What to pack for a Cornish camping weekend
A weekend camping near the Cornish coast can give you sunshine, sea mist and a westerly gale in the same afternoon. Packing well is less about owning more and more about owning the right few things, and knowing what each one is for.
This list is written for two or three nights on a campsite with a car nearby. Wild camping, long walks between pitches and very young children each change it a little, so treat it as a starting point.
Shelter and a dry place to sit
Coastal pitches catch the wind, so pegs and guy lines matter as much as the tent itself. A small gazebo or tarp gives you somewhere dry to cook and sit when the weather turns, and a pair of folding chairs makes the evenings. Bring a mallet, spare pegs and a groundsheet slightly smaller than the tent floor so rain runs off rather than under.
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Sleeping warm
Nights by the sea are colder than the daytime suggests, even in August. A sleeping mat does more for warmth than a thicker bag, because the ground takes heat from you all night. Add a pillow you actually like and a head torch for the trip to the wash block.
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The camp kitchen
Keep it simple: a stove with a wind guard, one good pan, a kettle, enamel mugs and a cool box. Plan one hot meal a day and buy fresh from a local shop or farm stall rather than carrying everything. A washing-up bowl and a bag for rubbish keep the pitch tidy.
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Beach and rockpools
A windbreak, a towel each and a bag that can take sand and seawater cover most beach days. For rockpooling, a bucket and a small net are plenty; look, then put everything back where you found it. Check the tide times before you set off and keep an eye on the way back to the beach as the water comes in.
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Weather and light
Pack for all four seasons in a small space: a waterproof jacket, a warm layer and something to keep the sun off. A lantern for the table and a power bank for phones mean you are not relying on the car.
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Useful elsewhere
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