Casual Camping Podcast

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For their 150th episode, Ade and Tim have set each other a challenge.

They have been given a virtual £150 to spend on camping gear. There is just one catch: the entire budget must be spent on a single item.

No splitting the money. No sensible combinations. One purchase. £150. Final answer.

After carefully considering their options, both have arrived at their chosen item and must now defend their decision under the scrutiny of the other. Was the money spent wisely? Could they have chosen something better? Or...

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Before we lit campfires, pitched tents or headed off on adventures of our own, many of us were inspired by somebody else's.

This week, Tim and Ade discuss the films and programmes that fuelled their love of the outdoors. From epic adventures and wild landscapes to memorable camping scenes, they reflect on the stories that made them want to leave the sofa behind and head outside.

As the nights draw in and darkness arrives earlier, the conversation also turns to a camping tradition many of us know...

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As the seasons shift, so do our camping habits.

This week, Tim and Ade discuss what the arrival of autumn means for campers across the Northern Hemisphere. With colder nights drawing in and hot tent season just around the corner, it’s time to think about how your setup, gear and camping plans might need to adapt for the months ahead.

At the same time, our listeners in the Southern Hemisphere are heading in the opposite direction. While many campers in the UK are preparing for frosty mo...

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With the world seemingly going to hell in a handcart faster than you can say “Zombie Apocalypse”, Tim and Ade tackle a surprisingly tricky question: is camping actually prepping?

The skills we practise every time we head into the camping field can sound suspiciously familiar. Carrying essential equipment. Purifying water. Cooking outdoors. Keeping warm. Finding shelter. Being self sufficient.

So at what point does a camper become a prepper?

In this episode, Tim and Ade explore the similarities, differences and occasional overlap between the two worl...

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The long summer evenings are fading, temperatures are dropping, and many campers are about to put their gear through its toughest test of the year.

This week, Tim and Ade discuss how to keep your camping kit performing at its best as the shoulder season arrives. From muddy boots and waterproof clothing to tents, guy lines and everything in between, they share the simple habits that can help extend the life of your equipment and save you money in the long run.

Whether you’re planning autumn ad...

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Imagine having the responsibility of designing the one piece of camping equipment we’re all obsessed with.

This week, Tim and Ade sit down with Jason Gilmore, tent designer at Vango, to discover what goes into creating the shelters we trust for our camping adventures.

From the first sketch to the final product, Jason takes us behind the scenes of the design process, revealing how new tents are developed, tested and refined before they ever reach a campsite.

Along the way, Tim and Ade also ex...

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A bold claim. Some might even say a ridiculous one.

This week, listener and friend of the show Thom presents a detailed report challenging Ade and Tim’s long held assertion that camping costs nothing.

According to Thom, nothing does in fact cost something. It weighs something. It occupies space. And in some cases, that “nothing” can become so large and expensive that it requires a trailer, a van, or an entirely new storage solution.

Armed with evidence, logic and suspiciously thorough research, Thom puts the Ca...

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What do you do when the weather forecast looks terrible and the rain refuses to stop?

This week, Tim and Ade head into the camping field at Brooklyn Grange Farm, a working dairy farm with a fantastic farm shop run by a mother and daughter team. Unfortunately, the weather had other plans.

Over three very wet days, the lads discovered that a good camping trip isn’t always about sunshine, blue skies and perfect conditions. Sometimes it’s about adapting, staying positive and finding ways to enjoy your...

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Sometimes things don’t go according to plan.

This week, life got in the way, schedules refused to cooperate, and Tim and Ade found themselves without a full episode ready for the first time in a long time.

Rather than leave you with complete silence, they made what may prove to be an even worse decision.

With a little help from Aye’up (artificial intelligence) and a complete lack of professional musical ability, they have created what they firmly believe is the next chart topping camp...

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If Tim could go back to the very beginning of his camping journey, knowing everything he knows now, what would he buy differently?

This week, Ade sets Tim a challenging question. With the benefit of years of experience, countless camping trips and more than a few questionable purchases, where would he spend his money if he had to start all over again?

Together they revisit those early camping days, reflect on the mistakes, and explore which pieces of kit genuinely deserve a place at the top of...

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This week’s episode wasn’t supposed to feel quite so timely.

