Category: Hints and Tips

In the midst of COP27, and its increasingly crucial message of reducing our global impact on the environment, we’ve rounded up some simple yet often overlooked ways that you can do your part for the environment when camping whilst still enjoying a relaxing, luxurious break. 

Reduce your plastic

This is one of the easiest ways to reduce your carbon footprint. Instead of buying pre-packaged food which uses lots of unnecessary plastic, consider preparing your food at home in sustainable packaging such as beeswax parchment paper, reusable tupperware, or even ziplock bags (you can find great recipes to prepare at home on our blog about barbeque recipes). 

Use metal or reusable water bottles and eco-friendly cutlery instead of single-use plastic ones that end up in a landfill. There is a vast array of options to choose from, many of which are cost-effective when you consider the long-term use. 

Buy sustainable charcoal alternatives

If you’re planning on having a barbeque whilst on your camping trip, consider purchasing some sustainable charcoal alternatives such as eco-friendly coals made from coconut husks, or smokeless coals that use crushed olive stones thus creating less CO2. There are lots of new varieties available in the UK, including sustainable firelighters, so it’s worth taking a look to see what would be the most suitable for your needs. 

Install solar panels 

You may have already opted for the more eco-friendly choice of buying a second hand caravan, but if you wanted to take this a step further, installing solar panels is a great way of reducing your energy usage for appliances, though it is always worth checking with the caravan park if they have any rules on this or permissions needed. You will need to shop around for a quote, but you will be provided with an accurate estimate as well as an outline of the work involved. 

Use eco-friendly products 

If you’re on a longer holiday, you may find that you want to do your laundry on-site (Coombe Caravan has a laundry room with three washing lines) then why not opt for an eco-friendly alternative to chemical detergents? Some brands offer laundry tablets that are so small you can fit them in your pocket, making them incredibly accessible as well as sustainable. You can also do the same for multi-purpose sprays and other household cleaning if you’re staying in a static caravan or your own.

Bring a bike  

Riding a bike instead of driving to nearby attractions is not only a brilliant way of taking in the local flora and fauna, but it also significantly reduces your carbon footprint. There are so many affordable options to choose from, and you’ll be getting in enough daily exercise to make up for the smores by the campfire in the evening! Again, check out your local second-hand websites to grab a bargain whilst also increasing those environmental brownie points. 

Enjoy our bee-friendly flower display

Did you know that Brian plants over 7500 bedding flowers a year? This feast of the eyes and nose is not just for people, it also attracts some critically important bees to the gardens, which aid pollination and encourage biodiversity, many of which are declining to dangerously low numbers. Bring a deck chair and a cup of tea and bask in the natural beauty that the park has to offer. 

After a long day pitching the tent and exploring your new surroundings, nothing is better than sitting down by the campfire to enjoy a hearty meal. In this article we will be sharing some delicious and unique dishes that can be made easily with just a few pre-packed ingredients.

(Remember – it’s important you store your food below 5 degrees celsius and separate dry and raw foods to avoid any contamination.) 

Pizza

This recipe doesn’t require any kneading or preparing of dough. Just take a few English muffins, cut in half, add some pizza sauce and toppings, and grate some sharp cheddar or mozzarella on top.

Pop them on the grill until the cheese has become molten and the toppings are cooked all the way through.

If you want to go luxury you can buy a premade pizza dough and place it on a cast iron skillet along with the toppings. The heat retention of the cast iron will ensure the pizza is cooked evenly throughout. 

Veggie frittata

A recipe that works best on a fire that has low embers, this frittata brings inspiration from the mediterranean straight to your camp.

Whisk together 4 eggs and add salt, pepper, and a pinch of grated nutmeg. Add some double cream to the egg mixture and pour half into the pan.

At this point you can add any veggies you like for example rocket, spinach and chives. Once it starts to set, pour the remaining egg mix in and cover with a lid for approximately 15 minutes.

Serve with fresh bread (which you can buy from our farm store) and enjoy.

Grilled fish

Another impossibly simple recipe that requires a fillet of your choosing, tin foil, and some olive oil and a lemon.

Add a glug of oil to the fish whilst placed in the foil, squeeze some lemon juice on top (add a few slices to the top if desired), sprinkle with some seasonings and wrap fully.

The fish will be ready once the inside is opaque and piping hot. Serve up with some cooked veggies or a salad for a healthy but substantial meal. 

Chicken kebab skewers

This one is even more straightforward as you can do most of the prep at home.

Start by cutting the chicken into bite-sized cubes and soaking into a marinade of honey, dijon mustard, salt and pepper.

Add to a freezer bag and let it marinade in the fridge overnight. At the camp, cut some onions and pepper and assemble your skewer evenly with the marinated chicken.

