Discussion
Bought a cheap hammock to try as I tend to woodland camp more than anything and sometimes struggle for flat spots, Haven't tried it over night yet but I did take it on my last woodland camp to chill in and I'm totally hooked, could definitely sleep comfortably in it, just need to get an under quilt and I'm away
Anyone else prefer or use a hammock over a tent?
Anyone else prefer or use a hammock over a tent?
Joe5y said:
silentbrown said:
That reminds me - I''ve seen lots of these on the road: https://tentbox.com/
Given the cost/hassle/fuel economy compared to a traditional tent, I'm not sure I see the point.
You're guaranteed a flat sleeping area and better insulation from the ground, but that seems about it?
They are becoming evermore popular with Tentbox being the Dryrobe of the rooftent world. Given the cost/hassle/fuel economy compared to a traditional tent, I'm not sure I see the point.
You're guaranteed a flat sleeping area and better insulation from the ground, but that seems about it?
The lack of hassle is a bonus with having a rooftent as, within 18 seconds (in my case) it raises at the push of a button with a heated mattress, 12v and 240v points. In reality, comparing a rooftent to traditional camping is tough as the experience is very different.
Edited by Joe5y on Friday 26th September 15:53
DannyScene said:
Bought a cheap hammock to try as I tend to woodland camp more than anything and sometimes struggle for flat spots, Haven't tried it over night yet but I did take it on my last woodland camp to chill in and I'm totally hooked, could definitely sleep comfortably in it, just need to get an under quilt and I'm away
Anyone else prefer or use a hammock over a tent?
Just ordered a onetigris under quilt, looking to test it out in the next few weeksAnyone else prefer or use a hammock over a tent?
Love this thread. Done a little bit of wild camping before with my bike.
Gah - decided to take my son (10) cycle touring/bike packing this coming weekend, and I decided to go for a proper campsite as I want to continue to build on his cycling and outdoorsy experience and not ruin it with a lack of loo or grumpy farmer. I'm in a very pretty part of the East Midlands so finding an isolated summit is out unfortunately. If I was on my own it would be arrive late/leave early somewhere but that will be more of a challenge with a 10 year old.
So I looked around for campsites in a roughly 20 mile radius from home. Absolute nightmare! It's either:
-It's a nice weekend so it's a 2 night stay minimum
-Caravans/motorhomes only
-Yes to tents, but there's no toilet as it's assumed you'll have a massive tent with its own loo
-No children (this grates me...agreed hordes of kids can be annoying, but Dad, lad and a tent)
-Your pitch includes electric hookup, a car parking space, and is £50. No discount for two people in a tiny ultralight tent and no car
-Glamping pods only
It's sooooo frustrating, when he's got some better legs I think we need to head to Dartmoor or Scotland for a few days! We've got a childhood obesity and social media crisis but it just seems hard to go and do exaclty the kind of thing to keep kids on the straight and narrow. But no wild camping, because.
Rant over...keep the pics and stories coming!
Gah - decided to take my son (10) cycle touring/bike packing this coming weekend, and I decided to go for a proper campsite as I want to continue to build on his cycling and outdoorsy experience and not ruin it with a lack of loo or grumpy farmer. I'm in a very pretty part of the East Midlands so finding an isolated summit is out unfortunately. If I was on my own it would be arrive late/leave early somewhere but that will be more of a challenge with a 10 year old.
So I looked around for campsites in a roughly 20 mile radius from home. Absolute nightmare! It's either:
-It's a nice weekend so it's a 2 night stay minimum
-Caravans/motorhomes only
-Yes to tents, but there's no toilet as it's assumed you'll have a massive tent with its own loo
-No children (this grates me...agreed hordes of kids can be annoying, but Dad, lad and a tent)
-Your pitch includes electric hookup, a car parking space, and is £50. No discount for two people in a tiny ultralight tent and no car
-Glamping pods only
It's sooooo frustrating, when he's got some better legs I think we need to head to Dartmoor or Scotland for a few days! We've got a childhood obesity and social media crisis but it just seems hard to go and do exaclty the kind of thing to keep kids on the straight and narrow. But no wild camping, because.
