Do you always forget that one thing, when packing a lot of things to go camping or to a multi-day camping festival?

I do. Perhaps it will help to have a massive list, to check things off from.

Some items are optional, but I figure it’s better to have everything listed, and remove the things that aren’t needed, rather than the other way around.

Clothing

  • Regular clothing
  • Waterproof jacket if rain possible
  • Warm jumper/jacket/thermals if cold weather
  • Wide-brimmed hat if sunny
  • Thermal/insulated hat/beanie if cold
  • Shoes and/or boots and/or wellington boots

Sleeping

  • Mattress if required
  • Sleeping bag or bedding
  • Sheet if warm weather
  • Extra blanket if cold weather
  • Pillow
  • Eye mask
  • Ear plugs

Everyday

  • Head torch
  • Hand torch
  • Water bottle
  • Sunscreen
  • Lip balm
  • Insect repellant
  • Sunglasses
  • Volume-reducing earplugs, if music festival

Coffee

  • Coffee beans or ground coffee
    • Grinder if using beans
  • Aeropress / Moka pot / Pour-over filter holder
    • Filter papers if required

Food

This is going to be very person specific, but don’t forget:

  • Water
  • Rehydration tablets (Hydrolite, Hydralyte, etc)
  • Salt & pepper
  • Bread
  • Butter
  • Juice
  • Cheese
  • Muesli bars

Food prep

  • A sharp knife for cutting fruit/veg
  • Bowls
  • Plates
  • Knives, forks and spoons
  • Paper towels
  • Tea towel
  • Dish scrubber
  • Dishwashing detergent
  • Kettle
  • Saucepan
  • Frying pan
  • Gas stove
  • Gas
  • Lighter, if required for stove

Sanitation and cleaning

  • Bin bags
  • Toilet roll
  • Hand sanitiser
  • Baby wipes
  • Flannel
  • Soap
  • Potentially a bucket for washing

Shelter

  • Tent or caravan or campervan
  • Ropes
  • Screw-in pegs
  • Battery drill/driver
  • Tarps
  • Marquee/Gazebo

Campsite

  • Camp chairs
  • Camp folding table
  • Lantern
  • Fairy lights
  • First aid kit
  • USB power bank, if no other power source available
  • Charging cables

Vehicle

  • Jumper cables / jumpstarter
  • Tyre pressure gauge
  • Tyre inflator
  • Spare key

Caravan / Campervan specific

  • Leveling ramps
  • Recovery track, if muddy conditions
  • Wheel chocks

Tools

  • CB radios
  • Multitool
  • Multimeter
  • Wire strippers
  • Screw drivers
  • Socket set

Medicines

  • First aid kit
  • Band-aids / Sticking plasters
  • Some mild painkillers
  • Rehydration salts (Hydralyte, Hydrolite, etc)
  • Antihistimines