As much of the country faced extremely hot, dry conditions, Tim and Ade sat down to discuss a topic that every camper should take seriously: fire safety in the outdoors.
From campfires and fire pits to stoves, BBQs and anything involving a naked flame, the conditions had created a very real risk across campsites, farmland and the countryside.

For Tim, the issue felt particularly close to home. Wildfires had broken out nearby, destroying homes and...

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This week Tim and Ade lean back in their camp chairs, (a few) beers in hand, fire crackling, and record straight from the field. It’s loose, warm, slightly chaotic, and absolutely soaked in that midweek magic — the kind you only get when you’ve snuck out for a cheeky local overnighter after work.

They dive into the art of guilt‑free camping: how slipping away on a Monday night can spare you that look from your significant other. The look that says “another weekend… really?”. By keeping it local, keeping...

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Tim and Ade received an extra special invitation to head north to Glasgow for a behind-the-scenes experience with one of the UK's most recognisable and beloved outdoor brands, Vango.

As Vango celebrates its 60th anniversary, the lads spent two days immersed in the world of camping and outdoor adventure. From exploring the latest tents, awnings, furniture and camping innovations to getting hands-on with products that have yet to be announced, it really was a case of kids in a toyshop.

The adventure didn't stop at the factory...

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This week’s episode is a mix of studio chat and field recording as Tim answers an unexpected call to duty.

With very little notice, Tim found himself rapidly throwing together a kit list, loading up the essentials, and heading off on a lengthy journey to a remote campsite. The mission? To spend a night under canvas and help rescue a damsel in distress. Not all heroes wear capes, and apparently some carry camping gear instead.

From last-minute packing and travel challenges to the realities of an un...

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This week Tim and Ade kick things off with a healthy dose of classic Casual Camping chaos — the kind of warm, wandering banter that somehow manages to be both completely off‑topic and absolutely essential. Before long they tumble into the main theme: how to make sure you don’t forget a single thing when heading out on a camping adventure.

They chat through the tools, tricks, and systems that actually work, from digital checklists to old‑school methods that stop you arriving at the campsite only to realise your sto...

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This week Tim and Ade bring peak sibling chaos to the mic before eventually remembering they’re meant to be talking about family camping. Between the tangents, questionable stories, and at least one argument about snacks, they somehow deliver a cracking guide to making trips with the kids fun instead of feral.

They chat about surviving the journey without losing your mind, pitching camp without a meltdown, and keeping the little ones entertained with adventures that cost absolutely nothing. Expect practical tips, plenty of laughter, and the usual dose of...

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In this episode, Ade and Tim take a step back and look at their micro adventure with fresh eyes. A few days have passed since their night ascent of Mount Snowdon — the climb, the camp, the sunrise breakfast — and now it’s time to reflect.

They talk through what went well, what they’d do differently, and how the whole experience has settled in now that the dust has been brushed off and the tiredness has faded. From the quiet moments on the mountain to the laughter that carried them thr...

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In this episode, Ade and Tim finally put their plan into action. After a full day at work, they jumped in the car, headed straight for Mount Snowdon, and began their night ascent. What followed was a mix of tired legs, head‑torch‑lit paths, unexpected moments of calm, and the kind of quiet excitement that only comes from doing something slightly unhinged on a weekday evening.

They reached the summit in the dark, pitched the tent in the wind, and settled in for a few hours of cold, rest...

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This week, Ade and Tim dive into the planning stage of their upcoming micro adventure — a simple but brilliant idea that’s been bubbling away for a while. The plan is wonderfully straightforward: finish work one evening, jump in the car, head straight to Mount Snowdon, climb it in the dark, camp on the summit, and wake up ready to cook breakfast as the sun rises over the mountains.

In this first part, they talk through how the idea came about, how they’ll time the journey and the night...

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This week Ade and Tim unpack one of the biggest — and most surprising — trends from last week’s Outdoor Trade Show in Liverpool: the explosion of day coolers.

While the industry has spent years obsessing over multi‑day, expedition‑grade cool boxes that promise to keep ice frozen for 3, 4, even 5 days, this year the pendulum swung the other way. Everywhere the lads turned, brands were showing off coolers designed for real life: the beach afternoon, the park picnic, the long drive, the spontaneous day out.

Soft coolers, hard coole...

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This week Ade and Tim take the listeners behind the curtain of the UK’s most exciting, most secretive, and most tantalisingly off‑limits event in the camping calendar: The Outdoor Trade Show in Liverpool.

