As the heatwave continues and Pitchup.com reports record levels of daily bookings (averaging around 1,000 per day), the outdoor holiday specialist has revealed six top tips for anyone taking a camping, caravanning or glamping holiday this summer.
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Pick a campsite with shade, such as a forest location. US research shows forests can be up to five degrees Celsius cooler due to the shade and evaporation.
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If buying a new tent, pick one with a separate groundsheet. This allows air to circulate inside the tent, even when closed, which has a cooling effect.
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Take extra freezer blocks: rotate them to keep food and drinks cool. Choose a site with ice pack freezing available.
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Pack a fan. A battery-powered fan will provide a great cooling effect, especially if a bowl of ice is placed in front of it – instant air conditioning!
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Put a tent over your tent – if pitched in direct sunlight, provide shade or reflectors that will keep the sun’s rays off and the tent cooler.
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Be careful with innocent objects that could start a fire if left in direct sunlight. Bottles of water can concentrate the sun’s rays and ignite groundsheets.
Dan Yates, founder of Pitchup.com, commented: “These are just a few of our top tips for keeping cool – and staying safe – while camping in warm weather. Camping air conditioning units are available but these can prove expensive and require an electric hook-up, so are not ideal for all campers on non-electric pitches.”
“Visitors to our site can search to find the perfect site for hot weather, from forest locations to those near water or sites that offer outdoor swimming pools. This is our busiest time of year and with the mercury still high, we’re getting more visitors to our website every day: daily visits average 60,000 with bookings at around 1,000 per day. Most site owners are well versed in staying safe while camping in summer, so if in doubt always ask for advice on arrival and request a cool and shady spot that gets the least sunshine and perhaps cut back a bit on the booze.”
For more information visit www.pitchup.com. All prices correct at time of writing.