You can also add baby tomatoes straight on the skewer which creates a wonderful sweetness. Cook until the chicken is opaque and the juices run clear.  

Smores

Is it even a camping trip without the fabled smores being served as dessert? The great thing about this recipe is you can use whatever you want with it.

Get two biscuits of your choice (smaller ones like oreos, rich tea, or the Border biscuits that come in a twin pack are ideal) and add a piece of chocolate in the middle.

It’s probably better to have a semi-sweet chocolate as the sweetness of the biscuit and marshmallow can be a bit overpowering.

Get your skewers ready and pop one marshmallow on top before letting it slowly cook over the open fire until brown and gooey.

Remove from the skewer using the biscuit and enjoy (maybe wait a minute for the molten marshmallow to cool down).

Cooked apples

A healthier option but one that’s equally as delicious.

Cut across the top of the apple and remove the middle so that you’ve got enough space to fill with a fruit of your choice that’s been mixed with brown sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon.

Wrap the apple in some tin foil, place on a griddle on the fire and cook for 10 minutes. If this feels a bit too healthy for you, you can serve with ice-cream or cream. 

If you forget anything on your trip, or want to skip the hassle of getting dessert ready you can visit our on-site shop for a variety of freshly made cakes and bread. We also have fridges available to rent for £2/night to ensure your meat and other perishable items are stored safely and securely. 

Perhaps you’ve just bought your first caravan and are ready to embark on an exciting holiday, or maybe you want to relax in a static caravan or become one with nature by sleeping in a tent.

Whether you’re a solo traveller, a couple, or a family going on their biannual holiday, it’s important to know what to pack as well as some key considerations to make, resulting in you saving you time and money.

Keep your motorhome safe

If you’ve chosen to travel in a motorhome then, regardless of where you’re travelling to, it’s a good idea to take out travel insurance to keep you and your vehicle safe.

If you tow your caravan behind your car then you can take out something called ‘touring caravan insurance’. This means that you are covered for any damage that occurs to your caravan specifically whilst in tow. If you own a static caravan then you may have to buy static caravan insurance as part of the conditions of keeping it in a park.

It is important to note that you must take out motorhome insurance – this is not optional, and you will be breaking the law if you do not have a valid policy.

Think of it like car insurance where you can purchase either third party, third party and theft, or fully comprehensive insurance. The difference is a motorhome obliges the owner with accommodation and cooking/washing facilities so there are more things to consider when taking out a policy.

Pack securely

If you are driving a motorhome, you’ll want to ensure your belongings are stored securely so you don’t have to deal with falling debris mid-drive. Pack the heaviest items above the axle, whilst lighter objects like clothing can be stored in cabinets or, ideally, on the floor for safety.

As you’ve likely already got the bed, TV, and kitchen covered, the most important things to remember to pack for your motorhome holiday are toothpaste/toothbrushes, chargers and batteries, sun protection, and plenty of clothing.

If you’re staying in a static caravan, or camping in the wild and travelling by car or public transport then this of course won’t be an issue. However, it is recommended to buy a hiking rucksack (if you’re going to be doing a lot of walking) to ensure an even distribution of weight across your back to avoid any physical injury

A checklist for campers

Here’s a quick guide on what to take with you on your camping trip:

Tent
Tent pegs (you can also buy from our on-site shop)
Sleeping bag/mat
Towels
Mallet
Torch
Air pump
Batteries
Insect repellent
Toothbrush/toothpaste (available in our shop)
Kitchen cutlery and crockery
Tin and bottle opener

This list is non-exhaustive, however if you’d like to know more about what we have available at our on-site shop, you can contact us at enquiries@coombecaravanpark.co.uk or visit https://www.coombecaravanpark.co.uk/caravans-and-camping/

Take the pressure off

Organising a holiday can be a stressful time for individuals and families alike, so to take the stress out of planning and packing, why not book a static holiday home for your next break?

At Coombe Caravan, all of our static homes feature a fully fitted kitchen, bed linen and tea towels, a TV, and also a hi-fi to kick back and listen to some relaxing tunes.

Our on-site convenience shop stocks freshly baked bread and means no panicking because you forgot to pack a toothbrush or the tea!

We also provide a ‘Camper’s Kitchen’ where campers can use the electric hobs (on a £1 meter), microwave, and sink to prepare food in the event the weather decides to take a turn.

Our toilet block provides clean toilets and free showers and hair dryers. There are two private bathrooms for disabled customers to use.

Our barbeque area offers space for lunch and evening meals with plenty of covered seating for those bad weather days.

It can be difficult to remember everything you need to take with you on your next trip, and hopefully this short guide has given you some pointers on what to do once you’ve booked your trip. If you have any questions about pitching a tent or hiring space for your motorhome, then feel free to contact us on enquiries@coombecaravanpark.co.uk . We look forward to welcoming you to our park!