If you love getting outdoors, there has never been a better time to be a camper in the UK. This range of outdoor retailers on these shores covers every budget, every style, and every level of experience, from families pitching up for the first time to seasoned adventurers heading into the highlands.
If you are hunting for a new tent, upgrading your sleeping system, or simply treating yourself to a gorgeous camping blanket wrap for evenings by the fire, this guide covers the shops you genuinely need to know about.
Top 10 Camping Shops
Big Camping Chain Stores
These nationwide retailers are ideal if you want a wide range of products under one roof, competitive pricing, and the convenience of being able to shop online or in-store.
They are particularly good for beginners building a kit list from scratch, and for families who need everything from family tents to sleeping bags in a single trip. If you are new to camping, our top 10 camping essentials for beginners is a great place to start before you shop.
1) Go Outdoors
Best for: Beginners & Families
One of the UK’s biggest outdoor retailers, Go Outdoors is famous for its enormous warehouse stores and genuinely vast product range. There are currently over 60 stores across the UK, making it one of the most accessible options for shoppers nationwide.
What you will find here covers the full spectrum of camping life:
- Tents from entry-level pop-ups through to full expedition shelters
- Sleeping bags and sleeping mats for every season
- Camp cooking equipment, from basic stoves to full kitchen setups
- Camping furniture including chairs, tables, and loungers
- Outdoor clothing and walking boots for the whole family
Good to know: Go Outdoors operates a membership card scheme that unlocks lower prices across the store. It is worth picking one up if you are making a big purchase. Their sale events are also excellent for stocking up on basics at a fraction of the usual cost.
Go Outdoors is the ideal starting point for anyone planning a day camping trip or heading to one of the best UK campsites in 2026 for the first time.
Best for: Premium Gear & Expert Advice
Cotswold Outdoor sits at the premium end of the high street. If you want to invest in a kit that will last for years rather than seasons, this is your go-to. The staff tend to be passionate outdoor people themselves, and the in-store expertise is a genuine asset when you are making a significant purchase.
Standout categories include:
- Technical tents from brands like MSR, Hilleberg, and Vango
- Down and synthetic sleeping bags for three-season and winter use
- Premium clothing from The North Face, Rab, Patagonia, and Arc’teryx
- Rucksacks and packs from Osprey and others
Good to know: Cotswold Outdoor offers a price match promise, expert fitting appointments, and a brilliant Advice & Inspiration hub on their website. Sister brands Snow + Rock and Runner’s Need are part of the same group.
3) Decathlon
Best for: Budget-Friendly & Great Value
Decathlon is one of the world’s largest sporting goods retailers, and its UK stores are a genuine revelation if you are camping on a budget. Their own-brand ranges (particularly Quechua for camping) offer surprisingly solid performance at prices that undercut almost every competitor.
Key reasons to shop at Decathlon:
- Own-brand tents that are reliable, waterproof, and excellent value for family camping
- Lightweight sleeping bags and camp mattresses at very accessible price points
- A full range of cookware, lighting, and camping furniture
- Children’s outdoor clothing and footwear that holds up to serious use
Decathlon is a brilliant first stop if you are building your camping kit list as a beginner and do not want to spend a fortune before you know whether you love it.
4) Millets
Best for: High Street Accessibility & Deals
Millets is one of Britain’s most recognisable outdoor brands, with a strong high street presence that makes it easy to pop in and pick up what you need without a long drive to a retail park. Part of the same group as Blacks, Millets focuses on accessible outdoor clothing and camping essentials.
Millets is particularly good for:
- Waterproof jackets and outdoor clothing for everyday adventurers
- Camping basics at mid-range prices
- Frequent seasonal sales with strong discounts
- Walking boots and footwear from known brands
If you are heading to one of the UK’s best family festivals in 2026 and need a last-minute festival raincoat, Millets is a reliable port of call.
5) Blacks
Best for: Balanced Quality & Value
Blacks: Occupies the comfortable middle ground between budget and premium. You will find a solid selection of outdoor clothing, footwear, and camping gear from a curated mix of well-known brands, often at prices that sit more competitively than those of specialist retailers.
Blacks delivers particularly well on:
- Layering systems for camping in variable British weather
- Waterproof trousers and base layers
- Walking footwear from brands like Merrell and Hi-Tec
- Regular promotional events and end-of-season clearance sales
Worth knowing: Both Blacks and Millets are owned by the same parent company, JD Sports Fashion plc, so the product ranges often overlap. It is worth checking both websites when hunting for a specific item.
Adventure Camping Stores
For serious outdoor enthusiasts, the technical specialists are where real magic happens. These stores go beyond selling gear; they offer genuine expertise, fitting services, and access to brands that you will not find on the high street. If you are planning wild camping in the UK or a glamping adventure, these retailers have the kit to make it special.
6) Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports
Best for: Technical Kit & Expert Fitting
Ellis Brigham is a name that commands serious respect in the UK outdoor community. Founded in Manchester, this family-owned specialist has built a reputation for carrying technical gear that genuinely performs in demanding conditions.
Ellis Brigham excels in:
- Mountain and expedition camping gear
- Ski and snowboard equipment alongside camping kit
- Premium clothing from Arc’teryx, Mammut, and Patagonia
- Expert boot and crampon fitting by trained staff
- Advice for multi-day backpacking and wild camping
If you are planning a challenge like the Pennine Way or a Snowdonia expedition, Ellis Brigham should be your first call.
7) Snow + Rock
Best for: High-End Performance Gear
Snow + Rock began its life as a ski and climbing specialist, and that technical DNA still runs through everything the brand sells. As part of the Cotswold Outdoor group, it now covers a broad range of outdoor pursuits while maintaining its premium positioning.
