As life gets ever busier and faster, it’s no wonder that more and more people are venturing outdoors to get away from the hustle and bustle of their daily lives. Whether it’s as simple as a long Sunday afternoon walk or a full blown camping holiday, embracing the outdoors is one of the most enjoyable and healthy ways to spend your leisure time.

Whether you are a seasoned expert or totally new to the concept of camping or outdoor holidays, this mini guide is designed to provide you with helpful tips and advice on what to take with you, where to go, and for those of you who dread the thought of ‘roughing it’, how to have a 5 star camping experience!

AeroBed® Active

Essential Camping Checklist

Top 5 UK Campsites

Guide To 5 Star Camping

Introducing AeroBed® Active

Tipped as this year’s must-have accessory for the outdoors enthusiast, the AeroBed® Active is an outdoor version of the traditional range of luxury airbeds and the perfect way to add extreme comfort to any camping trip. The Active utilises the same self-inflation in as little as 60 seconds technology but uses a powerful rechargeable, detachable pump and deflates in less than 15 seconds.

Whether you’re on a weekend camping break or globe-trotting, the unique AeroBed® Active comes with a smart charger to charge the pump so it can operate cordlessly and a 12 volt outdoor lead to run the pump from cars and campervans, providing you with flexibility, convenience and reliability on holiday or at home.

Taking comfort one step further than a traditional camping mattress or camping airbed, the bed also features coil construction and a built-in pillow for superior stability and support, whilst the plush, velvety sleep surface provides extra softness and comfort, guaranteeing you a great night’s sleep under the stars.

The mattress itself is made from heavy duty, puncture-resistant vinyl for durability but is both lightweight and easy to store and transport when it’s time to move on thanks to the handy duffle bag included.

Not only is the innovative AeroBed® Active the most comfortable, convenient and unique airbed for the outdoors, but it can also be used at home for when those unexpected guests arrive.

The AeroBed® Active fits standard size sheets perfectly and is available in single and double size. Priced from £49.99, it also comes with a two year guarantee for extra piece of mind.

Your Essential Camping Checklist

SLEEPING

Tents – there are a wide variety of tent choices available from lightweight to family accommodating hoop and frame tents, luxury trailer tents and folding campers. Key things to remember when purchasing a tent are whether you will need to carry your tent around, how many people it will need to accommodate, the kind of comfort you would like and where you will be taking it. Remember to take tools such as a hammer or an axe for putting up your tent.

Sleeping Bags – a lightweight sleeping bag is best for backpackers but if weight isn’t a concern then a rectangular fully unzipped sleeping bag is recommended. If comfort is a must then take some pillows as well!

Added Comfort – for campers who need to travel light, a foam insulating mat (camping mat) will provide some degree of comfort as well as a sleeping bag, but generally camping beds or an airbed such as the AeroBed® Active is recommended.

EATING

Cooking – a single-burner cooker will suffice for lightweight campers but a double burner with a grill is recommended for families and groups. Lightweight stoves are available that operate with gas, pertrol or paraffin, double burners are traditionally gas operated.

Food – don’t forget to pack a cool-box or ice packs to keep perishables fresh or if campsite electrics are available you could also take an electric fridge.

LIVING

Lighting – you can use either a gas lantern or electric lighting, which plugs into the campsite’s electrics. Remember to take some torches and plenty of batteries!

Furniture – it’s always advisable especially where groups are involved to take some folding tables and chairs.

Personal Care – as well as all your usual toiletries (shampoo, soap etc), remember to take sunscreen, toilet paper (often forgotten) and a first aid kit.

Top 5 UK Campsites

There are a wealth of campsites in the UK offering basic to luxury accommodation. We’ve picked out some of the highlights to suit all requirements and budgets:

1. Three Cliffs Bay, Gower

This campsite is spectacularly positioned with panoramic views of the Gower coastline (previously voted ‘best views in Wales’). The beach is easily accessible and the site offer a warm, friendly environment for couples and families.

Open: Easter-October

How Much: Family tent (2 adults and 2 children) £14, small tent (2 adults) £11

2. The Warren, Folkestone, Kent

The Warren is situated at the top of the famous white cliffs that stretch between Dover and Folkestone and is one of the renowned Camping & Caravanning Club sites.

Open: 29 March – 29 October

How Much: Adults from £4.65, children from £2.05, plus £5.40 per night

3. Bay View Farm, Cornwall

Campers can pitch right on the hill top at this little gem of a site which overlooks the Cornish coast to West Looe and St George’s Island. Good facilities and the stunning views are the best features of this site, along with the picturesque fishing village of Polperro.

