CUTTING-EDGE CAMPING

. CAMP Kerala (01749 860077, www.camp kerala.com) satisfies every whim for those who opt to camp in style, rather than a muddy puddle. For a mere Pounds 3,000 you will be waited on by staff offering drinks, fresh towels and massages, all in the comfort of your maharajah-style tent adorned with more than 2,000 hand-embroidered mirrors and complete with king-size bed and open verandah. It was the only choice for Kate and Pete at Glasto this year.

. FOR the less well-heeled, camping in comfort can still be done on a budget. Millets (01293 852853, www.millets.co.uk), the outdoor retailer, has introduced a new "starter" festival tent complete with two sleeping bags and two roll mats for just Pounds 49.99.

. MORE likely to be tramping the King's Road than sluicing through a field, look pretty in Pink with these latest wellies (Pounds 59) from Jermyn Street's finest shirtmaker. In store and online from mid September (020 7498 3882, www.thomaspink.co.uk).

. NOT to be confused with a certain starship, this portable gas barbecue (Pounds 99.95) from firebox.com blends awesome looks with a practical design.

Lightweight and easy to use, the dual controls allow for a full range of cooking temperatures (0870 241 4289).

. REMINISCENT of that bygone era of "free love", VW has teamed up with Bilbo's Design (01342 892499, www.bilbos.com) to revive and revamp its elevating-roof campervan. Combined with its inimitable blend of high build quality and practicality, this new "hippie-van" (Pounds 28,950) will appeal to surfers and families alike.

. THE last torch you will ever need to buy, Scots of Stow's EverLight (Pounds 19.95) uses no batteries or bulbs, is waterproof, floats in water and casts a beam visible for up to a mile. Based on bright spark Michael Faraday's principle of electromagnetic energy (0870 600 4444, www.scottsof stow.co.uk).

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