I love camping and have done for 40 years — these are my best tips
Yes, it can be muddy, damp, uncomfortable and hay fever triggering, but camping — being outdoors around the clock — will put you back in touch with your natural self like nothing else. You know you want to sit by the campfire with friends as the stars come out, to breathe all that meadowy air and have none of the usual grinding household chores bar getting a pot of water to boil over a fire.
It's just the itchy bits that get in the way — the tent poles that just won't be pushed into their little pockets, the can-I-just-hold-it-in dilemma of the night-time loo visit (don't, get out and appreciate the Milky Way). So how to make camping a bit easier?
I've camped all my life, mainly in small, leafy sites in Britain, but also the Himalayas, where my water bottle froze solid at night and I slept in thermals, two fleeces, a thick down jacket and was still freezing. Also — far worse, comfort-wise — in 40C in a scorched-earth site in central Portugal, as well as plenty of glamping sites and my own back garden with the kids. Here's what I've gleaned.
The biggest dilemma you face is not where to pitch the tent, but whether to crack your first beer before you do. I camp most often with a group of friends, and the temptation to leave the practicalities for later and throw ourselves down on a rug for a few drinks and a chinwag is a powerful one. On no account give in to this urge. As anyone who has tried to follow small-print Decathlon instructions in the dark while squiffy can confirm, it is always an error. Remembering which poles go in which slots first is hard at the best of times, so delay the fun until you are fully erect, so to speak.
That is guaranteed. And you'll only discover it when you finally snuggle down into your sleeping bag, turn off the torch, then feel something like a medieval morning star digging into your backbone. Do at least try to pat the ground down for invisible rocks and those seemingly innocent-looking tufty patches of grass that feel like a hedgehog when you lie on top of them. Don't pitch on a slope, obvs. Packing a spirit level might be a bit much, but you could trial a nice lie-down before putting the tent up to prevent any middle-of-the-night sliding.
Campsites that allow caravans, and that have proper cafés, shops and flushing loos in an actual building with electricity and lights, are not what it's about. You're here for the nature and for me that means compost loos and an honesty bar in a shack at most. Maybe a wood-fired sauna. If there must be showers they should be rigged up outdoorsy rustic ones, not the portable building variety (which are often coin-operated, so pack change). What you want is a small, quiet site that lets you feel you've returned to being an animal, with trees all around or a sea view. Near London, where I live, I've particularly liked escaping to the forest and field pitches of Welsummer Camping in Kent (welsummercamping.com). For more, see the 'woodland and forest' section of campsites.co.uk and pitchup.com's list of 961 'nearly wild' campsites.
• 10 of the best places to camp wild (or wild-ish) in the UK
Proper wild camping — not on a campsite — is only officially allowed in the UK in Scotland and, as the Supreme Court ruling confirmed this week, on Dartmoor. It goes without saying you should follow the code of conduct (see dartmoor.gov.uk), tread lightly and leave no trace — and only go if you understand the rules, especially regarding fires. The question is, can you cope with the no-lavatory situation? Certain organisations arrange wild camping on people's land with permission but no facilities. Try Wild With Consent, which recommends packing a potty — with special black binbags (insert green puking emoji). CampWild has a list of venues too (£25 a year to access; campwild.uk).
When you commit to buying a decent roll mat (inflatable not foam — mine is a self-inflating Thermarest BaseCamp XL and excellent), table, fold-up chairs, kettle and stove, you know you've turned pro. These all make a huge difference to comfort levels, as do a dangling wind-up light (Decathlon does good ones) and head torches. I can take or leave the fold-up washing-up bowl (a bucket or trug does the job). Packing hang-up shelves for belongings, a tent doormat and even bunting strikes me as ridiculous. If you forget something, don't panic, just get creative with nature's bounty — twigs as stirrers; giant leaves for plates.
• 19 of the best campsites in Cornwall
It might seem overcautious but a spare pole can save the day. On a trip last summer to the South Downs, our group pitched despite a weather warning for gale force winds, then spent an unsociable evening disparately spread across a field, each gripping our own tents while plates of burgers flew into the air. The wind howled, all of our plastic tent poles splintered. As for pegs, you always come back with half the number you took — future metal detectorists will have a (disappointing) field day. Bulk buy. And nothing will win you more friends than packing a mallet for hammering them in.
