Category: news

These mad March snow storms may have taken us by surprise but now's the time to start planning those cool camping trips for 2023.

Make sure you've got your gear waiting in the wings for the first sunny weekend to pull it out and carry out your annual inspection.

Spread out your tent and if you've got the space pitch it as normal.

Give it a once over for dirt or marks and if you can, brush these off with a dry non abrasive sponge, that's definitely the best first course of action!

If that doesn't work then try giving the individual areas a clean with some specialised tent wash.

Finally if your tent has been well used, exposed to a lot of UV or taken a bashing from extreme weather you might want to leave it up through a downpour to check the waterproofing.

Take a look at our handy guide for the care of your tent and make sure it's bone dry when you out it away of course!

There's nothing worse than arriving on your campsite to find you've left the pegs at home.

Believe us...we've done it!

Get out the pegs, poles, mallet etc and check you've got the correct amount. If you can't remember how many you need head to the relevant listing on our site for the handy list of 'What's Included'.

We sell sets of spare guy ropes and pegs plus mallets but if it's just an odd 1 or 2 that you need get in touch and we'll see what we can dig out for you.

Here's to a fun and sunny camping season in 2023!

When planning a family camping trip, we think one of the top three things you can to do is make a list. Once you have your list, the chance of forgetting the toilet paper or your sleeping bag is a lot less. A list can also help you not to over pack and you are anything like me, it can be easily done. This post could help you remember all the things we think you will need to make a great camping trip for you and your family. 

Number two: do not forget your first aid kit. If you do not have one, they are super easy to make out of the things you probably have lying around in your cupboards at home. Fingers crossed you won’t need to use one, but accidents do happen so ensure you are fully prepared for all eventualities. Normally a plaster will suffice but you just never know, especially if your children would rather be up in a tree than on the ground. 

 

 

Number three, to complete our top three, always check the weather before you go and have back-ups for every weather type. Now I know this sounds like it could end up with a lot of overpacking, but with our unpredictable British weather you just can’t take your chances. This means plenty of warm layers, waterproof clothing, extra blankets and sun protection. Pair this with a cosy sleeping bag and you and the kids won’t fall short to the cold UK nights.

Extras we think you should consider about when preparing your family camping trip:

If you want to camp at a campsite, make sure you make your reservation, many campsites you can’t just turn up to. This also gives you a chance to find out what’s surrounding the campsite, is there activities to keep you and your family entertained or will you need to take things with you. This also gives you a chance to check the campsite rules. Open fires on the grass or anything glass might be banned.

Preparing your meals for your camping trip can be a daunting thought. We believe the more you do before you leave for your camping trip the more stress free it will be. This means it could also be a good idea to have a meal plan, that way you can have all ingredients ready to take with you and they can be condensed into smaller reusable containers which saves space and means you can fit more snacks!! When planning your meal plan, think of some no-cooking-necessary recipes, to give yourself a break.

 

 

Whatever your choice of camping lighting, its a good thing to think about it before hand, no one wants to be trying to find the toilet in the dark. If you’ve gone for a camping lantern with built in battery, then make sure you charge the batteries before you leave and be aware of how they recommend storing these batteries when purchasing them. If you are staying for a couple of days, then you might want to take a portable charger to boost the lanterns after two or three days. The campsite you are staying at might provide these facilities, but it could be handy for charging your mobile when you are away from the campsite and you want to take a picture of your memorable moments.   If you are going for lighting that uses batteries, make sure you have spare just in case.

 

If it is your first time going camping or you’ve had your tent in storage for a while, it is always a good idea to check your tent before you take it anywhere. Finding out the shed had been leaking and your tent has gotten damp and mouldy once you are miles from home is not ideal. If this is your first time camping it is also a great way to have a practice run and get comfortable with your tent. It isn’t normally the putting it up we find hard, it’s fitting it back in its bag!

Some to add to your list: Cooking utensils, toilet paper, water, an umbrella (great for if it rains and you are cooking on the campfire), matches and bin bags (leave nothing behind).

