Top Tips for Camping in Autumn and Winter

 

Camping can be enjoyed all year round, not just in the warmer summer months, as long as you are well prepared for the colder weather. You can head out for stunning autumn walks through colourful woodland and crisp winter hikes along dramatic coastlines before spending cosy nights camping.

 

If you are thinking about autumn and winter camping for the first time, we have some top tips to make sure you can enjoy your trip, without letting the weather or cold temperature spoil your fun:

 

Choose a campsite with good facilities

 

One of the most important decisions you will make is to pick the best campsite to suit your needs. If you are staying in a tent or do not have a shower in your caravan, having access to warm showers will help to ensure you can warm up after cold walks or getting caught out in the rain. If you do get wet, you should try to get into dry clothes as soon as possible, as once you get wet you will get cold very quickly.

 

If you are looking for a more luxury camping trip, you could find a site that has hot tubs included. An onsite pub or a local pub with an open fire is another great way to warm up at night, but make sure you take your torch out with you to get back safely to your campsite.

 

Pack lots of warm clothes and waterproofs

 

Make sure that you pack as many warm clothes as you have room for, as you might need to wear several layers and there is a good chance you could get wet. Good quality waterproofs that you can easily pack into a rucksack are also essential for winter camping trips.

 

Pack warm hats, gloves, thermals, and thick socks. Take waterproof hiking boots or walking shoes with a fur-lining or similar layer to keep your feet warm on your walks. Wellies are also good to have for walking around the campsite in case it gets muddy.

 

Plan your journey and set off early

 

You have to be more cautious when you are driving in winter, so set off with lots of time to spare so you are not rushing to get to the campsite. Try to travel during the brightest part of the day and avoid bad weather if possible.

 

Eat and drink well

 

If you ever need an excuse to eat lots of hot food, winter camping is your perfect reason! You need to get lots of energy from food to keep warm and if you are burning calories off by walking a lot, it is even more important to stay well-fed. A hearty pub dinner, a campsite BBQ or taking some hot soup in a flask on your walks is highly recommended.

 

Find somewhere with local indoor attractions

 

If the weather is particularly bad, you might have to give outdoor adventures a miss, so try and find somewhere to camp that has some local indoor attractions, especially if you are taking the kids. Cinemas, swimming pools, museums, bowling alleys etc. could turn a miserable, washout of a day into a fun family day.

 

Buy a good quality sleeping bag and blankets

 

If you are camping in a tent, a good quality sleeping bag will make a big difference in how well you sleep. Sleeping bags are classified by season ratings, where 1 is for summer camping and 4 is for the coldest winter camping, where temperatures might go under zero. A 3 rating is usually sufficient for autumn and winter camping when the weather is not snowy or frosty.

 

If you are staying in a caravan, make sure that you have a good duvet with a high tog rating, ideally between 10.5 and 13.5 for winter, although you might need a higher tog if your caravan temperature drops quite low at night. Take some extra blankets with you too.

 

Get a caravan heater

 

For caravan owners who want to enjoy winter adventures, a heater will be the best purchase you ever make. The Eberspacher heaters are a top choice for winter caravanners, as they heat up quickly, don’t make any noise and can even be controlled by an app on your phone.

 

Buy your essential winter camping heater from PF Jones,