Like with stacking the dishwasher, everyone thinks they know best when it comes to building a campfire. There will be pass-agg advice. The uninvited adjusting of sticks. According to Mears, clear the floor to the earth, make a platform of dead wood, add two handfuls of kindling sticks, one crossed over the other, then light shredded dry bark beneath it before adding bigger logs when lit. As to what to eat, don't bother trying to spit roast a squirrel. A stew or curry cooked in advance for the first night will feel heaven-sent — bring it frozen. For the second, macaroni with cheese mixed in and sausages is fine. Go for hearty and not too clever. A pan for frying eggs for breakfast is essential. Double the amount of marshmallows you think you'll need. I take a mini raclette set that uses tea lights, for melting cheese to spread on bread, then chocolate for dipping fruit and biscuits in.
• 23 of the best campsites in the Lake District
I have stayed in lots of lovely glamping sites, whose gorgeous yurts and tepees contained proper beds under wooden roofs, furniture, running water and even en suite loos. Not really camping, is it? And there were still slugs. And spiders. And mud and hay fever. You might be getting spoilt with a hot tub and an honesty fridge full of homemade perry and organic local meat, but you will still look and feel like you've been dragged through a hedge backwards by the end of your stay. Nevertheless camping lite and luxe is a lovely experience; find gorgeous sites at canopyandstars.co.uk, goglamping.net, coolstays.com and hipcamp.com.
• Nine top coastal campsites in the UK
I'd happily camp at any time of year — my trusty Arctic-grade Rab sleeping bag has seen me through nights at minus 10C (Ellis Brigham has a great range; ellis-brigham.com). I've found often in late September — end of the season for many sites — that we had the field to ourselves. But really, unless you're on some long-distance trek, a couple of nights feels plenty. Then you only need one outfit — leggings, shorts, wellies, fleece, waterproof, and a poncho for vibes (packing more is pointless, though kids always need at least five pairs of socks a day). Stay longer and the dirt and lack of sleep starts to feel a bit grim.
What are your top tips for making camping trips a success? Let us know in the comments below
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The Independent
8 hours ago
- The Independent
Berliners are rediscovering their faith outdoors through local pilgrimages
A dozen walkers, many of them retirees in wool hats and fleece jackets, gathered in a silent circle in the Grunewald forest, just outside Berlin. 'Walk silently through nature and notice what you observe,' read Stephen Lemke, an adviser for senior citizens for the evangelical church in the Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf borough of Berlin, on a Wednesday in March. He leads these 'silent pilgrimages' once a month for anyone interested in exploring the connection between religion, nature and self. The group bowed their heads. 'I hear the sound of the wind. I feel the sun on my skin. I enjoy the moment,' Lemke read. 'But at the same time, I realize that this moment cannot be captured.' After the meditation, they began an hourlong silent walk through the park. Around Berlin, Christian pilgrimage walks led by various organizations are open to locals and visitors nearly every week. They aim to offer a way for people of all ages to engage with their faith — and community — without stepping foot in a church. Some are guided by pastors with an interest in the outdoors, while others are self-guided with stops at churches or other sacred sites, like the Spandau pilgrimage. Some last an hour, while others are multiweek expeditions. ___ This content is written and produced by Religion News Service and distributed by The Associated Press. RNS and AP partner on some religion news content. RNS is solely responsible for this story. ___ Pilgrimages, which have gained popularity in the last couple decades across Europe, especially in southern Germany, provide a way for people in an aging and increasingly secular society to reconnect with their Christian faith. 'A lot of people won't go to church anymore, but they still are religious,' said Nicolas Budde, pilgrim pastor of the Kladow borough parish in Berlin. 'I think the church has to think about ways to talk with people about religion, and I think that pilgrimage is one way to do it.' In the 1500s, devout Catholics took long, arduous walks to visit sacred relics. Making the journey to a sacred destination such as Santiago de Compostela in Spain was an expression of Christian devotion, intended to prove one's worthiness before God and cleanse the soul of sin. But in 1520, Martin Luther, the German theologian and leader of the Protestant Reformation, criticized the practice. He argued pilgrimages had no basis in Scripture and were part of the greed and commercialism in the church that he detested. Luther believed God could be found anywhere and there was no need to visit a sacred site. Pilgrimages fell out of favor. 