Rant over...keep the pics and stories coming!
Hard-Drive said:
Love this thread. Done a little bit of wild camping before with my bike.
Gah - decided to take my son (10) cycle touring/bike packing this coming weekend, and I decided to go for a proper campsite as I want to continue to build on his cycling and outdoorsy experience and not ruin it with a lack of loo or grumpy farmer. I'm in a very pretty part of the East Midlands so finding an isolated summit is out unfortunately. If I was on my own it would be arrive late/leave early somewhere but that will be more of a challenge with a 10 year old.
So I looked around for campsites in a roughly 20 mile radius from home. Absolute nightmare! It's either:
-It's a nice weekend so it's a 2 night stay minimum
-Caravans/motorhomes only
-Yes to tents, but there's no toilet as it's assumed you'll have a massive tent with its own loo
-No children (this grates me...agreed hordes of kids can be annoying, but Dad, lad and a tent)
-Your pitch includes electric hookup, a car parking space, and is £50. No discount for two people in a tiny ultralight tent and no car
-Glamping pods only
It's sooooo frustrating, when he's got some better legs I think we need to head to Dartmoor or Scotland for a few days! We've got a childhood obesity and social media crisis but it just seems hard to go and do exaclty the kind of thing to keep kids on the straight and narrow. But no wild camping, because.
Rant over...keep the pics and stories coming!
It is frustrating, we are lucky as we have Dartmoor on our door step and usually walk out to a spot for the night.Gah - decided to take my son (10) cycle touring/bike packing this coming weekend, and I decided to go for a proper campsite as I want to continue to build on his cycling and outdoorsy experience and not ruin it with a lack of loo or grumpy farmer. I'm in a very pretty part of the East Midlands so finding an isolated summit is out unfortunately. If I was on my own it would be arrive late/leave early somewhere but that will be more of a challenge with a 10 year old.
So I looked around for campsites in a roughly 20 mile radius from home. Absolute nightmare! It's either:
-It's a nice weekend so it's a 2 night stay minimum
-Caravans/motorhomes only
-Yes to tents, but there's no toilet as it's assumed you'll have a massive tent with its own loo
-No children (this grates me...agreed hordes of kids can be annoying, but Dad, lad and a tent)
-Your pitch includes electric hookup, a car parking space, and is £50. No discount for two people in a tiny ultralight tent and no car
-Glamping pods only
It's sooooo frustrating, when he's got some better legs I think we need to head to Dartmoor or Scotland for a few days! We've got a childhood obesity and social media crisis but it just seems hard to go and do exaclty the kind of thing to keep kids on the straight and narrow. But no wild camping, because.
Rant over...keep the pics and stories coming!
There are sites dotted around the UK that offer a 'Wild Camping' type experiences often they are farms, searching 'offgrid camping locations' or similar and it chucks up a few results, we have one near us: https://bushfarmcampsite.co.uk/ by coincidence I took one of my sons there last Saturday as a bit of a last minute thing, it means rather than taking the bare essentials we can take some luxuries.
I guess the only thing it wouldn't adress is the toilet issue! Although the one linked above does have some composting toilets on site.
DannyScene said:
Bought a cheap hammock to try as I tend to woodland camp more than anything and sometimes struggle for flat spots, Haven't tried it over night yet but I did take it on my last woodland camp to chill in and I'm totally hooked, could definitely sleep comfortably in it, just need to get an under quilt and I'm away
Anyone else prefer or use a hammock over a tent?
