As the end of the main camping season draws near many people are asking what they can do to extend their camping season and how to cope with the colder weather. Here are our tried and tested top tips to help you keep warm and to help you sneak in a few more camping trips before winter creeps in.

We are saddened that the nights are already drawing in, the air is turning cooler, and the campsites are already talking about their end of season. If you are anything like us here at Perfect Pitch Magazine you will be desperately trying to sneak in a few more camping trips and looking for ways to make sure you stay as warm and dry as possible without booking a camping safari in Africa. As avid campers in all weather we want to share with you our top tips to help you make the most of camping out of season. Autumn can be a beautiful time to camp, watching the changing seasons and snuggling up to your loved ones, so get out there and make the most of what the UK can offer and follow a few simple tips to make your trip as comfortable as possible.

1. Make sure you have atop quality 4 season sleeping bag. Mummy style sleeping bags are the best option as they ensure that your back is warm, hugging your body and trapping warm air to keep you warm. Zipping the hood of your sleeping bag up with a fleece pillow inside adds extra warmth and will keep your head warmer stopping you from loosing heat from your head. Some really good sleeping bags to try out are the Nanok Comfort Fibre -10C, the Vango Viper 750 or 1000, or the Coleman Lite 1620.
2. Adding a silk liner to keep in that extra warmth – Vango Cotton Liner keeps in the extra heat and also helps prevent that sweaty sleeping bag feeling.
3. For added comfort and warmth place fleece or wool blankets under your sleeping bag and over the top. If your sleeping bag has loads of space in it adding a fleece blanket inside it will protect you from the cold air circulating.
4. Placing a rug under your roll mat or air bed will protect you from the cold ground.
5. If you use a good quality roll mat instead of an air bed you will be better insulated from the cold ground, as you will not have to heat the cold air trapped in the air bed.
6. Boiling the kettle before bed to fill your Hot Water Bottle and placing it in your sleeping bag before you get in should take the chill off. If you’ve got two, put one under your jumper or pyjamas to warm up before you get in the sleeping bag as getting changed at night is the hardest time of out of season camping. Why not put your pyjamas on earlier and sit round the campfire in them to warm up before bed.
7. If your tent is tall enough using Paraffin lanterns not only creates a more natural glow but generates some extra heat. The warm glow always gives the impression of a warmer tent.
8. An absolute must for out of season camping is a camp site that allows campfires. As the nights draw in you have to have a way of keeping warm, unless you tuck yourself up in bed by six every day.
9. Wear a hat and thick socks to bed, gloves will also keep your hands warmer if they often escape from your sleeping bag. Making sure all of your feet, head and hands are toasty warm prevents heat loss and should keep you comfortable all night.
10. Hot chocolate before bed with drop of brandy, not just a great way to warm up but it tastes fantastic and should help you sleep.
11. If you are serious about out of season camping then a good quality canvas tent with SIG for all weathers is worth splashing out on. Bell Tent.co.uk have recently started selling a Bell Tent with a Groundsheet that is attached with a zip, so if on that rare occasion you get a warm day you can still roll up the sides. It is essential to have a SIG for you are more likely to come across inclement weather at this time of year and keeping warm and dry is the only way to enjoy your camping trips.
12. Make sure you have a good quality set of waterproofs, if you don’t already own any then a trip to Decathlon will kit you out with Quechua waterproof clothing at a good price.
13. Keep your feet warm and dry and prevent your favourite pair of trainers from getting ruined. Take a good waterproof walking boots or wellies. Teva provide a great range of walking shoes, in particular the Dalea Mid eVent’s are a sound purchase.
14. Make sure you keep your rucksack dry, have a spare set of clothes and jumpers in case you do get wet through. It is impossible to dry out if the weather doesn’t let up.
15. Windproof fleece and jackets give you that extra protection and will trap the warm air inside to keep you warm.
16. A good book or radio will keep you entertained if the weather is too poor to venture out. Lazing in your tent in the morning all tucked up in your sleeping bag, reading a book and listening to the rain can often be a perfect moment.
17. Take a camera to catch the changing seasons, autumn colours can be amazing.
18. If you have a campsite with loads of open space and not much shelter a windbreaker may come in handy, but make sure you get one that will withstand the wind and that you take extra guy ropes to secure it.
19. Take lots of tea towels in case they do not dry in the colder weather.
20. Sheepskin rugs are the best way to keep warm. Place them under your sleeping bags, over you as you sleep, on the floor of the tent, wrap yourself up in them or sit on them round the campfire. You can’t beat them for extra warmth and comfort.
21. Don’t forget your flip flops for when you take a shower to avoid freezing feet as you are drying off in showers.
22. Consider EHU for heater, or if not some form of woodburner or charcoal brazier but make sure you pay attention to fire safety regulations.
23. Pack a double burner stove to produce heartier meals for colder nights the PerfectFlow propane stove from Coleman is a real gem or if you relish your Full English Breakfasts then the Campingaz Camping Chef will certainly allow you to cook up a storm.
24. Make sure you rise earlier and plan the days activities to ensure you are not wasting precious daylight.
25. Don’t venture too far from home in case weather is horrendous so you can pack up and return home.
26. Moccasin slippers will keep your feet warm as you pad around your tent.
27. Mulled wine is a perfect sociable way of keeping warm and spicing up your autumn evenings. Brew a batch and sit round the campfire sharing tales of your camping trips.