Best camper accessories for newbies to vanlife

From Bare Necessities to nearing Pitch-Perfect: 

From the moment we got our first campervan - a beautiful VW California - we were full of excitement about our first adventure! We had so much to learn and discover. I remember fondly, rocking up to our first campsite - the wonderful Houghton Mill in Cambridgeshire - armed with sleeping bags and pillows, some tinned camping food, a few paper plates and some disposable cutlery. Eek! We muddled through the first night, but it we knew immediately that we would quickly need to stock up on crucial van camping accessories. Cue a hasty morning trip to the local Tesco, where we panic-bought cookware, tea towels, washing-up stuff and a few fleecy blankets. That night, we felt significantly more at ease in our temporary surroundings. We also, I have to admit,  cheated by popping to the local pub for our evening meal. Sadly memorable for all the wrong reasons! I digress... Later that evening we sat out on our pitch feeling more like proper campers with our full bellies and warm, fuzzy feeling and shiny new accessories. However, as we looked around at the other, more seasoned campers and their gloriously decked-out pitches, we began to realise that what we really wanted for our pitch (not needed), was a bit of extra sparkle, not fancy potato peelers!

Fast forward to now, and we could rival those seasoned campers. Because we are those seasoned campers. Some say glampers! We're all ‘glamping pro’ rather than ‘all the gear and no idea’. So, I'm here to share skipping the rookie phase and jumping straight into pitch perfect. One that looks fabulous and functions like a home-from-home, one with all the best campervan accessories you want (not need):

1. Campervan Bunting

A firm favourite of mine and for me a crucial campervan accessory. Bunting adds instant charm, a pop of colour, and tells your camping neighbours that you mean business. You can go for the classic look with pastel cotton flags, eco with hessian flags or embrace a retro vibe with multi-coloured cotton or weatherproof nylon. 

2. Decorative Camping Lights

Camping lanterns, table, fairy and ground lights - you name a sparkly camping light, we love it. Especially if they're solar-powered and don't need extra batteries. Good lighting doesn’t just brighten your space and stop you from tripping over your guy ropes and pegs; it transforms your outdoor space into a warm and inviting entertainment space. Plus, sipping wine under a canopy of twinkling decorative camping lights is infinitely more enjoyable than sitting in the dark, pushing unknown food items around your plate and trying to find YOUR (special wine) drink.

3. Camping Picnicware

Forget flimsy, decidedly un-ecofriendly plastic plates, it's worth investing in proper, aesthetically pleasing plates, bowls, cups and platters. Matchy-matchy camping picnic sets with uniquely-designed enamel camping mugs and stylish no-glass wine glasses will have your guests ‘oohing’ jealously over your pitch. I don't know about you but wine is a staple evening beverage on our camping trips.

4. The Perfect Seating Setup

A lightweight, fold-up chair is a good start, but why stop there? A picnic blanket, cosy outdoor rug, cushions and fleece throws are now a regular feature of our pitches. Comfort is key to a relaxed and enjoyable vanlife experience.

5. BBQ and BBQ Tools

No matter the time of year, a BBQ is an absolute must! Whether it’s a starter portable BBQ, a fire pit for marshmallow toasting, or the ubiquitous, easy gas Cadaq, having a dedicated cooking space and the right utensils makes all the difference.

Ready to Upgrade Your Pitch?

Thinking about and searching for the perfect pitch accessories, is the reason I set up Pitch Up And Chill. We already stock a good few must-have campervan accessories and we'll be adding more throughout the year. 

So, what are your must-have vanlife accessories? Is there anything you're looking for and can't find anywhere? Let us know in the comments and share your pitch-perfect setups!