Innholdsfortegnelse for Essential Guide to Camping 2025 i Camping

Camping is a wonderful way for you and your family to enjoy the outdoors… and it’s fantastic value for money. But whether you are a first-time camper or a veteran, it might all leave you feeling a little confused. There’s no need to panic, though, we’re here to help. Welcome to Camping – The Essential Guide 2025, packed with all the information you need to find the ideal tent and camping accessories for your upcoming adventures. In the Essential Guide we have the answers to all the big buying questions, as well as everything you need to get the most out of your tent. You can buy all manner of accessories from our online shop. There are a huge amount of products at outandaboutshop.co.uk that come recommended by our experienced…

Just like tents, campers come in all shapes and sizes. And when you come to buy a new model, the first thing you’ll need to ask yourself is how many people will be sleeping in it and what you plan to use it for. For longer family holidays, a large family tent with spacious living and sleeping areas would be ideal. You’ll need enough space for the whole group to relax comfortably. And don’t forget you will need storage space for your baggage and gear. If the weather is poor, that extra space will really be appreciated as you’ll be spending more time inside. Some family tents are absolutely huge, with loads of space for furniture, such as inflatable sofas, coffee tables, sideboards and cupboards. But pitching a large tent…

High street chains and local independents used to be the only place to buy your camping equipment. But there are now many retailers battling for your business – and they’re not all traditional outdoor outlets. As well as ‘bricks and mortar’ shops, there are many retailers operating online, so it’s a really competitive marketplace out there. INDEPENDENT RETAILERS AND HIGH STREET STORES Many towns still have at least one camping and outdoor shop on the high street – either a local independent set-up or one of the larger UK-wide chains like Blacks, Millets or Cotswold Outdoor. There are also lots of large independent stores, based on the outskirts or just out of town, that have a wider range of equipment for sale. Well-known names include Attwoolls, Camping International, Winfields Outdoors…

■ AND EXTENSIONS You can add an extra room to many tents by adding a front or side awning or extension. ■ BATHTUB GROUNDSHEET A tent floor made from a single piece of material, which is attached to the walls with toggles or a zip. ■ BERTHS This shows the maximum number of people a tent can accommodate. It’s usually wise to choose a capacity at least one, and usually two, more people than is actually required. ■ CABLE ENTRY POINT A slot in the tent wall that allows you to run an electric cable to the hook-up point. ■ CLIPS A way to attach the tent’s flysheet to the metal or fibreglass poles. ■ COLOUR-CODED POLES Tent poles that are colour-coded to match the correct sleeve on the flysheet…

When it comes to finding a site for a long family holiday, there are lots of factors to consider. Location is obviously a prime consideration, but that idyllic view over the sea won’t be much consolation if you’re trying to keep two demanding youngsters occupied. We’ve found that six-year-olds tend to be more impressed with brilliant playparks than splendid vistas. So, make a checklist of everything you would like on your campsite – starting off with what you consider to be essential. The more boxes a site ticks the better. WHERE? It sounds obvious, but narrowing down to one region or area makes it a lot easier to search for a campsite rather than simply searching the whole country. When you’ve decided on an area you want to go to,…

Earth A trailer tent is a step up in comfort from the fairly rudimentary accommodation of a tent but at a price that is not as scary as some of the figures currently being asked around for campervans, motorhomes and caravans. The Camp-let Earth was named Best Trailer Tent in the 2025 Out & About Camping Awards, where judges praised its simplicity combined with its ability to be customised, providing maximum flexibility on your camping holiday. The Earth is inspired by the colours of nature. What makes this Camp-let unique is its modular design. It gives campers endless ways to customise their trailer tent to suit their needs. In its standard format, Camp-let Earth offers an 18m2 holiday home, with four comfortable beds. If you need more space, there are…

Halny Elite 2 New for 2025, the Halny Elite 2 is an ultralight two-person tent inspired by the Terra Nova Laser range. Designed for backpackers, bikepackers and adventurers, it offers a proven singlepole structure, a spacious interior and recycled, PFC-free materials, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a sustainable and high-performance shelter. The Halny Elite 2 won Best Lightweight Tent in the 2025 Out & About Live Camping Awards, and is engineered for adventurers who require a lightweight yet durable shelter that doesn’t compromise on space. Weighing just 1.59kg (max) and 1.45kg (min), this tent is ideal for fast-and-light expeditions, offering a balance between weight savings and reliable protection. The updated recycled, PFC-free flysheet, inner and groundsheet enhance the tent’s environmental credentials while maintaining excellent waterproof performance. The…

