It's official - camping is this year's hottest holiday trend. After months staying indoors, many of us will be looking forward to planning a holiday after lockdown ends.
With uncertainties around when it will be possible to travel abroad again, a camping staycation is the ideal holiday fix.
The best camping essentials will ensure you get the most out of your break. The UK countryside has so much to offer, whether it’s National Parks, woodlands, amazing coastline, rolling hills, rivers and lakes, there are plenty of areas to explore – with most right on our doorstep. Being outdoors and immersed in nature has multiple benefits for our mental and physical health too.
But having the right equipment is essential to a relaxing and enjoyable experience. Think everything from tents, sleeping bags, air beds, and pillows, to a camping stove and cooking utensils.
Despite lockdown, it’s still possible to research and plan travel in spring and beyond, and plenty of Brits are already doing just that. Camptoo, a sharing economy platform with campervans and motorhomes for rent, has seen a whopping 200% increase in bookings since to 30 January, and the trend is set to continue.
So get ready for your summer 2021 staycation with the best camping essentials below.
Best camping essentials
1. Hampton 4 Nightfall Family Tent
First and foremost, you're going to need a good tent. According to Go Outdoors, a good rule of thumb is to aim for a tent that sleeps one or two people more than you need.
This brilliant family tent comes in four or six-person, and is a great-value camping essential for your next trip. It boasts a waterproof sewn-in ground sheet, darkened bedroom fabric, large windows with roll-up curtains, cable access points, and a storage organiser. It takes around 15 minutes to pitch.
One review said: "Had this out on two autumn trips, including during a severe weather warning in the Scottish highlands when it rained for three days straight! Easy to put up, completely dry, roomy, great storage pockets, recommend."
Price: £210, Go Outdoors - buy here now
2. Lightweight Durable Compact Folding Camp Chair
A foldable camping chair is a definite camping essential, and this Amazon bestseller comes at such a good price you'll be able to buy one for each family member.
It's lightweight, comfy, wipe-clean, durable and even boasts a cup holder for your beer or vino. It also comes in an array of fun and trendy colours and can be stored away easily.
One happy camper said: "These were a great price. I bought them for a specific trip not really expecting them to last well as they were quite cheap but the quality is fantastic, material really thick and they have been used every day for weeks. They are more comfortable than our 'proper' garden chairs!"
Price: £21.99, Amazon - buy here now
3. Comfort Quest Inflatable Blow Up Camping Airbed
Don't want to put your back out pumping up the airbed manually? This camping essential comes with an air pump that gets the job done in three minutes.
It's durable and comfortable, and has a flocked top to keep you safely on top. Perfect for camping but also as an extra bed at home for family visits.
Price: £29.99, Amazon - buy here now
4. Active Era Professional 300 Warm Mummy Sleeping Bag
An ultra-convenient camping essential, this sleeping bag is perfect for all seasons and will keep you warm on summer or winter camping trips.
It comes with a cosy hood, a wind-proof double zipper, a water-repellant layer, and a handy internal pocket to keep your mobile safe. It's also machine washable so you can keep it fresh for every trip.
Price: £24.99, Amazon - buy here now
5. Trekology Ultralight Inflating Travel/Camping Pillows
Keep the comforts of home on your next camping trip with this inflatable camping pillow.
Easy-to-use, big on comfort yet small in size, it's a convenient camping essential that will help you get a good night's sleep. It folds down to smaller than a drink can, so it's easy to carry and store, too.
It's simple to blow up in three to five breaths, and even easier to deflate at the push of a button. A nifty little must-have.
Price: £13.49, Amazon - buy here now
6. Campingaz Camp Bistro 2 Camping Stove
Compact and easy-to-use, this little camping stove is small but mighty. It's a portable single burner gas stove with an ignition for matchless lighting.
It has a run time of up to 1 hour 30 minutes on the Campingaz CP 250 cartridge and a boil time of 5 minutes 25 seconds. Also comes with a handy carry case. Perfect for your morning fry ups.
Price: £18, Amazon - buy here now
7. Taibid Picnic Set Camping
After whipping up a culinary delight on your new camping stove, you're going to need a camping cutlery set to scoff it down with.
This handy 16-piece camping picnic set has everything you need for eating outdoors for two people. It includes two forks, two spoons, two serrated knives, a butter knife, two dinner plates, a cutting board, a bottle opener, salt and pepper shakers, two checkered table napkins and a travel bag to keep it all in.
Perfect for al fresco meals on your next camping adventure.
Price: £23.99, Amazon - buy here now
8. Hi Gear Elite Picnic Table Set
Elevate your camping experience and make mealtimes more enjoyable with a handy folding camping table.
This table comes with two portable and foldable camping stools and benches, which all fold into a carry case, making it a convenient and versatile investment.
One review said: "Had this for camping, and was perfect, we used the table for our kitchen area, and it was very sturdy. Love how it all fits into the table when folded away. Benches and stools were very handy too!"
Price: £65, Go Outdoors - buy here now
9. Darmai Camping Lantern
This ultra-handy lantern is a camping essential that you can use for an ambient glow in your tent at night. It also has a front flashlight that you can use to guide the way if you need to go to the loo in the middle of the night (yes, we've all been there).
It's powered by rechargeable batteries, and can be used as a power source to charge your phone. What's more, it's water-resistant and has a red SOS light in case you get lost in the woods.
Price: £15.99, Amazon - buy here now
10. Hi Gear 20-Litre 12V Cooler
Keep your food and drink cool and refreshing with this electric cool box. It has 20 litres of space, and can run from your car's 12V socket.
When you next go to enjoy a wine or a beer, it will be cool, cold and delicious. Cheers!
