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Camping

Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

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Original poster

WHICH TENT/ SITE? (WE ARE CAMPING VIRGINS)

16 replies

noonar · 22/04/2007 20:22

Hi, we have dds aged 5 and 2.9. we want do some camping over the summer- just short breaks in the south of england.

any advice which (cheap) tent to buy and what to take for a weekend break?

also, how do i find a good site with clean facilities, which isnt full of snooty caravan owners???

tia.

OP posts:

Blandmum · 22/04/2007 20:23

right. How about you book into a site that will rent you a tent, to see if camping is your thing?

Or borrow a tent from mates?

Walnutshell · 22/04/2007 20:28

This is a good site. I've posted reviews on it myself of a couple of sites we have visited. Have happily co-existed opposite caravanners too at a couple.

UK campsites

Original poster

noonar · 22/04/2007 20:32

hadnt thought of renting. good idea ! will also check out that site.

OP posts:

ejt1764 · 22/04/2007 20:33

the Camping and Caravanning Club run quite a few sites that aren't for members only, and they have to come up to a certain standard, so the loo blocks are kept clean ...

As for a tent, I'd suggest you get one of the packages that you can get from Asda etc to start with, then if you like Camping, then you can get a better tent later on ... a word of warning though, make sure the tent you buy is way bigger than the number of people you are - I'd suggest that you go for a minimum of a 6-berth tent with 2 kids ...

Don't write off caravan owners they're not all snobby!... (have never had a caravan in my life, but my parents have now bought a caravan, as they decided that they were too old and decrepid to camp anymore!)

Have fun!

Walnutshell · 22/04/2007 20:35

Just in support of renting a tent, we bought a 6-birth dome style tent and now I wish we had bought a more traditional shaped one. Was a bargain at the time. Worth visiting camping fairs (usually run by camp shops) to have a look around different tents. Blacks & Yeomans worth contacting for upcoming fairs in your area. Happy camping!

Walnutshell · 22/04/2007 20:38

Totally agree with ejt1764 re size of tent - you just have to look at the brochure diagram depicting how people can lie like sardines in a tent to realise how they determine their berth!

Also, colour of tent affects the way light in the tent: ours in blue and it's a bit gloomy, lighter shades of taupe/green seem nicer. Or have I lost it here?

Original poster

noonar · 22/04/2007 20:44

great advice. why dont you like the dome shape, walnut? i fancy a big frame tent that i can stand up in, lol!

OP posts:

Blandmum · 22/04/2007 20:48

You don't need a dome to stand up in. We have a tunnel tent. You can stand up in all areas. Domes are great for living space, but sleeping areas are often much smaller.

Google Outwell Montana to see the sort of tent that I'm talking about.

V easy to put up as well, easier than a dome IME

Original poster

noonar · 22/04/2007 21:03

MB, that tent looks great. have had trouble googling sites that hire out tents, though.

OP posts:

Walnutshell · 22/04/2007 21:05

Hi noonar.

Well, dh bought dome style tent as it was a good deal for a good brand tent and it certainly does the job.

However, on reflection, I personally find that I'd now prefer a more rectangular space (god, how sad am I?) as the dome 'living space' can have limited 'sides' for putting stuff against - dh in the background is reminding me that some domes are structured in a more elongated way and provide better space for storing stuff.

However, dome tents are a much more stable structure (going anywhere exposed to winds??? ) and they are usually much quicker and easier to put up.

Our tent is a Vango Diablo 600 new version of our tent 2nd pic down and we later bought a Suncamp day tent to use in addition to the Vango and to provide better living space, eg for eating and relaxing in the evening.

Vango, Suncamp and Outwell good brands to explore. (DH definitely recommends Outwell , good space for family storage, living etc).

(Obviously shop around for price!)

Walnutshell · 22/04/2007 21:07

PS, you can easily stand in the main area of the dome, but totally agree with what you are saying.

I second martian's recommendation.

Blandmum · 22/04/2007 21:10

this site used to do them, don't know if it still does

Not the quietest site in the UK, but lots of fun with kids

Blandmum · 22/04/2007 21:12

\link{http://www.deepdalefarm.co.uk/|and this is a fabbo site that will rent you a tipi!}

Not your average camping experience, but it will get you into the swing of the thing!

Original poster

noonar · 23/04/2007 14:29

ah, thanks. i'll take a closer look at all suggestions.

OP posts:

rbj949703 · 01/05/2007 23:48

East Fleet Farm , clean, tidy, helpful staff, pub on site, park, no kids club, clean showers. You'd need to take your own tent though.

Lucycat · 02/05/2007 11:04

Trevornick near Newquay in Cornwall do 'Eurotents' which are frame tents that you rent out. They have everything in them and it is camping 'on the posh' but it will give you an idea of whether you actually like sleeping under canvas (well polyester)

Might be worth thinking about before you shell out.

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