Camping kit checklist

Everything you need for a weekend at a UK campsite, from tent pegs to the honesty-box cash people forget. Print it, or tick it off on your phone while you pack.

Shelter

• Tent, with poles, pegs and guy lines (pitch it once at home before the trip)
• Spare pegs, including a few rock pegs for hard ground
• Peg mallet and a peg extractor
• Footprint or groundsheet protector
• Small repair kit: pole splint, patches, seam sealer
• Windbreak, if the site allows them

Sleeping

• Sleeping bag rated for the coldest night you expect. UK nights can drop below 5°C even in summer.
• Sleeping mat, self-inflating mat or airbed, with a pump
• Pillow, or a stuff sack filled with clothes
• Extra blanket or fleece liner
• Earplugs and an eye mask for early summer sunrises

Cooking and eating

• Stove plus enough gas for the trip, and a spare cartridge
• Lighter or matches, kept somewhere dry
• Pans, kettle, utensils and a sharp knife
• Plates, bowls, mugs and cutlery
• Cool box with ice packs (freeze them the night before)
• Water carrier, washing-up bowl, sponge and biodegradable washing-up liquid
• Bin bags. Take your rubbish home if the site asks you to

Furniture and comfort

• Folding chairs and a small table
• Field kitchen or storage unit for longer stays
• Doormat for the tent entrance, which keeps the inside far cleaner
• Gazebo or tarp for shade and rain

Light and power

• Head torch for each person
• Lantern for the tent
• Power bank or a mains hook-up cable if you have booked an electric pitch
• Spare batteries

Clothing

• Waterproof jacket and trousers, whatever the forecast
• Warm layers for the evening
• Wellies or waterproof boots for wet grass in the morning
• Hat for sun and a hat for cold
• Flip-flops for the shower block

Health and the small things

• First-aid kit, plasters, antihistamines, any regular medication
• Sun cream and insect repellent
• Toilet roll and hand sanitiser
• Quick-dry towel and toiletries
• Cash for honesty boxes, showers or firewood at small sites
• Printed or saved booking confirmation and the site's address and postcode

Choosing kit if you're new to camping

Tents. Buy one size up: a "four-person" tent is comfortable for two adults and their bags. Look for a hydrostatic head of at least 3000mm for British weather, and a tent you can pitch in under 20 minutes. Tunnel tents give the most room for the money. Air-beam tents are quicker to pitch but heavier and pricier.

Sleeping. Most cold nights come from the ground, not the air. A good insulated mat matters more than an expensive sleeping bag, and an airbed with no insulation underneath is often colder than a cheap foam mat.

Cooking. A double-burner gas stove is the easiest choice for family camping. Never use a stove, barbecue or heater inside a tent or awning: carbon monoxide builds up quickly in enclosed spaces.

Ready to go? Find a campsite near the Black Country.