Camping Checklist: The Ultimate Camping Essentials Checklist
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The Ultimate Camping Essentials Checklist

Whether it’s your first camping trip or you’re an old-timer, use this camping checklist as a guide when you pack for your trip away. Your packing list might vary slightly to the items below depending on your camping unit but it’s a good guide to get you started. Remember that many of our campsites have on-site shops or are near outdoor equipment shops in case you do need to pick something up whilst you’re away.

If you're a member of the Club and staying on our campsites, make sure you bring along your membership card. View the benefits of joining the Club.

Tent Checklist | Cooking Checklist | Clothing Checklist | Health & Safety Checklist | Personal Items Checklist | Checklist Download

Tent and comfort checklist

These are the most essential items for a tent camping checklist:

  • Tent and required components (tent footprint, porch etc.)
  • Spare tent pegs
  • Mallets
  • Sleeping bag/Duvet for each camper
  • Sleeping pad or mat for each camper if tent camping
  • Pillows
  • Extra blankets
  • Camping chairs
  • Camping table
  • Toilet roll
  • Torches/lanterns

two camping chairs

Cooking checklist

  • Water container
  • Camping stove
  • Fuel – gas / charcoal depending on your cooking method
  • Matches or lighter
  • Coolbox & ice packs
  • Oven glove/heatproof mat
  • Kettle
  • Frying Pan
  • Saucepan
  • Serving dishes
  • Plates
  • Bowls
  • Cups / glasses
  • Cutlery
  • Scissors
  • Tin opener
  • Cooking utensils
  • Washing up liquid & sponge
  • Tea towel

For inspiration view our cooking ideas and recipes.

camping cooking equipment

Clothing checklist

  • Pyjamas and plenty of extra warm layers
  • Socks
  • Underwear
  • T-shirts
  • Long-sleeved T-shirts
  • Shorts
  • Trousers
  • Jumpers and warm layers
  • Waterproof
  • Sun/winter hat
  • Sandals
  • Trainers/walking shoes

hiker's boots and walking stick

Health and safety

  • Sun cream
  • Insect repellent
  • First Aid Kit
  • Any regular medication
  • Anti-bacterial hand wash and sanitizer

View all of our health and safety help and advice.

first aid kit

Personal – toiletries, towels etc.

  • Towel
  • Brush/comb
  • Soap/shower gel
  • Shampoo & conditioner
  • Deodorant
  • Sanitary items
  • Razor
  • Shaving cream
  • Contact lenses / glasses
  • Toothbrush & toothpaste

camping towel hanging over a tree branch in the sun

Useful extras

  • Dustpan and brush
  • Bin bags
  • Duct tape
  • Rope
  • Batteries
  • Small shovel
  • Pegs
  • Head torch
  • Entertainment- a deck of cards, board games, beach ball, football, book etc.

two campers playing cards in a tent

Camping checklist download

Download and print your free camping checklist (PDF)

Camping Checklist

We asked you...

On our Facebook page we asked for our campers must-have items, here are some of the best:



> A roll of cling film. Great for not only keeping food fresh but also as a first-aid extra as a bandage or to hold on an ice pack. Even to keep your mobile dry in wet weather! - Maxine

> I take my clothes in packing cube, making it so much easier to find things. I also take a lavender linen spray in a small atomiser to make the camping bedding smell lovely and a good selection of snacks as all that fresh air makes you so hungry! - Lorraine

> Spare key for the campervan in case I lose it, solar panel for fridge, and cold cider. - Andy

> A good book, teabags and chocolate! - Sue

> Coffee machine, slow cooker and comfy chair. - Craig


> Wellies, duck tape  and toilet roll. - Eileen

> Head torch / solar-powered lighting, a cool box and a slow cooker. - Samantha

> Camp bed, self-inflating camping mat (min 8cm deep), and a 3-season sleeping bag...who wants to wake up shivering?! - Amy

> Wine, handheld Dyson for the bugs and a note to remind me to take the detachable towbar from underneath the boot floor BEFORE I pack the boot. - Jack

> My top 3 items: 1 husband to put up the awning, 1 dog to walk whilst the husband puts up the awning and 1 bottle of red wine to help level the awning. - Judith

More packing help and advice

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