Why we love camping...

e camping... and you should too!

What is it about camping that makes us love it so much? Iain Duff shares his 15 top reasons for heading out in a tent

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UNFORGETTABLE ADVENTURES Hiking, surfing, mountain biking, windsurfing, kayaking… the options for adventure on a camping holiday are limitless.

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RELAX AND RECHARGE On the other hand, a camping trip allows you to literally do nothing. Once your tent is set up, you don’t have to rush to be somewhere or do something. Just sit back, chill and watch the world go by. For a few days at least, you don’t need to worry about cleaning, laundry, shopping, or any of the other tiresome tasks that consume our everyday lives.

Unforgettable experiences

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SPENDING QUALITY TIME Family time is at a premium these days, thanks to longer working hours, endless commutes and all the other demands on our time. Kids also have so many other things to do – mainly speaking to their friends on social media. How often do you actually get the chance to sit with family and/or friends without everyone having their eyes fixed on phones or glued to a flickering box in the corner of the room? Camping brings people together without the distractions of the modern world, meaning you can actually chat and laugh and interact like a proper, oldfashioned family.

Nothing beats outdoor cooking

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IT’S AFFORDABLE With the cost of living issues at the moment, everyone is a bit more cautious about spending. When it comes to saving money, a camping trip is one of the most economical choices for a family getaway. Once you’ve invested in a tent and the essentials, you can use them as often as you like without spending any more money. That means years of holidays on a minimal outlay. And, while campsite pitch prices sometimes seem expensive, it’s much cheaper camping than it would be in self-catering accommodation or a hotel.

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YOU CAN BREAK THE RULES Family camping holidays are all about throwing the rulebook out the window and chilling out. The key to a successful trip is ensuring that everyone has a good time – you simply have to leave your usual hangups at home as there’s no room for them in a tent. And leave the mealtime and bedtime battles at home, too. Chocolate for breakfast? Yeah, why not? Chocolate for lunch? Knock yourself out. Chocolate for dinner? Oh, go on then. You might want to try sticking to home

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