It’s the show you can’t buy tickets for.

The show where everything is shiny, new, and won’t hit the shelves until next year.

The show that turns two grown men into excitable children with press passes.

Travelling up by train, the lads dive into a full day o...

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This week Tim and Ade unpack their wild weekend running The Barter Barn at The Bushcraft Show — a stall that somehow became the busiest spot on site and raised a small fortune for charity in the process. Think constant crowds, premium gear flying in and out, and trades so bizarre they’ll live forever in podcast lore (yes, including the wedding dress).

From a kid swapping foraged mint for a water bladder, to Damascus knives, Dutch ovens, elf costumes, and a dedicated knife table that appeared out of necessity, the...

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This week on Casual Camping Podcast, head with us to Shell Island in Wales — officially Europe’s largest campsite — to find out whether 400 acres of camping paradise really deserves its legendary reputation. From clifftop sea views and giant sandy beaches to woodland hammock spots and dunes that make you feel completely off-grid, you’ll hear why this place keeps drawing campers back year after year.

You’ll also join Tim as he tests his brand-new Vango Sierra TC Air 300 in some proper coastal wind, while Ade return...

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This week on Casual Camping Podcast we’re building the ultimate camp cooking HQ in Camp Kitchen Setup!

From where to put your stove, to how not to spend half your evening rummaging through bags looking for the spatula in the dark, we chat through the little tweaks that can turn a chaotic camp kitchen into a smooth-running outdoor café… or at least somewhere you can successfully cook without dropping half your dinner in the grass.

We talk about kitchen layout, keeping your kit organised, and why sling...

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This week on Casual Camping Podcast, Tim packs up his camping kit, boards a plane, and heads north to Scotland for a wild camping adventure on the cliffs overlooking the village where his dad once lived. Along the way, he meets up with sister Laura, turning the trip into a memorable family adventure as well as a camping challenge.

With airline luggage limits, airport security rules, and a long carry into the field to think about, careful planning became essential. Ade and Tim chat through the realities of flying...

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Gourmet cooking… in a tent… with Ade and Tim. What could possibly go wrong?

In this week’s episode, they boldly attempt to elevate their campsite cuisine from “questionable beige” to something approaching fine dining. Yes, really. Armed with questionable confidence, a few ambitious ingredients, and the usual lack of coordination, they set out to prove that even two blokes who can barely organise a brew-up might just be capable of producing something… edible. Possibly even impressive.

Fresh from a brilliant trip to Cumbria with friends, they swap stories...

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This week, Tim and Ade face their biggest challenge yet… fitting two full camping setups into one vehicle. No pressure.

In The Great Pack Down, they’re planning a Cumbria getaway and, thanks to a 4 hour car sharing journey, are forced (yes, forced) to rethink their usual “bring everything just in case” approach. With limited space and big ambitions, it’s time to strip things back and figure out what you actually need for a brilliant weekend outdoors.

There’s plenty of debate, some surprisingly sensible dec...

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This week on Casual Camping Podcast, Ade and Tim are, quite literally, full of hot air.

The lads are chatting all things air beam tents — those magical inflatable marvels that seem to pop up in minutes while everyone else on the campsite is still arguing with a bag of poles and a set of instructions written by a madman.

Ade has taken the plunge with his first ever air beam tent, and safe to say, he absolutely loves it. There may be a slight hint of smugness as...

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In this week’s episode of Casual Camping Podcast, Ade and Tim are talking about Stand Up Camping — making camping easier, smarter, and far more practical when squeezing into tiny tents and crawling around on the floor just isn’t cutting it anymore.

This isn’t just about getting older or chasing extra comfort; it’s about camping smarter right now so you can keep enjoying the outdoors for years to come. From choosing gear that’s easier to live with, to creating a setup that works with you rather than...

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This week on Casual Camping Podcast, Ade and Tim tackle one of the biggest frustrations for outdoor lovers everywhere: how do you actually get out camping more often when life keeps getting in the way?

With work, family, social commitments, and the general chaos of modern life, finding the time to escape outdoors can feel like a challenge in itself. In this episode, they share an absolute tonne of practical tips, clever shortcuts, and honest advice on how to make camping a more regular part of life.

...