I prefer a hammock when the weather's like this (or ideally a bit cooler). I've used mine a number of times now - my friend and I bought cheapo 'Covacure' branded ones for £27 on Amazon for a laugh / proof of concept before spending proper money - but we've stuck with these ones and they've lasted 4 years so far. I've use it with the net and just a sleeping bag liner, with and without a tarp, and always been very comfortable. There's an art to getting in and out, but once you have the hang of it (pun intended) it's great Anyone else prefer or use a hammock over a tent?
Hard-Drive said:
Love this thread. Done a little bit of wild camping before with my bike.
Gah - decided to take my son (10) cycle touring/bike packing this coming weekend, and I decided to go for a proper campsite as I want to continue to build on his cycling and outdoorsy experience and not ruin it with a lack of loo or grumpy farmer. I'm in a very pretty part of the East Midlands so finding an isolated summit is out unfortunately. If I was on my own it would be arrive late/leave early somewhere but that will be more of a challenge with a 10 year old.
So I looked around for campsites in a roughly 20 mile radius from home. Absolute nightmare! It's either:
-It's a nice weekend so it's a 2 night stay minimum
-Caravans/motorhomes only
-Yes to tents, but there's no toilet as it's assumed you'll have a massive tent with its own loo
-No children (this grates me...agreed hordes of kids can be annoying, but Dad, lad and a tent)
-Your pitch includes electric hookup, a car parking space, and is £50. No discount for two people in a tiny ultralight tent and no car
-Glamping pods only
It's sooooo frustrating, when he's got some better legs I think we need to head to Dartmoor or Scotland for a few days! We've got a childhood obesity and social media crisis but it just seems hard to go and do exaclty the kind of thing to keep kids on the straight and narrow. But no wild camping, because.
Rant over...keep the pics and stories coming!
Camp wild is what you need. £20 a year and you can book wild camping spaces. You can search based on what you need such as remote or close to access.Gah - decided to take my son (10) cycle touring/bike packing this coming weekend, and I decided to go for a proper campsite as I want to continue to build on his cycling and outdoorsy experience and not ruin it with a lack of loo or grumpy farmer. I'm in a very pretty part of the East Midlands so finding an isolated summit is out unfortunately. If I was on my own it would be arrive late/leave early somewhere but that will be more of a challenge with a 10 year old.
So I looked around for campsites in a roughly 20 mile radius from home. Absolute nightmare! It's either:
-It's a nice weekend so it's a 2 night stay minimum
-Caravans/motorhomes only
-Yes to tents, but there's no toilet as it's assumed you'll have a massive tent with its own loo
-No children (this grates me...agreed hordes of kids can be annoying, but Dad, lad and a tent)
-Your pitch includes electric hookup, a car parking space, and is £50. No discount for two people in a tiny ultralight tent and no car
-Glamping pods only
It's sooooo frustrating, when he's got some better legs I think we need to head to Dartmoor or Scotland for a few days! We've got a childhood obesity and social media crisis but it just seems hard to go and do exaclty the kind of thing to keep kids on the straight and narrow. But no wild camping, because.
Rant over...keep the pics and stories coming!
redrabbit said:
DannyScene said:
Bought a cheap hammock to try as I tend to woodland camp more than anything and sometimes struggle for flat spots, Haven't tried it over night yet but I did take it on my last woodland camp to chill in and I'm totally hooked, could definitely sleep comfortably in it, just need to get an under quilt and I'm away
Anyone else prefer or use a hammock over a tent?
I prefer a hammock when the weather's like this (or ideally a bit cooler). I've used mine a number of times now - my friend and I bought cheapo 'Covacure' branded ones for £27 on Amazon for a laugh / proof of concept before spending proper money - but we've stuck with these ones and they've lasted 4 years so far. I've use it with the net and just a sleeping bag liner, with and without a tarp, and always been very comfortable. There's an art to getting in and out, but once you have the hang of it (pun intended) it's great Anyone else prefer or use a hammock over a tent?
