electric hook-up lead
 Heater
 Kids’ games
 DVD player
 Camera
 Radio
 iPod and speakers
 Charger
DUSTING OFF YOUR GEAR
1
Check your tent. You
carefully repaired and
cleaned everything before
winter (didn’t you?) but
it’s worth checking your
tent for any holes, tears,
mould, mildew, seam
strains or any other signs
of wear you might have
missed.
2
Repair or replace dodgy
pegs, guylines, poles,
buckles and elastics.
3
Air off sleeping bags
for a couple of days
and store them in their
loose bags again.
Take a close look
at drawcords, zips
and seams, repairing
damage where you
can.
4
Check your airbed for
leaks and make any
necessary repairs
5
Unpack your stove, check
the burners are undamaged
and ensure all the fittings
are tight. Tighten the jubilee
clips on the gas hose
and regulator and give
everything another good
clean for luck.
6
Check gas levels now
rather than at the last
minute before the first
trip of the season.
7
8
Give pots and crockery a
good scrub.
Check the batteries
in your torches and
lanterns are working.
9
Tent furniture like
wardrobes, kitchen,
pantry, table and chairs
should all be dusted
off, wiped down with
disinfectant and checked
for damage.
10
Check, use bin and
replace as necessary
camp kitchen
consumables like
scourers, washing-up
liquid, coffee, tea and
sugar.
11
The first aid kit should
be fully stocked and
everything is up-to-date.
12
Once you have
finished your checks
and completed any
maintenance remember
to replace the items used
from your repair kit such
as tape, glue, sealant,
pegs and spare guylines.
13
Go bargain hunting. Hit
the shops early in the
year and have a look
for good deals. Then
go back in the spring
when all the new stuff
is in the shops!
campingmagazine.co.uk Winter 2015
46-47 Really Useful ID.indd 47
47
08/12/2014 11:26
GEAR SPECIAL LIGHTWEIGHT KIT
t
new
ing
von
o
the
easy
metre
y life.
p
d
th
LIGHTWEIGHT
GEAR
à
Vango’s trekking range now has
a new flagship model, the fully
geodesic Nemesis 200 (1) priced at
£225. It weighs just over 3.8 kilos,
and with a Gothic Arch supported porch and
entrance at each end, makes for an affordable
tent capable of withstanding the full four
seasons. Another interesting new model is the
£200 Mistral 200 (2). It’s a basic dome with a
couple of cross-members, but what makes it
different, for Vango at least, is that it pitches
inner first, and the inner is mainly mesh. It’s
free-standing, so designed to be used on its
own in warm dry conditions. With the fly on,
you’re still assured of plenty of air if you want,
48
Clive Tully takes his annual
look at the new tents and gear
for lightweight campers that
were on show at the Outdoor
Trade Show at Stoneleigh Park.
with four sizeable vents around the roof.
When you’ve produced the world’s lightest
tent, you might wonder how you could
possibly top it. Well, for a kick-off, you could
produce a two-berth version and make sure
that’s the lightest tent for two. With a retail
price of £1,000, Terra Nova’s new 695g Laser
Ultra 2 (3) probably comes out as one of the
world’s most expensive, too. And if that’s not
enough, they’ve introduced the Solar Ultra 2,
(4) at 772g, the world’s lightest free-standing
tent. If you have to ask how much this one is,
you can’t afford it. Oh OK, you’ll need to part
with £1,200 to slip this little beauty in your
rucksack. It uses the same translucent fly
1
and groundsheet material as the Laser, and
comes with such weight-saving goodies as
titanium pegs.
Coming down out of the stratosphere, I
rather like the look of Wild Country’s Zephyros
3 Living (5). Strictly speaking it’s not a
backpacking tent, although at 4.2kg, you could
split the weight between three campers quite
reasonably. Actually, what it does is take the
successful Zephyros design, and scale it up
into a basecamp style of tent, something you
can pretty much stand up in – 178cm inside
at the highest point! But it all packs down to a
respectable 55cm x 22cm, so it would make a
spacious but packable tent for cycle camping.
