It’s February and our first camping news post of the year. Typically a slow month in the world of camping, it seems early shoots of spring news are beginning to show through.

Vango launches new website – In time for the 2010 season Vango have launched a spiffing new website. Loving the wooden background. A nod to Go Glamping perhaps?

Pitchup.com predicts the future of UK holidays in the great outdoors – Pitchup.com have looked into their crystal balls and believe camping is headed towards Extreme glamping, urban camping, niche sites and more.

Wild camping bylaws – New legislation could restrict wild camping on the shores of Loch Lomond. A real shame a minority are ruining it for the rest of us, it seems leaving your gear is now de rigueur. For an account of a more thoughtful camper see our post on wild camping at Loch Voil

Camping News 15/02/10 is from Campr - Everything Camping

Pitchup.com introduces ‘Pitch and pub’ proximity search Pitchup.com has partnered with The Good Pub Guide to introduce a ‘pitch and pub’ proximity search that enables users to not only find the best winter camping and caravan sites, but the ones with the best watering holes nearby.

2010 camping gadgets from Stuff.co.nz Whilst we shiver it’s summer down under and Stuff.co.nz have put together of new cool camping gadgets. Gadget geek Ben Gracewood takes a look at the portable espresso maker, gorilla torch and more.

Vango Eco range – In a Tent One of our favourite camping blogs In a Tent have featured Vango’s new eco-tent range. No word if it’s what the protesters in Copenhagen are using.

Camping News 13/12/09 is from Campr - Everything Camping

This week we have two pieces of Vango News, a little toot of our own trumpet and some tents for fairies.

Vango announce final of photo competition – Vango are looking to the public to judge the final of their photography competition. The winning picture will feature as the backdrop to their new website. Currently Photo 1 featuring a young Joni Mitchell lookalike sitting in a tent is the clear leader with 39% of the vote. Our aesthetic sense was called into question when we found our choice (#4) in last place.

Vango Storm Shelter – We have a  review of the DoFE recommended Vango Storm Shelter coming soon by our very own DoFE co-ordinator type person James Lane

Campr 100 Launches! - After months of teasing the Campr 100, our mini-site celebrating 2009′s best campsites finally launched with it’s first twenty sites. We’re going to be adding twenty a week for the next four weeks so keep checking back.

Mini tents!

Deathsarrow spotted these mini tents Anyone know if you can get them in the UK? We want some for our desks!

Camping News – 16/11/09 is from Campr - Everything Camping

The switch has been flicked and The Campr 100 is finally live!

The Campr 100 was based on the recommendation of Campr’s writers, your nominations and an aggregation of other camping sources top site lists. The first twenty entrants are now up to view at www.campr.co.uk/campr100 and we’ll be adding twenty every week for the next five weeks.

I would like to thank everyone who nominated a site, you’ve sent in some real gems. There are plenty of sites in the list that we’ve never visited and hope to get to when the weather warms up a little.

And the winner is…

We’ve put all the names in a (digital) tombola and the winner of a nights stay at their pick of the Campr 100 is… Adele Tracey!

The Campr 100 is LIVE! is from Campr - Everything Camping

Update! A trip to Paris (not camping alas) has paused Campr 100 dev for a couple of days. Bare with us!

Just a quick note to say the Campr 100 has been delayed for a day due to high winds, some kind (probably not swine) of flu and the rigors of putting together the Best 100 Campsites in the UK from all your wonderful nominations.

We’ll get there, it just might take an extra 24 hours or so. Watch this space! (I suppose this phrase is more relevant than ever thanks to the Internet. So truly, watch this space!)

Campr 100 Delayed! is from Campr - Everything Camping

Vango Ultralite 100 Tested – Outdoors Magic Outdoors Magic (my new favourite site, their forums are very friendly) have reviewed the new Vango Ultralite 100.

They love their ultralight kit at Outdoors Magic, I see the Campr reader as being a little more luxury concious but if your climb the odd mountian you can get the Ultralite 100 for just over £100 at Amazon.

Great Depression Tent Cities in the US in 2009 – Youtube “Images of the great depression return” in this news report from the US. Due to the economic crisis people are being forced to live in tent cities in the US, it’s sad but difficult not to cast an eye over their ‘gear’.

Camping Mistakes I’ve Made – The Camping Blogger The Camping Blogger shares the mistakes he’s made whilst camping over the years.

I would add camping next to the toilets at Glastonbury, camping in the highlands during March (scraping ice off a very cheap tent) and a camping holiday to Weston-super-Mare to the list.

