Millets

A few weeks ago, my neighbor told me about this camping trip that he and his friends were planning. He asked me: «Do you want to come?» Since I was new to the flat and didn’t know anybody in Brighton, I said: «Yeah» and thought it would be a good opportunity to make some new friends. Well, I forgot that I said «Yeah» to this offer. And just a few days ago, my neighbor told me the camping trip is next week. «Next week?» I said. And then I realized I needed to get some gear.
As far as outdoor equipment, this place is fantastic. I was able to purchase a very good (and very cheap) sleeping bag. Of course, I needed help to find the right sleeping bag for me, and the staff was super friendly and assisted me greatly. If you need something (anything!) for a camping trip, stop by Millets.

If you want to be the most fashionable person on the beach this summer, I suggest you scoot over to Millets and pick up one of their beach chairs designed by Zandra Rhodes. Perfect for picnics, BBQs and lazy Sundays, its covered in her signature baby blue fabric with swirly red patterns. It’s light enough to pick up and carry under your arm and at £24.99 is a bit of a snip. And yes, there’s the obligatory drinks holder in the arm so you can sit back and enjoy mojito after mojito!

If you had enough of Brighton and want to head out into the wilderness Millets will help you. This is the Swiss army knife of outdoor shopping selling only the best in tents, walking shoes, thermal flasks, big socks, little socks, walking socks, blankets made of foil etc. As well as being the place to go and get your camping gear, it’s quite amazing for presents, especially for those that go crazy about practical gadgetry. Everyone knows Millets and it appeals to that devilishly utilitarian toggle fetishiser in all of us. Or is that just me?!

Millets smells a bit like the inside of a tent. This is likely because of their impressive selection of tents along with all-​things camping friendly: sleeping bags fit for various temperatures, air and flat mattresses, flashlights, lanterns, toothbrush covers and camping chairs.
The clothing selection at the moment is quite suitable for cold day outdoorsy activities: thermal tops, solid-​looking shoes and boots (including wellies), warm coats and winter accessories. There’s also a modest collection of sporting goods — mostly rackets and the accompanying balls/​birdies, plus a few outdoor unorganised sports supplies — and a display of travel books. Lots of Lonely Planet.
There’s probably a bit less of a selection in Millets than in other outdoor/​sporting shops, but this one has a really authentic feel, as though everyone who works there actually does spend a fair amount of time camping or traveling or just being outdoors.

Has a wide range of reasonably priced camping items — but if you shop here in the height of the summer there can be problems with stock levels (it’s almost as if they do not expect a camping shop to be busy in the summer !)
That said, they are worth trying first as there are significant price differences between their own make goods and those of other competitors.
Shop itself is quite large and stocks smaller items together with clothing and tents.
I would say that Millets is aiming at the occasional/​family camper — and not the hard core campers. They do not stock particlary specialised goods — but instead just core items.
Staff are friendly and helpful.

Millets used to be known as a slightly cheap and cheerful camping shop, good on price but not so much on quality. In recent years it’s come up in the world and, while still one of the cheaper places, they have a much better range of clothing, footwear, maps and other accessories for outdoor pursuits such as walking, cycling and camping.
This branch is relatively small, so the range on some items is a bit more limited, but the staff here are friendly and helpful, knowledgeable about the stock, and happy for you to browse. From time to time they also have good sales.