tent recommendations please

[hercules]

for at least a 6 person between £100-£200. Thanks!

[hercules]

bump for me tent

[bakedpotato]

no idea but i keep reading that cath kidson has designed a ltd edition floral tent for millets... available from march, apparently

[hercules]

Guess that'll be nice and practical then

[hercules]

bump

[hercules]

and bump again

[80sMum]

Best bet is to go along to a large outdoor activities/camping shop where they'll have tents on display that you can walk into and 'try out'(ie test for height etc) before you buy. Generally speaking, canvas tents are more 'breathable' than nylon but are much heavier. You'll also need to consider what size the tent is when folded up and whether it will fit in your boot/trailer or whatever.
I can't recommend any one in particular, as it's been years now since we went camping (last time was 1999 for the eclipse in Cornwall). We had a fairly cheap Lichfield 5-berth frame tent (there wer 4 of us. Always get at least one more berth than the number of people using it), which served us well. Frame tents tend to be the most spacious, but are not really suitable if you want to pitch and break camp several times. They're better for pitching and staying put. If you want to be more mobile, a lighter weight dome or tunnel-shaped tent would be easier. Either way, I'd definitely recommend you go and see some tents on display before you buy one. Some shops have quite good second-hand ones as well as new.

[hercules]

Thanks. {smile}

Any more recommendations? Surely I'm not expected to make a decision on my own?

[Snugs]

How about this . Auction ends in about half an hour tho.

[Soothepoo]

We bought a Vango Colorado 600 DLX (look in the tents section) last year and are very pleased with it. It's absolutely massive inside. We take one bedroom out and use the space as a storage area, but even with all three bedrooms up there would still be plenty of room for tables, chairs, cooking area etc. The only negative thing is that it does take quite a while to erect it completely, but it's very strong - it withstood some hellish winds last year in Cornwall, and didn't leak at all. It cost us £199 from a camping shop in Wellingborough.

[bon]

Last summer we bought the Campus Indiana 8-berth. It was the envy of all our friends; relatively cheap but with a big living area and two really decent sized bedrooms (each sleeps four) at each side of the living area. It was fab for us last summer as I went with friends and it meant we had some privacy as the bedrooms aren't right next to each other. The other great thing is that it's a good height, so pretty much anyone can stand up in it. Finally, it's SO easy to erect. I'm usually useless at things like this, but have it down to a fine art after last summer. Only thing I'm still struggling with is how to fit it all back into the tiny bag it comes in. Sadly we've never managed to get the poles back in the same bag - apart from that, we're really pleased. There's a 6 birth which is cheaper still. See Outdoor Megastore .

[otto]

Bon. The Campus tents look really good value. We're looking to upgrade to a bigger tent and the larger version of our Coleman is very expensive. Dp really wants one with a window. Do the Campus tents have a window in the main area?

[julietcs]

We have a six birth Coleman. We were away in the very worst weather last year and it was fantastic. Look at how weather proof it is before you look for convenience. Many of the more intricate designs are useless if the wind really gets up unless you tie them to the car.

[M155PIGGY]

We have got an Outwell Hartford XL tent. It is supposed to slepp 12 but we find it fab for the 5 of us! It has 3 bedrooms and a huge living area big enough for the picnic bench when it is rainy. Dead easy to put up and pack away but cost £300 from Yeomans. The number of bedrooms is good as it means the kids have their own space and don't fight (3 boys aged 1, 4 & 5).

Hope this might help - it is the best way to holiday!

[nappybaglady]

Bought ours at Blacks. Don't remember price but seemed like a bargain at the time. Would also recommend Yeomans outdoors exhibitions if there's one near you - loads of tents put up so you can walk around them.

[hercules]

Thanks for all the help.
I would love an outwell hartford xl but is over our budget this year anyway so we're going for a campus nevada

[happymerryberries]

Just 'saw' you on Ukcampsite, I think, Hercules....I'm not stalking you honest! A very helpful bunch on that site, I think. they gave me lots of info when it came to book a site.

I pop in every now and then because I have turned into a sad tent spod!!!!!

We have an Outwell colorado 8 and that came in at a shade over 200. There are three bedrooms each with a fitted goundsheet and a large living area with its own ground sheet. Has the advatage of being 6 foot high in all areas

[hercules]

Yes, it is me. Where'd you buy yours then?

[happymerryberries]

Just saw your choice....looks great!

I've just done a shop in Ikea to pick up some things for the camping....three pans and a frying pan for £9.99, plastic tumblers for 80 p for 2...much better price than a camping 'set' and I'm not worried about the weight.

[happymerryberries]

We saw a display localy and bought it then and there. We were helped by there having been a @massive' downpur the night before and not a drop in the tent! I was well impressed. I had been looking on e-bay but this has a bad rep on Ukcampsite....lots of tents sold that are not fit for UK weather

[hercules]

That's helpful to know about ebay. I must say they seem to be fairly expensive as well. I am happy with the chosen one though and only £140

[happymerryberries]

That is a good price!

I think that you can get a good deal on e-bay, but as ever you have to know a bit about the subject to make sure. I know that a few ukcampsiters have had bad deals with bit missing and little or no comeback from suppliers. You tent looks very like ours, and I think that you were wise to get a sleeps 8, that way you will have room iside if the weather is dodgey. I'm so looking forward to the summer. I'm more excited than the kids... how sad am I?

[hercules]

We want to go away during easter.....

[happymerryberries]

We are going at easter, but are wimps and have booked a caravan in Wassenar in Holland. We went last year at easter and had a great time but, boy, was it cold! We needed the heater in the caravan. That said, there were lots of happy campers in tents. Our first 'outing' will be in the summer hald term. we are going to the wonderfully named 'sandyballs' campsite in the new forest. A friend went last year and said it was great with kids, lots of indoor facilities/ kids clubs if the weather got iffy.

Where are you planning to go in the summer? I can recomend France, the French know how to camp in comfort!

[hercules]

We are thinking of going with my sister to the new forest at easter!! A site was recommended to her but I dont know it's name. We are planning to go to devon in the summer for a week to see my nephew and probably france another week.