'In the Middle Ages, (pilgrimages were) more of an outside thing — you really wanted to know something from God, you wanted to praise him or you wanted to get forgiveness,' said Bettina Kammer, the public relations officer for the Protestant church in Berlin's Spandau borough. 'Nowadays, it's more personal — people have this feeling that they're looking for something, but they can't quite put a finger on it.' Pilgrimages have also gained popularity through movies such as ' I'm Off Then,' a 2015 German film, and the 2010 film ' The Way,' starring Martin Sheen. Both are about the world's most famous pilgrimage, the Way of St. James, or Camino de Santiago. In 2020, the Berlin suburb of Spandau launched its own 75-kilometer loop inspired by the Camino de Santiago, connecting two dozen Protestant churches and two Catholic ones. Berliners and tourists can walk, bike or canoe along color-coded routes linking the churches. Pilgrims can collect stamps at each church they visit. A pilgrimage can spark a spiritual experience, Kammer said. ' People begin just by walking, and then they sit down in a church and say, 'Well, it's starting to move me. I feel something. It's really a religious experience,′' she said, adding that these experiences are often reflected in churches' guest books. Budde, who pastors along the Spandau pilgrimage route, said that while a hike is the external act of walking a trail, a pilgrimage is an internal journey: 'One walks with feet, but one makes a pilgrimage with one's heart.' Thomas N.H. Knoll, another pilgrimage leader in Berlin, founded and runs the information office at the St. Jacobi Pilgrimage Center. Visitors can stop by for pilgrimage passports, stamps and a travel blessing before setting out on a pilgrimage in Germany or abroad. These types of journeys can help people find the courage to move forward physically and emotionally, especially when one is facing a tough life situation like a loved one's death, an illness, a conflict or a job loss, he said. Knoll also touts being 'transformed by experiencing nonavailability'— or spending time without one's phone. This can lead to deeper connections with nature and, therefore, God, he said. 'Humans are part of nature,' Knoll said. 'When we had a closer connection with nature, the spiritual was also present in everyday life.' Pilgrimages can also offer a chance for new friendships, especially among seniors, who often experience isolation. 'It's helpful for the elderly to not only keep moving physically, but also to connect with others in a meaningful, spiritual way,' Lemke said. From a religious perspective, these walks can serve as 'new temporary forms of congregations.' Young people who want to stay connected to their religion but don't feel at home in a traditional church can also benefit. Two years ago, Alexander Steinfeldt founded Berlin Pilgrims, a group for young people interested in hiking and reflecting on philosophical and spiritual topics. A lifelong member of Germany's Protestant church, Steinfeldt started the group when he was feeling disconnected from both community and faith. 'A foundation was missing in my life,' he said. When starting the group, he 'rediscovered both hiking and religion.' The hikes start with a prayer and encourage spiritual reflections throughout. But, he said, 'You don't need to be very spiritual or religious to feel the changes in you when you enter the outdoors.' After the silent pilgrimage in Berlin's Grunewald, Lemke's group paused for reflection. One participant noted the subtle changes in the scenery that came with each passing day. Others agreed, speaking of the signs of spring — new buds on the leafless trees, bird song, a slightly warmer breeze. Someone else looked forward to a cup of coffee. By the end, the participants, some approaching 90 years old, had all met someone new or found a quiet moment of connection with God. Lemke closed with a prayer. 'Stand in the sun and feel its warmth. May the Lord be with you, like the ground that carries you,' he said. 'May the Lord be with you, like the air you breathe … like the bread that strengthens you … like the sun that makes your day warm and bright.' For some, these short prayers are a return to religion. 'Sometimes people come to me and say, 'Wow, that was my first prayer in 10 years,'' Lemke told RNS. 'So maybe it's a small way back.'