Winter 2015 campingmagazine.co.uk
48-50 Lightweight.indd 48
08/12/2014 11:26
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Not bad for £250! They’ve also expanded on
the Coshee range, adding a four-berth model,
but more importantly for us, a couple of solo
tents, the Coshee 1 and Coshee 1 Micro (6).
At £80, the Micro is a deluxe bivvy, while the
slightly larger Coshee 1 provides a little more
headroom for £100.
Sierra Designs is an American brand,
which in 2015 will be celebrating its halfcentury. While I hesitate to use the word
“iconic” (because it’s become overused and
meaningless), it’s stood the test of time, and
is highly regarded in the USA and beyond. It’s
been absent from these shores for some years,
but they’re back with a vengeance, with a
whole host of exciting new products. As Sierra
Designs vice-president Bill Conradt explained,
they wanted to go back to the drawing
board and create clothing and equipment
with real functionality, specifically aimed at
backpackers.
You’ve already had a sneak preview of
the Tensegrity (7) tents (Camping December
2014), which I suppose you could describe
as posh tarp tents. In similar hybrid single/
double skin vein is the Flashlight (8). It
comes with a full set of poles, but you have
the option of replacing them with a pair of
trekking poles to cut down your pack weight.
It comes in one and two-berth models in both
48-50 Lightweight.indd 49
standard and Featherlight specifications –
prices ranging from £219.99 to £349.99.
We might be divided by a common
language, but it seems our choice of tent
colour varies too depending upon which side
of the Atlantic you are. While the US choice at
the moment is for bright-coloured flysheets,
the European tendency is for rather less
obtrusive tents. In recognition of this, MSR
have revamped their popular Hubba (9) range
with green flysheets. They’ve also come up
with a single-skin wedge style tent called
Flylite (10), using your trekking poles to hold it
up at the front. So simple it doesn’t even have
poles at the tail.
campingmagazine.co.uk Winter 2015
49
08/12/2014 11:27
GEAR SPECIAL LIGHTWEIGHT KIT
11
14
16
13
15
17
Away from tents and onto gear now. The
new range of Force Ten Alpine Packs (11)
certainly looks different. Aimed primarily at
alpinists and adventure sports enthusiasts,
they feature minimalist design using 500D
Cordura Nylon with fully taped seams. They
come in three sizes – 25, 35 and 45 litres,
priced £80, £90 and £100 respectively. The
smaller ones are more summer/winter daypack
capacities, but the largest would make a
good choice for your backpacking gear for a
short trip – assuming the rest of your gear is
lightweight and low-volume. The emphasis is
on simplicity, so no side pockets (which might
get in the way if you were climbing), but there
are daisy chain and side compression straps
should you be filled with the urge to attach
something outside. Most unusual perhaps for
this kind of pack is that the opening employs
a water-resistant zip rather than conventional
strap and buckle lid.
The clothing looks rather quaint in a 21st
century kind of way, with designs harking
back to bygone years, including the extra-long
Elite Cagoule (£99.99), and Elite Rain Chaps
(£49.99) – waterproofing for your legs, best
worn with the cagoule. And while the ideas
might be old, there are lots of features to bring
them up to date. Apart from being made from
a lightweight breathable waterproof fabric,
the cagoule has side vents, which let your
rucksack hip belt pass into the garment at the
front and thus allow better airflow.
50
Aussie company Sea to Summit have come
up with a different take on getting a good
night’s kip, with the sleeping mat equivalent of
the pocket spring mattress. Called Air Sprung
Cells (12), the airbeds have a vaguely egg
box appearance, but the principle is just the
same as your luxury sprung mattress – the
air cells each deform independently under
load, conforming to your body shape much
better than a conventional air bed. They
come in three models, each available in both
uninsulated and insulated versions, with prices
ranging from £79.99 to £164.99. The more
expensive ones use two layers of cells, which
not only enables you to fine tune the comfort,
but provides backup in the unlikely event that
one layer should spring a leak.
