Cool Camping. Laura James
huts are so sweet and can be surprisingly well equipped. Often they have wood-burning stoves, proper beds and carpets. A shepherd’s hut in the middle of nowhere is brilliant for couples who are desperately in love and want isolation and privacy.
This is true of beach huts, too, and you have the added luxury of waking up to the sound of the waves rolling in.
If you want something super-cool, then look no further than an Airstream trailer. Lots of movie stars request them on set; Sean Penn lived in one, and you can even buy an Airstream with a Ralph Lauren-designed interior.
A campervan or caravan is brilliant for those who are easily bored in one place. They’re also good if you fancy getting creative with your space, as you can stamp your own style on the interior. I think they look particularly sweet if you go for high kitsch when kitting them out.
A word of warning, though: it may well be a peculiarly British thing, but I’m always bemused by people who take to the road for an adventure and end up sitting in a lay-by on the side of the motorway, having their lunch or a cup of tea.
Instead, if you need a break, meander through country lanes and stop in beautiful country parks, woods, at a designated beauty spot, or on the outskirts of a pretty village.
metal gurus and bohemian bolt-holes
| Caravan of loveThis Romany caravan was built at the turn of the century for a Cornish circus dwarf, so is actually incredibly small. The colours and detail on these caravans are always stunning. | |
| Camper crazyThe retro chic of a campervan is undeniable and second-hand ones are widely available. The original colours are gorgeous, but you can have them re-sprayed in any shade you like. | |
| T@b lightThe T@b caravan is ridiculously sweet and, for something so small, unbelievably well equipped. Plus, they’ve done the seemingly impossible in making caravaning cool again. | |
| Air apparentVintage Airstreams are almost too cool. Spacious inside and stunning on the outside, they provide the ultimate environment in which to play house. | |
| Beach hut breaksThese are great spaces to camp in and can be bought or hired at many beaches and now at festivals too. Tardis-like, they are far more spacious than you might think. | |
| Shepherd’s delightShepherds’ huts are rather like Wendy houses for grown-ups. They’re spacious and cosy and are brilliant to have in the garden as an extra room or somewhere to escape too. | |
| Pod castsA great way to hang out at festivals. The PodPad is sweet, functional, warm and will keep you dry in even the wettest of festival weather. | |
| Hangin’ aroundIt’s great to sleep on a hammock swinging between two trees. If you prefer something a little sturdier, you can get hammocks with frames. There are versions to suit every budget. |
you’ll need these
How to make sure you don’t spend the first night of your trip driving round looking for a late-night supermarket where you can buy matches and a torch.
It’s not for nothing that the scouts’ motto is Be Prepared. If you’re ill-prepared you’re setting yourself up for a miserable trip. Cameron McNeish, editor of TGO (The Great Outdoors) magazine, and president of the Backpackers’ Club, likes to camp alone and ‘any place wild’ and he makes preparedness an art form. The list of things he takes camping is so pared down compared to mine that it’s almost funny.
His must-haves are as follows: tent, sleeping bag, stove, insulated pad, head torch, bottle to pee in at night, rucksack, food, water, insect repellent and a little whiskey to get through the night. Compare these to my own essentials of cushions, rugs, candles, books and other paraphernalia.
Cameron’s most important piece of advice is this: “Never skimp on the sleeping bag. Invest in a good one or you’ll regret it.” He also emphasises the importance of a hat. When your mother told you that you lose most of your body heat through your head she wasn’t joking.
Though Cameron’s brand of camping isn’t for everyone (this is, after all, a man who takes dehydrated spaghetti bolognaise on his trips) it is truly inspiring and I’m rather envious of the complete sense of freedom he must feel camping alone on a mountain. When he explains why, it makes me think that one day I’ll try it. “I enjoy being close to the earth,” he says, “and mountains make me happy.”
While you’ll probably be camping somewhere a little less out of the way than the places Cameron favours, the rules about being prepared are just as important. It is, of course, not nearly as risky if you’re unprepared in The Cotswolds, but you’ll still have a miserable time if you get drenched in the middle of the night and have no way of getting warm and dry again.
| Think pinkThis gorgeous Swiss army knife proves even essentials can be stylish | |
| Light fantasticA good torch is a must-take. This one is lightweight and robust | |
| Snug as a bugI’m not a huge fan of sleeping bags, but if you use one make sure it’s well made | |
| Bags of scopeYou don’t necessarily need a huge back pack; instead try something practical and stylish like this Messenger bag | |
| Spark of geniusThis ingenious flint allows you to start a fire without matches | |
| Pretty in pinkA storm lamp is a surprisingly glamorous addition to your kitbag | |
| Use your headA headtorch is great for reading in bed or finding lost boots in the dark | |
| “I’m in the tent”A mobile phone is good for emergencies, but keep it switched off unless you need to use it | |
| FirestarterA windproof lighter is brilliant; just make sure it’s topped up and the flint is new | |
| Comfort blanketYou’ll stay warm |