Camping in the rain, how to enjoy a wet weekend in the UK

Every UK camper has a rain story. The tent that held out until 3am, the awning that turned into a paddling pool, the Sunday morning spent wringing out a groundsheet. And yet ask the same campers for their favourite trips and a surprising number will name a wet one: the board games, the sound on the canvas, the first dry mug of tea.

Rain does not ruin a camping trip. Being unprepared for it does. A little forethought on where you pitch, how you set up and what you pack turns a wet weekend from something to survive into something to enjoy.

Choose the pitch before the weather does

Where you pitch matters more than which tent you own. Water runs downhill and pools in hollows, so avoid the lowest corner of a field and any ground with visible dips or bare, compacted patches. Gentle rises and gravel or hardstanding pitches drain best. If you are booking in autumn or spring, it is worth asking the site which pitches stay driest, because the owners know exactly which corner turns to mud after two days of rain.

Trees are a trade-off. A little cover takes the edge off the wind, but a branch dripping onto your tent long after the shower has stopped is no fun, and in a strong gale it is worth thinking twice about camping directly beneath large trees.

Set up for the worst, hope for the best

A few habits make a big difference:

• Pitch with the door facing away from the prevailing wind, so you are not opening it into a gust.
• Put the groundsheet inside the edges of the tent, not poking out, so rain does not run down it and underneath you.
• Tighten the guy lines properly. A taut flysheet sheds water and a slack one flaps, sags and leaks at the seams.

If you can, pitch before the rain arrives. Pitching in a downpour is what turns a tent into a puddle with bedding in it.

Make a dry zone

The secret of a happy wet weekend is one genuinely dry, comfortable place. An awning, a tarp rigged over a picnic table or a gazebo gives you somewhere to cook, sit and take wet boots off without trampling everything into the sleeping area. Keep wet and dry separate: a bag for dirty waterproofs by the door, a dry bag for clean clothes, and a line or rack for things to dry out between showers.

Never cook inside a tent, however tempting the weather. Fuel stoves and enclosed spaces are a serious fire and carbon monoxide risk, so use the awning with good ventilation, or better still the site's camping kitchen if it has one.

Pack for wet, not just for warm

Our UK camping packing list covers the full kit, but a few items earn extra priority when the forecast looks grim: proper waterproof jackets and trousers rather than showerproof ones, a spare pair of socks per day, a pair of wellies or waterproof boots, a quick-dry towel and a head torch. A pack of cards and a flask matter more than they sound.

Plan the rainy-day half of the trip

The best wet weekends have a plan B. Look at what is nearby before you go: a pub with a fire, a museum, a swimming pool, a coastal walk that is better in a drizzle than a heatwave. Having somewhere to go for a few hours also lets the tent air out, which helps with condensation.

Choose a site that makes rain easier

Facilities show their worth when it is wet. When you are comparing sites, look for:

• Hardstanding or well-draining pitches.
• A covered area, camping kitchen or games room.
• Drying facilities, or at least a heated, well-lit shower block.
• A clear cancellation policy, in case the forecast turns truly severe.

Check what the site says about pitch surfaces and wet-weather facilities, and read recent reviews from autumn and spring visits for an honest picture of how it copes.

The upside of a wet trip

Wet-weather camping rewards the people who go anyway. Sites are quieter, the countryside is green and the first sunny break after a shower feels like a gift. Pack well, pitch sensibly and you will find that the memories you keep are rarely the dry ones. When you are ready to book, find a campsite and check its pitch types and facilities before you do.