2 bedroom tent under £200

[SilverSixpence]

can anyone recommend me a tent? We are a family of 4 but MIL wants to go with us occasionally so we'd prefer a 2 bedroom tent where the rooms are on opposite sides of the living area. We are complete novices so would appreciate some advice!

[PiHigh]

When you say you want 2 bedrooms on opposite sides how are you thinking of arranging people?

e.g. Do you mean you, Dh & 2dc in one side and MIL in other
OR you & Dh in one side and MIL with dc in other (would this be a problem if MIL wasn't with you?)

There's this which is £200 and sleeps 3 in each bedroom.

We have this which we love. The bedrooms are next to each other though but there's 3 of them, so potentially you & Dh in one, one dc in middle one, dc & MIL in the other. It's over your budget now but we got ours for just over £200 in the end of season sale in 2011.

[SilverSixpence]

thanks for replying. I was thinking dh and dd (baby) with us and MIL and ds on other side. I think if we were on our own without MIL we'd keep DS with us until he's a bit older and/or DH would stay with him and I'd stay on other side with dd. Would that work?

[Pimpf]

I'd get 2 tents!

[mercibucket]

nice xl 4 man pop up tent at decathalon in the sale last week, has 2 bedrooms either side of the main part, and goes up in seconds so great for novices

[AcrylicPlexiglass]

The decathlon ones like these are always highly recommended and fit your budget. But I agree mil might prefer her own tent?

[mercibucket]

ooh yes, that the tent, thanks for the link

[feelthis]

I would recommend the Vango icarus 500 or something very similar vango tent as it will last your family for years, has great head height and a good living space and has the option of buying a front canopy in the future for even more space. It has a sewn in groundsheet which is good as your dc are young so no bugs can get in.
What is doesn't have is 2 separate bedrooms- they are separated only by a curtain. Wouldn't she not be happier in her own small tent and she could use the big one as a living space. The other option is a tent with separate sleeping pods but you would be remote from the young dc.

[feelthis]

I would also aim for a 5/6 man - you will appreciate the extra living space! Personally I've never liked tents with a bedroom on either side of a central living space like the highgear one - it turns your living space into a door and corridor with things getting under peoples feet imo!

[SilverSixpence]

I like the vango Icarus, the thing is MIL is unlikely to use a tent on her own and then DH will probably have to pitch two tents! Although she could have a popup tent which would he easy to pitch.

Ds is 4 and dd is a baby so they wouldn't stay on their own so the icarus would work for that. But we will probably also use it for other trips eg my sister and her ds, and me and my two or DH might go with ds and his friend and son, so two opposite rooms would offer a bit more privacy.

[feelthis]

I'm not sure it can be all things to all people . You are buying the tent for your family's use in the main and so think about where you want your young children to be. I wouldn't want them in a separate pod where I couldn't peek through the curtain to check they are okay and still in their sleeping bags or not at hand if they get up in the night for a wee!

Everyone else, well it is only for 2 or 3 nights in the main a couple of times a year so I personally wouldn't get overly concerned about their privacy requirements. I am sure they can manage whatever the sleeping arrangements! Maybe I am just selfish though!

[feelthis]

And I would put MIL in a separate tent!

[SilverSixpence]

Feelthis think you have a point about being able to check on kids, so maybe we should go for something where we can keep them closer. I assume you can also open up the curtain if necessary?

[Moredofbumsnet]

Something like this but cheaper would be quite versatile.

[SilverSixpence]

I think we'd probably go for the Vango 600.. Only problem is I'm now hankering after a bell tent!

[MummyPigsFatTummy]

Oh Silver - get a bell tent, do. They are fab. Soulpad even do a quarter inner tent which you could put MIL in

They are a bit pricey but if you can combine getting one with a trip to Holland, you would save a lot at Obelink.

[Lee71]

I have a new bell tent 4 meter never used £400