Telegraph
10 hours ago
- Telegraph
The best camping chairs, including folding and lightweight options for summer 2025
Which is the best camping chair? You'll never know how important that question is until you've spent all day exploring, or travelling hard to your chosen campsite, only to find that the chair you've brought is uncomfortable, hard to assemble or, worse still, you don't have one at all. I've pitched hundreds of tents in every corner of the globe. Each time, once the last peg is banged in, whether I'm family camping, chilling with friends at a festival or alone in the wild, all I want to do is take the weight off my feet and collapse onto something comfortable with good back support (beer optional). To save you from some of the more uncomfortable camping trips I've been through, I've done the work for you by trying and testing the most popular camping chairs on the market, including £30 budget options and premium slouchers which cost more than £100. From Vango's big padded moon chairs to Helinox's low-to-the-ground beach chairs, I've tried them all. My in-depth reviews are below, followed by FAQs on how to choose the right one for you. But if you're in a hurry, here's a quick look at my top five: Which are the best camping chairs? At a glance How to choose the best camping chair First, comfort is key – look for chairs with good back support and plenty of padding so you don't end up stiff or sore. Some chairs even let you adjust the backrest or armrests, making it easier to find the perfect position, whether you're reading or relaxing. Durability is important too. Camping chairs need to withstand all kinds of weather, so pick ones with strong frames made from materials like steel or aluminium. The fabric should be tough as well – often called ripstop polyester, which means it's designed to resist tearing. Portability matters if you're hiking to your spot. Lightweight chairs that fold up small and come with a carry bag are much easier to carry. Also, check the weight limit to make sure the chair can safely support you. Finally, handy extras like cup holders or pockets for your phone and snacks can make your camping chair feel extra special. How I tested the best camping chairs From years spent wild camping on mountainsides using my rucksack as a backrest, I know the value of the right camping chair. Whether folded, inflated, hanging or compact, if it's been made for outdoor use the chances are that over the last 14 years I've sat in it. (I've also spent time reviewing the best sleeping bags and best camping stoves.) For this review, I tested the latest offerings from the manufacturers I've come to trust. Specifically, I was testing how much weight a chair could hold, how light and portable each was, their seat height and most importantly of all, comfort. These are the best of the bunch. Why you can trust Telegraph Recommended Our thorough, real-world tests will always help you find the best product. No manufacturer ever sees Telegraph Recommended reviews before publication and we don't accept payment in exchange for favourable reviews, nor do we allow brands to pay for placement in our articles. From tents to walking boots, all reviews are based on independent expert opinion and our hands-on testing. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more. Best camping chairs 1. Best Buy Camping Chair: Vango Embrace Chair When the sun sets on a campsite, there's nothing better than sinking down into your chair and enjoying a sundown but usually, when that happens, the temperature drops and even a light breeze can chill you through the fabric of a standard folding seat. Not so with the Vango Embrace, a luxuriously quilted and padded number that wraps around your entire body – a style sometimes known as a moon chair – and keeps you well off the ground, meaning that you stay warmer and comfortable even when night falls. It's made from a sturdy steel frame (it can take a weight of 19 stone!) that's easy to unfold – I could even do this with one hand – and when you're done, it easily pushes down and back into its carry bag. The fabric is Vango's own trademarked offering that feels soft to touch but is durable and hardwearing – even if you spill your drink on it and need to vigorously clean it (trust me, I speak from experience). You do, of course, pay for this unrivalled comfort and not just with money. At 5kg, it's considerably heavier than most standard two-person tents. Fitting it into the boot of a smaller car will see it take up a lot of space, too. But if you're car camping for several days, it's definitely worth the bulk. Key specifications 2. Best Value Camping Chair: Trespass Folding Padded Camping and Garden Deck Chair Paddy Whereas the other padded and value options here tend to fold in on themselves in a cuboid shape, this model from Scottish brand Trespass folds flat (good for storing in the shed between trips or behind seats in a campervan or caravan) and still manages to pack in a good amount of comfort in a padded foam seat. The frame is made from steel, hence the slightly heavier weight compared to other options, but this does make it sturdy to sit on, so good for those who are less steady when sitting down. The sitting height is average and the maximum load is decent for the price. It was easy to fold away and set out. For campers who feel the cold, the design of this one will mean draughts as it's not the bucket style, which keeps wind at bay, but that can be mitigated by using a blanket or a good jacket. My only niggle is the