Pack Up Your Young Family For A Late Summer Camping Trip

Now the schools are back and the holiday hotspots are quiet, the timing is perfect if you have a very young family to take them on a peaceful camping trip – don’t forget the travel cot and portable changing mat!

We were inspired after reading Chris Thomond’s ‘Perfect British Camping Holiday’ journal in the Guardian, in which the photographer travelled to popular camping destination Anglesey, North Wales, to the idyllic Tyddyn Isaf campsite and caravan park.

The family-owned site has been running since 1975 and welcomes tourers and campers, as well as providing static caravans for holidaymakers coming to the island to enjoy the sea air, the views and the joys of Anglesey.

Like many camping and caravanning sites in the UK, Tyddyn Isaf is open from March until October, providing the perfect scope for families with babies looking to get away from it all during the quieter periods between half term breaks and the longer school holidays.

New parents who perhaps haven’t been camping before needn’t worry if they have infants with them, as these days there is no need to go without any creature comforts.

Taking a leaf out of Tyddyn Isaf regular Mike Cooper’s book, why rustle in a sleeping bag when you can bring a blow up bed and cosy sheepskin rugs and hot water bottles?

And why deny yourself a decent meal when you can have a family-sized cooker, electric cooler and everything you need to make some family favourites on location?

Of course one of the best things about going on holiday is the beach, and a campsite like Tyddyn Isaf that’s a mere stone’s throw from the seaside is ideal if you have babies and toddlers in case you need to make a quick getaway back to base camp.

Stanley Barret has been coming to Anglesey for 45 years, enjoying the island with his children and his grandchildren too, and believes it is just the ticket for a young family thanks to the safe beaches and the shallow waters for lots of paddling fun if you have little feet.

The Petersens agreed, telling Thomond how it’s the simple pleasures of the beach that keep small children occupied, as they are happy to dig away all day in the sand with their parents.

As well as keeping toddlers entertained, there is the small matter of feeding the youngest members of a family, which can be a stressful thing when holidaying.

Unlike going abroad, a camping break in the UK means being in control of your own meals and buying familiar products in familiar stores if your stocks need replenishing.

This is a big advantage for caravaner James Lewis, who said: “You can bring the food the children are comfortable with instead of getting stressed looking for a restaurant where they might enjoy the meals.” This is something many mums and dads will have agonised over, we are sure.

As well as camping on Anglesey, there are lots of baby-friendly places popping up all over the UK for the perfect staycation – and if you want peace and quiet now the schools are back, now’s the perfect time.