We understand there are many more things to consider when preparing for a family camping trip, like what games you are going to play in the car so you don’t have to hear ‘are we there yet’ on repeat or not to forget the wet wipes because roasting marshmallows can get sticky, but hopefully we have given you some ideas that can go on your camping list. Now all you have to think about is what you are going to do with your kids for the whole camping trip. Keep an eye out, we might have some ideas for you in one of our next posts. 

TIP: Keep your clothes in your sleeping bag… they will be warmer when putting them on in the morning. 

National BBQ week started on the 5th July and is set to continue until the 18th. This means there is still plenty of time to gather your closest friends and family and all celebrate good food and good company together. Especially as this year's national BBQ week is in aid of Cure Leukaemia, why not charge your mates £2.00 a burger and donate to charity.

The weather that is forecast for this weekend is perfect BBQ weather,

Who's in charge of your BBQ?

Now we know the weather hasn't been on our side as of recently, and finding a time when the rain has stopped and the skies clear might feel like searching for a needle in a hay stack but

 

 

Number three, to complete our top three, always check the weather before you go and have back-ups for every weather type. Now I know this sounds like it could end up with a lot of overpacking, but with our unpredictable British weather you just can’t take your chances. This means plenty of warm layers, waterproof clothing, extra blankets and sun protection. Pair this with a cosy sleeping bag and you and the kids won’t fall short to the cold UK nights.

Extras we think you should consider about when preparing your family camping trip:

If you want to camp at a campsite, make sure you make your reservation, many campsites you can’t just turn up to. This also gives you a chance to find out what’s surrounding the campsite, is there activities to keep you and your family entertained or will you need to take things with you. This also gives you a chance to check the campsite rules. Open fires on the grass or anything glass might be banned.

Every year National BBQ week is in aid of a chosen charity. This year's donations are in aid of Cure Leukaemia with all donations going towards the blood cancer charity's national Trials Acceleration Programme. This programme is a network of specialist research nurses at 12 blood cancer centres located in the UK. This network provides accelerated set up and delivery of potential life-saving blood cancer clinical trials giving people access to treatment that is not currently available on the NHS.

We cannot see a better way to raise money for a cause than spending time grilling and eating good food and catching up with your loved ones and friends to have a natter. Raising and donating money could not be more simple. Why not ask for an entry fee or charge £2 for your burgers. I know I would pay triple tat for a good burger! You can donate all money raised to their just giving page.

 

 

 

Whatever your choice of camping lighting, its a good thing to think about it before hand, no one wants to be trying to find the toilet in the dark. If you’ve gone for a camping lantern with built in battery, then make sure you charge the batteries before you leave and be aware of how they recommend storing these batteries when purchasing them. If you are staying for a couple of days, then you might want to take a portable charger to boost the lanterns after two or three days. The campsite you are staying at might provide these facilities, but it could be handy for charging your mobile when you are away from the campsite and you want to take a picture of your memorable moments.   If you are going for lighting that uses batteries, make sure you have spare just in case.

 

If it is your first time going camping or you’ve had your tent in storage for a while, it is always a good idea to check your tent before you take it anywhere. Finding out the shed had been leaking and your tent has gotten damp and mouldy once you are miles from home is not ideal. If this is your first time camping it is also a great way to have a practice run and get comfortable with your tent. It isn’t normally the putting it up we find hard, it’s fitting it back in its bag!

Some to add to your list: Cooking utensils, toilet paper, water, an umbrella (great for if it rains and you are cooking on the campfire), matches and bin bags (leave nothing behind).

We understand there are many more things to consider when preparing for a family camping trip, like what games you are going to play in the car so you don’t have to hear ‘are we there yet’ on repeat or not to forget the wet wipes because roasting marshmallows can get sticky, but hopefully we have given you some ideas that can go on your camping list. Now all you have to think about is what you are going to do with your kids for the whole camping trip. Keep an eye out, we might have some ideas for you in one of our next posts. 