I'm going to check out some permission woodland I've been offered so that will likely be my first over night in the hammock in a few weeks time. I'm really looking forward to it
Finally had my first night out in the hammock with my best mate, separate hammocks of course 
I'm absolutely hooked, so comfy, lovely and cosy with the underquilt and much lighter than carrying a tent with poles and pegs as well, bit annoyed I didn't try this sooner tbh
Oh and what an incredible was to wake up in the woods, unless there's a proper need for a tent I think my tenting gear will be playing 2nd fiddle now
I'm absolutely hooked, so comfy, lovely and cosy with the underquilt and much lighter than carrying a tent with poles and pegs as well, bit annoyed I didn't try this sooner tbh
Oh and what an incredible was to wake up in the woods, unless there's a proper need for a tent I think my tenting gear will be playing 2nd fiddle now
What hammock are you using? I couldn’t get on with it as a side sleeper. OH loves it. He bought a lay flat earlier this year and is now preferring that to all his others. I still like my tent tbh. It’s 2kg so not a lot to carry.
We’re tent sleeping tonight first time with new pup (she’s 18 weeks) to get her used to it. Seth turned 3 this weeks and he adores camping. Was settled immediately. She spent 5 mins of terror crashing against the sides whilst I thought it wiuld never end and had that horrible moment where I thought camping days would be over. She then curled up and crashed out! Will see what the night brings.
We’re tent sleeping tonight first time with new pup (she’s 18 weeks) to get her used to it. Seth turned 3 this weeks and he adores camping. Was settled immediately. She spent 5 mins of terror crashing against the sides whilst I thought it wiuld never end and had that horrible moment where I thought camping days would be over. She then curled up and crashed out! Will see what the night brings.
DannyScene said:
Finally had my first night out in the hammock with my best mate, separate hammocks of course
I'm absolutely hooked, so comfy, lovely and cosy with the underquilt and much lighter than carrying a tent with poles and pegs as well, bit annoyed I didn't try this sooner tbh
Oh and what an incredible was to wake up in the woods, unless there's a proper need for a tent I think my tenting gear will be playing 2nd fiddle now
Props to you, DannyScene! Once you've tried swinging, you never go back I'm absolutely hooked, so comfy, lovely and cosy with the underquilt and much lighter than carrying a tent with poles and pegs as well, bit annoyed I didn't try this sooner tbh
Oh and what an incredible was to wake up in the woods, unless there's a proper need for a tent I think my tenting gear will be playing 2nd fiddle now
Hard-Drive said:
It's sooooo frustrating, when he's got some better legs I think we need to head to Dartmoor or Scotland for a few days! We've got a childhood obesity and social media crisis but it just seems hard to go and do exaclty the kind of thing to keep kids on the straight and narrow. But no wild camping, because.
Rant over...keep the pics and stories coming!
Maybe "right to roam" for England(and Wales too for that matter) will be included in the new govt's agenda for that reason and because it's about time landowners were served notice that it's not the 1800s anymore. Write to your MPs folks!Rant over...keep the pics and stories coming!
Gretchen said:
What hammock are you using? I couldn t get on with it as a side sleeper. OH loves it. He bought a lay flat earlier this year and is now preferring that to all his others. I still like my tent tbh. It s 2kg so not a lot to carry.
We re tent sleeping tonight first time with new pup (she s 18 weeks) to get her used to it. Seth turned 3 this weeks and he adores camping. Was settled immediately. She spent 5 mins of terror crashing against the sides whilst I thought it wiuld never end and had that horrible moment where I thought camping days would be over. She then curled up and crashed out! Will see what the night brings.
At the moment just amazon specials, my first was a covacure but I didn't really like the bug net set up so bought a naturefun that comes with hoops to hold the bug net up.We re tent sleeping tonight first time with new pup (she s 18 weeks) to get her used to it. Seth turned 3 this weeks and he adores camping. Was settled immediately. She spent 5 mins of terror crashing against the sides whilst I thought it wiuld never end and had that horrible moment where I thought camping days would be over. She then curled up and crashed out! Will see what the night brings.