finish, though the fabric feels fairly robust, the stitching in places feels like it might fray with use relatively quickly. Still a decent option for the low price. Key specifications 3. Best Camping Chair for the Garden: Hi-Gear Kentucky Classic Chair Recommended by Rebecca Astill This is my camping chair of choice for days spent watching my boyfriend play cricket. It's strong, stable, padded and comfortable enough to sit in all day. Plus, the insulated cup holder keeps a glass of rosé lovely and cool. (Making it an excellent choice as an occasional garden chair, too.) It comes with a carry bag which the chair easily collapses back into and its long handle means it can be slung onto my back while barely noticing the weight. The polyester fabric is nicely padded. It's even breathable in 30C heat, which is impressive. The only thing I'd change is to make the headrest slightly more upright; it slopes back, which means you have to sit up to chat to anyone or, in my case, watch cricket. I've seen other camping chairs which have a zip in the headrest to store the bag, which then creates a cushion. I do think this would make an excellent addition, but other than that it's a practical, comfortable chair. Key specifications 4. Best 'just in case' Camping Chair: Helinox Chair One (re) For something light and packable with more comfort than the featherweight model, I like Helinox's newly designed Chair One (re). First hitting the shelves in 2012 when the South Korean father-and-son founded company produced what became the first in its field of portable camping furniture, the previous iteration was always quite low to the ground (34cm) and could be a little unstable (especially for larger users). The new version has addressed both of these issues. Thanks to added tension in the body of the chair it now feels a lot sturdier and adding four extra centimetres to the sitting height – it's now a little over 38cm – means it's closer to the standard-sized camping chair, yet still packs down remarkably small - 39cm x 13.5cm x 12cm (about the size of a bowling pin). Its green credentials have also improved, with the frame now partly being made from repurposed aluminium (basically the scraps of metal left of the factory floor that would have been discarded) and the fabric is certified recycled polyester. The addition of a side pocket is handy for storing a phone or keys and setting it up is fairly straightforward. It may be a little more expensive than the bulkier models, but for those wanting to save space in the car or backpack and not sacrifice as much comfort for the privilege, this is a great 'just in case option' on all camping trips. Key specifications 5. Best Luxury Chair: Isabella Thor Chair In 1957 Denmark's Søren Odgaard decided that no tent on the market was quite right for him, so he designed one in his basement. Now his company, Isabella, has a reputation for camping accessories that focus on comfort and quality. The Thor Chair embodies this – it's made from a lightweight aluminium frame, but feels sturdy. The seat and padded headrest are made from a ventilated but hardwearing material and it is reclinable – they claim eight positions, though I felt it was a bit of an over-sell, seeing as it only seems to relate to the number of notches on the arms. Either way, it is certainly comfortable to sit in and there are optional add-ons to pimp it out for even greater luxury, from a foldable footrest to a detachable side pocket and even a made-to-measure towel. The only real drawback is the size. Although easy to fold, it still has a total length of 120cm and width of 61cm, meaning I couldn't fit it in the boot of my small car. If you have a large vehicle, though or even better a campervan, this won't be an issue. Key specifications 6. Best Picnic Chair: Regatta Director's Chair with Side Table For those of us who firmly believe that food eaten outdoors tastes better, then a chair with an added foldaway table can turn a good picnic into a great one. Styled like a Hollywood director's pew, Regatta's offering is easy to set up with a quick pull on its arms. The polyester fabric is comfortable yet durable and the table will easily take a drink (in a dedicated cup holder) and a small plate or snack. With a seat height of 46cm you are kept well off the floor and folding it away is straightforward. It is a flatpack affair – though despite the table, it is slightly smaller – meaning great for storing in a caravan or shed, but a little trickier in a small car boot. It is mid-range weight-wise and takes up to 15 stone, but considering that you're essentially taking a table and chair with you, it's a comparatively small price to pay. Key specifications 7. Best Lightweight Chair for Taller Campers: Sitpack Campster 2 Following a hugely successful Kickstarter campaign, this new version of the lightweight, foldaway, previously three-legged backpacker's chair now features an infinitely more stable four-leg design. On first glance, it is much like Helinox's Chair Zero below – the Campster also folds down to 35cm, roughly the size of a water flask. It is also easy to put up, allegedly in five seconds, which I found impossible, but it is straightforward. So you might be wondering how they manage to sell it for £35 less. Firstly, it should be pointed out that it's heavier by a whole kilogram. If you're camping with the car, this won't be a dealbreaker, but for backpackers, this might (pardon the pun) tip the scales in favour of Helinox. If you're after comfort over grams, or are a taller or