Seasoned novices and beginners alike all over the UK every weekend enjoy the simplicity of camping.

The idea of camping to some of you conjures up images that may make you cringe, especially those of you who have never camped as a child or have heard horror stories from friends and relatives, and have unfairly decided never to give it a fair go.

How much effort you put into adequately planning your camping trip will determine how successful (and enjoyable fun) your trip will be. Though some of these tasks may seem tedious and tiresome, the more often you put these tasks into practice the more fun you will have doing them.

Here are 12 Things You Must Know Before You Go On Your First Camping or Hiking Trip: A lot of the below is common sense, but you would be amazed at the people who forget. If children are going for the first time try camping in the back garden for a night as a test.

CAMPING

1. Its all about good planning so use a note pad to write things down on.

2. Decide whether you are going to a campsite or wilderness camping, [ First time campers, campsite is the better choice.]

3. Choose a campsite on the internet from the many UK sites up and down the Country, unless someone has recommened a good site. Make sure they have got all the amenities you require for a comfortable and fun stay. [ most important of all is check out their feedback ]

4. Make sure you take the basic essentials, tent, ground sheet, sleeping bags, pillows, lantern or torch light, cooking stove with full gas bottle, lighter, cooking equipment including kettle, disposable plates and cups to save on the washing up, cutlery, plastic food storage containers.

5. If your travelling a long distance before you get to the campsite make sure you have everything you need for a drink stop like tea bags, instant coffee, sugar, condensed milk, fruit juice, snacks, a two litre bottle of water depending on how many are going.

6. Check weather on the dates you are going away, and bring clothes accordling, because the British weather is so unpredictable these days, you can have four seasons in one day, always pack water proof coats. [ dont forget towels for trying yourselfs.]

7. Always abid by the campsite rules.

Hiking

8. Find what trail you want to hike on, and there plenty to choose from in the UK. Map your journey out on a paper map of the area. Always tell someone who is not going, your route and your start and arrival time of your destination. And make sure you keep to the public right of way foot path. Do not trespass onto private land.

9. Because there is a lot of walking involved make sure your boots or shoes are comfortable and well worn in, otherwise you will get painful blisters and there is nothing worse.

10. If your just hiking from one destination to another without camping then your racksack will be a lot lighter, and should only hold the bare essentials. Water, food, first aid kit and a good camping knife, but be carefull because it is illegal to carry any kind of knife in public without good reason unless it is a manual folding blade less then 76cm long. The ideal hiking and camping knife is a Swiss army knife which cost new around £44. Just click the link.

11. Always respect  nature, and if you have a dog with you always keep it on a lead, Try and stay a good distance from birds and animals nests, dont approach wildlife. Never feed any kind of wildlife, take any unwanted rubbish home with you or dispose of it in litter bin when you get to your destination. Be friendly polite respectful and considerate to fellow hikers.

12. Quote – At the end of the day , your feet should be dirty, your hair messy and your eyes sparkling [ Shanti ]