I found it comfy enough laying on my back, I did wake up on my side though so at some point I must've rolled over, I found side sleeping quite comfy as it was but can only image a lay flat hammock would be amazing!
How did you get on with the tent camping and the new pooch?
you're not wrong! hidetheelephants said:
Maybe "right to roam" for England(and Wales too for that matter) will be included in the new govt's agenda for that reason and because it's about time landowners were served notice that it's not the 1800s anymore. Write to your MPs folks!
Just from the other side of the fence, right to roam is quite terrifying as a farmer. Our farm is our home and be it our enclosed garden or a field away it would be strange to unexpectedly find someone/a group there. With wild camping there are no facilities so finding 'waste' would also be unpleasant,be that human or litter and with livestock there are rules we couldn't abide by, someone leaving half a beef burger and my cows finding it etc....remember bse and the major pyres?We have a couple of footpaths on our land including one through our farm yard. Sadly the lack of respect from these alone is quite sad. Part of the path was decorated as a fairy garden and people stole decorations, people vear off the path to go have a nosey at things they want to nosey at and gates are left open. We have also experienced people who clearly are ahead of the curve and left the path and set up camp for the day in a field of sheep and others who trampled through standing hay to play fetch with a dog.
My personal opinion is that there simply isn't the respect for farmers/farming that will make RTR work without major incident. The maybe biggest issue would be the ideal cover this would provide for thieves either looking what is there or actually acting on it.
I do appreciate not everyone fits into the above and im sure plenty on here are sound and decent people but as a farmer to have no legal power to stop anyone going anywhere is a very scary thought!
theposhboy said:
Just from the other side of the fence, right to roam is quite terrifying as a farmer. Our farm is our home and be it our enclosed garden or a field away it would be strange to unexpectedly find someone/a group there. With wild camping there are no facilities so finding 'waste' would also be unpleasant,be that human or litter and with livestock there are rules we couldn't abide by, someone leaving half a beef burger and my cows finding it etc....remember bse and the major pyres?
We have a couple of footpaths on our land including one through our farm yard. Sadly the lack of respect from these alone is quite sad. Part of the path was decorated as a fairy garden and people stole decorations, people vear off the path to go have a nosey at things they want to nosey at and gates are left open. We have also experienced people who clearly are ahead of the curve and left the path and set up camp for the day in a field of sheep and others who trampled through standing hay to play fetch with a dog.
My personal opinion is that there simply isn't the respect for farmers/farming that will make RTR work without major incident. The maybe biggest issue would be the ideal cover this would provide for thieves either looking what is there or actually acting on it.
I do appreciate not everyone fits into the above and im sure plenty on here are sound and decent people but as a farmer to have no legal power to stop anyone going anywhere is a very scary thought!
RTR has applied in Scotland for over 20 years, farmers seem to have made peace with it. Instead of fearing it, engage with your elected representatives so if and when it does get to the point of legislation being drafted you get a say; the NFU's "computer says no" attitude helps neither you nor the general public.We have a couple of footpaths on our land including one through our farm yard. Sadly the lack of respect from these alone is quite sad. Part of the path was decorated as a fairy garden and people stole decorations, people vear off the path to go have a nosey at things they want to nosey at and gates are left open. We have also experienced people who clearly are ahead of the curve and left the path and set up camp for the day in a field of sheep and others who trampled through standing hay to play fetch with a dog.
My personal opinion is that there simply isn't the respect for farmers/farming that will make RTR work without major incident. The maybe biggest issue would be the ideal cover this would provide for thieves either looking what is there or actually acting on it.
I do appreciate not everyone fits into the above and im sure plenty on here are sound and decent people but as a farmer to have no legal power to stop anyone going anywhere is a very scary thought!
I confess I don't know any farmers in Scotland so I couldn't say how they have found things.
