Camping is a Great British institution. Most of us can remember being little and our parents karting us off to a campsite in the middle of nowhere. Trips full of sweaty tents, precariously finding the way to the toilet in the pitch black and rushing to take down the tent when the British weather takes an unsurprising turn.
The idea of recreating those camping trips are probably bottom of the list. But with the improvement of camping gear and demand for staycations like no other, thanks to COVID, comes a different kind of camping. Camping with a luxury mindset is possible, and it’s sold under the moniker: glamping.
But how can you level up your camping game into glamping? Here are some top tips that’ll make your next camping trip feel like you’re in a home away from home.
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You’ve heard the saying, “all the gear, no idea”. Well, you won’t be falling into that trap during your glamping extravaganza. There are tonnes of little changes you can make to your camping gear that’ll change the experience for the better.
If you’re staying true to the soul of camping in a tent rather than a rentable yurt or caravan, what you sleep on has a huge impact. The best thing you can do is invest in an inflatable mattress and a double-height one if you want to go all out.
They can be a bit of an ordeal to inflate, so make sure you have an electric or foot action air pump. Getting an inflatable mattress means it’ll feel much more like you’re in bed at home rather than on a bed of rocks. And your back will be thank you later.
If you’re camping in the heat of summer, there’s nothing worse than having to settle for warm drinks when all you want is an ice-cold beverage. Get a decent cooler that’ll keep all your foodstuff cold for days. That means no rushed trips for ice and no settling for warm, melting chocolate bars.
There are many options, so you can still get a good quality cooler even when you’re on a budget. Some more pricey options can be kept colder for longer with a bit of battery power.
Being able to use a warm shower can make all the difference when you are glamping. Fluffy towels, heated flooring and even roll-top baths can really up-level your trip. And having a luxury eco glamping toilet to use makes the whole experience feel more glam and less camp. It’s definitely worth checking out the facilities that will be available for you to use when you are considering places to book.
Even if you won’t be cooking all the food yourself, having somewhere nice to sit down and eat really makes a difference on a camping trip. And there are lots of ways you can do it. You can get good quality Camping Tables, take a pretty tablecloth, or get metal cups and plates rather than the old plastic camping ones.
Being able to eat off plates and drink out of glasses (even if they are metal or plastic) will go a long way to make your camping trip more glamorous. It’s also a good idea to take a tarp or sun sail that you can strap up and put your dining area under. Because the British weather is unpredictable and you don’t want to end up rushing around in the rain to get the gear under cover.
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Taking some little extras that wouldn’t usually be on your camping trip gear list is what’ll set your camping trip apart. A little bit of home luxury goes a long way. And can make the trip all the more magical.
Fairy lights on a camping trip might feel a little frivolous. But making your camping trip into a glamping trip is all about the surroundings and the setup. And there are loads of styles on offer that are solar-powered.
Hang them out when you’re setting up so they can collect all the solar power they need. And then marvel at them during the night as you eat dinner. This is great for couples trips if you want to make camping more romantic.
Make your tent genuinely feel like a home away from home with some candles in your favourite scent. If you don’t have a signature scent, take a few options with you and see how you feel when you get there.
Try to stick to soy candles too. They’re made from a renewable source, so they’re more eco-friendly. And if you forget them, you don’t have to stress too much because they’re also biodegradable.
You’ll probably be taking fold away camping chairs for your glamping dining setup. But they’re not exactly the go-to chair when you want to sit back and relax with a good book.
Take some inflatable chairs to get that sinking into luxury feeling. They’re easy to store, so travelling with them isn’t a headache. And they amp up the comfort level. Just what you need for your glamping trip.
When you think about what duvets and blankets you’ll be taking camping, you’ll probably reach for the sleeping bags instead. But hold your horses; taking something more luxurious will make you feel more like you’re in your bed at home.
To save on space, get a duvet with a lower tog, so you’re not trying to shove it into the car when packing up. Bump up the comfort and warmth levels with some snug blankets. Go the extra mile by taking your favourite pillows to sleep on and a few cushions to throw on chairs and the bed.
The more things you have to snuggle down into at night, the better. If you really want to get luxurious, take a rug or two. You can have one in the tent so your bare feet won’t stick to the plastic and one in your outdoor dining area for a homey feel.
*Collaborative post