PITCHING
Know the parts first
Lay out the inner, outer, poles and pegs before you start. Scouts teach that poles are pushed, not pulled, and pegs point away from the tent.
Pitch step by step
YOUR FIRST NIGHT UNDER CANVAS
Pitch it well.
Sleep safe.
A tent is a thin wall between you and the weather.
Putting it up is easier than it looks once you know the order. The bigger risks are what you bring inside it: UK fire and government guidance is clear that flames and barbecues stay out.
FLAMES OUT air and space in
Check what comes in- Practise the pitch
- No barbecue inside
- Leave no trace
- A calm, safe first camp
THE SHORT ANSWER
Practise, space out,
keep fire outside.
Three things matter most on a first trip.
None of them needs expensive kit.
CARBON MONOXIDE
No barbecue inside
Deaths have been linked to barbecues brought into tents. Never take a lit or smouldering one in, even after cooking.
Check what comes in
THE SITE
Leave it as you found it
Take your litter home, only have barbecues where signs allow, and camp away from lakes and streams.
Leave no trace
PITCHING, STEP BY STEP
Put it up once
before you go.
Scouts teach tent pitching as a short practice session, even indoors. A trial run before your trip means the first real pitch is not your first attempt.
Lay out every part
Separate the inner, the outer, poles, pegs and mallet so you know nothing is missing. Zip all the doors up before you start.
Push the poles through
Feed poles through their sleeves by pushing, not pulling, so the sections do not come apart.
Peg from the tent outwards
Start with the loops closest to the tent, and angle each peg away from the tent.
Tighten the guy lines
Guy lines should be tight and follow the line of the seam they are attached to.
TWO NUMBERS WORTH KNOWING
Fabric burns fast,
so give it room.
Both figures come from fire service advice
for anyone camping in the UK.
6 metres
Minimum gap between tents
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service advises keeping your tent at least six metres from other tents.
SPACING · GMFRS
Under 60 seconds
Time for a fire to destroy a tent
The same guidance warns that a fire can destroy a tent in less than 60 seconds. Have an escape plan, and be ready to cut your way out.
FIRE · GMFRS
Carbon monoxide is the hidden danger: symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea and tiredness are often mistaken for food poisoning or flu, says nidirect. If you suspect it, get outside into fresh air and seek medical help, or call 999 if it is urgent.
A QUICK TENT CHECK
Can it come
into the tent?
Pick something you might want inside on a cold or dark evening. The bar shows how strongly UK safety guidance warns against it.
Based on nidirect (Northern Ireland government) and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service camping guidance. General information, not a substitute for campsite rules.
LEAVE NO TRACE
Good campsites
are found, not made.
The Leave No Trace principles ask campers to plan ahead, camp on durable surfaces, dispose of waste properly, leave what they find, minimise campfire impacts, respect wildlife and be considerate of others. They suggest camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
In England, the Countryside Code says you may need the landowner's permission to camp, not to light fires, to only have barbecues where signs say you can, and to take your litter home.
Questions
Questions people ask
Can I use a disposable barbecue in my tent porch to keep warm?
No. nidirect says carbon monoxide has been linked to deaths where people brought barbecues into tents, sometimes to keep warm, and to never take a lit or smouldering barbecue inside, even when you have finished cooking.
What are the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning?
nidirect lists headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea and vomiting, and exhaustion, then drowsiness, collapse and loss of consciousness. They are often mistaken for food poisoning or flu. Get into fresh air and seek medical help.
How far apart should tents be?
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service advises keeping your tent at least six metres apart from other tents.
Can I cook inside my tent?
Fire service guidance says not to use cooking appliances in small tents. In larger tents, keep them away from walls and the roof and where they cannot be knocked over, and never bring a gas stove in unless it is a permanent fixture.
Can I camp anywhere in the countryside?
Not automatically. England's Countryside Code says you may need permission from the landowner to camp, and to follow local signs about fires and barbecues.
Sources
- nidirect: Carbon monoxide dangers if camping, caravanning or boating
- Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service: Camping safety
- Scouts: Learn how to pitch a tent
- US National Park Service: Leave No Trace seven principles
- GOV.UK: The Countryside Code, advice for countryside visitors
Updated