Klean Kanteen have a number of additions
to their range of stainless steel bottles and
other receptacles. My favourite is the Growler
(13), available in 40oz and 64oz versions
(£34.95 and £39.95), with a Swing Lok Cap
which will remind anyone more stricken in
years of those pop bottles of old. They’re
capable of storing liquids under pressure up to
40 psi, which means you can now carry fizzy
drink or beer without the worry that you might
break the bottle.
MSR’s Reactor stove system has been
around for some time, and while its radiant
burner and heat exchanger pot means it has
few competitors when it comes to sheer power
and fuel efficiency, it is quite weighty and
12
bulky. The new Windboiler (14) stove (£110)
gives you a smaller version of the burner
in a solo unit with built-in heat exchanger /
windshield and 1 litre pot. They claim it boils
half a litre of water in a breeze a full minute
faster than the leading competition. I’ve got
one on its way to me, so I’m looking forward to
having a little tinker with it.
About a year ago I reviewed an ingenious
lightweight but very packable chair. The Treo
(15) is Therm-A-Rest’s answer, and very
smart it looks, too. Retailing at £85, its broad
tripod legs form a sort of casing for it when
it’s packed up. Also from Therm-A-Rest is
the EvoLite (16) mattress (£100). They are of
course the originators of foam-filled selfinflating mattresses, and recent years have
also seen the revival of the airbed. This is
a sort of hybrid mix of air and Atmos foam
offering a luxurious 5 cms thickness, but just
480g for the regular length model.
If you’ve ever tried using LP gas in the
winter, you can’t help but notice that it’s not
quite so keen to come out of its canister when
it’s really cold. Primus have come up with a
new cartridge called Winter Gas (17), and its
secret is a paper lining called Vapour Mesh. It
increases the surface area for the evaporation
process, so enabling the fuel to change phase
from liquid to gas more easily. They claim
improved performance down to -22 deg C. A
230g cartridge will retail at £6.75 – not cheap,
but worth it if you need the performance. ■
Winter 2015 campingmagazine.co.uk
48-50 Lightweight.indd 50
08/12/2014 11:27
CLASSIFIED
DIRECTORY
IN THE MARCH 2015 ISSUE OF
WELSH
FR
2015 TEE
E
GUIDENT
FEATU
WONDERS
Planning a camping trip to Wales? We’ve
got 10 super sites for you to consider
R
MANUF ING TOP
ACTUR
ERS
PLUS
DID HE MAKE IT?
CAERNARFON A LAUGH
Sioned Bannister heads to one of the Welsh coast’s
most regal of towns, and finds that there’s a lot
more to Caernarfon than just castles and crowns
Camping editor Iain Duff’s been
trying to camp in all of England’s 39
histroic counties in 2019. Find out
if he completed his task before the
end of the year.
SINGLE LIFE
Top tips for going camping
ON SAL
5 FEB E
PLUS NEWS, VIEWS, REVIEWS, OFFERS AND MUCH MORE
Underwritten by Lloyd’s
TRAILER TENTS
RETAILER
RETAILER
WANTED!!
We buy and sell good quality units.
FOLDING CAMPERS
TRAILER TENTS
Please phone Norwich Camping
for details
TEL: 01603 717600.
PENNINE
CONWAY
TO ADVERTISE
To advertise in our classified section or to receive information
about our Recommended Retailer Directory package please
call Claire Morris on 01778 391179 or email her at clairem@
warnersgroup.co.uk
campingmagazine.co.uk Winter 2015
p051-054 classi.indd 45
51
08/12/2014 15:08
CLASSIFIED
DIRECTORY
CAMPING REPAIRS
TENTS AND AWNINGS
REPAIRS &
ALTERATIONS
We have been in the business for
OVER 30 YEARS!
