I’m a bit of a camping addict – I like to go camping at every opportunity, and I’m firmly of the belief that camping doesn’t have to be about hardship. Camping for me is a time to enjoy the outdoors, a break from the norm, a crackling campfire, swinging in a hammock, and some of life’s other little luxuries.
So with lockdown finally easing off, myself and my partner took the opportunity to go away camping last weekend. We’d both been looking forward to it eagerly, however what neither of us anticipated was just how amazing it would feel to have a change of scene.
Coming back, I’ve spoken to a number of other people who had been away – either on a short trip, a mini-holiday, or even just working from a different place. Everyone reported the same – a disproportionate sense of freedom, almost euphoria, that came with doing something different.
So I got to thinking – why did going away provoke such strong feelings, and what can I learn from that?
Ditching the obligations
I love my flat, but I have seen rather too much of it recently. Importantly when I’m in my flat, there is always something I *could* be doing. Washing up on the side of the sink. The dust bunnies accumulating under my bed. The picture standing on my desk that I’ve been meaning to put up for weeks. Even my laptop is here casting a stern eye on me saying ‘you could just catch up with that one thing you didn’t finish last week’. Getting away was not only a change in scene, it was giving myself permission to use the time without any sense of obligation – for the first time in months.
Taking control
The last few months have all been about uncertainty – when we will the pandemic end? How bad will it be? When will I be back in the office? It’s easy to see these big questions causing a feeling of being unsettled and out of control. But uncertainty over smaller matters – such as whether a holiday will go ahead or not – can also be surprisingly unsettling – particularly if it’s something you have looked forward to for a while. We’d been holding on for weeks waiting to see whether a holiday booked for August was going to happen. In the end we decided to actively ditch our ‘will it won’t it’ holiday in August in favour of a few short local trips in the immediate short term. Rather than feeling disappointed at missing out on our August holiday we ended up feeling a sense of relief, and excitement at the trips we had planned instead.
More than a change of scene – a change of routine
With home and work life taking place in the same place, there is so much less variety in our routine – we eat the same meals, cooked in the same place, at the same table each day. Our daily walk always follows one of three routes, and so on. Going camping forced us to shake up this routine a bit – the challenge of cooking a meal with limited facilities. Planning a walk around new surroundings. Even washing up the dishes was a whole different experience. While we normally I wouldn’t consider any of these tasks particularly exciting, when it’s a break from such an established routine, it’s strangely liberating.
So, what did I learn?
Well I’ve learnt that it’s good to get away from those trivial obligations just for a bit. That you don’t have to go far – just anywhere ‘else’. That the right time to do it is now – don’t wait for a holiday that may or may not happen. Finally, that the simplest break in a routine can be incredibly refreshing. Even if that comes from doing your washing up in a plastic tub.
Camping – the great British staycation . . .does the thought of deflating blow-up mattresses and leaky tents fill you with horror?
Here are some ideas for camping in style.
I’m firmly of the belief that camping doesn’t have to be about hardship. If camping in a tent is not for you there are a wealth of other options for enjoying the great outdoors
Glamping:
Many campsites have ‘Glamping’ options. These can be yurts, pods, wagons, shepherd’s huts, Routemaster buses, even helicopters! Most have a proper bed and many come with all the kit you need for a great camping holiday. All need to do is bring food and drink. The Cool Camping website is a great place to look for glamping options.
Camping is tough! - The bath yurt at Yurtworks in Cornwall
Campervans:
Renting a campervan can also be a great way to enjoy camping in style – Quirky Campers do a range of rental vehicles which - you guessed it - are quite quirky inside.
The inside of Fflur - one of the ‘Quirky Campers’ (from the Quirky Campers website)
Campsites:
We’re very lucky in the UK in that we have some fantastic campsites. Many have large pitches and positively encourage campfires. Again, the Cool Camping website is a great site to use to find something. Below are our top 5 campsites close to London:
Badgell’s Wood, near Meopham, Kent.
Best for: Woodland camping, camping with kids, getting away from it all.
A glade in the woods in Badgell’s
Our all-time favourite campsite, Badgell’s consists of individual glades spread out throughout a large coppiced sweet chestnut wood. Campfires are encouraged and it’s fantastic falling asleep to the sound of the trees in the wind. There are lots of places for kids to explore and some lovely walks nearby.
Wowo campsite, near Uckfield, East Sussex
Best for: kids and activities, glamping, steam trains.
Huge pitches, each with their own firepit at Wowo
A large site well spread over several fields, with each pitch having its own firepit and benches. Gangs of feral children roam around the site, clambering through streams, building dens, and going on adventures. There are various activities going on over summer for both adults and kids, and the Bluebell steam railway is a 10 minute walk away.
Barefoot Campsites at Northmoor Lock, Oxfordshire
Best for: peaceful strolls along the river, getting away from it all.
Tipi tents at Northmoor Lock
A really pretty small site with relatively small pitches situated on the banks of Northmoor lock. The site is in the middle of nowhere in the countryside and has some gorgeous walks along the canal. Campfires encouraged.
Town farm, near Tring, Hertfordshire
Best for: a quick and easy getaway, great views.
View from the edge of Town Farm campsite
Just a short drive north-west of London, this is the site we go to when we want a quick and easy getaway. They don’t seem to mind late check in which means we can get there after work on a Friday night. The site is at the base of Ivinghoe beacon and some of the pitches along the edge have great views across the valley. Campfires encouraged.
Blackberry wood, near Ditchling, East Sussex
Best for: Eccentric Glamping
Treehouse at Blackberry Wood (BlackBerry Wood website)
Sadly, Blackberry Wood don’t accept campervans, so we haven’t been there in a while – but what they DO have is a Routemaster bus (sleeps 5), a Wessex helicopter (sleeps 4), a fire engine (sleeps 4), 2 amazing treehouses (sleep 4 each) along with various other glamping options. There is also a small wood where you can pitch your tent if that’s your thing. Campfires encouraged.
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