Camping Lights Guide — How to Light Up Your Tent, Awning & Campsite

Camping Lights Guide — How to Light Up Your Tent, Awning & Campsite

Good lighting can transform your campsite from functional to genuinely comfortable. Whether you need a bright lantern for the awning, a rechargeable strip light for the motorhome interior, or a solar lantern that looks after itself, we've got you covered at Newquay Camping Shop in Cornwall. Here's our complete guide to camping lights.

Types of Camping Light

  • Lanterns — 360° light, ideal for tents, awnings, and tables. Battery or rechargeable.
  • LED strip lights — run along awning frames or motorhome interiors for even, ambient light
  • Rechargeable bar lights — magnetic or strap-mounted, flexible positioning
  • Multi-function lights — combine lantern, torch, fan, or string light in one unit
  • Solar lanterns — charge during the day, no cables needed

Camping Lanterns

Outwell Carnelian 2000 Lantern — £24.99

The brightest lantern in our range — 2,000 lumens of 360° LED light with a dimmable function (10–100%). Removable globe, hanging hook, water-resistant, and runs on 4 x D batteries for up to 10 hours. Ideal for large awnings or family tents on Cornish campsites. Weight: 595 g.

Outwell Carnelian 1000 Lantern — £19.99

1,000 lumens, dimmable, 360° light with an impressive 40-hour runtime on 3 x D batteries. A brilliant all-rounder for most camping setups — one of our best-selling camping lanterns. Weight: 415 g.

Outwell Carnelian 500 Lantern — £19.99

500 lumens, 24-hour runtime, dimmable 10–100%, removable globe, and hanging hook. Compact at 8 x 8 x 18 cm and just 390 g. Perfect for smaller tents or as a bedside light. Runs on 3 x D batteries.

LED Strip Lights for Awnings & Motorhomes

Vango Sunbeam Flexi Light 2M USB — £18.99

A 2-metre flexible LED strip with 120 LEDs producing up to 1,800 lumens of warm, dimmable light. Attaches via Vango's SkyTrack II system or the included hook-and-loop fasteners. IP67 rated — dust and water resistant. Powered by any standard USB source. Remote control included. Weight: 0.18 kg. Perfect for running along an awning frame or motorhome interior.

Vango Sunbeam Flexi Light 4M USB — £27.99

The longer version — 4 metres, 240 LEDs, up to 3,000 lumens. Same IP67 rating, SkyTrack II compatibility, remote control, and USB power. Ideal for larger awnings or running the full length of a motorhome. Weight: 0.26 kg.

Rechargeable Bar Lights

Vango LightBeam 200 Recharge Camping Light — £19.99

A compact 60 cm rechargeable bar light with two magnetic attachment points and elasticated webbing straps — sticks to any metal surface or straps to a pole in seconds. Compatible with Vango's SkyTrack system. Dimmable warm and white light, USB-C charging (3 hours), runtime of 3–30 hours. Weight: 0.15 kg.

Vango LightBeam 250 Recharge Camping Light — £24.99

The longer sibling at 86 cm — same magnetic and webbing attachment system, same dimmable warm/white light, same USB-C charging and 3–30 hour runtime. Better suited to longer poles or wider awning frames. Weight: 0.22 kg.

Multi-Function Camping Lights

Outwell Moonstone Stringlight Lantern — £23.49

Three lights in one — a torch, a lantern, and a 10-metre retractable string light, all USB-C rechargeable. Pull out the string light to drape around your awning for a soft, even glow, or use the lantern and torch on their own. Six light modes, IP44 rated, 250 lumens. Weight: 200 g.

Outdoor Revolution 4-in-1 Lumi-Fan Lantern — £22.99

Lantern, fan, power bank, and mosquito-safe amber light in one compact unit. Three fan speeds, three brightness settings, solar and USB charging, and a 2,000 mAh power bank for charging phones. 4–8 hour working time. Weight: 0.4 kg. A genuinely clever bit of kit for warm-weather camping in Cornwall.

Outdoor Revolution Lumi Solar Automatic Lantern — £11.99

Solar powered, photosensitive (switches on automatically at dusk), three brightness settings, and water resistant. No cables, no batteries — just leave it in the Cornish sunshine during the day and it lights up your pitch at night. Great as a secondary light or for marking guy ropes.

Camping Lights — Full Comparison

Product Type Power Price
Outdoor Revolution Lumi Solar Solar lantern Solar £11.99
Vango Sunbeam Flexi 2M LED strip USB £18.99
Vango LightBeam 200 Bar light USB-C rechargeable £19.99
Outwell Carnelian 500 Lantern 3x D battery £19.99
Outwell Carnelian 1000 Lantern 3x D battery £19.99
Outdoor Revolution 4-in-1 Lumi-Fan Multi-function Solar/USB £22.99
Outwell Moonstone Stringlight String/lantern/torch USB-C rechargeable £23.49
Outwell Carnelian 2000 Lantern 4x D battery £24.99
Vango LightBeam 250 Bar light USB-C rechargeable £24.99
Vango Sunbeam Flexi 4M LED strip USB £27.99

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best camping lantern for a large awning?

The Outwell Carnelian 2000 at 2,000 lumens is the brightest lantern we stock — ideal for large awnings and family tents. For strip lighting, the Vango Sunbeam Flexi 4M gives the most even coverage across a larger awning.

Do I need a power bank for USB camping lights?

For USB-powered lights like the Vango Sunbeam Flexi range, you'll need a USB power source — a power bank, USB mains adaptor (on EHU pitches), or Vango's Voltaic Roll Away battery. We stock power banks in store at Newquay Camping Shop.

Are camping lights waterproof?

The Vango Sunbeam Flexi lights are IP67 rated — fully protected against dust and temporary water immersion. The Outwell Carnelian lanterns are water resistant. Always check the IP rating for your specific light before using it in wet conditions.

Where can I buy camping lights in Cornwall?

Browse the full range of camping lights in store at Newquay Camping Shop in Newquay, Cornwall, or order online with UK delivery. Our team are happy to help you find the right lighting setup for your tent, awning, or motorhome.

What camping lights work without electricity?

Battery-powered lanterns like the Outwell Carnelian range work completely off-grid. The Outdoor Revolution Lumi Solar Lantern charges from sunlight and needs no cables or batteries at all — perfect for wild camping or pitches without EHU.

Camping Lights Guide — How to Light Up Your Tent, Awning & Campsite

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