What do we need to get started?

[Mishy1234]

Up until now we've been lucky enough to use my Dad's static caravan in the Lakes for holidays. We're looking at affordable options for future holidays and thought camping might be just the thing for us and our 2 boys (3 and 1).

I have been looking at tents and love the look of bell tents, but I'm unsure of their versatility compared to conventional tents and also cost.

I'd love feedback on the type of tent you have for your family (bell or otherwise). Also, what accessories do you need to get started and how much do you reckon we'd have to have saved up for everything.

We'd rather buy things that will last the distance and spend a little more initially. Also, space is at a premium for travelling. We have a smallish car with a roof box (we're looking at upsizing atm).

Any info at all would be great.

We are just starting out too.

There are 5 of us and we have bought a khyam Ontario 8. It's a good size and have found it quite easy to put up.

So far we have bought - tent, air beds, sleeping bags, folding chairs, folding table, cooking stand with shelves (on offer in go outdoors), pump that inflates and deflates and a cool bag.

Next on list is melamine plates, cups etc and a lantern.

Dh goes fishing so we already have a gas cooker and pans.

I can give you a view on both (normal and bell tents)

We atarted out with an Outwell Hartford XXL - fab tent, ticked all the boxes:

• separate bedrooms for me and DH, the girls and storage too (+ an extra 'guest' room!!!!)
• big huge central space for when it rains - very important
• could easily stand up in it (though not the bedrooms)
• good quality
• known brand
• looked good (also very improtant!)
• fab porch area so no wet gear comes into the tent

And I loved it, really got inot the camping, far more than DH thought I would!

We camped in it for 3 years and had some fab times. Stood up well to the winds (when many tents around us didn;t) However this year I decided I wanted a bell tent as I really wanted canvas, it goes up super quick, and its really pretty!!!

We've only done 1 weekend so far but heres how it compares:

• we do have an inner but its one big bedroom for the 4 of us now. I actually like this, so if DD2 (as it usually is) gets up in the night, its easier to sort her out than having to get out of our pod, then find her and do what we need to do. Plus the pods were quite small so whoever was on the outside had the tent flapping in their face - not good. Its also very relaxing having a lovely big open space, not at all claustraphobic and its not too hot in the mornings.
• we still have a big space for rainly days even with the inner tent, and its so much nicer in the rain under canvas than the nylon!
• yep still no problems standing up
• quality good so far as are all the reveiws I read up (and believe me I reasearched this!)
• we went to Obelink to get ours
• looks fab even without bunting and fairly lights
• now there is no porch area, you can get a matching tarp which does give some protection , however not as much as the porch obviously. So far not a problem, infact the porch seemed to attract mess, we seem to camp a bit tidier now!

Camping under canvas is a lot nicer. Smell, light coming in, quieter than nylon in the wind. Abd the clincher for DH - goes up in less than 20 mins!

Look on Soulpad, canvas and cast, tortuga tents, Albiaon canvas, Obelink (if you are able to get over to Holland or know someone in Europe who you can get it delivered to as they dont deliver to UK) and belltent.co.uk though a word of warning, I've heard that customer service for the latter is not great and delivery times even worse.

Ooh sorry, that went on a bit!

Thanks for the replies. You've given me some fantastic information, thanks for taking the time.

I'm doing some more research, but I'm SO attracted by the bell tents.

Needanewname - where did you get your bell tent from?

Needanewname- apologies, I see you've already said where you got it from.

Thats OK. Belltent.co.uk and soulpad arep retty much the same price and quality from what I can tell, Obelink same tent, cheaper, though of course you have to get there or know someone in Europe! Or get yourself a lovely weekend away in a nice hotel!

The others are more expensive and didn't have the SIG, ZIG inner tent options (they may well have now) but they did have the options of the heavier canvas which means your camping season could be longer.

Where abouts are you? If your near a campsite anyone is going to, maybe you could pop along and be nosey!

I was after a bell tent for quite a while and DH said no way, but I saw one and loved them even more, it wasn't until he saw one (and how quick it went up) that he was convinced!

We're in Edinburgh, so I'm guessing there must be a fair few sites in the Borders or over Fife way. DH likes the bell tent idea, but has been put off camping by lots of stories about noisy sites/campers from his work colleagues. A hazard of camping I guess?

I suppose it depends on what site you go to. We tend to stick to the ones that don't have bars / entertainment etc, they tend to not allow stereos or any kind of drum / bongos or large same sex groups.