Camping is something I NEVER thought I would do.

It’s just not me – I’m the girl (ok, woman, I guess!) who is never fully dressed without full make-up or a spray tan, even just to nip to the local co-op!

However, a while back, I had this crazy notion that there was a bunch of stuff I NEEDED to do to be an amazeballs mum, that my kids would think, ‘yeah, this chick rocks’ and all that. Take learning to ride a bike for example, or going to Disney – all things I shuddered at the thought of before but actually ended up enjoying more than the kids!

And on that list was the dreaded camping. Bugs, mud, cold, mess, cars full to the gunnels of inflatable stuff – it all spelled doom in my eyes until I finally bit the bullet and went for it. I am savvy enough to go with loads of friends and their kids though, who are all seasoned pro’s and actually make this al fresco lark look, well, fun!

This year – only my second time – we chose Wicksteed Park in Kettering because as well as being within an hour’s drive of home (we are not that bold really) it also has an awesome theme park to amuse the kids if (when!) the weather turns against us.

A great place to look for a campsite that’s right for you is campsites.co.uk

First off, we made a little vlog of our adventure – enjoy!

Day one, filled with sunshine fuelled enthusiasm, we arrived at Wicksteed.

A stone’s throw from the park is a super handy retail park fully loaded with an Argos, Aldi & Tesco amongst others. We picked up our click & collect and round the corner no more than a mile we went.

Yup, I was impressed with my organisational skills too peeps!

The site is busy from the off, with day-trippers simply visiting the impressive dual-sited them park and we weaved our way past them with our overstuffed car through the campsite to our chosen spot.

We had a cunning plan, go to the farthest corner, away from the madding crowds and set up camp in our own little oasis. We discovered around 2am why it was the least populated spot as the night train whizzed noisily by!

They were intermittent though and by Sunday night, the drivers had clocked off and peace was once more restored.

 

Setting up camp is best left to those who know what they are doing and we waited til one by one each tarpaulin triumph was raised then claimed the pro’s to help make good with ours.

The children swiftly set about familiarising themselves with their new home and quick as a flash there was footie, cricket and hide and seek on the go.

I must confess, a fabulous by-product of camping is that the kids organically amuse themselves and a smattering of sunshine on their backs ensures happy tantrum free small folk. A device free weekend is a welcome break for the grown-ups from YouTube time allocation negotiations or being shunned in favour of Pokemon.

An obligatory barbeque the first evening got us all in the al fresco spirit and kids down for the night, it was time for a grown-up gathering round the campfire. Well, at least it would have been if they were permitted by the powers-that-be. A firepit is a lovely central point but is against the rules but we did spy several cheeky monkeys rebelling and parching the park anyway.

The night was cold and restless, but that’s more down to the culture shock of sleeping under the stars and dealing with withering premature deflation of the airbeds than any other forces.

As dawn broke, the children were, as always, up with the lark and our camp slowly came to life. A grey day loomed and an afternoon forecast of heavy rain gave us the incentive to get ourselves a hearty breakfast and up to the theme park to let the kids have the best of the day before the heavens opened.

Wow, the kids couldn’t get in there fast enough! Squeals of delight as they zipped to the front of the limp line for rollercoaster, log flume rides and other daring delights. It’s no Universal Studios but Wicksteed have created a veritable treasure trove of fun to occupy the kids and adults alike.

Thirty rip-roaring rides, zip wires, go-karts, mini planes, indoor play area, dodgems, traditional swing park, full train station, an aviary – all in the mix to keep the minions happy.

Not to shoddy on the food front – if painfully slow with little grumbling tums – we grabbed a typical theme park lunch and even found space for all our party undercover as the rain came.  The post-clubbing favourite of chips and curry sauce delighted me and the best Oreo Milkshakes this side of the Ocean proved a hit all round.

 

Post lunch it was downpour central, the likes of which I have seldom seen other than in warmer climes, so it was every man for himself as we sped back to base. Soaked to the skin we stripped everything back and I was uber relived to have packed those extra bits and pieces to allow us not to worry about the waterfall.

Dominos ordered and wine poured, the ground dried out enough for a Dads and lads game of footie and everyone was happy once more.

 

Hubby had joined us on the second day and after my chilly night before, he came bearing gifts of hot water bottles and extra quilts for the cold-blooded one (me!) So I had a toasty, train free night’s sleep.

 

 

Sadly the same can’t be said for my hubby and the boys as their mattress behaved like a warped whoopee cushion and slowly puckered til it was flat as a pancake.

The shower blocks were as good as can be expected, plenty of mirrors, a good number of showers and sinks, but a big bugbear with myself and the other ladies we encountered were the hairdryers which spat out a paltry puff of air, so be armed with plenty of dry shampoo ladies or bring a big bag of patience!

We eat well since we camp with the experts and a lovely full English paved the way for the rest of the day. Sunshine shone once more and it was back to some family fun with friends and plenty of laughs.

Two hearty nights camping done and we headed home late afternoon as I was taking Harry to the press night of DAN TDM Live at Milton Keynes Theatre so we had to leave a day early. Always leave on a high though I say, and magical memories at Wicksteed Park ensure we are raring to go for next year.

Have you been camping before? Is it your worst nightmare? Where do you recommend and have you tried Wicksteed?