Stock Up on Essential Camping Equipment from your Garden Centre

It’s no secret that spending time in the great outdoors is good for wellbeing. And for many people in the UK, camping, caravanning or motorhoming offer opportunities to get a fresh air fix for a very reasonable price. Seasoned campers and beginners alike know that good quality camping equipment is a must. But did you know that your garden centre offers a wide choice of outdoor living essentials that are perfect for weekend breaks and longer holidays?

What equipment do you need for a camping holiday?

First and foremost, if you’re planning on a holiday that involves going back to basics and living a simpler life, you’ll need some kind of shelter. Tents come in all shapes and sizes from one-person shelters that fold up small enough to carry in a backpack, to three-bedroomed tents big enough to house a family of ten.

It’s not commonplace for a garden centre to stock tents, caravans or indeed camper vans, but most of them will have a range of practical and decorative items to make outdoor life safe, easy, pleasant and fun.

Lets take a look.

Cooking and Eating

None of us can survive without food and drink. And even if you plan to eat out for most of your meals on your camping trip, you will still need to plan for snacks, hot drinks, takeaways and impromptu meals when you can’t find a pub or restaurant that’s actually open.

Most garden centres have a whole section dedicated to al-fresco cooking and eating. Look for items that can be packed and transported easily. Don’t forget that when it comes to breaking camp and coming home, you may be tired, in a rush, or battling inclement weather. So, packing needs to be simple and efficient.

Good choices for amateur campers are:

A picnic set with unbreakable plates, bowls, glasses and cutlery. Choose a design you love, and you’ll find yourself using it time and time again. Coffee doesn’t taste the same from plastic cups though, so invest in some sturdy ceramic ones.

Portable BBQ. These can be assembled without screwdrivers and spanners and will fold down into a nice flat package. Don’t forget the charcoal, firelighters and matches. And always check that barbecues are allowed on your camp site of choice. A portable BBQ also doubles as a firepit for languid evenings and long conversations.

BBQ Utensils. A set of BBQ tools in a neat box or a folding bag will be easy to pack and to keep tidy on site.

Gas Burner and Gas. No need to go mad with these - you’ll probably only use it to heat your kettle for that first cup of coffee in the morning. Take a small saucepan with you too.

Coolbox. Absolutely essential! Not only will a coolbox keep your food fresh, but it will also prevent ants, insects and even cheeky squirrels from raiding your stash. HINT: To make the cooling effect last as long as possible, pack spare spaces in your cooler with frozen bottles of water. And any food that you don’t plan to eat on the first day can be pre-frozen before you leave home. It will thaw slowly and stay fresher for longer.

If you plan on picnicking, buy two coolers. One for the tent and one to carry with you.

Washing Up Bowl. You’ll never regret taking a small washing up bowl to camp with you. They have so many uses. From washing, washing hands before cooking to washing dishes afterwards. They also make good beer coolers - just fill them with cold water and sit your cans in them.

Tea towels and Dish cloths. These can be used to wrap delicate bits and pieces while they’re in transit to and from camp as well as drying your dishes.

Sitting and Sleeping

Anyone who has ever spent a night under the stars will tell you that even in midsummer, the ground can get quite damp overnight.

A good quality groundsheet will keep your belongings dry. However, unless your campsite specifies breathable groundsheets, a piece of pond liner will do exactly the same job.

Camping chairs are a must. Your garden centre will have a good selection of folding chairs at very reasonable prices. Again, these are something you’ll probably use for picnics, day trips and even spare seating at home. So, choose a design you love.

Picnic rugs are great camping accessories. They’re not just for sitting on though - if you are in a tent, you’ll want to keep the inside of your living area as clean and dry as possible. Spread a PVC backed picnic rug or two in front of the bedroom areas and you’ll have something warm to put your feet on first thing in the morning. Unlike groundsheets, they won’t be slippery if they get a bit muddy. As soon as you get home, pop them in the washing machine and they’ll be ready for the next trip.

Evenings on a campsite can be a little bit chilly. Check out the selection of outdoor clothing and throws in your garden centre. A luxurious throw is ideal to wrap around your shoulders while you sit and chat.

Pet Accessories

Camping with dogs is great but you do need to be very aware that not everyone on the campsite appreciates pets. Pop to the pet shop in your local garden centre to pick up a few essential supplies before you leave home.

• Travelling crate. If your pet is crate trained you won’t need to worry about them getting stressed about sleeping in a new environment. If they’re new to sleeping in a crate, talk to a dog trainer well in advance of your trip to help get them accustomed to their new bed.

• A harness and lead to tether your pet whilst you are on the campsite. Collars are not suitable for tethering and could hurt your dog if they suddenly lunge to say hello to someone.

• Corkscrew tether. Ideal for camping trips, they just screw into the ground. You can move it around to ensure your pet always has a shady spot to lounge in.

• Water bowl - we don’t need to elaborate on this one! Look for folding water bowls that won’t take up much room in your vehicle and fit easily into a backpack for walking.

• Food container. This needs to be sealable and damp proof and big enough to contain enough food for the trip along with an extra day’s worth - just in case you get delayed for some reason.

• Lots of tasty treats. Useful for distracting your pet and training them to stay calm and quiet whilst on site.

• Toys. Bored pets are pesky pets, so don’t get caught out, make sure they have something to play with and something to chew on.

Little Things That Mean a Lot

Once you have the basics covered, it’s time to think about the little extras that will make your trip more comfortable.

Insect repellent - always a good idea and you’ll find plenty of ideas in your garden centre. If you are tenting or have an awning for your caravan/campervan - be very wary of open flames. A battery-powered insect repellent is far more sensible.

Short poles. Clever campers know that wellies and wet shoes are not welcome indoors, but if you leave them outside, they’ll either get soaked or invaded by insects. Bang a short pole into the ground (take a mallet with you!) and put your shoes upside down, one per pole. It’s a simple trick but well worth knowing. Sturdy plant stakes are perfect for this or buy a wooden broom handle and cut it into 6 equal lengths.

Torch and Spare Batteries. For late-night reading under the covers and/or trips to the loo.

Solar lights. Great for gentle illumination in the evenings AND for marking the position of guy lines so you don’t trip over them in the dark.

Thermos Flask. Gas burners can take a long time to boil your kettle - at least it feels as though they do. Save gas by pouring the excess hot water into a thermos

Toys and Games. Take a look in the lifestyle section of your garden centre for some fun games that are easy to transport. Card games, swingball, inflatable beach balls, quoits and skittles are great fun for adults and children alike.

Decorations. Personalise your ‘rig’ with bunting, flags, windmills, wind chimes, fairy lights or whatever takes your fancy. This is your chance to express yourself in the great outdoors.

What will you take on your camping trip?

A camping trip can be relaxing, memorable and rewarding if you ensure you have the right mix of equipment for practical living, outdoor comfort, whimsy and fun. Garden centres are all about outdoor living. This means that your local centre is the perfect place to visit when you need to stock up for a holiday in the great outdoors.

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