Camping on Dartmoor - who knew that would be so comfortable!

Our first camping trip to Dartmoor was supposed to be a test run—a chance to see if we could actually handle sleeping outdoors without all the creature comforts we're used to.

We took self-inflating sleeping mats, and honestly, were dubious with how we'd get on. But the moment we unrolled them that first evening, we were genuinely surprised. The mat expanded perfectly, providing a cushion of comfort that made the hard ground completely disappear. Combined with a decent sleeping bag, we slept better than we expected, waking refreshed rather than stiff and sore.

The weather was on our side too—it was unusually hot for Dartmoor, which meant we could spend our days exploring without worrying about rain. The landscape itself is stunning, with rolling moorland and hidden gems around every corner. One of the highlights was discovering a waterfall near Venford Reservoir where we couldn't resist a wild swim. The water was cold and invigorating, a perfect way to cool off on such a warm day, and the whole experience felt wonderfully free and alive.

We left Dartmoor converted—camping isn't the ordeal we thought it might be, and with the right gear, it's actually rather brilliant.

Sleeping mats for the win - click here to see our range of them!