heavier camper, however, then the Campster II is for you. Not only does it have a higher seat, making it easier to get in and out of and can take an additional three stone, but also comes with some fairly luxurious add-ons for an additional price – and weight of course – including a snuggly fleece seat warmer. It has two side pockets, which I felt a tad unnecessary given that using just one affects the stability. But, overall, a decent compact option for those wanting comfort and portability. Key specifications 8. Best Lightweight Camping Chair: Helinox Chair Zero It's easy to baulk at the price tag of this one – especially when you see the packed size of the item you're purchasing (it folds down to smaller than a thermos flask), but as is often the case with outdoor gear, what you are paying for is the lack of bulk. While similar to Helinox's Chair One above, the Chair Zero is even more compact. For me, as an ardent wild camper, the idea of taking a camping chair when I head to remote places used to be laughable. Their weight made them a comfort I'd just have to do without. But then the Helinox came along in 2012, at the time weighing in at just under 1kg. Since then, I have been tempted on several occasions to throw one in my backpack to avoid evenings hunched over in my tent. Hitting the scales at half a kilogram (that's less than an iPad), this latest lightweight version is still sturdy and strong – it can hold a whopping 18 stone (that's more than some full-size chairs here) – and is insanely easy to put up. The strong aluminium alloy poles, a higher grade than used in aircraft, simply slip into the fabric pockets and it's ready to sit in. Admittedly, the one sacrifice is the low seat height, which on snowy or uneven ground could be cold or less comfortable. People with weaker legs who struggle to rise should opt for something higher. But, with such a low weight, this will always be a great option for backpacking, camping and even on long walks. Key specifications 9. Most Comfortable Camping Chair: Coleman Forester Series Bucket Chair Armless bucket chairs that you can sink into seem to be rising in popularity, like the Vango in our number one spot and this Coleman Forrester bucket chair. Unlike the Vango, this one isn't padded – but rest assured, it's still extremely comfortable. I thought I'd miss having armrests to relax my arms, but I barely noticed they weren't there and it made the chair lighter. The one downside is that the drinks holder has to be strapped onto the bottom, as you can see in the photo. It holds a water bottle, but up-ends any glass with a stem, predictably. I'm not sure I could sit in it all day, because of the lack of back support with the bucket design, but the fabric is pulled tight enough to give a reasonable amount of rigour. The back also comes up high, meaning you can comfortably rest your head while chatting. Be warned, it sits quite low, which is noticeable if you're in a group of mismatched camping chairs. Other than that, I love the simplicity and relaxed style of this chair. Key specifications 10. Best Compact Camping Chair: Outwell Cardiel For something equally as low bulk and weight as the Helinox, at a fraction of the price, there is Outwell's Cardiel Black. Essentially two sit mats lashed together with adjustable straps to create a seat with a backrest, it folds down easily to fit into most backpacks or chuck into your car 'just in case'. The obvious sticking point for some will be the lack of height off the ground – this doesn't only look like a sit mat, it basically is a fancy version of one. However, this can work well for a number of scenarios, in particular on the beach when other chairs would sink into the sand, or to simply make standard campsite benches more comfortable and supportive. The fabric is tough and durable and easy to clean and folding it out is simple and fast. There's even a small pocket great for stashing keys or a phone. Key specifications 11. Best Heated Camping Chair: Vango Radiate Grande DLX If the idea of sitting outside leaves you a little cold, then Vango's heated range offers a solution. There's a near-invisible heating element built into the lower panel of the backrest, which runs off a power bank (not supplied) that can fit snugly in the inbuilt pocket under the seat. It has four temperature settings controlled by a large button – one click for red (hottest), down to blue (coolest). Despite my scepticism on how much heat I could get from a single panel, once paired with a blanket over my legs, it did indeed keep me toasty well after sunset. The seat can be adjusted from upright to near lie flat – with seven options available – meaning you can completely chill, without actually getting chilled. The fabric is robust and durable, yet comfy to touch and is padded and designed to radiate heat, meaning once the pad warms up (which literally takes seconds), you feel the benefit almost immediately. It comes with a moveable headrest for added comfort and there's a tall option available too. When not in use, it packs down flat, so easy to store at home, though it is still quite large (111cm x 9cm x 75cm) and less portable than others, especially if you have a small car. The main drawback is the high price tag, though for glampers who love a little luxury (and warmth) or those with back issues, it'll be worth it. Key specifications 12. Best Children's Camping Chair: Kampa Mini Tub If there's one thing I've learned after having my son, now nearly two, it's that the camping chair he most wants