From Scotland's Cairngorms to the seatsalt-speckled coasts of Cornwall, the UK is full of glorious campsites in which to rock up, pitch up and enjoy the good camping life, be it for a weekend or longer.
While some folks shrink away from the idea of sleeping under the stars with little more than a sheet of tarpaulin for protection against the elements, we say that's just because they haven't got the right stuff.
With the correct kit and gadgets, camping can be an excellent and comfortable escape from the maze-like city, helping you plug back into nature and take time out of increasingly hectic schedules.
This being the UK, the weather (and how it might misbehave) is always a major preoccupation, but the summer months are largely likely to be storm-free. The thing about camping is that you don't have to spend months and months pre-planning: at the first hint of a heatwave, simply bundle your tent, portable BBQ and pals into a car and head for the hills.
Whether you're the outdoorsy type with a shed full of kit or you're a curious newbie, we've put together this Best Camping Gear guide to help you find the latest, best equipment for your next adventure.
We've included a mix of must-pack equipment that will serve you well over all kinds of activities, from hiking, DofE expeditions, overnight festivals and more.
Shop the ultimate camping edit below
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Best camping beds for weekend trips
Best sleeping bag liners to keep you cosy out on camping trips
Best camping stoves: gas, wood and coal fired portable cooking devices
BioLite Campstove Wood Burning Electricity Generating & USB Charging Camp Stove (CampStove Complete Cook Kit)
Best for: light, compact design with a kitchen’s-worth of functions
Simply calling this BioLite kit a ‘stove’ feels like a gross underestimation - in truth, it can do so much more. It burns wood, wood scraps and pellets without generating any smoke, so no more shuffling around trying to avoid the plumes. Burning also generates electricity, which you can use to power your devices via the USB port.
There’s a medley of accessories too, including a portable grill (with space for four burgers) which comes with a rubber lid for clean and easy transportation, a KettlePot which can boil a litre of water in less than five minutes and in which the stove can neatly fit (saving packing space) and CoffeePress attachments so you won’t have to go without your morning brew.
Midnight feasts are covered too - there’s a FlexLight with ChromaReal LED technology included to illuminate the cooktop, letting you cook even when night falls.
Grill, boil, cook and charge all in one. You’ll wonder how you ever camped without it.
Also available at BioLite and Millets
Buy now £240.99, Amazon
Quechua 4 Person Blackout Air Tent – Air Seconds 4.1 XL Fresh&Black
Ideal if you want to pitch in a flash and get on with your holiday, this inflatable tent feels really spacious inside thanks to a generous 70cm width allowance per person in the bedroom. The entire structure is inflated in one go and the bedroom is pre-assembled for minimum hassle, though be warned there is only one so this tent may be better suited to families with younger children or those who don’t mind sharing personal space.
There are all sorts of other considered features to make your camping trip as comfy as possible including a heat-reducing, sun protection fabric to stop you from roasting inside the tent, a 2000mm HH rating and patented Fresh & Black technology to reflect the sun’s rays and guarantee 99 per cent darkness in the bedroom. Our only gripe is that a hand pump isn’t included – not something you’d want to discover the first time you unroll the tent on a campsite – so make sure you buy before you go.
Buy now £299.99, Decathlon
Vango Omega 350 tent
Weighing a not-too-shabby 5kg, the Omega 350 basecamp tent may be designed for expeditions like DofE, but it promises to serve perfectly well as your festival HQ too.
Average pitch time is just 12 minutes, and for once the listing as a three-man lives up to the hype - thanks to the compartment design. The zipped sleeping compartment is separated from the large living area, giving you dedicated spaces to sleep and change clothes so you always look your festival finest.
It’s a necessary addition if you want to keep the mess to a minimum and sleep in a mud-free zone.
Buy now £335.00, Go Outdoors
Thermarest Space Cowboy Sleeping Bag
Best for: compact toastiness
Channel a new-age Tutankhamun in Therm-A-Rest’s SpaceCowboy sleeping bag, made with synthetic fabric and fibres to keep body heat where you want it - inside the bag.
Weighing 780g, it won’t take up much space in your kit bag at just 20 x 26cm when packed. You’ll stay comfortably warm even in lows of -6 degrees. The side zip makes it easy to get in and out of, helpful for midnight loo breaks. Best for sleepers 6ft and under.
Buy now £102.00, LDN Mountain Centre
Raeburn x Chillys Raft Bag
Hydration is key for festivals - and no, cider doesn't count. Keep a personal supply of water to hand in style thanks to Chillys tie-up with luxe sustainable brand RÆBURN.
The fashion label has transformed ex-RAF liferafts into nifty water bottle bags. Each comes armed with zipped pockets, compartments and even an additional sling bag to stuff essentials, so you're not bogged down by bags at the main stage.
