The first-time camping checklist: everything you actually need

Your first camping trip should be about the campfire, not the kit. But there's a difference between travelling light and arriving at a Welsh hillside at 9pm to discover you have no way of getting the tent pegs into the ground. This is the list we wish someone had handed us.

The non-negotiables

Tent, pegs, mallet. Check the tent before you leave — pitch it in the garden or the living room. Count the poles. Count the pegs. Then pack ten spare pegs and a rubber mallet, because British campsites have a way of being either rock-hard or bog-soft.

Sleeping bag rated for the season. A "3-season" bag covers most UK trips from April to October. If the label says "comfort" temperature, that's the number to trust, not the "extreme" one.

Sleeping mat. The ground steals more heat than the air. A basic foam or self-inflating mat makes the difference between a good night and a miserable one. This is the item first-timers most often skip, and most often regret.

Head torch. Not a phone torch. You'll want both hands free at the exact moment it gets dark.

Warm layers, even in August. A fleece, a hat and a pair of thick socks for the evening. UK summer nights regularly drop below 10°C.

Cooking and eating

• A single-burner gas stove and a spare canister
• One pan, one kettle or pot, a sharp knife, a chopping board
• Plates, bowls, mugs, cutlery — one set per person
• A cool box or bag with a couple of ice packs
• Washing-up liquid, a sponge, a tea towel
• Bin bags (you'll take all your rubbish home or to the site bins)
• Lighter and matches

Keep the first night's meal simple. Pasta, a jar of sauce and something to grate on top is the classic for a reason.

The five things beginners always forget

1. A mallet. See above.
2. A doormat or groundsheet for the porch. Keeps the tent clean and gives you somewhere to leave muddy boots.
3. Toilet roll. Campsite blocks run out, and you'll want your own for the walk there at 3am.
4. A power bank. Most sites offer charging, but not at your tent.
5. Camping chairs. Sitting on the grass is charming for about twenty minutes.

What to leave at home

You do not need a camping wardrobe, a folding table, fairy lights or a multi-room tent for a weekend. Two people, a two-to-three-person tent, a couple of chairs and a stove will fit in a normal car boot with room to spare. Buy the extras once you know you'll use them.

Booking your first pitch

Choose a site with good facilities for your first night: a proper shower block, a shop within reach and — ideally — a pub within walking distance. Look for flat, sheltered pitches and check the campsite's check-in time so you arrive with daylight to spare.

Not sure where to go? Start with our destination guides — the Lake District and the New Forest are both forgiving, well-equipped places to learn the ropes.