All our favourite camping buys tried and tested for festivals and family holidays – starting from just 15p
Plus, one of the UK's best campsites has safari lodges, pet pigs and secret waterfalls
CAMP OUT All our favourite camping buys tried and tested for festivals and family holidays – starting from just 15p
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
FESTIVAL and camping season is here and with that, so is the frantic rush to find items that make it that little bit easier.
Whether crawling around in a cramped festival tent or away with the family in a holiday park, as much as we may love camping there are some things about it that can be a nightmare.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
15
Camping and festival season have returned
Credit: AP
Here are The Sun's travel team's top recs for camping this summer.
Collapsible items
With a limited amount of storage space in caravans and tents, making sure your kitchen equipment is as space-saving as possible is an essential.
Look for collapsible items to stack and save space.
This Outwell kettle, £39.99, is also collapsible to just 4.5cm despite holding 1.5litres when expanded.
Ikea does a great collapsible washing up bowl for just £5.
The Pepprig bowl collapses flat and features a hole to hang from pegs.
And when it comes to cooking up a storm, a stacking nest of pans is essential.
Lisa Minot, Head of Travel
Camping pans
The BeGrit Camping Pans is a four-piece stackable stainless steel set that includes a frying pan, two pots, plate and spoon in a storage bag.
From £17.99 on Amazon or for a more sophisticated set that covers all bases for a family, Decathlon sell the Quechua Stainless Steel Non-Stick Camping Cookset for £49.99.
UK's Premier Scottish Caravan Site: Camping & Glamping Gold Standard
With a whopping 25 items suitable for a family of four you get a big pot and frying pan and within is stored a sieve drainer, plates, cups and cutlery.
Lisa Minot, Head of Travel
15p Plates
You don't want to waste weight - or risk breakages - by using standard crockery in a caravan.
Invest in some melamine plates, cups and bowls but for me, I want to make things easy when it comes to washing up.
A nice big pack of disposable, biodegradable and compostable plates costs around £7 for 50 from Amazon and are perfect for most meals and avoid the need to use lots of water or make several trips to the block to wash up.
Lisa Minot, Head of Travel
15
A nice big pack of disposable, biodegradable and compostable plates costs around £7 for 50 from Amazon
Credit: Amazon
ReadyBed
For £27.50 from Argos, ReadyBed is an air mattress and sleeping bag rolled into one, which saves on space and weight when you're packing – pivotal when you've got kids or you're lugging heaps of gear across a festival site.
What I personally love is that there's no risk of rolling off the airbed as you're fully zipped in.
It's got a built-in pillow and the sleeping bag element/cover can be removed and chucked in the washing machine.
Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor
15
ReadyBed has a built-in pillow and the sleeping bag element/cover can be removed and chucked in the washing machine
Credit: Argos
Magic mirror
This bit of kit is my most cherished camping item.
It's a foldable mirror made up of four glass squares that unravel into a full-length travel mirror.
Costing £45, it comes with a tie at the top so that it can be looped around a tent pole.
The best feature is how compact it is, folding into a flat square – just be wary as a lot of festivals don't allow glass.
Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor
15
Magic Mirror is a foldable mirror made up of four glass squares
Credit: Magic Mirror
Vango Micro Steel Chair
You can probably find cheaper camping chairs out there, but this £24.99 chair is great for packing light (it weighs just 1.5kg) and if you're tight for space.
Unlike some traditional camping chairs, you'll have to construct it, a bit like a tent, but that takes about 30 seconds.
The steel frame of the chair relies on a tent-pole like structure which means it's easily collapsible and can be shoved in a teeny bag along with the canvas-material chair.
Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor
15
This camping chair takes less than a minute to construct
Credit: Outdoor World
Vango Square Water Carrier
Water carriers are so cheap but so useful, especially at a festival where the toilet facilities may not be anything more than a hole in the ground.
This one for £7.99, folds into practically nothing and comes with a nifty tap feature that will give you running water at the twist of a nozzle.
Fill it up every day from the campsites water station and use it to wash your hands, brush your teeth, drink from etc.
Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor
15
A water carrier is super useful for when the toilets and taps are far from your tent
Credit: Outdoor World
Loop earplugs
As much as I enjoy a festival or two, I do need my beauty sleep otherwise I can be pretty unpleasant to be around.
So when it comes to going to bed, I won't go without my Loop earplugs.