TIP: Keep your clothes in your sleeping bag… they will be warmer when putting them on in the morning. 

Whether you are planning a family get away, some garden glamping or looking for a teenage zen den, it's a minefield knowing which tent is the right one for you and your crew.

Fear not, we're here to help.

We're offering you the chance to visit our HQ on the Wales/England border and see our classic Bell Tents, Touareg and Emperor tents up and in action.

See for yourself how canvas tents can be stylish and practical at the same time, feel the quality and work out which is the perfect tent for you to escape with this summer.

It’s a great opportunity to ask any questions and you’ll also get the chance to view awnings, gazebos, fire pits, tent stoves and all the accessories you’ll need for a relaxing getaway.

 

 

 

It’s all free and there’s no need to book. We'll be here to welcome you with fresh coffee, tasty cakes and our time to chat.

As an extra incentive there'll be discounts on any purchases made across the weekend and we'll also have some seconds and ex-demo available to buy at reduced prices.

Find us at Cosy Under Canvas, Dolbedwyn, Newchurch, Kington, HR5 3QQ.

Feel free to call on 0330 223 6376 if you have any questions in advance of your visit.

And if you can't make it this time check out our handy guide to the perfect tent size or take the quiz and let us recommend the best tent for you.

While most of us have hunkered down in front of the fire and a good book over the winter, the Hazley family have been busy enjoying their 5m bell tent in beautiful locations all across Scotland.

Lee sent us his photos with a mini review....Thanks Lee!

'We love our  5 m bell tent and are very impressed with the quality and durability of this tent.

We haven't owned it for long, about 14 months, but we have used it a lot in that short period of time. We prefer wild camping mainly in and around The Galloway Forest, SW Scotland famous for its night skies. But we also enjoy camping and caravan sites mainly for the kids to enjoy socialising with fellow campers.'

 

'Our family is Lee Hazley (dad), Jenny Hazley (mum) Indie 8 and Jax 4. We camped mainly in and around the Galloway Forest, on the Ayrshire Coast , Aviemore, St Andrews and the Solway Firth.

This summer the plan is to head to Cornwall as well as some of the previous destinations.

We found the tent very easy to pitch, so easy in fact I normally pitch it on my own whilst my wife sips a cider! The kids absolutely love it as the space inside is big enough for cartwheels and dancing.'

 

 

'Winter camping is just as enjoyable as summer due to the warmth our stove provides inside the tent. Snow camp or summer camp it doesnt really matter we love it either way!'

Dont forget we love receiving your comments, photos and stories showcasing where you’ve been with your Life Bell Tents. Make sure you send yours into us and if we feature them in our newsletter we’ll send you some Life Under Canvas vouchers!

 

Last time we slept under canvas was only last week and it was a little chilly to say the least.

We kept the stove ticking over and were toasty and that's because we've got a few little secrets up our sleeves.

But we're happy to share so you can keep cosy under canvas too!

Keeping cosy is all about ensuring the extremities are warm. That's head, toes and nose and we know how to keep them covered.

Fluffy socks are a must. Keeping the extremities warm means that we are able to fall asleep more quickly and are less likely to wake in the night as a result of being chilly.

A wooly hat is invaluable, especially if you're a little less blessed on top like one of our own camping crew! Don't let valuable body heat escape from up top!

And as for the nose...well, there's nothing else for it except to hide it under your duvet or sleeping bag!

Sleep on a sheepskin.

This deserves a post on its own. It's an amazing natural material that's a body temperature regulator. It breathes with your skin and is warming when it's chilly as it traps the cold air and keeps it away from your body.

Just try it and you'll never look back, if you struggle for space in the car it's worth thinking about what to sacrifice to squeeze in the sheepskin!

Always think about above and below. So just like sleeping on a sheepskin, think about what else you're sleeping on. A raised camp bed or purpose made sleeping mattress is perfect. Ditch the blow up....the air inside it will go cold and it will sag.

Instead invest in a good quality thermarest. You'll feel on top of the world each morning after a cosy nights sleep on one!

