Sleeping out under canvas can be a fun way to spend a weekend away, and it's important to bring certain essentials with you when you do go camping.

Whether you're an experienced camper or not, it is crucial to bring certain items with you to make the experience go by smoothly.

Bringing a tent and a sleeping bag with you is obviously highly important, but here are some things to take you might not immediately think of.

What to take when camping

In terms of the components of an actual tent, items such as tent pegs and poles should be included in the bag you bought it in.

News and Star: Bringing a mallet to help knock tent pegs into the ground is a useful item to bringBringing a mallet to help knock tent pegs into the ground is a useful item to bring (Image: Canva)

It would also be highly useful to take along a mallet to help you secure the tent pegs into the ground if it is quite hard.

Other items recommended by the Camping and Caravanning Club for sleeping comfort in the tents include:

  • Sleeping pad or mat for each camper
  • Pillows
  • Extra blankets
  • Camping chairs
  • Camping table
  • Torch/lantern

Meanwhile, if you are planning on doing your own cooking on site whilst camping they recommend taking:

  • Water container
  • Camping stove
  • Fuel – gas/charcoal depending on your cooking method
  • Matches or lighter
  • Coolbox & ice packs
  • Oven glove/heatproof mat
  • Kettle
  • Frying Pan
  • Saucepan
  • Serving dishes
  • Plates
  • Bowls
  • Cups/glasses
  • Washing up liquid & sponge
  • Tea towel

In terms of health and safety for camping you should bring along:

  • Sun cream
  • Insect repellent
  • First Aid Kit
  • Any regular medication
  • Anti-bacterial hand wash and sanitiser

Other miscellaneous items you could take with you include bin bags to clean up after yourself and duct tape in case you need to make any quick fixes.

Additionally, having spare batteries for your torches/lanterns and some rope to hand would also be helpful.