to sit in is whichever one I am currently occupying. That all changed when I got this specially made-for-kids option. Featuring a range of designs – unicorns, cars and woodland creatures – he was immediately taken with the owl on the latter while I, meanwhile, was enamoured with the fact that, unlike most kids' options, there were no open sides he could inadvertently slip through or try and climb between. It's also well-padded for comfort, easy to fold away and with a seat height of 28cm, he can easily get in and out of it himself. It is, unsurprisingly given the padding, a little bulky, but it takes an impressive weight load, meaning it should last him a while. At a push, it can even just about take my weight when he undoubtedly steals my seat again… Key specifications Weight: 2.7kg Seat height: 28cm Maximum load: 60kg (9.4 stone) 13. Best Folding Camping Chair for Festivals: Snow Peak Take Bamboo Score: 8/10 We like: Lifetime guarantee, bamboo and canvas design We don't like: It's heavy and not cheap Rocking up at a festival with your camping gear is not just about comfort and practicality, but about what your kit says about you too. With this bamboo and canvas designed foldaway number – which not only takes a reasonable weight, packs down easily to fit in your car/campervan and features a long back and decent seat height for maximum comfort – it shows that you care as much about sustainability as you do about style. As well as the wood being responsibly sourced, the chair is guaranteed to last a lifetime, with Snow Peak pledging to repair it no matter how old it is. It may not be the lightest offering here, but those eco-creds do take a weight off your mind and thanks to the removable and washable canvas seat, you can enjoy the festival knowing that any food or drink mishaps are easily dealt with. Key specifications Camping chair FAQs Which is the comfiest camping chair? There are a lot of padded options, including the Vango Embrace which I have made my number one pick. Some also have extras, such as reclining functions or built-in tables. But these are bulky and best suited to people heading to their campsites by car. I believe the most important thing when choosing a camping chair is to check out the seat height: some are low and not easy for everyone to get in and out of. Child-sized camping seats are available, too. For wild camping aficionados like me, or those who want to take minimal gear with them, look instead for small pack size, low weight and fabric durability. Finally, no matter if you're going wild or mild, always check the chair's maximum load weight. You want to be sure that every member of your party can be safe and comfortable. What material are camping chairs made of? The first portable folding stool is believed to have been made over 4,500 years ago in Mesopotamia, but JB Fenby's 1881 folding chair in wood and canvas set the standard and still inspires many of the camping chairs made today, including the Snow Peak bamboo chair above. The arrival of lightweight aluminium post-WW2 expanded the possibilities and nowadays there's a huge range of specially-designed outdoor seats to choose from, usually made from weatherproof synthetic fabrics and meshes.
The Guardian
12 hours ago
- The Guardian
‘Every parent's nightmare': after 18 years, was this the final search for Madeleine McCann?
The police have packed up, the diggers and radar scanners gone from the Algarve scrubland. The latest search for Madeleine McCann, the British toddler who vanished from a Portuguese holiday apartment 2007, has ended quietly without any apparent breakthrough. After 18 years of intermittent searches, this one, led by German police, may well be the last. In Praia da Luz, a seaside town etched into the world's memory by the tragedy, that realisation lands with a mix of relief and weariness. Locals barely speak about the case now, if at all. The McCann investigation brought an unrelenting glare of media attention that many here would prefer to forget. But even as the formal search ends, the town's association with the disappearance of Madeleine remains stubbornly intact, kept alive not just by police work but also the trickle of true crime tourists retracing a story they know from Netflix specials and acres of news coverage over the last two decades. Some pose for selfies outside the Ocean Club holiday apartment where Madeleine was last seen, dine in the complex's tapas restaurant where her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, were eating when she vanished. Some play amateur sleuth in the town's cobbled alleyways as though they were the famous sets of a long-running drama. When British friends Joanne Sheppard, 60, and Jane Thorp, 61, began planning a trip together, they settled on Praia da Luz partly for that reason. 'When we decided to go on holiday, I said I would like to see the place where [Madeleine] went missing and I'd like to sit and see the scope of the area so we could get a feel of various routes where maybe Gerry McCann and Kate walked,' Sheppard said. The pair were outside the Ocean Club on Thursday morning to check if 'anyone was milling around' the McCann apartment while German and Portuguese police were scouring scrubland and abandoned buildings a mile away in Atalaia, near Lagos, which was once home to a farming community. They had already spent hours at the tapas restaurant on Tuesday and had made plans to return. 