And finally a cosy blanket is essential.  Keep well covered above and if you're too hot kick it off.

There'll always be a reason to snuggle down under a traditional Welsh wool blanket.  Ours are the perfect size for throwing round your shoulders if campfire stories are in order, or tucking round your sleeping bag to guarantee a cosy night under canvas.

If you've got any more tips of your own let us know; we're keen to try and learn!

The Touareg bell tent is THE tent that gives you space and comfort in style. Whether just the 2 of you have a need for a super space or you're a large family wanting to grab a corner each, there's plenty space for you, your kit and some left over!

It's the same height as a 5m Bell Tent but the double doors mean you can take in the views all round and also helps to create a great ambience for garden parties, events or community functions.

Want to be sure this tent is definitely the one for you? Check out our handy size guide.

We have a range of Fire Retardant Tents that are treated with a special solution during the manufacturing process to make them fully safe to use with one of our three stoves. You can read more about fire retardancy here. 

Part of this collection is the Touareg Fire Retardant Bell Tent with Stove Hole  which is perfect paired with either our Eco stove or Standard stove  as well as the 45 degrees flashing kit for extra stability.

And don’t forget, there is one less bed space when you use a stove!

Available in traditional sand this tent looks fabulous with an awning attached, seriously useful for extra storage on a family camping trip or for gear when you want to squeeze more people in. The tent can sleep large families or a group of 8/10 singles without the stove for a cosy night under canvas.

And as the awning comes with an additional 2 poles it's ideal to use on its own for some shade in the garden on a sunny summer day.

This wonderful Touareg bell tent belongs to Beckie from glampingonthecorner. She and her team use one of our Touareg bell tents to house adventurous campers looking for short stays at their glamping site, on the outskirts of the picturesque town of Tunbridge Wells.

You can hire the field for exclusive private glamping and with stunning views for miles it's the perfect place for a relaxing trip to the countryside.

They have an airbnb listing  if you'd like to book!

You’ve taken the plunge and chosen your stove.

Excited at the prospect of cosier nights under canvas now is the time to get set up.

It's a good idea to do this before you go camping. Make sure you’ve got plenty of time and it’s a dry day so you’re not rushing.

 

There’s comprehensive instructions on our website so follow these and you’ll be up and running in no time.

We've put together below a few top tips on stove fitting from the Life team that are sometimes missed in the instructions, especially if keen campers skim read!!!

Before you head off invest in a good quality fire extinguisher and carbon monoxide alarm. Hopefully neither will ever be needed but it's always best to be safe.

Stock yourselves up with some dry wood. It's always handy to take a bag with you just in case you arrive late and the camp site don't sell it. We recommend Certainly Wood for their Kiln Dried Kindling and Eco Firelighters too.

We suggest installing the flashing kit when the tent is down. This is purely because we are a small team, literally, and can’t reach the stove hole properly on the outside when the tent is up. If you can and you’d rather install with the tent up that’s fine too!

We recommend pushing the silicone through the stove hole from the inside and attaching the second ring on the outside. This means any excess canvas will protrude outside the tent not inside close to the hot flue pipe.

And, use washing up liquid to help ease the flue through the flashing kit to avoid splitting it.

Always stand your stove on a heat proof mat. You’d be pretty disappointed if a spark flew out of an open door and burnt a hole in your groundsheet. Or if the stove got so hot it burnt the groundsheet underneath it. It’s unlikely but better to be safe than sorry!!

Be sure to light a small fire in your stove the first couple of times. This is for 2 reasons. One it will cure the paint and burn off any fumes. And two it will allow the flashing kit to gently expand around the flue without cracking.

The flashing kit is safe and heat resistant to 300°C. It can be difficult to gauge the temperature of your stove when it's in use so we always recommend using a stove thermometer to ensure your fire doesn't reach this temperature or even higher. Tempting as it may be to chuck another log on you do need to be careful with the heat levels.

And finally always make sure that your stove and flue are completely cold before packing away.

