Top 10 Tips for an Eco Friendly Camping Trip

Camping is cool again.

Whether you’re seeking simple pleasures in a farm field or wallowing under the splendour of a luxurious yurt, there is no doubt that camping offers some of the best low-impact and rewarding holiday experiences possible.

Here are our top 10 tips to make your camping as ethical as possible; from choosing your kit to deciding where to go:

1. The tent: It is possible to find an ethical tent amidst all the cheap throwaway polyester offerings. Cotton – making a revival – hemp and recycled polyester are eco favourites to pitch and available from eco tent specialist Green. Check out the Pyramid 4 tent, which comes with the option of bamboo poles and pegs (£189).

2. Sleep soundly: Cosy up snug under the stars in a bag made using the latest recycling technology. With insulation made from waste materials and the outer made from recycled plastic bottles, the EcoPro 40 is the only way to sleep (from £90).

3. Essential toolkit: Bag the basics before you go: must haves for any successful trip should include a wind up torch (from £4.95), an ambient wind up lantern (£24.99) and don’t leave home without your Storm Kettle allowing you to boil water virtually anywhere (£45.95).

4. Farm fun: Foodies will be happy pitching up on the farm as it comes with the added benefit of the farm shop. For some of the organic farms welcoming campers try Huntstile in Somerset, Trerieve in Cornwall – with fabulous sea views – or why not explore Bodmin Moor from South Penquite farm.  

5. Fancy a yurt: Luxurious yurts are available in some glorious settings. The Lake District has Mongolian splendour at Full Circle (£250 for a week). Or get yourself an acre of private meadow in Andalucia at the Hoopoe Yurt Hotel (from £95 for two), while Canvas Chic offers luxury above the Ardeche gorge in France from £255 for three nights.

6. Little luxuries: Those added extras can make the difference between feeling fresh or feeling frazzled. The solar powered shower is sure to revive (£8.99). Pack some baby wipes for those sticky moments (£2.75) and for those cooler evenings how about a little organic Scotch whisky (£18.99) to warm.

7. Camp cook: Simple pleasures of outdoor cooking are made more enjoyable with the right ingredients: organic cous cous (£1.49) is a camping winner – simply add boiling water. For a quick snack pack your Geobars (45p) and you can’t beat a late night nibble of chocolate after a day of fresh air.

8. Leave no trace: Stock up with biodegradable tent pegs (£1.99), compostable plates (£2.99) and eat with biodegradable cutlery (£3.99) to leave your camp as you found it. 

9. Get there: Whether a short hop around the UK or a longer trip around Europe, visit the www.seat61.com for hints and tips to help get you to your destination by train. There's a new book from The Man in Seat 61 out now, and available to buy from Ethical Superstore (£12.95).

10. Can’t live without them: If you need to stay in touch and can’t leave home without your gadgets, a wind up radio or media player will keep you entertained, and stay fully charged with a solar powered charger.