I’m aware I can almost sound evangelical about camping, as no doubt my friends will testify, especially the ones who are more sceptical about the idea!
I think some people associate camping with feeling uncomfortable or facing questionable facilities for their morning shower. And yes, those are real possibilities if you don’t go prepared, or do a bit of research before you pull up. Tick those things off though, and there’s no reason not to have a memorable, stress-free trip.
Truly (here I go again), there’s just something about downsizing your life, hitting the road and living a simple existence surrounded by nature that’s calming, inspiring and rejuvenating. Not convinced? I’ve put together a few reasons why it’s time to embrace your inner camper…
Affordability
Camping is cheap, in the best sense of the word. Even if you’re splashing out on a site, you’re very unlikely to spend more than £40 a night, with pitches usually costing around £20-£25. You might have to spend a bit more in the peak season, and on the odd occasion shell out another £1 for your shower token, but that’s about the worst of it. It potentially means you can travel more throughout the year or use the money you would have spent on hotel accommodation to treat yourselves to an incredible experience during your trip, or even splash out on the sort of meal you might normally pass up.
Incredible locations
This sort of ties into the price because you can spend a negligible amount to experience the same views that some people are paying an extortionate amount for in a hotel, and in many instances, you’ll be able to experience a view that’s only accessible to campers. One memory that stands out is sleeping on the side of a lake in Switzerland with snow-capped mountains in the distance that we would never have experienced otherwise. And on our shores, we’ve enjoyed incredible countryside and coastal views, and pitched mere steps from a beach or woodland.
Deep sleep
It’s a bit of a myth that you’ll have a terrible night’s sleep while camping. I mean, yes, you might get unlucky with noisy neighbours, a deflating air bed or a leaky tent but these things are pretty rare. I always say, the key’s in the prep. Don’t go minimalist with your sleep set-up but make it somewhere you can’t wait to snuggle down into at the end of the day. On top of that, the sort of sleep you get is just deeper. No doubt, it’s to do with all the fresh air, and a feeling of contentment that comes from scaling back your life for a little bit.
The simple life
There is something really satisfying about realising you can live a very contented life without a lot of the stuff you typically surround yourself with. Your life becomes a lot less cluttered, literally and figuratively. Then there’s the fact you have simple but necessary jobs to do, like prepping the fire, washing up, and giving the tent a little spruce up - the sort of tasks you can just potter about doing that calm the mind. And in the evening, there’s something very zen about sitting back, watching the fire crackle or looking up to a sky filled with stars and enjoying the company you’re in.
Trust
It’s rarely acknowledged but one of the wonderful things about camping is the unspoken trust between yourself and your neighbours. This is so important when you think about it. You’re often leaving your belongings for hours at a time when you go out for the day, with no way of ‘locking up’ before you go. There’s a real camaraderie as well, with people ready to help out and loan anything if needed. It can be sociable, a chance to meet lots of people and hear their stories if you fancy it, but at the same time, there’s a respect so you don’t feel your personal space is being infringed upon.
Food tastes better
I don’t know what it is, but whatever you cook up when you’re camping tastes better than it does at home. We’ve got a little two-hob set-up, as well as the trusty camping stove, so I admit there are times when I feel like I’m channelling a TV chef on one of their road trips, minus the cameras, as I throw a few things into the pan. We usually start the day with egg and bacon, and the smell of that sizzling away is mouth-watering. Pasta, local seafood, meat feasts, as long as it can be cooked in a pan or on a BBQ, we’ve tried it. And then of course there are the all-important marshmallow s’mores, a campfire tradition.
You’re on the go, in a good way
You’re on the move a lot of the time when you’re camping, from the moment you arrive and need to put the tent up - which can be a workout in itself. And there are always little jobs that need doing around the tent and pitch, like having to go to the water point to fill your container (a brilliant workout for the arms). Even walking to and from the showers burns a few calories. It all adds up to a pretty active lifestyle but without you realising it because it doesn’t feel like a chore. Given your surroundings, you’re also more likely to embark on something active during the day, whether that’s hiking or cycling. This means that when you get back to the tent, you can crack open a drink and get a full BBQ on the go (again) without feeling guilty. You’ve earned it.
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