Camping News 23/10/09 is from Campr - Everything Camping

Abri Socio – Yanko Design Taking the Quechua Base std a step forward, Becky Greenwood has designed a unique connecting device for two man tents. Ideal for festivals, the Abri Socio consists of a storage pod that can be hung between two man tents, potentially creating a contained circle. It may be tricky to get out after a few festival strengths mind.

Caravan and Motorhome 2009

The Caravan and Motorhome show 2009 has been taking place this week and if you’re not tempted by our winter camping guide then you may be going to the ‘darkside’ for the winter. Here’s our pick of the show.

Vintage Airstream

Vintage goes for the ‘glamping’ crowd – Launching at the Caravan and Motorhome show, Vintage Airstreams have coined the phrase “carry on glamping” to sell imported vintage airstreams in the UK and Europe.

Founder and CEO Sam Harkness said: “There are a lot of people thinking about coming into camping who want something which reflects their personality, not a white box.” We know people are claiming caravanning is cool Sam, but Bucks Fizz are performing ‘three of their hits’ at the show…

Stealth Caravan

Stealth Caravan Launch – Also launching at the show was the evil looking Stealth Caravan. Alex Murphy, MD of Dunster House, has described his Stealth caravan range as a “Marmite” product.

We’re firmly in the marmite is disgusting camp (although we like Twiglets).

Camping News 15/10/09 is from Campr - Everything Camping

DSquared2 go camping Chic – Fashion house DSquared2 have taken camping by the scruff of the neck and thrust it into the realms of haute couture, glamping eat your heart out! (via Backpacker.com)

GO Outdoors Celebrates Sheffield Store Rename – The famous CCC store in Sheffield has undergone a facelift and is now a bright blue Go Outdoors outlet. To celebrate the new look CCC are appealing for memorabilia, photographs and products dating over the last 40 years.

Take a Country House Hideout holiday – A new venture from the people behind Feather Down Farms (the Cath Kidston set’s Centre Parks), Country House Hideout is a glamping experience with a retro, explorer feel. Set in the grounds of Hamptworth Lodge, Country House Hideout is a Imperial family holiday for budding victorian explorers.  (via Guardian Travel)

Camping News 07/10/09 is from Campr - Everything Camping

South Devon Walking Festival Put your best foot forward for the South Devon Walking Festival. From October 2-11 the festival has a programme of over 50 walks throughout South Devon. I’m intrigued by the idea of eating free on the ‘wild food walks’ but beware! The South West Coast path can cause ‘vertigo’.

New York town wants Gadhafi’s tent taken down – CNN As previously covered on Campr, Gadhafi has come to town with his tent. However the residents of Winchester want Gadhafi’s canvas palace taken down. Dubious past aside we salute Gadhafi as a fellow camper and admire his embrace of glamping.

Asbo Teens back in tent – Mirror.co.uk This weeks comedy camping link goes to the Mirror with their story of ASBO teens terrorising their neighbourhood from a tent. No news of the brand, maybe one of these scary looking things?

Camping News 28/09/09 is from Campr - Everything Camping

Nominate a site and win a stay at one of the UK’s best campsites!

Now the 2009 camping season is coming to a close it’s time to recognise those amazing sites that made our summers.

What was your favourite campsite of 2009? Did you find a hidden gem you’d love to share or did a big commercial site give you a dream holiday?

Launching on November 2nd 2009, the Campr 100 will be a permanent directory of the 100 best campsites in the UK and Ireland. Simply nominate your favourite site of 2009 to win a stay at your pick of the Campr 100.

Your Nomination

Tell us your favourite campsite of 2009 and why you think it should be included in the Campr 100. Was it stunning location, amazing customer service or just special? We’ll pick one random person to win a stay at their choice of any site in the Campr 100.

T&Cs

1. This free prize draw is open to all UK residents aged 16 or over. You do not need to buy anything to enter.

2. All nominations must be submitted before 1st November 2009 to be valid entries in the draw.

3. Submission of a campsite nominations to Campr.co.uk will gain automatic entry into the prize draw.

4. Third-party registrations will not be accepted.

5. The draw will be made on 1st November 2009.

6. There is one prize of one (1) nights stay at your choice of any site from the Campr 100 campsite directory.

7. The winner will be drawn independently and at random from all valid entries received and will be notified by email within 72 hours of the actual draw date.

8. No alternative prize is available and the prize is not transferable.

9. For winner’s details please send an email to info@campr.co.ukwithin 28 days of the draw date.

10. By entering the free prize draw, entrants agree to be bound by the rules and by any other requirements set out in promotional material.

Launching the Campr 100, the best campsites in the UK in 2009 is from Campr - Everything Camping