These handy little gadgets block out almost everything, muffling all background noise and thumping bass.
They might be the most I've ever spent on earplugs, but they're well worth it.
Loop earplugs cost from £19.95.
Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter
15
These handy little gadgets block out almost everything
Credit: Loop earplugs
FreshWipes
We all know that as the days go on at festivals, one thing that gets worse (aside from the hangover) is people's hygiene - and I don't like to be one of those people.
So what I bring is FreshWipes, the OceanFresh scent does the trick and is biodegradable too.
FreshWipes cost £5.99 per pack.
Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter
15
FreshWipes keep you fresh and are biodegradable too
Credit: Fresh Wipes
Face and body cooling spray
With the hot and sticky weather we have been experiencing lately, being able to cool down is not the easiest unless you drench yourself in water.
Whilst chugging water can help to keep you hydrated, sometime it just feels like your skin is about to burn off.
This is where a face and body cooling spray comes in.
For years I have sworn by Superdrug's own brand 'Face & Body Cooling Spray 200ml' costing just £5.
And this bottle will last you the whole summer.
I use it over makeup on my face for a cooldown spritz and down my arms too - it really helps to take the edge off of the heat.
I also recently discovered their Vitamin E Mist, which comes in a small 50ml bottle for £2.50.
If struggling on space, definitely grab one of these and it is even in Superdrug's '3 for 2' offer, so you can pick up some other travel minis too.
Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter
15
One cooling spray bottle will last you the whole summer
Credit: Superdrug
Solar Buddies Sunscreen Applicator
Now this one may be weird to people - essentially a bottle for sun cream, despite sun cream already coming in a bottle.
But if you are like me, the price of sun cream irks you each year the season gets warmer and sunnier.
And if you are anything like me, the bog standard sunscreen is no good.
With oily skin, a hate for tackiness and a dislike for the smell, I make sure the sunscreen I get suits me.
And to cut costs, I will often purchase the biggest bottle available.
However, with this, it is hard to carry around the sun cream.
This is where the Solar Buddies Applicator comes in.
The small and compact applicator can be filled with any sunscreen of your choosing and costs just £6.38 from Boots.
Despite the product specifically being designed for use by children, it is suitable for anyone who wants to carry a smaller bottle of sunscreen around with them without the risk of the bottle lid pinging off in your bag.
It is also 100ml so suitable for hand luggage!
Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter
15
Solar Buddies Sunscreen Applicator is 100ml so suitable for hand luggage
Credit: Boots
Luna Daily The Everywhere Spray-to-Wipe Fragrance Free 30ml
Whilst this little product is rather steep in price for £8, I don't go away without it.
As an 'everywhere spray', Luna Daily is perfect for festival camping when you feeling grabby after using a questionably-clean portaloo or after crawling around in and out of your tent.
The spray-to-wipe product can be used anywhere - including 'down there' - helping you to feel a bit cleaner whilst in a not-so-clean environment.
It is completely fragrance free and includes thermal water, prebiotic lactic acid and inulin and Vitamins C, E and F to protect your skin - essentially no nasties.
One bottle is the equivalent of 100 wipes and it can be kept in the fridge for added cooling effects.
Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter
15
This spray-to-wipe product can be used anywhere - including 'down there'
Credit: Boots
SPF 30 Lip Balm on a carabineer
As an avid hiker and camper during my teenage years, you would not find me without a lip balk attached to a belt loop on my hip.
Just a basic SPF 30 lip balm with moisturising coconut in helped against the harsh elements of sun and wind whilst adventuring.
The carabineer attached just adds convenience as you can attach it yourself as I did, the zip or side of a bag or even keys or a water bottle.
They can be picked up at most outdoors shops like Trespass or Go Outdoors for a couple of quid.
Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter
15
The carabineer attached to this lip balm adds convenience
Credit: Trespass
Ikea lamp
There are so many different camping lamps out there - from wind-up ones to battery operated.
And they also can widely range in price.
Ikea has just released a lamp which I cannot wait to get my hands on.
The small table lamp which is battery-operated and donut-shaped looks stylish whilst also being practical.
It has a rope loop on it to hand in your tent, but also due to its flat bottom it can sit on a table easily - meaning you can move it between your campsite dinner setup to the roof of your tent, giving you light wherever you go.
If wanting something smaller, the classic lightbulb shaped lamps on caribineers are also great and can be picked up for under a fiver.
Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter
15
This small table lamp which is battery-operated and donut-shaped looks stylish whilst also being practical
Credit: IKEA
Soft running bottles
Whilst not the cheapest at £9.99 each from Decathlon, soft running bottles are great space savers.
They can be rolled up to the size of a fist and are easy to shove in the remaining room in a pack camping back.
For festivals, they are even better - as often to get into the main arena, your water bottle needs to be empty - and these can just fit in your pocket to be filled once in the area.
Even when full, they can still slide into a pocket, which means you won't be carrying around a clunky bottle.
Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter
15
Soft bottles can be can be rolled up to the size of a fist
Credit: Decathlon
These are the UK's best campsites with flawless 10/10 reviews, honesty shops & even resident deer.
Plus, one of the UK's best campsites has safari lodges, pet pigs and secret waterfalls.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
Bob MacIntyre is Mr Salvage at the Travelers as he shows the world US Open heroics are only the start
Scottish star fights back to finish level on the day ahead of final round in Connecticut Battling Bob MacIntyre fought back to salvage Saturday and stay in the red at the Travelers Championship The Scottish star endured a see-saw Saturday at TPC River Highlands where a mid-round slip offered a big setback in his tournament. MacIntyre could not have started better with a birdie at the first, but any notion it was going to be smooth sailing were dispelled. The Oban ace, who finished a brilliant runner-up at last week's US Open, exchanged shots with the course until the 12th hole when an out-of-character double-bogey saw him slip to two-over par for the day and back to level for the tournament. It was at that stage where MacIntyre pulled out some customary quality and grit to recover that lost ground and, with two birdies before getting the clubhouse, he was able to sign for a level-par 70 and ensure there was no damage inflicted on the day. After the 27th round of a punishing seven-week spell which has seen him take in the Truist Championship, PGA Championship, Charles Schwab Challenge, Memorial, RBC Canadian Open and US Open before this Travelers, MacIntyre will now complete this American sequence on Sunday before returning home for a short break before the defence of his Genesis Scottish Open title and The Open Championship at Royal Portrush the following week. He also has the opportunity over the final 18 holes of the Travelers event to make some more small gains in The Ryder Cup rankings with the individuals either side of him in the European points list trailing behind him going into the last round. While MacIntyre is currently fourth in the standings after his stunning Oakmont effort, third-placed Shane Lowry found some weekend form with a four-under par round of 66 to move some places on the leaderboard. The Irishman had been struggling over the opening two rounds at TPC River Highlands, but was back in his best light with five birdies en route to a 66. Fifth-placed Sepp Straka is also in the Scot's wake at the moment and he sits at two-over par going into Sunday, but the Austrian star, who has two wins on the PGA Tour under his belt already this term, also carded his best effort of the week on Saturday with a 67. Swedish star Ludvig Aberg is also in red figures after a second-successive round of one-under moved him to a shot under the course par, but there was a huge move made by Matt Fitzpatrick. The English star has struggled to recapture his best form through the past year and has admitted that he is on the fringes of Luke Donald's side looking ahead of Bethpage as he told Sky: 'Being experienced now and knowing how it works, I'm not trying to force the issue. I'm not texting Luke saying: I really want to be there, it's really important for me. If I play well, I'll be there. If I don't play well, I won't be there. I'm happy to accept that.' Fitzpatrick knows his clubs need to do the talking and he produced a sizzling Saturday effort of 63 to rocket up the standings and onto four-under par. The Sheffield star didn't card a single dropped shot as he blitzed his way around the Connecticut circuit to surge to edges of the Top 20. Norwegian Viktor Hovland was not going to be outdone and he matched the number posted by Fitzpatrick with his own 63 to sweep into the Top 10 and give himself an outside chance of a run at the trophy. Hovland came within inches of going one lower and matching the scores of Australian Adam Scott and Canadian Taylor Pendrith, but his birdie effort at the last stayed on the edge of the cup and he remained on the six-under par mark.
