Top 10 camping tips

Follow our top 10 camping tips to ensure your trip goes without a hitch.

Practise setting up your tent and check for defects

Do this before you set off. If it's a new tent, make sure you know how to set it up and also that it doesn't have any holes or defects.

Take plenty of toilet paper

As funny as it sounds, it's something people often forget to pack enough of yet we all need plenty of it!

Make sure you've packed everything - make a list

Be prepared - make a list and check it several times. If you're going somewhere remote, it could end in disaster.

Clear the area before pitching your tent

Look for any objects that could potentially damage your tent before pitching. Stones, broken glass, sticks, empty cans etc could all damage your expensive tent. Check for ants or molehills too.

Bring plastic bags

You can never have enough bags on camp trips. To put litter in, to put wet items in, to protect things etc. You'll thank us later! Keep the old ones you get from the supermarket.

Consider a head torch

A head torch is one that wraps around your head and enables you to see where you are looking.

Be wary of open flames

Lighting fires when drunk or when it's dark can seem a good idea but make sure you're well away from the tent - never light them inside. Be very careful if you must operate a stove inside the tent, we wouldn't recommend it.

Keep your food cool and dry

No-one wants to eat soggy sandwiches or burgers that have been squashed in the car. Make sure perishable items are kept in the cooler box until you need them.

Spares

Spare tent pegs, spare batteries for your torch, puncture kits, selotape - anything that can go wrong probably will at some point, so make sure you've got spares.

Keep your boots off inside the tent

They're dirty and you have to sleep in there. Plus they could damage the bottom of the tent.