Ultimate UK Camping Guide 2016 From Halfords

Living in Norfolk, we’re no strangers to the great outdoors. A great alternative to a holiday abroad, especially with the prices we’d have to pay with Jamie working during term time, is a staycation. And what better way to explore a new part of the country, than with camping?

Having only been on a few camping trips myself, one when I was pregnant, I really got a feel for it. I loved the whole experience; the food at night time, the snuggling up in a tent, the long walks during the day. It’s kind of like backpacking for those who might get homesick!

Jamie is a much more seasoned ‘camper’ having done lots of Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, and I can’t wait until the boys are a little bit older and a bit more manageable so that we can take them on their first camping trip. This is something I’d love to make a regular thing for our family when the time is right.

So when better to start looking at some good camping hotspots than now. Add to that Halfords’ ‘Ultimate UK 2016 Camping Guide’ and we could be off at any second! It’s not only going to make Jamie double check we’ve got all the gear, but it’s going to give me some great camping lessons, hints and tips; which I’ll definitely need. The ‘Camping Essentials Checklist’ on the back is a great place to start, especially as it remembers to cater for the kids too.

This camping guide is the perfect size to pop in your rucksack and gives you some great ideas for things to do during your trip across 8 areas of the UK including tourist hotspots, local campsites, any events that may be on and even cycle events if you’re taking your bikes! The guide is super easy to read and is well illustrated and I read it page to page because I became so engrossed with where we might be able to go in just a few years time!

My favourite section in the camping guide has to be ‘Entertaining the Little Ones’. I think it’s so important that kids have a good experience of something the first time they do it, unless it can’t be helped, otherwise they usually don’t want to do it again. They’ve got some really good suggestions for games that you are able to buy and take with you to make it child friendly. Remember kids are likely to get bored if they’re cycling for miles or if they’re stuck in the tent because it’s raining. While the games suggested are for outdoors, it’s always good to prepare for every eventuality and to take some ‘indoor’ games too.

My second favourite section in the guide is the camping recipes, because you’re not camping if you don’t have camping food! I usually enjoy a good jacket potato or chilli and these are two of the suggested recipes. Yummy!

Norfolk has so many beautiful camping spots and the one closest to us is Sandringham Estate – it’s literally 5 minutes down the road and we’re very lucky to have this on our doorstep. I think if we wanted to give it a go with the boys, then this would be the perfect place to start, other than in the back garden! Toby did have a little camping experience when he was a lot younger and he loved being pushed around with all the scenery, plus there was a pretty cool play area for children along the way.

I remember as a young girl, my siblings and I would literally craze my dad to pitch his tent in the back garden so we could all sleep out there one night. Turns out, we annoyed him enough to do it but ending up coming indoors to sleep as we were scared! I don’t think we did it again, but it did make a great den for a few days.

So, if you’re thinking of a holiday this year, why not give camping a go? Halfords have a great range of tents and lots of camping essentials online and you can have a look at their guide which is full of information, hints and tips right here.

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