Lexus and The Secret Campsite Provide Top Tips for a Luxury Camping Trip
With holidays abroad uncertain this summer and staycations proving ever-popular, Lexus has teamed up with Tim Bullen, founder of The Secret Campsite in Lewes, East Sussex, to provide perfect tips on how to camp in luxury and style.
Pay air-tent-ion – It might sound obvious, but don’t forget to pack your tent with all poles and pegs before you reach the camp site. If you have an air tent, don’t forget to bring the pump. It’s wise to pack the tent in the car last, so that if it’s raining you can keep everything else dry while you erect the tent. The air tent is the latest in cutting edge camping technology. It uses inflatable beams to hold up the structure – as opposed to traditional poles, making it easier to erect and giving a more homely feel.
Overestimate the chill – Make sure to have a professional grade sleeping bag or one of the latest zipless kind with an integrated comforter. These have been developed through years of research and into the cosiest way of sleeping when camping. For that extra touch of class, spruce up your campsite with a cashmere throw. Not only is it the perfect combination of comfort and style, but this can double up as something to stretch out on when (or if) the sun comes out.
Mats matter – Sleeping under the stars in your very own hammock, whether it be tied between two trees or freestanding, is an ideal way to relax during the day or to spend the night. Using a star map or app can help you bring the night skies to life. If you prefer to keep under cover, a traditional Thai roll mat is a simple and colourful option, with many intricate designs available.
No lamp, no camp – Lamp and lantern choices are key to any camping trip, providing a warm welcome to returning campers and the lighting you need when the campfire has been reduced to embers. Old-fashioned storm lanterns provide a great ambience to any camp setting, but the higher tech LED lamps are often more practical for long-term use.
Comfort is key – We all love the idea of sitting round the campfire on a log, discussing life’s deepest moral questions, but these aren’t solved quickly and logs aren’t as forgiving as memory foam, so pack camping chairs – one for each of your party. Bamboo canvas chairs are lightweight and stylish and provide hammock-like levels of comfort.
Cooking in style – If you want something more versatile than the traditional camping stove, consider taking one of the lightweight and more efficient portable BBQs such as a stainless steel barrel-type model. Barbecuing is one of the most reliably popular forms of cooking if you are catering for a wide age group.
Bring the spark – It’s every camper’s dream to be able to take two rocks and create a fire simply by striking them to make a spark, but the truth is you have to have matches. Alternatively, a safety gas lighter is a neat alternative to provide that instant spark. For a full step by step guide on how to build a campfire, use The Secret Campsite’s Escapee Handbook.
Fancy foraging – For the real outdoor lifestyle experience, why not find out how to , and what better place to learn than a place almost called ‘the Edible Campsite’. Those less confident in their foraging abilities can bring treats such as marshmallows to toast over the campfire.
Bring the Brew – Tea and milk are essential on the campsite, but for coffee lovers, there are many portable coffee machines available that can bring the barista-style coffee experience to your camping trip. If you feel like truly embracing nature, why not make your own tea from the edible garden at The Secret Campsite where you can forage herbs and leaves to make new infusions? Whether it be fennel, valerian or mint, the edible garden offers lots of natural ingredients to create your own tea.
The Secret Campsite is a peaceful, tents-only location that’s perfect for nature lovers, set deep in the heart of East Sussex. It has large pitches, solar-powered showers and plenty of places to discover nature and the local wildlife. Mainly used by families or groups friends, The Secret Campsite allows visitors to connect with nature and each other around a campfire, with the added comfort of hot showers, flushing toilets, a fridge and a freezer.
For those wanting luxury travel as well, the RX L is the comfortable companion you need to carry all your high-tech, stylish camping gear. With three rows of seats, including a Captain’s-style second row, and triple-zone air-conditioning the RX L will keep the whole family happy on the journey – saving the arguments for who gets the last marshmallow.
ENDS
