Many people feel it’s the best time of year to enjoy a holiday under canvas, with campsites less crowded compared with the summer.
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How many people go camping?
An estimated 1.2 million Brits go camping several times a year and it has grown massively as a hobby since the first recognised campsite opened in 1894 on the Isle of Man.
The number of people in the UK who take a camping holiday once or twice a year is estimated to be more than five million. Casual and first-time campers surged to 4.5 million during the Covid pandemic, when foreign travel was curtailed by the lockdowns and many of these people are still enjoying the great outdoors today, with camping currently experiencing another surge in popularity.
People who might normally jet off on a foreign holiday are staying at home because they don’t have as much spare money. The cost-of-living crisis is curbing consumer spending when it comes to holidays, and caravanning and camping are considered an affordable alternative to hotels.
Benefits of camping
Of course, there’s far more to camping than just saving money! It has plenty of other benefits, mainly for our mental and physical health.
Research has shown that spending time among the greenery of the natural world makes us feel happier and healthier. It prompts our brain to respond in a way that has a positive impact on our mental health.
It’s also good for our physical health, as camping is an active hobby. Whether you’re doing something specific such as cycling or rambling, or simply walking more in general around the campsite, it helps our heart, metabolism, muscles and joints. This means you’ll sleep better after an energetic day breathing in the fresh country air.
Away from city air and the noise of traffic, it’s easier to fall asleep and enjoy a restful night. It also helps our body clock to reset when waking up at dawn with natural light. Scientists say our body’s natural signals, known as circadian rhythms, tell us when it’s time to wake up, but these are disrupted by modern living, causing us to feel less well. Going to bed at nightfall and waking up at dawn can ensure our body is back on track after a reset.
Camping promotes mindfulness and a sense of living in the moment as we immerse ourselves in the natural world, which also has a positive result on our mental health. Spending more time outdoors exposes us to vitamin D, which is important for healthy bones and uplifting our mood. It also increases the time you spend socially with loved ones in a way that will create shared experiences and memories and build closer bonds.
Tips for camping
If you’re wondering what to take camping, especially if you’re a novice, we’ve compiled some handy tips to help make your holiday a success.
If you’re planning to sleep under canvas rather than in a caravan, a high quality, sturdy tent is the key to a positive camping experience. It’s worth spending a little more because not only will it keep you warm and dry, even if it pours down, it will also be less prone to rips and will last for years.
Choose a good quality bed, such as a sleeping mat and airbed, plus a warm sleeping bag, as spring nights can be cooler than you think. Take the correct clothing and don’t be lulled into a false sense of security by a little sunshine! Layering up is always good advice.
If you’re planning to cook on a camp stove, take a small selection of pots, pans, cutlery and crockery – that’s all you need. This brings us to the topic of camping storage solutions: it’s sensible to take a basic selection of high-quality containers, rather than being overloaded with stuff you don’t need.
Scuba Box Water-resistant Storage Trunk
Our scuba box water-resistant storage trunk is a black, medium-sized container made from heavy-duty, impact-resistant polypropylene.
Airtight and stackable, it’s ideal for camping, with a hermetic seal that protects against moisture, air and dust.
Featuring ergonomic soft-touch rubber handles, it’s comfortable to carry and a hinged detachable lid keeps the contents secure.
It can protect your camera and electronic devices safely, even in damp weather, and it can also be used as a fishing tackle box.
Buffalo 60-Litre Heavy-duty Large Storage Container
Choose our heavy-duty large storage containers if you’re looking for a tough camping storage solution.
Moulded hand grips make it easy to carry, while the reinforced honeycomb base and lid make it one of the strongest containers on the market.
Use it to carry crockery, cooking utensils and other breakable items that need to be transported carefully - the sturdy lid can be secured with cable ties to help keep the contents secure.
Splashproof and padlockable, it will keep the interior dry even if you’re outdoors on a damp day. You can stack it safely to save space for storage and transportation.
30-Litre Iris Weathertight Airtight Plastic Storage Box
Forget about dust and water sneaking in when you use our 30-litre Iris weathertight airtight plastic storage box. This unique storage container keeps the contents clean and dry and the moisture out, making it ideal for camping, caravanning, boat and marine use.
Durable buckles keep the lid attached securely, making it ideal for storing electronic devices, keepsakes and anything of value.
It’s also eco-friendly, as it’s manufactured from 98% recycled materials for environmentally aware campers.
Portable 14-Inch Water-resistant Orange Marine Dry Box
The best dry box on the market today, our portable 14-inch water-resistant orange marine dry box is made by Flambeau in the United States.
Its compact 14-inch size and snap-latch with padlock eyes make it ideal for smaller items such as tent pegs, car and house keys, money, bank card, mobile phones and more.
O-ring seal keep the contents dry and it also has a flip-top lid and lift-out tray for easy access to frequently used items.
It can also be used as a fishing tackle box for bait, hooks, lures and other small items.