Ayrshire Airstream, Scotland
A classic American caravan and Polynesian tiki bar are found next to a babbling burn in a Scottish glade at this exclusive-hire site. The caravan has its own kitchen, loo and power shower and is fitted out in modern style with a few nods to its 1970s roots. Outside there’s a covered deck, a hot tub, fire pit and hammock as well as that private bar.
How to do it: From £150: ayrshireairstream.com
Abberly Glamping, Worcestershire
Romantic glamping is offered in a rustic cabin and shepherd’s hut in an old damson orchard at Abberly Glamping. These are stylish spaces with plenty of authentic vintage charm and an emphasis on living outdoors. To that end there are tripods over fire pits for cooking alfresco and, for guests at the cabin, a pair of open-air tin baths by the stream that runs through this lovely site.
How to do it: From £220: 07960 030775; abberleyglamping.co.uk
Big Sky Hideaway, Lincolnshire
Choose to stay on an American bus or a British one at Big Sky Hideaway. They are the comfiest and quirkiest of a whole range of accommodation options on this flat fenland site, six miles from the market town of Boston. Each has been well converted to provide a unique space for up to six people on a sociable site which is also home to a herd of alpacas.
How to do it: From £160: 07872 986084; bigskyhideaway.com
What to bring
Tent: Buy in-store if it’s your first – preferably pitched to get a better sense of scale.
Sleeping bag: A three-season sleeping bag covers you comfortably in the UK, where only the brave venture out in winter.
Foam roll mat: A foam mat or air bed offers insulation as well as comfort.
Camping chairs: It’s easy to convince yourself you’ll be happy on a log. You won’t.
Pre-cooked meal: Saves the faff of cooking at the campsite the day you arrive.
Football: The ideal way to make friends and leave the children under the watchful eye of other parents for a while.
Freezer bags: For food storage, keeping clothes dry, and trainer covers for dewy grass if you don’t have wellies.
Footwear: Wellies
Corkscrew: Easy to forget, but essential.
Patience: Camping is about enjoying life in the slow lane. Relax.
Need to know
Arrive in the morning
You might want to leave straight from work and tick off that four-hour drive, but you’ll regret it when you’re fighting the tent in the dark.
Take time choosing a spot
Explore the whole campsite before you pitch, deciding how close you want to be to facilities, other campers, sun or shade.
Chat with your host
Google and Tripadvisor will tell you where everyone else goes – but the campsite owner will know the hidden footpath to the gin distillery that’s hosting an open day that weekend.
Have a campfire
Or you’ll be green with envy when the evening gets cooler and other campers are toasting marshmallows.
Don’t rely on SatNav
Read the instructions your host sent to you or check for directions on the campsite’s website ahead of time.
Let the kids stay up late
You can’t fight the daylight or the sound of other kids staying up late. Embrace it and be liberal with bed time.
Beg, borrow and reuse
Borrow kit from friends or the growing number of equipment hire companies.
Jonathan Knight is Chief Camper at Hipcamp (formerly Cool Camping). Additional writing by James Warner Smith and Amy Woodland. Visit hipcamp.com for more camping inspiration.
