Tent in garden? Cabin?

[Lucyintheskywithrubies]

Is there such a thing as being able to hire a glamping sort of tent or cabin to put temporarily in someone’s garden?

Coming to stay with family next summer for three weeks. There is not enough space in the house but huge garden. Two adults two DCs aged 6/9.

I love camping and would happily sleep in a tent for 3 weeks.

Things to consider: it may take your kids 2 weeks to get used to sleeping past bright sunlight at 5am. There are tents with good ‘blackout’ sleeping pods, but not pretty canvas bell tents.

What makes the ‘luxury’ of glamping type tents is the sleeping arrangements provided. Sleep comfort is essential. Some people are perfectly comfortable on blow up beds, if that’s you, no problem,
I like a SIM, and for 3 weeks a good thick one. £70 minimum! The kids can manage in thinner, cheaper one though: less weight so don’t need as much depth to keep them off the floor.

Would the children be happy to go to bed in the tent while you socialise indoors? (My eldest slept in his own tent when we camped from age 9 and youngest would be ok with eldest). Or if you are sitting out in the garden talking during those lovely summer evenings, will the kids sleep? No sound insulation in a tent.

Same consideration if they live on a noisy road.

But maybe you are all fine with kids staying up til dark and then eventually sleeping in.

What about hiring a caravan? If it could be parked on the garden? I had a quick look at a company called Camptoo that rents caravans, and a big luxurious caravan for 3 weeks soon was £45 a night. You get a chemical toilet in a caravan!

Would there be enough room in the huge garden to be able to get a caravan in it ? as in access to the garden ? you can pick up an old caravan quite cheaply and at least you would be warm and dry ?
Or you can buy a brand new 5m bell tent for about £500, then sell it on after.
Or how about renting a camper van if there is access to the garden to park it ? Camplify is a good site to get an idea of prices for hiring one.

Hire a caravan www.camptoo.co.uk/hire/caravan

You can buy a large second hand tent (minimum of 6 man if you're not campers yet). Around here they're being listed, used once, for about £100-£150.

We camp every year for anywhere between 2-5 weeks whilst volunteering at something- with the DC.

What makes it bearable is:
A tent you can stand up in.
Lots of roll mats on the floor in the sleeping compartment plus a tent carpet on top. Same in the porch.
Camp beds, SIMs and blanket underneath.
Good sleeping bags.
A proper from home pillow.
Enough space in the porch for chairs etc.
Enough clothes and blankets. Even in July and August it can get down to single figures.

The amount you enjoy it will be in direct correlation with how fine the weather is and how comfortable you are!

An ideal night in a tent is mild, cloudy and very still, and quite rare. Any wind at all, rain, storms, cold snaps etc will disturb you plus sun on the tent makes it too hot very quickly.
This is much better with canvas, but canvas is more expensive and bulkier.

Saying all that, we love camping. Always very tired by the end of it though.

Alternative - hire a caravan. They even deliver. Much more luxurious

www.tilshead-caravans.com/caravan-hire-range

Three weeks in a tent sounds challenging and exhausting. Our set up we have a Coleman octagon tent which is nice and tall throughout. Kids sleep on camp beds surprisingly comfy with a big sheepskin rug on top. These normally live on bedroom floors blankets and throws/ blankets and proper pillows. I sleep on a double air bed with sheep wool topper. I don’t know if it’s luxurious but comfy and a good nights sleep. I camp a lot but only for 3 nights at a time.

Are hosts happy for you to traipse in and out all the time. If you go down this route I’d get a camping toilet for anti social hours loo trips. a fire pit and folding chairs if the hosts don’t have some for alfresco wine drinking when the kids have gone to sleep. Book a hotel weekend in the middle with a pool so you can have a proper bed for a night or two.

I'd keep an eye on ebay/ fb etc for second hand tents.

We use camp beds with a SIM on top and tbh they're more comfortable than many hotel beds.

My friend has a van, so has an actual double bed that bolts together/ apart for repeated use!

Ohhhhh some fantastic comments thank you all!! Knew this would be the place to ask 👍