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
From foodie favourites to culture hotspots – the best cities in Scotland to visit this year
Scroll down to find out the top spots in Scotland CITY LIFE From foodie favourites to culture hotspots – the best cities in Scotland to visit this year Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE top five best cities to visit in Scotland this year have been revealed. A new study, commissioned by travel gurus LNER, has ranked destinations across five key categories: family-friendly, outdoor experiences, food, culture, and sustainability. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Scotland's top five cities to visit have been revealed Credit: Alamy The comprehensive report analysed 71 towns and cities across the UK, pulling data from a whole host of trusted sources including the Met Office and the MICHELIN Guide. Each city was then scored out of 100 to reveal the ultimate champions. Falkirk was hailed as the most family-friendly city. It boasts the highest number of child-friendly activities per capita, great green spaces and top family friendly hotels. There are plenty of attractions including The Kelpies, The Falkirk Wheel and Kinneil Railway. If you love the great outdoors, head to Inverness. It's packed with 173 walking trails per 100 people, boasts top-ranked nature reserves and soaks up a whopping 1,250 sunshine hours While Edinburgh was named the foodie heaven. The capital city is home to 26 MICHELIN Guide recommended restaurants and a staggering 1,882 dining options. Stirling reigns supreme for culture. Stunning Scots hotel with jaw-dropping views and spa, right in the city centre The historic city has the highest number of bookshops per person, seven museums and a buzzing art and music scene. Lastly, Aberdeen takes the crown for sustainability. The Granite City boasts Scotland's cleanest air, a fantastic range of eco-friendly hotels and loads of great vegan and thrift shopping options. David Flesher, Commercial Director at LNER, said: 'When you're choosing where to go, it's not always easy to know what a city is really best at—especially if you're trying to plan something special. "This research helps take out the guesswork and shows what different places have to offer. "We hope this guide helps people make more informed choices, whether they're planning a day trip or a longer summer break. There are so many brilliant destinations on our route, and this is just one more way to celebrate them.'
Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Jack Nicklaus had to apologise for text he sent to PGA Tour star after mishap
Jack Nicklaus was left looking a bit sheepish after mistakenly congratulating Justin Thomas at a charity golf tournament before boarding a flight Jack Nicklaus landed in an awkward spot after he prematurely congratulated Justin Thomas during a high-stakes playoff at a charity golf event, prior to boarding his flight. Nicklaus made the mistake of sending a 'well done' text to the American golfer too early during a tense playoff match-up against Collin Morikawa. In 2020, Thomas and Morikawa were tied at the Workday Charity Open, which was held at Nicklaus' Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. The Golden Bear was staying at his home in Florida but had planned to jet back to Ohio to meet the eventual champion. With the final day's tee times pushed forward due to weather predictions, Nicklaus found himself stepping onto his plane just as the pivotal moments of the tournament were unfolding. Upon witnessing Thomas drain a phenomenal 50-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole, a thrilled Nicklaus quickly reached out to him with a celebratory text, as reported by Golf Digest. Nicklaus said at the time: "Barbara and I both texted Justin and said to him, 'Wow, what a fantastic putt, unbelievable fantastic super putt, can't believe that you made that putt. Now you've got the chance to win two in a row.'" Yet, the tables turned as Morikawa responded with a remarkable 24-foot putt of his own to equal Thomas and continue the playoff, ultimately triumphing on the third additional hole. Nicklaus added: "And then we got up in the air, and we picked up Wi-Fi after 10,000 feet, and we found out Morikawa won the tournament, and so I had to send him another text and say, 'Oops, a little premature.' "He was good about it. He texted back and he said, 'All's good, it's OK.'" Thomas' classy response highlighted his true colours, as he didn't take the celebratory blunder to heart. This display of sportsmanship came long before Rory McIlroy's decision not to contact Nicklaus after joining him and an elite group of golfers. Last month, Nicklaus disclosed that he hadn't heard from McIlroy since he joined him in the hall of fame as one of six golfers to win the career Grand Slam. Notably, McIlroy did not attend May's Memorial Tournament, run by Nicklaus, for the first time since 2017. In a conversation with AP, the 85-year-old expressed uncertainty about McIlroy's absence from the event and mentioned he hadn't spoken to the Northern Irishman since the Masters in April. Nicklaus said: "I really don't know why Rory didn't talk to me. I can't answer that question. There's nothing I can answer. I know he has to make a schedule that works for him and what he has to do. And I understand, because I had to do the same thing. We just weren't included this year." He went on to defend McIlroy, as he added: "I am not throwing Rory under the bus. I like Rory too much. He's a good kid. He's played some great golf. He's had a lot of things that have happened to him. He's got to make his own call on things. "Could he have done them differently? Probably. But that's all right. I could probably have done some of mine differently, too. I'm not complaining about Rory."