Call the experts now for a quote.
All our work is fully guaranteed
so you have total peace of mind!
Nationwide Collection & Delivery
Bagwell Farm
Farm
Bagwell
Touring Park
Touring
DORSET
Bagwell
Farm
Touring
Park
Bagwell
Farm
OPEN ALL
ALL
OPEN
YEAR
YEAR
Touring Park
■ Caravans, Tents and Motor Vans OPEN ALL
■ ■Caravans,
Tents and
Motor Vans
Near
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en
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■ ■Near
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5 miles
fromrJurassic
Weymouth
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■ ■5 Bar/restaurant/takeaway
miles from Weymouth
■ ■Bar/restaurant/takeaway
■ Caravans,
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Access
to coastal
pathand Motor Vans
■ ■Access
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■ Near
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Well
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shop
open
all year
■ ■Well
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Weymouth
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Only 5 miles
■ ■Rally
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■ Bar/restaurant/takeaway
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& seasonal pitches 01305
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from Weymouth
■ Storage
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pitches
■ Access
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path 782575
Chickerell, Weymouth,Dorset
Well stocked
shop open
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•■Tents,
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Chickerell,
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DT3
4EA
• Tel: 01305 782575
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field Coast
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to■South
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• Heated
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Tel: Path
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Email:
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■ Storage
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pitches 782575
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block •[email protected]
Sockets and hairdryers • Well stocked
Email:
www.bagwellfarm.co.uk
Chickerell,
shop
open all year Weymouth,Dorset
• Bar/restaurant/takeaway
www.bagwellfarm.co.uk
01305
DT3(mid
4EA
• Tel:
& high
season
only)782575
Call the Experts or Visit our Website
Email: [email protected]
Chickerell,
Weymouth,
Dorset
TELEPHONE 01283 541721
www.bagwellfarm.co.uk
DT3 4EA • 01305 782 575
www.canvasrepaircentre.com
Untitled-5 1
13/03/2014 11:13
Email: [email protected]
Untitled-5 1
13/03/2014 11:13
www.bagwellfarm.co.uk
CANVAS REPAIR CENTRE
Est.
1979
Discover the hidden gem on the
East Untitled-5
Coast
ESSEX
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DEVON
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Two FREE Swimming Pools
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Gym • Adventure Fort & Play Area
Families & Rallies Welcome
Takeaway, Pizzeria & Cafe
Multi Sports • Entertainment
Steam Room & Sauna
Themed Soft Play Area
a glorious corner of Devon
New Touring Pitches
& Holiday Homes
Call us now on
or visit our website
to receive our free
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FIND US ON FACEBOOK
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Apple Tree PARK
The special thing about Fen Farm is that we have
beautiful fields filled with wildlife, a sandy beach
and clean sea, awarding winning toilets and peace
and quiet. We don’t have a clubhouse, so if you
are looking to ‘get away from it all’ then you have
found the right place.
2015
Fen Farm Caravan
Site, Moore Lane,
East Mersea,
Colchester, Essex,
CO5 8FE
KEEP TOURING THIS WINTER!
Enjoy the winter sunshine
with walks along the
coast or our visit to our
local nature reserves
with some excellent bird
watching opportunities
in the heart or rural
Lincolnshire.
Seasonal
Pitches
available
17/03/2014 11:43
Please visit
our website
for info on all
our events!
For details call 01205 366646
or email us today on
[email protected]
www.pilgrimswaycaravanandcamping.co.uk
www.appletreepark.co.uk
NEW FOREST
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0800 085 8649
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LINCOLNSHIRE
Claypits, Eastington,
Stonehouse,
Gloucestershire,
GL10 3AL
Tel: 01452 742362
1
Tel: 01206 383275 •bagwell.indd
E: [email protected]
fen farm.indd 1
Family-run four star park, just
minutes from Dawlish Warren’s
beach. Camping orchard. Indoor
and Outdoor pools. Cafe and Bars.
