Cotswolds Outdoor
As the saying goes, ‘there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad equipment’. Cotswolds Outdoor ensures you are ready for any meteorological eventuality – stocking outdoor clothing brands including Patagonia, Merrell and Aigle – there’s kit for all the family from head to toe – to ensure rain doesn’t hamper your adventure. Their camping category is full of options, whether you’re off on a 1-man tent professional expedition, or a 6+ family camping holiday. First timer? Check out their useful camping guides, from sleeping bag buying tips to tent care and even top tips for camping with your dog.
Blacks
Established in 1863, Blacks set out life as a sail-makers on the Clyde, turning their hand to tents and equipping intrepid explorers and family campers ever since. The modern, easy-to-navigation site has all the bases covered – there’s kit for the tech-savvy, including GPS devices and fitness watches, as well as all the creature comforts, BBQ sets, airbeds and even inflatable tents if pitching your home for the weekend in a force-10 gale doesn’t appeal. They’ve thought of all the family, with a pet section and a great range for babies too – including carriers and cots.
Outdoor GB
Hiking, running, sailing, camping, country pursuits… Outdoor GB really does have every outdoor activity in Great Britain covered, as the name would suggest. Pick your activity and shop from brands including Jack Wolfskin, Berghaus, Salomon and Helly Hanson. They are fully equipped for 21st century camping adventure, with charging devices, cookware, accessories and a range of the latest tents. If you’re heading off grid the water purifiers, first aid section and survival kit essentials will have you set for adventure in no time.
Go Outdoors
Go Outdoors promise to beat any price by 10%, offering some of the best value kit on the market for bargain campers. They’ve got all the essentials when it comes to a holiday under canvas – mountain tents, family tents, festival tents, bell tents – the choice is yours. There’s the usual sleeping and cooking kit you’d expect and all the incidentals that you’d probably forget until you pitched up. There are helpful product videos to give you a feel of the different tents’ layouts and features to make sure you get the best fit for your needs.
Millets
Getting kitted out for a camping trip can be an expensive business; Millets have a credit facility to allow you to spread the cost of getting ready for your first wild holiday – novices will be grateful for their instructive ‘tent buyers guide’, talking you through the difference between a Geodesic and a Semi-Geodesic Tent… still with us? They’ve got all the finishing touches you’ll need too – from stoves to tables, chairs, storage… ensuring you’re all set for a lifetime of camping fun.
World of Camping
Forgotten an essential bit of kit? World of Camping deliver next day on orders placed before 1pm. Choose from one of the largest online tent stores – from 1 man to 12 man, ‘survival shelters’ or the latest ‘air tents’ that have air-filled beams instead of poles, meaning no more arguments about getting the tent up before nightfall. They have all the essentials for caravans and motorhomes too – from the nuts and bolts kit (covers, towing, waste containers) to the bits that make it all the more comfortable – there’s even a plug-in heated blanket for the most pampered camper.
Camping World
Camping World is at the cutting edge of tech when it comes to canvas life – with all the latest kit for a gadget-loving camper. With over 7000 happy Trustpilot reviews and 20,000+ camping products for sale – there’s not much they don’t have covered when it comes to your camping needs. For Bear Grylls wannabes there’s even a ‘Bushcraft’ section for all your survival kit; there are flint strikers, Swiss Army knives and compasses to keep even the most frustrated boy scout happy.
Boutique Camping
If you’re a fair-weather camper and looking for more glamping than camping, Boutique Camping offers all of life’s luxuries, in ‘tent form’. Camping need not be utilitarian – their range of bell tents and tepees come in a range of fun, floral and animal prints. Add some bunting, sheepskin rugs and a few pouffes and you can turn any muddy field into a mini festival. Their blog is full of tips on how to care for your canvas, as well as styling tips, too.
Life Under Canvas
Life Under Canvas really are selling the dream; with a small edit of beautifully made canvas bell tents – they have thought about all the practicalities in their design, without losing any of the romance. The sides can be rolled up for proper al-fresco living and a ‘stove hole’ added for when you want to stay snug and warm inside. A family business based in the Welsh Borders, with their own camp site, Cosy under Canvas, you can rest assured they live and breathe their passion for the camping life.
Decathlon
With 79 sports and activities covered in their online store – Decathlon is a one-stop shop for summer adventures. A well-stocked camping section will have you pitch perfect in no time; they’ve got the whole kit and caboodle – including camping showers, kitchens and toilets – you’d be mistaken from thinking you were setting up home, not a week’s holiday in Cornwall.
If you like this, you might like to read this:
20 of The Best Glamping Sites in the UK
Glamping Instagrammers
Camping or Glamping?
August 2019
By Lydia Mansi