Snow + Rock is excellent for:
- Four-season and mountaineering tents
- Technical layering and waterproof systems
- Backpacking stoves, water filtration, and ultralight camping gear
- GPS devices and navigation equipment from Garmin
Their online store carries detailed technical descriptions and comparison tools that make it easier to make informed decisions on gear that really matters.
Independent Camping Stores
There is something special about an independent outdoor shop. The staff know the kit they sell because they use it. The advice you get is not driven by targets or promotions, it is driven by genuine experience. For anyone who loves the idea of sustainable camping in the UK, the independents tend to stock considered, responsibly sourced kit alongside their mainstream ranges.
Best for: Independent Expert Advice
Tucked into the heart of the Peak District, Outside Hathersage is the kind of shop that makes you want to plan a trip just so you have an excuse to visit. The staff are not retail assistants — they are climbers, fell runners, mountaineers, and campers who happen to work in a shop. That makes an enormous difference when you need guidance on technical gear.
What makes Outside special:
- Deeply knowledgeable staff with real-world experience of the kit they sell
- A carefully curated selection of climbing, camping, and trail running gear
- Strong community links with local outdoor groups and events
- Technical gear that you genuinely will not find in mainstream retailers
If you are planning a Peak District camping trip, combining your gear purchase with a visit to this shop is a brilliant way to spend a Saturday. Ask the team for their favourite wild camps in the area and you will leave with far more than new kit.
Best for: Van Life & Specialist Camping
Basecamp Outdoors has grown into a respected specialist for campers who want something a little different. With a focus on adventure camping, van life, and considered gear curation, they carry brands and products that bigger retailers often overlook.
Basecamp is a strong choice if you are looking for:
- Premium camping blankets and quilts from brands like Therm-a-Rest and Rumpl
- Hammocks and hammock camping accessories
- Lightweight and ultralight camping systems for backpackers
- Van life and overlanding gear
- Sustainable and ethically produced outdoor products
This is also a fantastic shop if you are interested in making your camping trip more sustainable; their product selection reflects a real commitment to responsible outdoor living.
10) Charlies Stores
Best for: Regional Favourite & Family Value
Charlies Stores is a much-loved regional retailer with eight stores across Wales and the English Midlands. With over 40 years in retail and more than 57,000 Trust-pilot reviews, it has built an enviable reputation for honest value and genuinely helpful service.
The camping section at Charlies covers:
- Family tents from Vango, Outwell, and Coleman
- Sleeping bags, airbeds, and camp beds
- Outdoor cooking equipment and cool boxes
- Camping furniture at very competitive prices
If you are based in Wales or the West Midlands and want the experience of a real, well-stocked camping department with helpful staff, Charlies is an excellent choice. Their locations in Welshpool, Aberystwyth, and Carmarthen make it particularly convenient for campers heading into the Welsh hills.
Top 5 Camping Blanket Brands
However good your tent, sleeping bag, or cooking set-up, there is one piece of kit that transforms a good camping trip into a genuinely cosy one: a proper camping blanket. Not a scratchy synthetic throw from a supermarket, but a blanket that you reach for the moment you sit down outside, soft enough for the children to wrap themselves in, warm enough for a cold evening, and beautiful enough to want to use at home too.
1) Rumpl – Performance Outdoor Blankets
Rumpl makes outdoor blankets that have developed a devoted following among campers, van-lifers, and festival-goers.
Designed to feel like a sleeping bag duvet, their range uses high-performance synthetic insulation and recycled materials to deliver serious warmth in a compact, packable format. Rumpl blankets are stocked at Basecamp Outdoors and WildBounds.
A beautiful complement to any Rumpl blanket is one of our own cosy camping blanket wraps, ideal for layering around a campfire when the temperature drops.
2) Snugpak – British-Made Sleeping Bags & Outerwear
Snugpak is a West Yorkshire company that has been producing high-quality sleeping bags, softie jackets, and camping gear since 1977. Originally developed for military use, their sleeping bags and shelters are trusted by the British Armed Forces and civilian campers alike. If you need a genuinely warm bag for wild camping in winter conditions, Snugpak deserves serious consideration.
Read more about staying warm when camping in our guide: 10 Easy Ways to Stay Cosy When Camping.
3) Voited – Sustainable Camping Blankets
Voited produces their celebrated CloudTouch blankets from 100% recycled materials, creating a product that is as good for your conscience as it is for your comfort.
Their 4-in-1 PillowBlanket converts from blanket to pillow to sleep sack to poncho, making it one of the most versatile pieces of camping kit you can own. It pairs wonderfully with our own Cosy Camping Blanket accessories for the perfect layered campfire set-up.
4) Highlander Outdoor – Scottish Outdoor Brand
Highlander Outdoor is a Glasgow-based brand offering excellent value camping and hiking gear. Particularly well regarded for their backpacks, sleeping bags, and budget-friendly tents, Highlander is a brilliant option if you want reliable kit without spending a premium. They are stocked at Charlie’s Stores and many independent outdoor retailers.
5) WildBounds – Curated Independent Online Retailer
WildBounds is not a manufacturer but deserves mention as one of the UK’s best curated outdoor retailers. Focused on considered, quality-led outdoor gear; particularly camping blankets, quilts, and sleep systems; they ship from the UK and stock brands including Pendleton, Rumpl, Voited, and Therm-a-Rest.
A Good Camping Blanket Changes Everything
We believe camping is not just about survival; it is about joy. It is about the conversations that happen around a fire, the moments of stillness that you cannot find at home, and the warmth that comes from being together outdoors.
Check out our range of camping blankets and accessories, which are designed for the people who camp for joy, for connection, for fresh air, and for the feeling of waking up somewhere beautiful. Soft, warm, and made to last. Shop Cosy Camping Blankets for more.
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