Camping under the stars is a lovely way to spend an evening or short break. There’s not much you need to bring (just take your litter home with you, and ensure everything else is biodegradable).
Everyone loves a break in a caravan! It may not be posh, but it’s quintessentially English. You may get your feet wet and the caravan may wobble a bit, but it’s all good fun!
It’s also one of the most affordable ways to take a break either in the country or by the seaside, and most parks have static caravans, which is better than lugging a caravan on the back of your car and getting stuck in traffic jams.
Peer-to-Peer Campervan Hire
Rather than spend thousands of pounds on hiring a campervan, you could alternatively rent one from a person who already owns one.
Camplify also rents out caravans and motorhomes, with insurance and RAC breakdown cover included, from vetted members. GoBoony offers the largest fleet of motorhomes to rent in Europe, again with insurance.
Battery-Free Torches and Lanterns
Battery-free torches come in various types, each employing a unique energy source. Solar torches absorb sun during the day to give out later, wind-up torches generate power from mechanical energy, and kinetic torches turn motion into energy (shake or move them).
Keep away from small children and pets, use supervised.:
Batteries are choking hazards (so always recycle) and also leak toxic chemicals. These torches need no batteries so although they cost a bit more, they are cheaper long-term, and more reliable during emergencies.
Ideal for lighting up the home in power cuts, outdoors and obviously when camping. When purchasing, consider the brightness level and how long it will last, and if you need a waterproof torch. For trekking, choose a light comfortable torch, and look at how the torch is charged.
Duronic Hurricane LED Torch is a wind-up torch with a lantern and emergency beacon. Ideal for nipping to the garden shed, venturing into the loft or going camping or hiking in the mountains, use the hanging loop in dark cupboards so you don’t have to hold it.
You can also use it to hang inside tent, then convert to a flashlight. Use the USB power cable to charge as back-up, or just wind the handle for a minute or two to generate more power. The charger is enough for an emergency call.
ROCAM lantern is a solar lantern with 12 LEDS and 200 lumens for maximum brightness, plus a USB for back-up power. Winding it up gives at least 30 hours of light, and it collapses down to take up less space. Weather-proof, so works in light rain, sun or snow. Use the standard lantern or flashlight (just click the button to turn it on).
PowerPlus Pocket Flashlight easily attaches to your keys or rucksack, and is slim enough to fit into pockets and handbags. The built-in solar cell converts sun into electricity, which stores automatically using the rechargeable battery, providing white bright light with two LEDs.
PowerPlus Barricuda Torch is a solar-powered rechargeable flashlight that’s waterproof up to 5 metres. One hour of shine is given by just one minute of wind-up. Ideal for camping and festivals.
Bee Dynamo Torch is a portable version with three strips and a keyring chain to attach to a rucksack, with a wind-up mini flashlight.
Leave No Trace
Follow the 7 Leave No Trace Rules to ensure you leave just memories and footprints, and no trash that could harm the planet or wildlife. These are:
- Plan ahead & prepare
- Camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you wind
- Minimise campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of others
Life is fleeting. If you’re ever distressed, cast your eyes to the summer sky, when the stars are strung across the velveting night. And when a shooting star streaks through the blackness, turning night into day – make a wish and think of me. Robin Williams
Take Your Litter Home With You
Choose unscented biodegradable beauty and laundry products, to avoid algae bloom pollution in local waterways. Scrubba makes a good ‘portable washing machine’ for travel.
If you smoke, use a personal ashtray (to safely stub out butts, until you find a secure bin). A cigarette butt on dry land is like a match to paper, and can cause wildfires very quickly.
Ensure Dogs Are Kept Safe (with recall)
Camping is great fun for dogs, but of course there is a lot of wildlife around. So ensure dogs are trained, so they recall if spotting other dogs or wildlife.
Also use biodegradable poop bags. Keep them in a Dicky Bag until you find a bin. Ideal for walks, these are lightweight, airtight and leakproof (made from wetsuit material, launder in a microplastic catcher).
More Resources for Greener Camping
The Greener Camping Club was formed by environmentalists, who list eco-friendly camping sites nationwide, who all adhere to ‘campsite rules’ to be included. It also plants a tree for each person who enrols (over 65,000 to date, including 18,000 planted on their own campsites).
The Guide to Camping with Kids offers tips for a safe family camping experience (including four-legged friends). Each chapter includes helpful checklists for car campers, backpacking, canoe and kayak trips, with ideas on outdoor etiquette. Learn how to choose a destination, pack gear and food, set up your campsite and stay safe.
The Green Camping Book is by the man who created the ‘2-minute beach clean’ movement. A lifelong camper, learn how to make more sustainable choices on kit, where to stay, how to travel, what to wear and how we can fight for green spaces we love. An ideal book for people who wish to reduce impact and carbon footprint, but won’t want to stop exploring.
