Inspiration

How to create the ultimate campout at home

Ella Perryman Profile Image

Ella Perryman

Sawday's Expert

5 min read

There's nothing like being outside in nature all day; from long, salty days on the beach to evenings under the stars. While we aren’t able to wake up to the sound of the waves or enjoy barbecue dinners on the beach right now, that doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy a bit of adventure. In this guide, we share three steps to creating an ultimate campout night at home.

 

The outdoor firepit at St Catherine Tea Pavilion in Bath

1. Set up a campfire

There’s something utterly relaxing about sitting around a crackling fire; talking, relaxing, listening to the owls hooting and watching the stars twinkling above.  

A simple fire-lighting technique is to lay two medium-sized logs next to each other, leaving a small gap between them for air. Place a firelighter on the gap and carefully place some kindling in a triangular shape over the firelighter. Light the firelighter and once the kindling has caught, slowly continue to add more. Eventually, you can start adding logs and the fire will be ready and roaring.

If you want to go all out, you could cook up a storm for the whole family with this brilliant campfire chilli recipe from chef Tom Herbert.

 

 

2. Get toasting s’mores

We love toasting marshmallows on the fire, but why not go one step extra and treat your gang to a campfire s’more? What are those, we hear you say? These little pockets of goodness are made up of melted marshmallows sandwiched between chocolate digestive biscuits Here’s our tried and tested recipe:

  1. Toast your marshmallow using a stick. Keep rotating to ensure you don’t burn it! You want your marshmallow to be soft and gooey.
  2. Pop the marshmallow in between your two digestive biscuits. For best results, wait a minute or two to ensure that the warm marshmallow melts the chocolate. 

 

 

3. Swap screens for stargazing

One of the best feelings of being on holiday is completely switching off from our busy lives and getting away from technology. Time previously spent around phones and computers are swapped for days out in nature, spending quality time with loved ones.

Stargazing is a brilliant way to get away from screens in the evenings, and research has shown that it can instil a sense of perspective and grounding that has wonderful benefits on your well-being.

This handy guide from our sister company, Canopy & Stars, includes helpful tips on how to build your own observatory and what to look out for in the dark skies.

 

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Ella Perryman

Sawday's Expert

Outdoor enthusiast from the sea to the tallest mountains, content creator, dog mum. Growing up in Devon means Ella knows the south west very well but she also spends a lot of time in Wales and is on the lookout for dog-friendly places and activities wherever she goes. Her years in marketing have given her a keen eye for an interesting story and she loves the character she finds in Sawday's places, from decor and design to the owners' bookshelves.
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