'No one was speaking about Madeleine,' Thorp said of their first visit. As they entered the resort, reception staff asked the women not to take photos but that did not stop Thorp, who said she was not as interested in the case as Sheppard. 'Someone is in that apartment at the moment, we saw them the other night,' the carer from Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire added. Sheppard's interest in Madeleine's disappearance was piqued when she watched an eight-part Netflix documentary series in 2019. 'I watched the Netflix series and then I started delving a bit deeper because something was amiss. And if you actually delve deeper … and start with the PJ [Portuguese Polícia Judiciária] files, you'll see a whole new truth emerge,' the decorator from Nottingham said. She had been gripped by what she said were the 'numerous holes' and 'contradictions' in the case. She dismissed the latest searches as 'a whole waste of time', proffered theories and spoke of 'hard evidence' and media 'manipulation' before heading to the nearby beach for the day. Town residents feel uneasy about the ghoulish obsession with Madeleine's disappearance. Metres away from the Ocean Club, at the Baptista supermarket's cafe, a British businessman, Tahir, who splits his time between London and the Algarve said he came across some tourists outside the McCann apartment just last week. 'They'd obviously spotted it or they'd known where it was, and they were taking pictures of the apartment. I felt like going up to them and saying, 'That's so morbid. What's the matter with you people?'' the 45-year-old said. 'They've been doing that for years,' replied David, 80, a British expat sitting at a nearby table. 'A lot of people come down here and they want to drive past that [building], just to say this is where it was.' Simon Foy, the former head of the Metropolitan police's homicide and serious crime command, who led Operation Grange to find Madeleine in 2011 before retiring in 2012, said the case had captured the public's imagination because it embodied 'every parent's nightmare'. 'When I was working in homicide investigations in the Met, occasionally these cases would come along which for some reason just connected around the public consciousness,' he said. 'It's a whole load of things: it's a young blonde girl, it's a middle-class family, it's a holiday, it's every parent's nightmare. All that sort of stuff very unpredictably would combine together and you would go from virtually minimal media interest and coverage to significant and substantial media coverage, and that was all before the days of social media.' Foy, who has not been involved in the investigation since retiring, said the popularity of true crime documentaries and dramas in which complex cases are neatly wrapped up in one-hour episodes had also contributed to the public's enduring fascination with the case. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion 'What then happens is that you get people's avid fascination and expectation that it's all going to get solved really quickly, and it's all nice and neat, and follows nice dramatic lines, and in reality it never does,' he said. 'In real life, it's messy, and you can't get anything more messy than the whole Madeleine McCann investigation, the whole saga. There are human beings, there's pressure and people make mistakes. It's different. It's never as perfect as it's portrayed in the media world. But people are absolutely fascinated by a story like that, it just happens that this one is a real-life tragedy.' It is this fascination with the case, and in turn Praia da Luz, that has led some residents to blame the McCanns for damaging the town's reputation. Road signs in the town were once defaced with graffiti reading 'McCann circus'. The signs have now been cleaned up but still bear traces of the town's unease. Hundreds of journalists descended on the town to report on the mystery of the three-year-old girl, but tourism dropped and businesses suffered. 'This place was like a ghost town at one point,' said Tahir, who did not want to give his surname. It is why he and many others hope the case can be solved. 'Everyone has got an interest in what happens to Madeleine. For locals, it's still closure that they're looking for. It's not just the family, everyone wants to know. It's gone on so long. There was a point where locals wanted to bury the story because it was affecting businesses and all the rentals went down, but I think it's got over that point,' Tahir said. A retired Portuguese businessman in his 60s, who did not want to give his name, said: '[It has been] 18 years and we've had enough. For the family it's a pity, but it's enough. This area was full of people, it was a joy, a happy family place that was completely transformed and completely dead after [Madeleine disappeared]. Now it's OK but it took 10 years.' The search, the latest in a series of renewed efforts by German prosecutors, was said to have been the last chance to build a case against the prime suspect, Christian Brückner. He denies any involvement. The countdown is now on to the 48-year-old's imminent release from a German prison, where he is currently being held for the rape of an American woman in Praia da Luz in 2005. After 18 years, hundreds of leads and still no trace of the missing girl, the emotional toll must weigh heavily on Madeleine's family, who have not commented on this week's search. And for a place that once hoped its name would be reclaimed by the sun, the sea and the quiet rhythm of local life, the McCann case still casts a long shadow, one that no end-of-search announcement can fully erase.
