Campsites are bursting at the seams. And thanks to chic new kit — from a portable cinema to chandeliers — Antonia Hoyle and family find you really can enjoy the flap of luxury
THIS TENT’S AN AIR-RAISING EXPERIENCE
Kepler 9 Nightfall Air Tent, £1,070, blacks.co.uk
Not so much a tent as a bungalow in a (massive, 42kg) bag, the Berghaus nine-person inflatable pod tent is ‘cathedral’ style, so called because of its soaring proportions. With three three-berth bedrooms, an entrance hall, living area with skylights, porch and two doors, there’s plenty of space. It has inflatable beams instead of poles, which means I put the whole thing up easily in 45 minutes. ‘This is amazing, Mummy!’ screams nine-year-old Rosie as she arranges her ‘bedroom,’ delighted.
Not so much a tent as a bungalow in a (massive, 42kg) bag, the Berghaus nine-person inflatable pod tent is ‘cathedral’ style, so called because of its soaring proportions
EVERYTHING AND THE KITCHEN SINK
Sea To Summit kitchen sink, £23.43, amazon.co.uk
This nifty, wallet-sized pouch contains a heat and leak-proof bag that can be filled up with ten litres of water. Free standing, with carry handles to transport it from tap to tent door, it doesn’t make washing up fun, but does make it a lot easier.
This nifty, wallet-sized pouch contains a heat and leak-proof bag that can be filled up with ten litres of water
THE CAMPFIRE THAT FOLDS UP
Kamoto fire pit, £155, primus.eu
Nothing symbolises camping fun quite like an open fire, and with this portable, foldable fire pit — which comes with a cooking grid — there’s no need to damage the ground or risk setting the rest of the camp alight. It took minutes to set up and the children loved toasting marshmallows on it.
Nothing symbolises camping fun quite like an open fire, and with this portable, foldable fire pit — which comes with a cooking grid — there’s no need to damage the ground or risk setting the rest of the camp alight
Shatter-resistant acrylic champagne flutes so classy they could be mistaken for crystal and an elegant blue jug with matching tumblers
CHAMPAGNE FLUTES TO FOOL YOUR FRIENDS
Four acrylic fizz flutes, £17.96; smoky blue acrylic jug, £16.99; four smoky blue tumblers, £15.49, all lakeland.co.uk
Shatter-resistant acrylic champagne flutes so classy they could be mistaken for crystal and an elegant blue jug with matching tumblers. It feels more cordon bleu than campsite.
‘I didn’t know camping was supposed to be fancy, Mummy,’ says my seven-year-old son, Felix.
A CINEMA IN YOUR TENT
Alcatel 3T10 tablet & speaker, £169.99, jdwilliams.co.uk
This robust tablet comes with an audio speaker station, so the whole family can enjoy movie night in your tent. Half the price of an iPad and just as easy to set up.
This robust tablet comes with an audio speaker station, so the whole family can enjoy movie night in your tent
SLEEPING BEAUTY
Coleman extra durable raised double airbed, £99.99, cotswoldoutdoor.com
With 32 air springs to offer support, and a height to replicate the feel of a real bed, this feels as comfortable as a quality home mattress.
With 32 air springs to offer support, and a height to replicate the feel of a real bed, this feels as comfortable as a quality home mattress
BARBECUE IN A BAG
Cobb premier charcoal barbecue grill and carry bag, £133.50, lakeland.co.uk
This barbecue is under 4kg, has a moat for liquid to infuse food with flavour and a dome to stop the fire blowing out.
This barbecue is under 4kg, has a moat for liquid to infuse food with flavour and a dome to stop the fire blowing out
GLAMPING IT UP
5m Luna Bell Tent, £989, boutiquecamping.com; two-tier tea-light chandelier, belltentboutique.co.uk £50.99
For those attracted to glamping — luxury camping — the dome-shaped Luna Bell Tent looks more like a fashion-conscious circus venue than a humble campsite home, replete with striking reflective purple guy ropes. The tent, which took me 1hr 15 mins to put up, has four zipped windows, a built-in groundsheet and zipped mosquito doors. Five metres in diameter and held up with a foldable pole in the centre for a double height ceiling, it is huge inside and although it claims to sleep four, would fit my son’s entire class, were he allowed to invite them over. I love the style and fact it’s less claustrophobic than conventional tents, but the children preferred the Berghaus. ‘So what if it’s prettier?’ asks Felix. ‘It doesn’t have cool rooms.’
For those attracted to glamping — luxury camping — the dome-shaped Luna Bell Tent (pictured) looks more like a fashion-conscious circus venue than a humble campsite home, replete with striking reflective purple guy ropes
LIGHT UP THE NIGHT
Lumify USB solar vintage bulb lights, £34.99, thesolarcentre.co.uk
A string of ten retro-style light bulbs powered by a solar panel on a stake in the ground, these were a faff to set up but incredibly pretty when lit, and stopped me tripping up on an overnight loo trip.
A string of ten retro-style light bulbs powered by a solar panel on a stake in the ground, these were a faff to set up but incredibly pretty when lit, and stopped me tripping up on an overnight loo trip
TABLE THAT CUTS CLUTTER
Coleman 2 in 1 camp table and storage, £99.99, coleman.eu
A clever table that contains a built-in cupboard to avoid clutter, which folds away when not in use. There is also a handle for easy transportation.
A clever table that contains a built-in cupboard to avoid clutter, which folds away when not in use. There is also a handle for easy transportation
SCRUB UP NICELY
Liberrway portable travel shower, £39.99, amazon.co.uk
With many campers having to book bathroom appointments, it makes sense to bring your own shower. Put this battery-operated pump, connected to a hose with a shower head, in a big bucket of water (warm unless you’re a masochist) and it will give 45 minutes of washing.
With many campers having to book bathroom appointments, it makes sense to bring your own shower
YOU’LL LOVE THIS SEAT
Kelty Low Loveseat, £90, wildbounds.com
This two-seater portable ‘love seat’ contains two drinks holders, adjustable arm rests and roll-tote storage that makes carrying it to camp easy. It’s so comfy I could barely tear myself off it.
FRESH WATER AT THE PUSH OF A PUMP
Lifesaver Cube, £119.99, iconlifesaver.com
Leave bottled water behind with this five-litre water filter that removes bacteria and viruses to make cooking, washing and tooth-brushing safe.
COOL PACKAWAY COATS
Craven Kids Waterproof Packaway Jacket, £22, tog24.com
Stop sulks caused by rainy weather with these lightweight children’s coats, which contain a pocket to pack away and come in colours bright enough to jazz up the dreariest day.
Stop sulks caused by rainy weather with these lightweight children’s coats, which contain a pocket to pack away and come in colours bright enough to jazz up the dreariest day.
AND DON’T FORGET THE DOG!
Packable, waterproof dog bowl, £19.95; portable dog bed, £79.95, ruffwear.co.uk
Of course, pups need to be prepared for camping adventures too. Our four-month-old labrador Herbie loved his packable, waterproof dog bowl and portable dog bed with waterproof base.
Of course, pups need to be prepared for camping adventures too. Our four-month-old labrador Herbie loved his packable, waterproof dog bowl and portable dog bed with waterproof base
MAGICAL PROJECTOR FOR AFTER DARK FUN
Outdoor Adventure camping projector, £14.99, glow.co.uk
For tired minds that need to unwind, this camping projector displays 24 camp-themed images, from animals to campfires, on the side of the tent, and doubles as a night light. My children were enchanted.