Remove any excess ash from the stove body and tray, we always take a dustpan and brush with us when we head off on a trip. Then gently twist apart the flue pieces to dismantle. When removing the final piece of flue from the flashing kit it's always a good idea to use a blunt instrument to release the silicone from the flue pipe before easing out gently.

The flue piece pack perfectly inside and the handy storage bag means the stove can be neatly packed away until you need it again!

Pitch up and be the envy of your fellow campers as you stoke up your stove and snuggle down for the night in a warm, cosy tent.

Here at Life Under Canvas we have an extensive range of stoves to suit every tent size and budget.

The mini stove is lightweight (10kg), compact and the perfect complement to the smaller 4m bell tent. It doesn't have an ash pan due to its size but is flat fronted so it's easy to lift the grill and sweep the ash out into your own dustpan. And despite being 'mini' it still throws out a generous 3kw of heat.

The standard stove is also lightweight, just 12kg and compact but as it's body is a little larger than the mini stove it can handle larger logs, keeps going longer and throws out up to 3.5kw of heat. Perfect for the 5m, 6m, Touareg and Emperor tents with stove holes.

New to our range this season is the Eco Stove. The same size as the standard stove but with the addition of side grills, ideal for standing cook pots on and also to keep the coffee warm!

This eco version produces more heat output from the burning wood than a standard stove. This works by introducing a second source of air into the stove above the flames re-igniting the gases and producing more heat from the same wood with little smoke from the flue.

This re-ignition of the gases keeps them inside the firebox for longer and helps to reduce the emissions from the fire into the atmosphere, it also means that there is less likely to be a blackening of the stove glass. It's win for you and a win for the environment too!

 

All the stoves have a stylish oval window large enough so you can see the glow and flames when the stove is lit but small enough not to get damaged when you're transporting the stove. The glass is also easily removable if it does need replacing at any time in the future or for cleaning.

The flue pipes for all of the stoves fit neatly inside the body for easy transportation and they all come with a thick, heat resistant carry bag included, handy to prevent ash spilling in your car or as you move the stove.

The sturdy thin legs fold up under the body of the stoves when you pack them away and they all have the removable hot plate on the top, perfect for topping up wood from above, boiling your kettle or cooking up a tasty one pot stew.

Whether you are planning a family get away, some garden glamping or looking for a teenage zen den, our 4m bell tent is the perfect space and with stove offers the option of extra warmth and cosiness. Perfect for early or late season camping.

With plenty of space for a family of 3/4 and their gear, or room for a couple to spread out, this tent is affordable and can be easily put up on your own in no time.

Want to be sure this tent is definitely the one for you? Check out our handy size guide.

We have a range of Fire Retardant Tents that are treated with a special solution during the manufacturing process to make them fully safe to use with one of our three stoves. You can read more about fire retardancy here.

The 4m bell tent heats up quickly with a stove in use and our mini stove with small flashing kit are the perfect pair for this size of tent.

And don’t forget, there is one less bed space when you use a stove!

Available in traditional sand or cool grey this tent looks fabulous with an awning or porch attached, seriously useful for extra storage when you want to squeeze more people in. The tent can then sleep up to 3 and 4 without the stove, for a cosy night under canvas. Alternatively check out our 4m bell tent with integral porch, exclusive to Life Under Canvas!

 

 

 

Kathie is the owner of one of our 4M Fire Retardant Bell Tent with Stove Hole. She has styled her cotton canvas tent with some beautiful bunting, statement rugs and lots of funky pillows.

Although Kathie hasn't been able to go camping yet she's certainly made good use of it in the garden and it's been host to her daughters birthday party, family sleepovers, a movie night and halloween happenings. It's even been home to a little lamb!

Check out the bell tent stories in Kathie's feed for how best to bring the holiday to your garden. There's inspiration for every season plus fairy lights to make your garden glow!

It's certainly gives us some motivation to dust off the soft furnishings and start planning our next pitch this season. We hope its given you some.

Check out her feed for Bell Tent inspo, classy home decor and everything pink and floral - @the_koo_koo_nest