Children’s play areas.
13/03/2014 11:13
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
1
www.fenfarm.co.uk
Dawlish, Devon EX7 0LX
www.ladysmile.co.uk
01626 863411
Ideal base to stay and tour while visiting the Cotswolds,
Gloucester and Slimbridge. The site has a brand new shower
and toilet block complete with underfloor heating. It is fully
equipped with disabled facilities and also includes a family
room. Apple Tree Park includes 65 pitches with electric hook
ups, as well as an area that is ideal for walking dogs.
We have plenty of room for tourers, tents or
motorhomes of any size from March to October.
There’s plenty of electric hook ups, WiFi and
enough space for you to pitch with friends or have
your own privacy.
DEVON
Church Green Road, Fishtoft, Boston, Lincolnshire, PE21 0QY
NORFOLK
14/05/2014 11:02
pilgrims way.indd
1
27/11/2014
15:39
apple tree park.indd 1
26/11/2014 09:18
AWARD WINNING
TOURING PARK
Beautiful woodland setting
Excellent facilities
(including swimming pools)
Pet friendly pitches
Fully serviced pitches
(electricity, water & TV hook-up)
BOOK ONLINE
sandyballs.co.uk or call 0844 249 1184
WALES
WEST SUSSEX
TRENCH FARM FISHERIES & TOURING PARK
Trench Farm is set in 150 acres of farm & woodland
with abundant wildlife. Over the years the fishery
has created an ideal habitat and by not being too
clinical our hedge rows have grown helping to
create a haven for various species of animals, birds
and insects etc.
If you love to fish or maybe just prefer to chill
out we believe we have the perfect base from
which to explore this lovely countryside and it’s
surrounding areas.
• Full facilities to cater for all.
• Dog friendly site.
• Quality fishing all year round.
www.trenchfarmfisheries.co.uk • [email protected]
Red Hall Lane, Penley, Wrexham, LL13 0NA • 01978 710098
52
p051-054 classi.indd 46
Winter 2015 campingmagazine.co.uk
Firepits
available
to hire!
family fun seaside
sunshine
5 star caravan, camping
and motor home holidays
Warner Farm Touring Park offers great value
holidays with modern facilities, disabled
access, FREE daytime activities & evening
entertainment, indoor and outdoor leisure
pools and health complex and a mile long
beach on your doorstep. A great location on
the south coast to get out and about.
Choose from Standard, Electric and Service
Pitches in Selsey, West Sussex! Check the
website for special offers.
we are OPEN
10 months from
march to january
every year
warnerfarm. co. uk 01243 604499
Camping Magazine NOV DEC JAN 2014 55mm x 90mm.indd 1
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08/12/2014 15:08
RETAILER
DIRECTORY
ESSEX
CAMPING & GENERAL
Charfleets, Canvey Island, SS8 0PL
01268 692141
F 01268 696771
www.campingandgeneral.net
Visit one of the country’s biggest outdoor
leisure outlets. 65,000 sq ft permanent
indoor showroom with everything for the
camper, caravanner and hiker.
CAMPERITE LEISURE LTD
Flyover Nurseries, Coggeshall Road,
Marks Tey, Colchester, Essex, CO6 1LJ
01206 210551
@ [email protected]
www.camperite.co.uk
Next-day delivery UK-wide on all the
tents and camping accessories you’ll
need for the perfect break. Shop online
or visit our wonderful store - we have
the largest seasonal display of tents in
North Essex and Suffolk. Up to 30 tents
on display in an outdoor setting and a
large well-stocked camping equipment
shop. All staff have a minimum of
11 years experience in the camping
industry.
