I can still remember the frustration. It was my first proper family tent, and the ground at the campsite was like concrete. One by one, I watched the flimsy wire pegs that came with the tent bend into useless U shapes as I hit them with the mallet. It was a miserable start to the holiday.
That was the day I learned that a good set of tent pegs is not a luxury, it is an absolute necessity for camping in the UK. You do not need dozens of different types. In this guide, I will show you the essential pegs that I keep in my bag to handle everything from stony hardstanding to soft, grassy fields.
Our Top Recommendations in Brief
- Editor's Choice: The Blue Diamond Hard Ground Pegs are the first and best upgrade any new camper should make.
- Best for Large Tents: For immense holding power on grass, the Green Haven Screw in Pegs are unbeatable.
- Most Durable: The Heavy Duty Galvanised Steel Pegs are basically indestructible and offer total peace of mind.
Quick Jump to Reviews
Detailed Tent Peg Reviews
The Must Have Upgrade
Blue Diamond Hard Ground Pegs
These are the pegs I tell every new camper to buy. Most UK campsites have hard, stony ground that will bend the pegs that come with your tent. These nail style stakes are made from tough steel and can be hammered in without buckling. The plastic head gives you a big target for your mallet and has a strong hook for guy lines. They even come in a sturdy plastic case so they do not rip your tent bag, which is a really nice touch.
Verdict
This is the first and best upgrade I think any new camper can make. For about a tenner, these pegs will save you a huge amount of frustration and give you the peace of mind that your tent is securely pitched, whatever the ground is like.
For Big Tents on Grass
Green Haven Screw in Pegs
If you have a large family tent or an awning, these screw in pegs are fantastic for soft, grassy pitches where normal pegs might pull out. Their wide, threaded design gives them incredible grip in the soil. I have found they are best used with a cordless drill and the included adapter, which makes setting up a big tent incredibly fast and oddly satisfying. They provide amazing peace of mind in high winds.
Verdict
If you own a cordless drill, these are a brilliant addition to your kit for securing large tents and awnings on grass pitches. The holding power is immense.
The Indestructible Option
Heavy Duty Galvanised Steel Pegs
When you absolutely do not want your tent to move, these are the pegs you need. They are essentially giant nails. At 25cm long, they provide a deep and secure hold in almost any ground type. The simple, forged steel head is indestructible. These are the workhorses of the peg world, ideal for the main structural points of very large tents, especially in high winds.
Verdict
These are what I use for my main guy lines on big family tents. They are probably overkill for a small tent, but they provide total peace of mind for large awnings and shelters in a storm.
The Smart Safety Choice
Blue Diamond Glow in the Dark Pegs
Tripping over guy lines in the dark is a classic camping hazard I have fallen victim to many times. These clever pegs absorb sunlight during the day and then emit a soft green glow at night, making them much easier to see. They are a V stake design, which provides good holding power in grass. A brilliant and affordable safety feature, especially if you are camping with young children.
Verdict
A simple, cheap, and effective safety upgrade for any family campsite. I use these for the guy lines around the main tent door to prevent any late night trips.
The Reliable All Rounder
YGCQFH Plastic Tent Stakes
These heavy duty plastic stakes are a fantastic, affordable upgrade from standard wire pegs. Their V shape and 23cm length provide excellent grip in grass and typical campsite soil. Being made of tough plastic, they will not rust and are lighter than steel. The bright colour makes them easy to spot in the grass, and the large head has both a hook and an eyelet.
Verdict
A brilliant, budget friendly replacement for the flimsy pegs that come with most tents. An ideal all rounder for typical grassy UK campsites.
Buyer's Guide: Choosing the Right Tent Pegs
Peg Types Explained
You will generally find three main types of tent peg. Nail or stake pegs are thick and strong, perfect for hammering into hard, rocky ground. V shaped pegs are great all rounders that offer good grip in grass and medium soil. Screw in pegs have a wide thread for incredible holding power in soft or sandy ground, and are easiest to use with a cordless drill.
Material Matters: Steel vs Plastic
Steel pegs offer the best strength and durability, making them essential for hard ground. They are heavy, but reliable. Plastic pegs are lightweight, rustproof, and often brightly coloured so you do not lose them. They are fantastic for normal grassy pitches but will struggle or break on hardstanding.
Match the Peg to the Ground
The best strategy is to carry a small selection of pegs. Use heavy duty steel stakes for the main structural guy lines, and lighter V shaped pegs for the rest of the tent. If you know you are heading to a soft, grassy site with a large family tent, a set of screw in pegs can be a huge help.
About the Author
Adam Brooks
For the last ten years, I have been enthusiastically getting rained on in fields from the Cornish coast to the Lake District. My passion for finding gear that actually works was born from one too many easy pitch tents that required an engineering degree and a marriage counsellor to assemble. I created Top Listed Products to provide honest, straightforward reviews for fellow UK campers, so you can spend less time worrying about your kit and more time enjoying that well earned bacon butty.