Alright campers, I’m about to spill the beans (and hopefully not forget the tin opener) on the top 20 items people mostly seem to forget when they pack for their camping holidays. I’m talking from personal experience here — too much experience, really!
(Spoiler alert: You’re probably guilty of at least five of these!) Here’s the list of must-haves that you’ll only remember when it’s too late…
1. Black Bin Liners
These little beauties are like the Swiss Army knives of the camping world. Bin bags? Check. Wet gear storage? Rain protection for your clothes, Check. Emergency poncho? Sure, why not. Shoe covers? Go on then! You’d be surprised how many uses a trusty bin liner has, so you might want to pack a bunch…
2. Extra Towels
And I’m not talking about your luxurious oversized beach towel that’s all soft and fluffy. I’m talking about the old, scruffy ones that are at the bottom of your laundry cupboard that never gets use but you don’t throw it out because “it might come in handy one day…” Well, today is that day!
Old towels are perfect for wiping down anything that gets wet (which will happen because, well… Britain). Spilled your cuppa? Wet tent? Drippy dog? …Sorted!
3. Flip flops or slip ons.
For Campsite showers Flip-flops are a must, it’s all in the name – want to just pop in and out of the tent real quick? Just ’em flip off and flip back on again. Plus, they’re super handy for those middle-of-the-night bathroom runs when you’re weary eyed and can’t be bothered to wake up enough to lace up your boots or trainers. They dry super quick and best of all they don’t take up any room when packing.
4. Pillows
Okay this is one i’m guilty of… repeat after me: “My hoodie is not a pillow.” Sure, it seems like a great idea until you wake up at 1am with your neck all skewiff, and you’re now plumping up a pile of your clothes in a made bid to resemble anything close to pillow form.. at this point it’s fairly safe to say you are regretting some of your life choices… Bring. A. Pillow. ( Or two, if you’re fancy. )
5. Head torch — Or phone torch, your choice…
Because stumbling around in the dark looking for the loo without a light is how horror stories start. And please —if you’re relying on your phone, remember to bring a portable charger. No one wants to be that person whose phone dies just as they’re trying to Google “do carrots really help you see in the dark, because my phone is about to die.”
6. Toilet Paper
You thought you wouldn’t need to bring any because you’d only need T-roll when using the campsite facilities? Well, my friend, did you think about all the other stuff you might need to use it for?
First one that springs to mind – removing bugs and slugs, you’ll need something to pick up the slimy critters that sneak in in the early morning. What about cleaning up spills? Kindling for your BBQ? Napkins for those hot dog ketchup fingers? Yeah you’re going to need to pack your own roll (or three) and keep them dry.
7. Extra Socks
There’s nothing like the joy of putting on fresh socks after a long hike on Exmoor, only to realise you’ve got none left. And when (not if) your feet get wet from that unexpected stream crossing or classic Exmoor drizzle, extra socks are the unsung heroes of the camping trip.. plus if you wake up feeling a little chilly the first port of call is usually to warm your fingers and your toes, so taking some extra thick socks along with you can make all the difference!
8. Rubber Mallet
No one likes watching someone try to hammer in tent stakes with their shoe. A rubber mallet is a literal lifesaver during the most frustrating five minutes of any camping trip—tent assembly. Don’t be that person using a rock (it’s not as effective as you think).
9. Multitool with Corkscrew
Knives? Check. Scissors? Check. Corkscrew? Essential! Don’t get screwed being the one without a corkscrew… Nothing ruins a scenic evening by the campfire quite like the moment you realise you brought a fancy bottle of wine to treat yourselves with no way to open it. Save yourself from that tragedy and pack a multitool—especially one with a corkscrew!
10. Salt and pepper
You’ve remembered the stove, the plates and pans and even the can opener, only to realise you’re about to ruin your dinner because salt is life and you left it at home on the kitchen table.
11. Dishwashing Stuff
No one likes doing dishes at home, let alone while camping, but it has to be done, and sometimes there can be something quite novel about going outside to clean your dishes.
But it can lead to a slippery slope if you forget to bring your dish soap, a sponge, or a dish cloth because scraping burnt baked beans off a pan with a twig is not the wilderness experience i imagine you signed up for…
12. Rain coat
If you’ve ever camped in Britain, you already know this is not optional. The weather can turn faster than you can say, “Let’s light the BBQ,” and before you know it, you’ve got wet sausages. Don’t gamble with this one — pack a decent rain jacket, pair it with shorts or whatever you want to wear just pack one or you’ll end up looking like a slightly sad, soggy sheep lost on Exmoor!
13. Camping Chairs
You think you’ll be fine sitting on the ground, but by day two, your back will beg to differ. Nothing beats a comfy camping chair after a long day of adventuring. Plus, it’s much better than perching awkwardly on a damp log, pretending to be comfortable.
14. Matches and Lighters
Now, most people actually do remember to bring these. But, do they work? I’ve seen far too many campers try to strike a damp match or use a lighter that’s out of fuel. Give them a test before you go, or you’ll be eating cold beans for breakfast.
15. Knives
Not just any knife—bring a sharp, reliable one. Bonus points if it’s part of your multitool. You’ll need it for everything from cutting rope to slicing cheese for your picnic. Also, it’s one of those things that, if you forget, you’ll spend the entire trip wishing you had it.
16. The TENT.
Ah, yes. You’d be surprised! And yes, this may have happened to me when i couldn’t quite squish the tent poles into the tent bag so left them out separately, only to forget what i’d done and forget them on my next camping trip!
Be sure to pack all of the tent. Poles, pegs, and (most importantly) the tent itself.. You know what that means? Sleeping under the stars, baby! Except not in a cool, romantic way—more like a cold, damp, “I want to go home” kind of way.
17. Water Bottle
And no, your hip flask doesn’t count (though it may help). You’re going to need a good, sturdy water bottle for all those hikes, beach days, and general staying-alive purposes. Would highly recommend having a good supply of drinking water too, as you can’t always rely on local facilities providing them. Hydration is key.
18. Tin opener
Tins of beans, soup and chilli are great — if you can actually open them. Otherwise, you’re just sitting there with a tin of regret. A tin opener may not seem essential until you’re staring at a sealed one with no way to access your dinner (my own personal camping delicacy are those beans with the sausages in, only ever have them when i’m camping, but for me they just really add to the experience!)
19. Pen and Paper
Camping is an experience, it’s trial and error, you’ll never remember everything the first time. Forgot the torch this time? Write it down. Next time you’ll be the most prepared camper in the whole site. Whether it’s to jot down the items you missed or simply to note down the name of that glorious hill you just conquered, a pen and paper (or your phone’s notes app) is a must…
20. Sense of Humour
Camping is all about embracing the unexpected. You’re bound to forget something (maybe even half this list). But if you can laugh through the mishaps—whether you’ve pitched up on the wrong field, or forgotten the loo roll, or realising halfway through a storm that your waterproof tent is, in fact, not waterproof—embrace it and you’ll make memories that last a lifetime.
So there you have it! My caffeine-fueled, wisdom-packed list of 20 things people often forget on their camping trips. Take it from me… check, double-check, and then laugh when you inevitably forget something anyway. After all, the best part of camping isn’t perfection… it’s the adventure!
