Tent advice

welshmoneylover

Try a Go Outdoors store, they'll have loads of tents on display, the Outwell ones are pretty good :j

sooty&sweep

Hi

To get loads advice on types of tent and campsites to visit go to www.ukcampsite.co.uk

Please be very careful about buying a tent from ebay. There are some bargains to had on ebay but there is also alot of rubbish as well. Some of the big retailers do sell via ebay but I've also seen the same thing cheaper direct via their website !!

Its worth having a look on line to see what type of tent you fancy. Try and go and see it at a local retailer and then shop around on line to see if you can get it cheaper.
Hope you enjoy camping.

Jen

prettypennies

Last year, we purchased an Outwell Nevada M tent from Millets. We bought it with a 30% off code so worked out really reasonable as they are quite pricey.

http://www.millets.co.uk/camping/tents/group-and-family-tents/product/096537/NEVADA-M.html?attribute=4789821

There is 15% of tents at millets at present and 6% cashback with quidco

The ground sheet is sewn in so helps to keep out wiggly wagglys.

We bought the front extension, footprint and carpet from go outdoors for extra comfort.

The tent is designed to sleep 5. We went away with 2 adults and 3 children and we fit in ok. There are two sleeping pods one which fits a double airbed and one fits a double and single. Though for more than a few days at a time I would be tempted to go for a slightly larget tent.

It is really easy to put up and pack away.

dazzer68

i was a virgin camper till last week, after purchasing this from halfords!http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_745439_langId_-1_categoryId_236906#dtab
great set everything you basically needed, though we have bought a couple of chairs and a table and a better lamp.relly easy to put up, loads of space (actually big enough to put our car into! we didnt but could!) water proof, warm, the sleeping bags were very warm, though a little tight and the airbeds and pump were a nice bit of luxury all comes in a very big bag which was excellent as we just packed everything into that.at the moment halfords are also doing a half price stove set which is great to, comes in a back pack, has a stove, saucepan set, utensils, and tupperware type boxes which were really useful.
never thought id like camping which is why we didnt want to spend a huge amount on stuff, but have already booked to go away again next weekend.love it, and yes it did rain so ive done it all!

pug_in_a_bed

Brilliant advice on here, thank you all so much!

OH wants to be a 'professional camper':rotfl: where as I am happy to be an amateur

I definately like the idea of keeping out critters so sewn in sheet sounds good!

We're going to the local big outdoor shop this weekend so we can see tents actually up etc

Thanks again:)

poly1

We have several tents ! We have a huge Sunncamp canvas frame tent, that we use for long periods of a week or more away. But also I have weekend tent which I use just for when I go with the children (2 of them) for a weekend, I have the predecessor to THIS and it is very good (mind you mine does not have a sewn in ground sheet but the one in the link does), I am able to put it up myself (or with help of dd1!) in about 20 mins, its only three colour coded poles and not difficult. A friend I go camping with on weekends has the Vango ORCHY which is also very good. Both have withstood bad weather very well. As you can see both of these are around £150 so you can get a new tent for less than your budget without having to resort to ebay, please do take loads of time to look around various display ones and think how you will use them. I permenantly have a table and chairs in mine so if you need that get one of their display sets and put them in the tent . Just have a think about how you want the space in the tent to be used before you buy one.

hcb42

We have a few tents too..

main one is the Outwell Bear Lake, which we got for about 550 three years ago and is nearer 950 now

Last year we got a Outwell Virginia, which is either 149 or 199 at Yeomans outdoors, it is exclusive to them, it is easier to cart about than the bear lake, although just as spacious, and it can be pitched in 15 minutes.

grizzly1911

Last year we downgraded form a cabanon 6 berth to a Vango Orchy 600 6 berth. They do a 500/and 400 too let you guess how many people.

Mainly to save space in the car since we now have to cockers to ferry about too and we intend to use it for touring/few days at a time as well.

It was just about right for sleeping 4 adults no more.

Good tent for the price. Stable and the front living areas Tardis like and plenty tall enough for me 6'2".

Easy to put up and waterproof 3000 head.

Yeoman Outdoor quite often have sizeable one off displays at venues round the country together with slightly smaller ones at specific stores.

Most shops will price match on new. Go Outdoors not always the cheapest either.

Good luck.

parcival

I would go for an outwell or a Vango.

Go Outdoors stock many models and usually have something on sale.

I suggest getting one that has a sleeping area plus separate living area that you can stand up in. I also suggest getting one with a water repellancy rating of 3000 or more.

It is also possible to buy separate awnings to create additional outdoor but covered space.

icehockey44

I had the same dilema a few years ago, trapsed around various tent shows and outdoor shops. Ended up going to Go Outdoors where we got a 5 Man Hi Gear Mojave 5, we paid £180 for it, but this year it has been improved (added windows, mozzie nets on all doors and got rid of the gap on the large front door (now now creepy crawlies coming in)) @ at cost of £199. It take 20 mins to erect, you can fully stand up in all areas, has 2 bedroom pods (seperate) 1 3 sleeper and 1 2 sleeper, and plenty of space for 'living' in.

We always put up the 3 pod to sleep in, and have the extra space for living in, when we go to France we use the 2 sleeper for storing the OH push bike in, out of sight!!

I hope this helps in your decision, but always go to somewhere where the tents are erected so you can imagine living in it.

Good Luck

Donna