August gets all the attention.
Long days, school holidays, packed campsites and the annual British tradition of loading far too much into the car before sitting in traffic with everybody else who had exactly the same idea.
Then September arrives.
The schools go back. The roads quieten down. Campsites start to breathe again. The evenings get a little cooler and suddenly getting outside feels different.
For us, that might actually make September one of the best months of the year to go camping in Britain.
THE CROWDS START HEADING HOME
One of the biggest advantages of camping in September is simple: space.
The summer holiday rush is over, many of the busiest tourist spots become noticeably quieter and getting a decent camping pitch can become considerably easier.
Places that can feel completely overrun during July and August start becoming themselves again.
The Lake District without quite as many cars. The Welsh mountains without every car park filling before breakfast. Coastal campsites where you can actually hear the sea rather than the family three pitches down.
You don't necessarily need to travel somewhere completely unknown to get off route.
Sometimes you just need to go when everybody else isn't.
SUMMER ISN'T NECESSARILY FINISHED
Don't put the shorts away just yet.
September in Britain can still produce some surprisingly good days. But this is Britain. Rain, wind and sunshine appearing during the same camping trip shouldn't surprise anybody.
September is when packing properly starts to matter more. Waterproofs, an extra layer, decent footwear and something warm for the evening earn their place in the bag.
Check the forecast before setting off, but don't automatically cancel because you see a cloud symbol.
Some of the best weekends outside aren't the perfectly sunny ones.
THE NIGHTS START FEELING LIKE CAMPING AGAIN
There's something about a September evening.
The temperature drops. The campsite gets quieter. The light disappears earlier and sitting outside with something hot to drink suddenly feels considerably better than it did during a warm July night.
It's also the beginning of that transition into autumn.
Forests start turning. Mornings feel fresher. Mist begins hanging over lakes and valleys.
For photographers, walkers, campers and anyone who simply likes being outside, it's a brilliant time of year.
THERE'S PLENTY HAPPENING IN SEPTEMBER
Camping doesn't have to mean disappearing into a field for three days either.
September is packed with things happening around Britain that could easily become the reason for a weekend away.
From heritage open days and organised beach cleans to sporting events, food festivals and outdoor gatherings, there's plenty happening across the country to build a weekend around.
Or forget the events completely.
Pick somewhere you've been meaning to visit, book a campsite and make the weekend the event.
WHERE WE'D HEAD THIS SEPTEMBER
If we had a few free weekends to play with, we'd be looking north and west.
The Lake District is an obvious one once the main summer rush begins to ease. Eryri starts moving towards autumn but still gives you enough daylight for a proper day outside.
Northumberland gives you huge stretches of coastline, dark skies and some of Britain's best places for simply getting away from everything.
And Pembrokeshire in September? Coastal walks, beaches and considerably fewer people fighting for the same patch of sand.
If you've spent summer saying, "We should go there sometime," this might be the month to actually do it.
PACK SLIGHTLY DIFFERENTLY
September camping doesn't need a completely different kit list, but we'd make a few changes.
Bring another warm layer. Take waterproofs regardless of what your weather app says. Make sure your sleeping setup is suitable for cooler nights. Pack a torch or headlamp because darkness arrives earlier than you remember.
And take something warm to drink. You'll thank yourself at 9pm. Most importantly, don't overthink it.
You don't need the perfect setup, the newest equipment or a two-week expedition across Scotland.
One night somewhere different counts.
SUMMER ENDING DOESN'T MEAN STAYING INSIDE
That's probably what we like most about September.
It feels like the point where the people who only head outside because it's summer start heading home.
But Britain's outdoors doesn't close on 31 August. In many ways, it's just getting interesting.
The quieter trails, cooler nights, changing colours and unpredictable weather are all part of it.
So load the car. Find a campsite. Take the road you've driven past before. And see where it goes. OFF ROUTE. ON PURPOSE.
