Camping Reviews: Tested Picks for 2026

Camping puts the basics back at the centre of a trip: a pitch, a dry night and a working stove. This section covers campsites, tents and gear, with honest notes on facilities, prices and the kit that earns its space.

What this category covers

We cover simple tent pitches, family sites with pools and shops, and glamping plots with a real bed. Alongside the sites, we cover the gear: what to buy well, what to borrow and what to leave on the shelf.

How we pick sites and gear

For sites, we weigh drainage, showers, quiet hours and how far the nearest shop sits. For gear, we judge the tent and the sleeping system first, because those two decide whether camping is fun. Reviews mention the failures, so we look for the details a brochure leaves out.

Where to start

Begin with the best camping sites for 2026, then run through the camping gear checklist before your first trip. Late spring and early autumn offer the best balance of dry weather and quiet pitches.