Open: All year

How Much: From £10 per pitch with electricity, from £8 without

More Info: 01503 265922

4. Fisherground Campsite, Cumbria

This Lake District site is right in the heart of Eskdale and caters predominantly for familities and groups with children. The site has direct access to a station on the Ravenglass & Eskdale Miniature Steam Railway and facilities also include an adventure course, a tree house and a zip wire.

Open: 1 March – 31 October

How Much: Adults £4.50, children £2.50, vehicles £2

5. Burrowhayes Farm, Somerset

Situated beside the Horner Water in the Horner Valley, this site also has a glorious view of Dunkery Beacon. Top notch facilities and perfectly positioned for enjoying long walks across Exmoor or you can hire one of the horses that live on-site to take you there.

Open: Mid March – End October

How Much: Pitch including car and up to two people from £8, children from £1.50

Guide to 5 Star Camping

For those of you who like the idea of camping but the thought of ‘roughing it’ fills you with dread – fear not! Times are changing and with them has arrived a new era of outdoors holidaying - the five star way.

Reports suggest that luxury camping facilities and products are on the increase with a growing number of campers following the ‘chic camping’ trend and purchasing the latest outdoor gourmet kitchen equipment, cutting edge technology, and sleeping and relaxation solutions to create a home away from home under the stars. 

Retailers themselves are also responding to this new demand and stocking their stores with items that make the campsite more hospitable.

So forget your standard issue Swiss army knife and a couple of sticks to make a fire. AeroBed® has devised the ultimate guide to five star camping and must haves that will help soften the harsh realities of the outdoor experience.

Luxury Campsites

There are now a huge number of ready-pitched luxury campsites in the UK which feature canvas-like cottages with proper beds, bathrooms, electricity and plenty of floorspace. Forest Tented Lodges ( www.tentedlodges.co.uk) are a cluster of safari-style tents in Pembrokeshire which come with en suite showers and room service right to your tent flap. Prices start at £300 a week.

Or try out The Shielings (01680 812496), on Mull, which take their name from the summer cottages Highland shepherds traditionally used. Guests can book an en-suite canvas cottage from £39 per night.

Eating and Drinking

For those of you who really are out in the sticks and can't face mornings without a decent shot of caffeine, an Aerobie Aeropress portable espresso machine (£25) from Cotswold Outdoor  is a backpack essential - you'll have a proper cup of coffee in 30 seconds flat.

Plus there is no need to cook food over a hot fire any more! Specially designed to go on the road with you, the WaveBox portable microwave is compact and ideal for camping environments (and for re-heating takeaways!).

Home Comforts

No need to miss GMTV or an episode of Corriewith the super-portable Freeview DVD tablet with full colour 16:9 widescreen. You’ll be the envy of the campsite as not only is this high-tech gadget a movie player, photo player and music player but also comes with Freeview TV enabling you to watch your favourite channels anywhere.

If you’re a fan of hot running water and are dreading going without your twice daily wash, the answer has got to be the portable, solar-powered outdoor shower from Cotswold Outdoor – a snip at just £12. Simply fill it with water, hang it in the sun, then undo the valve and wash!

Finally, for the chilly nights round the campfire, cosy up in an ethical reindeer blanket from sexy skins.

Sleeping Under the Stars

Tipped as this year’s must-have accessory for the outdoors enthusiast, the new AeroBed® Active is a luxury airbed that self-inflates in less than 60 seconds using a powerful rechargeable, detachable pump, and deflates in under 15 seconds. It also comes with a 12 volt outdoor lead to run the pump from cars and campervans for added convenience.

The bed has a built-in pillow for superior stability and support, whilst the plush, velvety sleep surface provides extra softness and comfort. In addition, the comfort control feature means you can even adjust the firmness of the bed to suit your needs.

Once finished with, the AeroBed® Active stores easily in the handy duffle bag provided. Priced from £49.99 with a two year guarantee and available from www.aerobed.co.uk.

Festival Camping Celebrity Style 

As worn by Kate Moss at Glastonbury, wellington boots are making a comeback with many designers leading the way. The stylish Hunter Boots range are a favourite of the Queen and offer a wide range of colours and styles.

Looking for something a little more luxurious than a tent? Hire a Pod Pad- a very real and stylish alternative to camping in a tent. Weatherproof, soundproof, secure, and with optional extras available to increase your comfort.

High-Tech Gadgets

For the colder outdoors holidays, the Burton Motorola Dutchess jacket is a stylish winter coat with built-in blue tooth. The sleek control panel on the sleeve enables you to play music and answer telephone calls – simply brilliant!

If you haven’t got the best sense of direction or just can’t remember where your tent was pitched up, Garmin has a range of outdoors GPS handheld systems for you.  This clever technology even allows you to make a note of landmarks and retrace your steps using a virtual breadcrumb trail!