Jonathan Knight, author of Cool Camping, reveals his top tips for first time campers...

1. Arrive at your site as early as possible - you’ll get your pick of the pitches and avoid having to wrestle with your tent in the dark.
2. The highest ground is the driest ground. Usually.
3. Hedges are Mother Nature’s windbreaks.
4. Don’t pitch under the tallest tree, especially if a thunderstorm is on its way. Or if loads of birds live in it. Bird droppings are not easy to clean off a tent.
5. Watch out for the nests of anything that could bite, sting or lay its eggs in you.
6. Don’t forget your mallet - flip-flops and frying pans do not a substitute make.
7. Stay warm. If you’re cold, you’re miserable - you need pyjamas even in summer, and a snug hat at all times.
8. Flip-flops are de rigueur for everything from dead-of-night toilet trips to muddy campsite shower floors.
9. Ziploc bags are indispensable. Use them for anything from storing wet wipes, matches and playing cards, to marinating your meat in.
10. If you have to pack up a wet tent, make sure you dry it out later. Otherwise it will grow things that will colonise your loft.
11. Have fun! Laugh in the face of disaster and bad weather, and you’re sure to have a holiday to remember.

For more camping inspiration and handy online guide to the best campsites in Wales (as well as England and Scotland) visit coolcamping.co.uk/campsites