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In this week’s episode of Casual Camping Podcast, Ade and Tim tackle a topic every camper has probably grumbled about recently — the rising cost of camping fuel.

From gas canisters that seem to empty your wallet faster than your stove, to the ever-changing price of petrol, and even the not-so-“free” cost of firewood, it’s getting harder to keep things cheap and cheerful in the great outdoors.

The lads share their own experiences, a few frustrations, and plenty of laughs as they explore what’s behind the p...

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In this week’s episode of Casual Camping Podcast, Ade and Tim share a more personal conversation. After the recent loss of their dad, they reflect on how getting outdoors and spending time camping has helped them process their grief.

They talk about how stepping away from the noise of everyday life—sitting around a campfire, walking in the woods, and simply being outside—created the space to think, talk, and remember.

This episode isn’t about having the answers to grief, but about sharing how the outdoors...

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This week on Casual Camping Podcast, Ade and Tim head out into the field for one of the most unique events in the outdoor industry — Outdoor & Social.

Outdoor & Social is a trade show with a difference. Rather than being aimed at buyers, press, or influencers, the event is designed specifically for retail store staff who sell outdoor equipment every day. It gives them the chance to step away from the shop floor and actually use the gear they recommend to customers, learning about it directly from the br...

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In this special episode Tim and Ade are joined by legendary wilderness filmmaker Joe Robinet, whose solo camping adventures and cinematic storytelling have inspired millions of people to get outside.

We chat with Joe about his journey into filmmaking, his love of canoe trips and winter camping, and what it’s really like spending long stretches alone in the wild. Along the way we also discover that Ade may have been slightly more excited about this interview than anyone expected… #fanboy

It’s a rela...

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This week on the Casual Camping Podcast, Ade and Tim welcome listeners into The Cult of Bell Tents.

What begins as a discussion about canvas and centre poles slowly reveals itself to be something far more committed. From their disciplined military origins to their modern rise as the sacred structure of glamping, bell tents are examined with the reverence they clearly deserve.

Tim speaks openly about his devotion to both the 3-metre and 4-metre bell tent, explaining why once you’ve experienced standing up, fitting a stove, an...

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This week on Casual Camping Podcast, Ade and Tim head to one of the biggest events in the outdoor calendar — the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show 2026! Joined by friend of the show Richard, aka The Fixer, the team take a wander around the largest public-access camping and outdoor show of the year.

From tents and campervans to gadgets, gear, and everything in between, they chat through what caught their eye, what got them excited, and what they probably didn’t need but suddenly really want. Along the way, they also...

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This week on Casual Camping Podcast, Ade and Tim are Reading Between the Guy-lines.

From the books that first planted the seed for getting outdoors, to the dog-eared guides that live permanently in a rucksack, to the slightly sauce-splattered cookbooks that fuel campfire feasts, the pair chat about the words that shaped their camping journeys.

Expect fond nostalgia, questionable culinary ambition, and the realisation that some “instruction manuals” are really just confidence boosters written by people far braver than us.

It’s a relaxed wander throug...

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This week, Ade and Tim return with the Season 4 Opener of the Casual Camping Podcast, and they’re more fired up than ever to be back behind the microphones. After the winter break, they launch straight into an exciting year ahead, packed with big plans, bold ideas, and plenty of time outdoors.

In this episode, they share what’s coming up in Season 4 — from the camping adventures already in the diary, to the shows they’ll be attending, the guests they’ll be sitting down with, and the new eq...

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As we all roll into the New Year, we’ve put together something special to keep your campfire glowing… our Best Bits of Season Three!

This episode is packed with the funniest moments, standout soundbites, unexpected tangents, and all the classic chaos that made Season Three our best one yet. Whether it’s gear mishaps, campsite stories, or the times we completely lost the plot — it’s all here in one cosy, easy-listening bundle.

Perfect for a winter walk, a lazy evening, or that quiet lull that...

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For the final episode of Season 3, Ade and Tim settle in with mince pies, warm drinks, and a crackling imaginary campfire to look back on a brilliant year of camping chaos and podcasting fun.

They chat through their favourite moments from 2025 — the big laughs, the bigger mishaps, the standout listener reviews, the shows we loved, and all the camping adventures that made this season their best yet.

Then they dive into their Top 5 Christmas gift ideas, perfect for campers, adventurers, or anyone who loves a go...