HERTFORDSHIRE
KITSHACK LTD
Cranborne House, Cranborne Road, Potters
Bar, EN6 3JN
01707 852244
F 01707 852246
@ [email protected]
www.kitshack.com
KitShack offer one of the largest
collections of Buff® headwear on the
internet, plus other great bits of kit from
SealSkinz, Gerber, Tilley Endurables and
Silva. If it’s on our site, it’s in stock. You
will also enjoy superb customer service,
on and off line – and a real person on the
end of the phone. Orders placed by noon
are shipped the same day anywhere in the
world. For safe, secure, reliable service and
top quality products think KitShack.
DORSET
CAMPERS & LEISURE
c/o Oakdene Forest Park, St Leonards,
Ringwood, Dorset, BH24 2RZ
01202 893679 F 01202 895085
@ [email protected]
www.campersandleisure.co.uk
Campers and Leisure. One of the souths
largest camping businesses and the
UK’s No.1 new & used folding & pop up
caravan specialists. Large under cover
area displaying caravan and motorhome
awnings, family tents, trailer tents and
folding campers. Large on site camping
and caravanning accessory shop.
Caravan servicing avaliable. We buy or
sell on your behalf, good quality folding
& pop up caravans, folding campers and
trailer tents.
KENT
CAMPING INTERNATIONAL
SUPERSTORE
Clock Tower House, Watling Street,
Gillingham, Kent, ME5 7HF
01634 577326
www.camping-intl.com
@ [email protected]
The largest indoor showroom for all
camping, caravanning, motorhome
& walking equipment in the South of
England. All products are on permanent
display in the vast 41.000.00 sq. ft
Superstore with every item priced at
some of the UK’s best prices.
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
MIDDLESEX
HOME COUNTIES OUTDOORS
Longacres Garden Centre, Nutty Lane,
Shepperton, Middlesex, TW17 0RQ
01932 761177
www.thefamilytentshop.com
@ [email protected]
New Store Opening March 1st 2014
stocking a vast selection of Camping,
Caravan, Motorhome and Walking
Equipment from many top brands such
as Vango, Outwell, Kampa and Dometic
to name but a few. We have tents on
display and demonstrations are possible
upon request. Situated in a busy garden
centre with over 200 parking spaces
we are well worth a visit. We also have
a second store in Guildford called The
Family Tent Shop. Special Offers in store
and Online.
RUTLAND
ATTWOOLL’S CAMPING
& LEISURE
Bristol Road, Whitminster, Gloucs
01452 742233 F 01452 742213
www.attwoolls.co.uk
@ [email protected]
Huge 30,000 sq.ft indoor camping ski &
accessory shop. Open all year round.
NORFOLK
NORWICH CAMPING & LEISURE
The Leisure Village, 58 Yarmouth Rd,
Blofield, Norwich, NR13 4LQ
01603 717600 F 01603 717850
www.norwichcamping.co.uk
@ [email protected]
Norfolks premier family run leisure
superstore, over 100 tents, trailer
tents, folding campers & awnings
on display (March-September), from
leading manufacturers. Garden furniture
and BBQs. Huge array of camping &
caravanning equipment and accessories.
Also garden centre, farm shop and coffee
shop. Something for everyone.
MANCHESTER
CAMPERLANDS LTD
Vincent Works, Leestone Rd, Sharston
Ind. Area, Manchester M22 4RN
0161 9988523 F 0161 9461383
www.camperlands.co.uk
One of Europe’s biggest tent & trailer
tent specialists since 1968. Campingcaravanning-motorhome megastore.
Displaying up to 120 new & used models
GET LOST IN RUTLAND
Unit 4, Rutland Village, Rutland Garden
Centre, Ashwell Road, Oakham, Rutland
LE15 7QN
01572 868712
@ [email protected]
www.getlostinrutland.co.uk
We supply everything for outdoor leisure
activities and pride ourselves on our
knowledge and customer care. Get
Lost In Rutland is a new family business
retailing everything for walking, cycling,
camping, golfing and bird watching. We
are specialists in power assisted electric
bikes, hybrid bikes, tents and technical
outdoor clothing. Open 7 days a week.