The raft bag comes complete with a matching Chillys water bottle finished with a laser print shark design. Find limited edition bundles (£199) or go for a chic black option (£82) for a bag that goes with everything.
Buy now £90.00, Chillys
Everdure CUBE Portable Charcoal Grill
Best for: cheffy flair
Elevate impromptu cookouts to luxe chef standards thanks to this portable little grill made in collaboration with food wizard Heston Blumenthal.
The CUBE may be small (at table-top size) but it sure is mighty, allowing you to cook, clean and store with the firebox easily. It uses charcoal to cook your grub, leaving that delicious chargrilled flavour on whatever’s on the menu.
A great little investment for yourself, or a gift for the BBQ lover in your life.
Buy now £149.00, Amazon
Campingaz Party Grill 400 CV gas stove
Best for: crowd cooking
If you’re worried about accidental fires, you’ll love the peace of mind that the Campingaz Party Grill 400 CV gas stove offers. It can be used as a griddle, barbecue or a wok, and comes complete with its own carry bag to make getting from A to B less than a mess.
Two features stand out: the super-smooth matchless ignition, and the water compartment, which doesn’t just make cleaning easier by stopping grease and cooking juices from sticking but cuts the fire risk, too. It’s incredibly compact, and so easy to assemble: the three legs simply twist in, although you’ll need a screwdriver to attach the two handles on either side of the lid, which doubles as a wok so be sure to pack it with your utensils.
The universal nozzle means you can use either CV300 Plus or CV470 Plus gas canisters.
Was: £97.90
Buy now £96.95, Amazon
ReadyBed Double Inflatable Camping Air Bed and Sleeping Bag
Best for: streamlined camping
We’re all for anything that makes our lives easier, and this airbed with an integrated sleeping bag has won us over for streamlining the camping experience. The top-rated design offers plenty of room with double bed-size proportions and can inflate in 60 seconds with the help of a pump (not included). As well as an attached XL sleeping bag, pillows are included too! Less things to pack means less chance of forgetting something crucial. Comes with a carry bag and repair kit.
Buy now £40.00, Argos
Vanilla Leisure Vesuvius Folding Outdoor Heated Camping Chair
Prepare to turn the rest of your camping party green with envy with a camping chair that heats up. It’s just the thing you want in case the weather takes a cold or wet turn.
Bringing tech to tent life, this clever folding chair comes with a heated seat and backrest which warms when you plug in your portable power bank. There are three levels of toastiness to sink into with padding to make things feel even more luxurious. And there’s an insulated cup holder to keep your drinks at just the right temperature for longer. The dreamiest a camping chair can get.
Weighs 5.1kg and comes with its own carry bag.
Buy now £79.99, The Range
Outdoor Portable Garden Folding Camp Chair with Cup Holder
Available in an array of colours - green, blue, red, white and black - the chair comes with a handy cupholder. The frame folds shut and doesn’t require deconstructing, just pop it into the carry bag and sling it over your shoulder to find the next sunspot.
Buy now £22.99, Amazon
Luci Outdoor 2.0 Pro Solar Camping Light
Best for: solar lighting and charging
Camping lanterns often fall by the wayside when it comes to packing, mainly because of their bulk. However, no such trouble with this design: it’s inflatable! It folds flat when not in use and offers a soft but bright glow when you need it.
What’s more, not only is the camping lantern lightweight, but it’s solar-charged and it can juice up your phone when your battery is low too. Don’t worry, there’s a USB cable power option if the weather doesn’t play ball.
Buy now £54.95, Amazon
Lifeventure SoftFibre Printed Travel Towel
Within the bounds of ordinary camping experiences, nobody likes to be wet in a tent. So, here’s a smart piece of kit that will help you dry off after bad weather or lukewarm campsite showers.
Lifeventure’s SoftFibre travel towel has incredible drying power, with the ability to absorb up to nine times its own weight in water. The towel itself also dries off remarkably fast and well, especially if you can find a sunny, well-ventilated place to hang it up (a guy rope when the sun comes out will do).
While this towel comes in a few different prints and colours, our clear favourite is this tropical design, with its vibrant crop of Swiss cheese and bird of paradise plants.
Buy now £21.97, Amazon
Verdict
Aside from the obvious tent and sleeping bag, the one thing that will make your camping trip memorable for all the right reasons is the food. Whether you’re putting supermarket ingredients or foraged treasures on the menu, cook your campside feast with laughable ease thanks to BioLite Campstove. The versatile stove can do so much, including making the necessary morning cup of coffee, it's an invaluable piece of kit you won't want to leave home without.
