Winter Camping Tips
We've had our fair share of winter camping trips in the glawning, in fact, our first ever prototype was tested in November in the depths of the Lake District. It didn't disappoint! So here are a few tips from our humble experience to help you get the best from winter glamping.
- FIT A STOVE
We sell a great range of camping stoves here that will warm up your glawning in minutes. Perfect for those chilly mornings and of course evenings whiled away sat round the fire drinking wine and toasting marshmallows. You can cook on all of our stoves too, so it's a duel purpose investment. One pot meals are ideal. You could even mull some wine over it.
- DON'T FORGET YOUR FIREWOOD!
Logs, kindling, matches. Make sure these are on your list. We have found the best fuel to use is the compressed heat logs with a hole down the middle, widely available from large home retail stores. They are virtually smoke free which is very helpful in a confined space, they are all the same size (so they'll definitely fit in the stove), and they burn very predictably.
- BRING PLENTY OF WINTER CLOTHING/BEDDING
It may seem obvious but don't forget to take your winter layers to wear whilst putting up your glawning and for all those bracing walks, particularly gloves, hat and the all-important Wellington boots. A lot of campsites get very muddy in the winter months. It may also help to bring some newspaper or cardboard to set muddy boots on at the doorway of your glawning (or better still a little square of astro turf)
- CHECK THE WEATHER FORECAST
If gale-force winds or floods are on the way you're probably better off postponing that camping trip unfortunately. If you have to go, there are extra precautions you can take such as spraying the seams with Granger Fabsil UV if you're worried about heavy rain and using heavy duty pegs for high winds. It's always a good idea to throw in the deicer and some snow chains too - just in case (we learned this one December near Scafell Pike). But if it gets very windy you should call it a day and pack up - there's only so much that any awning can stand.
- BOOK THE RIGHT CAMPSITE FOR YOU
Do your research and make sure the campsite you're going to fulfils your desired criteria. Here is our list of approved glawning friendly campsites but we always check that they still allow bell tent awnings and stoves. Nothing worse than being told to put your fire out! There are lots of good campsites near pubs if you fancy an evening indoors. Electric hook up is a good idea too
- CREATE SOME AMBIENCE
...or hygge, or whatever you want to call it. Winter camping is when this cosiness really comes into its own and it doesn’t take much to make your glawning into a home from home. A couple of beanbags or some low profile folding chairs, some cheap, battery operated fairy lights, a few lanterns, some bunting, and a fleecy throw each is all you need to make that glawning look and feel magical. Your stove will do a lot of the work for you. We have always managed to fit all these bits and pieces into our van just fine (if packed correctly!)
- TAKE SOME FRIENDS
Invite some mates to experience the glawning with you. The more the merrier and it never fails to impress! We've had some smashing parties in ours over the winter months.
-DRY YOUR GLAWNING
Above all, make sure you dry your glawning fully when you get home before putting it away for any length of time. It must be bone dry for storage to prevent mould. If any dirt made its way onto it wait for it to dry then brush it off or clean it off with a waterproof cleaning solution such as Nikwax Techwash. Your groundsheet may need some extra cleaning too if you didn't put it on top of a disposable groundsheet.
Enjoy!