1 UNFORGETTABLE ADVENTURES Hiking, surfing, mountain biking, windsurfing, kayaking… the options for adventure on a camping holiday are limitless. 2 RELAX AND RECHARGE On the other hand, a camping trip allows you to literally do nothing. Once your tent is set up, you don’t have to rush to be somewhere or do something. Just sit back, chill and watch the world go by. For a few days at least, you don’t need to worry about cleaning, laundry, shopping, or any of the other tiresome tasks that consume our everyday lives. 3 SPENDING QUALITY TIME Family time is at a premium these days, thanks to longer working hours, endless commutes and all the other demands on our time. Kids also have so many other things to do – mainly speaking to…

Trailer tents and folding campers are great options for campers who want more comfort but aren’t ready to upgrade to an expensive leisure vehicle. They combine all the freedom of tent life with the luxury and convenience of a caravan or motorhome. Trailer tents – and their close relative, the folding camper – are still about living under canvas, even if it’s right at the top of the comfort and price scale. And, even if they are more expensive than regular tents, both offer significant advantages in terms of comfort and convenience. TRAILER TENTS These compact units are designed to be towed behind a vehicle and unfold into a spacious and comfortable living space at the campsite. They typically consist of a trailer base with folding canvas walls and a…

One of the main reasons people go camping is because it allows you to enjoy memorable family holidays at a relatively low price. It is perfectly suited to families wanting a cheap getaway for a couple of weeks or a few days away that won’t break the bank. At a time when everyone’s budgets are being squeezed, camping holidays still offer great value for money. Shop around and you can get fully kitted out for less than the price of a package holiday and, even though site fees are increasing, a night in a tent on a topquality campsite is still likely to be less than staying in a budget hotel. But how much does it actually cost to go camping in the UK and is it still cost-effective compared…

Tents have become a lot more userfriendly to put up in recent years, but, if you have the space, a practice session on the back lawn, or even on a nearby park, could save you a lot of hassle on your maiden trip. No matter if you’re a first-time camper or have been pitching tents for years, a couple of practice pitches with your new tent before you set off for the sunshine will make the real thing go much more smoothly when you arrive on site – although the vast majority of your new neighbours will almost certainly be happy to help, if you need it. But, if you’ve completed a couple of dummy runs prior to arriving on site, the real thing will be far less intimidating. Set…

Would you rather pitch your tent on a spot with a great view? Close to the toilet block? As far away as possible from the clubhouse? Under trees for shade? If you are staying at a campsite for several days, it certainly pays dividends to stay on a pitch that you enjoy rather than you simply endure. Even if you are touring and moving on each day, why put up with a pitch that is less than satisfactory? Unfortunately, on some campsites you’ll simply be allocated a pitch when you arrive depending on how busy it is and what’s available at the time. That applies especially if you need electric hook-up. Happily, most site owners and managers are friendly, helpful and happy to accommodate reasonable requests and usually there will…

Visit youtube.com/CampingMagazineTV now to watch our pick of top camping videos to help you choose the right tent, learn new skills, or just see other people’s funny camping capers! IN OUR VIDEO VAULT YOU’LL FIND: ➔ How To guides to help you become a camping genius ➔ Buying advice for choosing the right tent and equipment ➔ Exclusive news about new tents and gear ➔ Camping kit reviews PLUS MUCH MORE Subscribe to our channel at youtube.com/CampingMagazineTV and start watching straight away…

Virginia 5 Air TC As you would expect from the Tent of the Year, the Outwell Virginia 5 Air TC is all about the quality. In fact, as the judges in the Out & About Live Camping Awards 2025 stated, it’s “spectacularly good” This five-berth, polycotton family tent combines superb materials with an innovative new design – while incorporating the features that Outwell has become synonymous with over the last 30 years. For design innovation, quality and good looks, the Virginia ticks all the boxes. On the outside, we love the frame tent-like shape as well as the classy chocolate brown and coffee colour scheme. Inside, the huge windows ensure a bright living area and the almost upright walls create loads of space. The unique part is at the back,…