Monday-Saturday 9 till 5 and Sunday
10 till 4
SOMERSET
SOMERSET CAMPING
A38 Bridgwater Road, Walford Cross,
Taunton, Somerset, TA2 8QR
01823 413333 op.2
www.somersetcamping.co.uk
@ [email protected]
Open 7 days a week, we have the
biggest outdoor display in the South
with a huge selection of dome tents,
tunnel tents and motorhome awnings.
We have a fully stocked camping shop
which includes outdoor wear and
skiwear and everything, including our
tents are available at the best prices
instore and online, if in doubt, ring us –
we will price match!
SURREY
THE FAMILY TENT SHOP
Sutton Green Garden Centre, Guildford Road,
Guildford , Surrey GU4 7QB
01483 237744
@ [email protected]
www.thefamilytentshop.com
The Family Camping Specialists.
Full range of family tents ,inflatable
tents and awnings. Main Stockists for
Outwell, Vango, Kampa and Dometic.
Comprehensively stocked accessory shop.
Friendly family business. Open 6 days a week
(Closed Tuesdays).
SOMERSET
HIGHBRIDGE CARAVAN
CENTRE LTD
A38 Bristol Road, Highbridge,
Somerset, TA9 4EX
01278 782725 F 01278 764810
www.highbridgecaravans.co.uk
Offering you the best in motorhomes,
caravans, folding campers, trailer tents,
awnings, tents and camping accessories
from leading brands & manufactures.
Main dealers for Pennine and Conway
Folding Campers, Raclet and Sunncamp
Trailer Tents, plus one of the largest
ranges of used trailer tents and folding
campers in the South West. With our
recently extended accessory store open
7 days a week we are well worth a visit!!
WEST MIDLANDS
BLACK COUNTRY CARAVANS &
MOTORHOMES
Corngreaves Road, Cradley Heath, West
Midlands. B64 7DA
01384 636465
01384 413336
@ [email protected]
www.blackcountrycamping.co.uk
www.blackcountrycaravans.co.uk
Open 7 days a week, we stock
Sunncamp, Camplair, Raclet and Trigano.
We are also the exclusive importer for
Holtkamper trailer tents. We can offer
a selection of used trailer tents to suit
anyone’s budget. Situated over 2 floors
we have a combined shop / awnings and
indoor trailer tent showroom, which is
fully stocked with a wide selection of
accessories and general camping gear.
Visit our website for information.
ADVERTISING
TO ADVERTISE IN OUR
RECOMMENDED RETAILER
DIRECTORY PLEASE CALL
CLAIRE MORRIS ON 01778
391179 OR EMAIL CLAIREM@
WARNERSGROUP.CO.UK
Sign up to the FREE Camping e-newsletter today and get your camping year sorted…
www.campingmagazine.co.uk
campingmagazine.co.uk Winter 2015
p051-054 classi.indd 47
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08/12/2014 15:08
RETAILER
DIRECTORY
OBI CAMPING & LEISURE
5 Westgate, Cowbridge,
Vale of Glamorgan, CF71 7AQ
01446 772498
F 01446 773565
www.obicampingandleisure.co.uk
@ [email protected]
For all your camping, caravaning and
motorhome needs. Established for over
45 years. South Wales premier dealer
for NEW & used POP-TOP CARAVANS,
FOLDING CAMPERS & TRAILER
TENTS. We stock TENTS from all top
manufacturers. Try our range of canvas
tents for a COOLER camping experience.
Outdoor display area. DRIVE-AWAY
AWNINGS for motorhomes. OUTDOOR
CLOTHING from KEELA, Well stocked
accessory shop. Friendly helpful advice
from staff who use the products they
sell! Open all Year.
