Camping in the British climate may not always be the most enticing prospect, but with the recent run of hot weather, a short trip under canvas could be the perfect way to explore the British countryside.

There are lots of sites on the web with information on all aspects of camping from locations to equipment. Here is a small selection:

UK Camping Sites http://www.campsitereviews.co.uk Rating: 3.5/5

This site has a good selection of campsite reviews, which are grouped by location. The reviews contain a good amount of information, and include photographs, and there is a small selection of hints and tips, which have been posted by other site users. The site also has a section on technical information on towing and wiring, for those planning a trip with more advanced equipment.

Interhike http://www.interhike.com Rating: 4/5

There is a comprehensive listing of campsites on this site, both within the UK and across the rest of Europe, some of which have user reviews attached to them. In addition, the site has a forum, where users can read and post messages on any camping-related topic. A large selection of camping equipment can also be purchased through the site.

www.thecampingsite.comhttp://www.thecampingsite.com Rating: 4.5/5

This is a nicely-presented site, which allows users to search for a campsite. You can search by country, area, or particular trail, and also by additional criteria such as whether families or pets are welcome, and whether the site has facilities for those with limited mobility. The site guides are detailed and include photographs and information on prices, facilities and travel directions.

UK Camp Sitehttp://www.ukcampsite.co.uk Rating: 4.5/5

This site describes itself as the "biggest internet guide to all things camping and caravanning-related". It has a large directory of campsites, and a feature called the virtual brochure, which allows you to create a printable page of the campsites you are interested in. There is an extensive forum with messages divided into different sections such as camping abroad, equipment and latest news. The site also has details of forthcoming camping events and attractions.

Virtual Campinghttp://www.virtual-camping.com Rating: 4/5

There are over 2,000 campsites from the UK and Ireland listed on this site. Users can search for a campsite by region or by using a keyword. However, the amount of information available varies, and a description of the campsite is not always available. There is also a hints and tips section, with a useful checklist of equipment you will need to take. Additional features include a weather report and puzzles for the journey.

Just for fun: Guinness World Records - http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/

This is the online version of the Guinness Book of Records. You can search and browse through all kinds of world records, from the heroic to the bizarre. You can also view videos of some of the record-breaking attempts, and find out what you need to do if you are planning a record attempt.

Do you have your own favourite site, or is there a particular subject area you think should be covered? Let us know, and we will try and include it in a future column.

Updated: 12:25 Wednesday, July 16, 2003