I'm sure your aware engagement with elected officials is easier said than done. When we have previously asked for a yes or no answer emails are answered weeks after any vote and are generally wishy washy at best. At the recent election every party was the farmers friend but the realiy after is somewhat different. I did last week happen upon the first minister who said all the right things but may or may not have forgotten what I said 10 seconds later. I will say he did at least engage and took 5 mins to speak with me when I approached him.
None of that however would ever resolve my points above.
There is no toilet on my land apart from the hedgerow. Not a pleasant find.....
We have remote barns and equipment that as the rules stand are away from passers by and certainly aren't likely to have people using them or children playing in. See the News section regarding hare coursing and the farmer having his quad stolen to give you an idea of rural crime and the battles we face to keep hold of our kit.
An empty field of standing grass isn't an empty field, it is our winter feed. Flattened its useless and will affect what crop we get.
I cant see any discussion that circumnavigates my concerns, it isn't a case for me of computer says no its a case of how do we protect our livelihood? Hse keeps people out of factories on safety grounds, farms are far more dangerous places for people to appear from no where and if/when the worst happens the farmer will be the one facing the music.
I'm sure your aware engagement with elected officials is easier said than done. When we have previously asked for a yes or no answer emails are answered weeks after any vote and are generally wishy washy at best. At the recent election every party was the farmers friend but the realiy after is somewhat different. I did last week happen upon the first minister who said all the right things but may or may not have forgotten what I said 10 seconds later. I will say he did at least engage and took 5 mins to speak with me when I approached him.
None of that however would ever resolve my points above.
There is no toilet on my land apart from the hedgerow. Not a pleasant find.....
We have remote barns and equipment that as the rules stand are away from passers by and certainly aren't likely to have people using them or children playing in. See the News section regarding hare coursing and the farmer having his quad stolen to give you an idea of rural crime and the battles we face to keep hold of our kit.
An empty field of standing grass isn't an empty field, it is our winter feed. Flattened its useless and will affect what crop we get.
I cant see any discussion that circumnavigates my concerns, it isn't a case for me of computer says no its a case of how do we protect our livelihood? Hse keeps people out of factories on safety grounds, farms are far more dangerous places for people to appear from no where and if/when the worst happens the farmer will be the one facing the music.
Scotland doesn't have a right to roam.
It has a right to responsible access.
The fear of finding someone in your garden is not real - gardens (alongside workplaces, where children are such as school, and many other spaces) are exempt. It's not responsible to walk through a farmyard while farmer is unloading. A hill where stalking is taking place. Or a field where combine is harvesting. Maybe a private gathering such as a wedding. If you 'spoil the owners enjoyment ' of the land, you can be both asked to leave and take to civil court. Access rights only apply to human powerd things - legs and pedal cycles. Noise and fear can be irresponsible. Litter and damage are criminal as well as civil matters.
In practice now there's generally a good acceptance of where, when and how people access. As ever, near population centres usually are the difficult bits, but you get that with England's restrictive access laws.
It's well bedded in and works well.
It has a right to responsible access.
The fear of finding someone in your garden is not real - gardens (alongside workplaces, where children are such as school, and many other spaces) are exempt. It's not responsible to walk through a farmyard while farmer is unloading. A hill where stalking is taking place. Or a field where combine is harvesting. Maybe a private gathering such as a wedding. If you 'spoil the owners enjoyment ' of the land, you can be both asked to leave and take to civil court. Access rights only apply to human powerd things - legs and pedal cycles. Noise and fear can be irresponsible. Litter and damage are criminal as well as civil matters.
In practice now there's generally a good acceptance of where, when and how people access. As ever, near population centres usually are the difficult bits, but you get that with England's restrictive access laws.
It's well bedded in and works well.
Last week I was on the early bus from Windermere to Keswick. The bus goes past a few car parks next to Thirlmere, in one of them there was two young ladies who had obviously just got up from sleeping in their Skoda Octavia. I didn’t think kipping in your car overnight was allowed in the Lake District? If it was me I’d park on a quieter road for a start!
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