THE CAMPING AND KITE CENTRE
Raglan Garden Centre, Old Abergavenny
Road, Raglan, Monmouthshire, NP15 2BH
0845 409 3515
@ [email protected]
www.campingandkitecentre.co.uk
Open 7 days a week with the largest
outdoor tent, lightweight awning and
driveaway awning display in Wales,
including inflatables, and a wide range
of camping furniture and accessories.
Stockists for Coleman, Easycamp,
Kampa, Robens, Sunncamp and Vango.
Just 5 minutes off the A449/A40 Raglan
Abergavenny turnoff.
TO ADVERTISE HERE IN THE
NEXT ISSUE PLEASE CALL CLAIRE ON
01778 391179 OR EMAIL HER AT
[email protected]
Booking deadline for the next available
issue is Friday 9th January
MANUFACTURERS DIRECTORY
Coleman UK Ltd
Kestrel Court, Harbour Road
Portishead, Bristol, BS20 7AN
01275 845024
customerservices@
colemanuk.co.uk
Outwell
UK retailers nationwide.
0151 645 2278
outwell.com
@
www.coleman.eu
www.campingaz.com
www.sevylor-europe.com
www.aerobed.co.uk
Comanche UK
Red Roofs, Chinnor Road, Thame OX9 3RF
01844 214331/215900
@ [email protected]
www.rcomanche.com
www.comanche.biz
Camping
To advertise here please call
01778 391179
@ [email protected]
Kampa
Visit our website for the finest range of
tents and accessories and a list of local
dealers.
www.kampa.co.uk
Raclet Ltd
Gorrick, Luckley Road, Wokingham,
Berkshire, RG40 3AU
01189791023
www.raclet.co.uk
www.campingcentreexhibitions.co.uk
54
p051-054 classi.indd 48
Storm
Nix’s Hill, Nix’s Hill Industrial Estate,
Alfreton, Derbyshire, DE55 7GN
01773 521309
@ [email protected]
www.stormwaterproofing.com
SunnCamp
Visit www.sunncamp.co.uk to see our
2014 Award winning awnings and our
range of tents and accessories.
01245 329933
SunnCamp
Summit
International House, Cricketers Way
Basildon, Essex, SS13 1HY
01268 505171
@ [email protected]
www.summitint.co/
Zempire
SunnGas
Distributed by OSC Ltd,
Redfern House, Dawson Street
Hyde, Cheshire, SK14 1RD
0161 366 5020
@ [email protected]
Vango
0844 770 7058
www.vango.co.uk
Winter 2015 campingmagazine.co.uk
08/12/2014 15:09
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e
s
i
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e
W were h
Located in a beautiful spot at the head of Llyn Gwynant
and the foot of Snowdon, this North Wales site is very
popular with walkers, climbers and mountain bikers. Its
location explains why it is often full. Great views and a
wonderful central location, it’s ideal for anyone wanting an
activity-based holiday. Alternatively if you want to relax and
enjoy the stunning natural beauty of this part of the world,
there can be few better campsites.
LLYN GWYNANT CAMPSITE
Hafod Lwfog, Nantgwynant, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 4NW
01766 890853
www.gwynant.com
55 Wish you were here ID.indd 55
08/12/2014 11:33
BRILLIANCE AS STANDARD
IPX7 Waterproof
construction
3 AAA Duracell®
batteries included
Lightweight: 75g
(excl. batteries)
Adjustable: 7x
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7x Modes: Red, Blue,
Area White, Low, Med,
High & Strobe
Integrated
battery indicator
Powerful, lightweight and incredibly bright, we have built on over 100 years of outdoor lighting expertise
to create our latest range of high-performance headlamps. Combining advanced LED technology with
user-friendly features, be ready for your next adventure with Coleman®. CHT4 Headlamp
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Available at
IN STORE | ONLINE | MOBILE
www.coleman.eu
p056.indd 1
49 stores nationwide
www.gooutdoors.co.uk
03/12/2014 13:53