If you love camping in the UK take the plunge and try Europe:

With two children this is the only way I can afford to visit the places as cheap as possible.
I can get a ferry from Dover to Calais for £35 I normally go for the early morning or late evening to pay the cheapest fares.
I fill up in a supermarket petrol station in the UK before going but generally the fuel is cheaper in France.
Some great research tools before you go:

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/

Caravan and Camping Europe guide book (I bought mine cheap on amazon).

http://www.eurocampings.co.uk/en/europe/

I always have a toll kitty of around £200 and if there is change great!

I fill up in Lidls before I go and then just get fresh food everyday from local markets and stores and enjoy the local food.
The campsites in France and Spain are so well equipped even the tiny campsites. I have stayed in France paying £7 a night and they always do fresh bread or croissants in the morning.

Having a campervan means its easy to just pull over but with a tent you need to book or plan a campsite when I used to go camping as a child with my family we just had a tent and we used to stay in a motel on the drive down to Spain or South of France.

I don't worry too much about being prepared anymore because I know I can get everything while I am away but it is good fun packing for a camping trip abroad.
Just remember the passports!