Poled or inflatable, polyester or cotton, roof tents or trailer tents. There has never been more choice for campers. But if it’s been a while since you bought a new tent or you’ve never camped before, it might all seem a little confusing. There’s no need to panic, though. We’re here to explain it all. What is important is that you choose the right tent for you. What will you use it for? How often will you go camping? How many of you are there? Whether you’re buying your first tent or upgrading your existing model, we can help you get the decision right. HOW WILL YOU USE YOUR TENT? Before we get all technical, the first thing to consider is how you are likely to use your tent. Are…

If you’re a gear geek it’s easy to get carried away and spend a fortune on needless products. So, unless you want piles of kit gathering dust in the garage, it’s vital to choose the right accessories for your camping needs. Camping accessories fall into four broad categories: sleeping, eating, indoor and outdoor living. However, depending on your individual needs, you may find you have different priorities. If you plan to spend most of your days in the hills or canoeing around the adjacent lake, you can probably do without a fancy gazebo, armchairs and recliners in favour of better-quality mattresses and sleeping bags to guarantee a good night’s sleep after an action-packed adventure in the great outdoors. On the other hand, if relaxing with a book and enjoying a…

Camping is generally an affordable way to explore the country and enjoy the great outdoors, but with family tents getting bigger and ever more luxurious, models at the top of the range from brands like Vango, Kampa and Outwell can cost more than £3,000. Obviously not many of us have that sort of cash lying around waiting to be spent, but fear not! There are affordable ways to pursue your passion and take to the road in some style. WAYS TO PAY CASH If you’ve got it, this is the easiest, quickest and, in the long term, cheapest way to buy a tent. However, few of us have a spare couple of thousand pounds stuffed under the mattress, so it will mean saving up for a while if you want…

From carpets to air-conditioning units, you can buy just about anything to make tent living easier and more comfortable. The problem is fitting it all into the car. Every family camper has to become an expert in car boot Tetris. The reality is that most car boots simply aren’t big enough to cope with the amount of kit you might want to take on a fortnight’s holiday for a family of four. Before you know it, you find yourself cramming kit in around the kids in the back seat (not recommended), then investing in a roof box and eventually buying a trailer. PACKING THE CAR You’ve got all the gear you need, now follow our advice for packing the car for your next big camping trip. 1 Tempting though it…

AirTek Sherwood 8.0 The Sherwood 8.0 is one of the largest inflatable tents on the market, providing accommodation for up to 12 people (with additional inners). Despite its size, the tent is designed to be erected by just one person, and features Holawild’s unique Precision Pitch that allows you to secure your tent with pre-angled guylines to maximise the durability. At the rear, the generously sized bedroom area has a 2+2+2+2 configuration, with each room separated by zipped dividers for added privacy. The ultra-dark, king-sized inner tents can also be combined to create one large sleeping area. The unique quilted flooring in the sleeping section adds an extra touch of luxury, providing a soft and insulating floor for your bedtime comfort. The spacious, fully enclosed living area boasts an impressive…

Solar Horizon 2 Designed for backpackers and hikers, the Solar Horizon 2 is a spacious, lightweight two-person tent with a new inner pitch-first design for addedversatility. Built with recycled, solution-dyed and PFC-free fabrics, it’s one of the most sustainable three-season tents on the market without compromising on performance. The Solar Horizon 2 is the ideal tent for backpackers and long-distance trekkers who are looking for the optimal balance of space, weight-saving, and durability. New for 2025, it features an inner pitch-first design, allowing for greater flexibility in different conditions. With a packed weight of just 1.9kg, it’s light enough for fastpaced adventures but offers impressive interior space, with 224cm length and 126cm width, providing a comfortable sleeping area for two people. The Solar Horizon 2 is constructed from the new…

Savannah 600XL For families who love to camp in comfort and style, the Savannah 600XL tent is perfect. Winner of the Out & About Live 2025 Camping Awards Best Family Tent category, this exceptionally designed six-man poled tent has a range of features to enhance the camping experience. The Savannah 600XL is built with innovative Dynamic Weave 100 technology, combining 75D and 100D fabric fibres. This interweaving creates a tent that boasts an impressive strength-to-weight ratio, making it lightweight yet remarkably durable. With a waterproof rating of 4,000mmHH, rainy weather will no longer put a damper on your camping plans. Plus, thanks to ColourLok Eco technology used in the dyeing process, you can expect superb UV resistance, ensuring your tent will look fantastic year after year. One of the standout…