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

Original poster

If money was no object, which tent would you buy?

55 replies

Hotcuppatea · 30/01/2021 14:51

I'm thinking of buying a new tent for this year. Mostly because I'm bored, fed up with having holidays cancelled and have some spare cash.

My criteria are:

  • Easy to take down/put up
  • No canvas. Am open to polycotton
  • Fit 3 people comfortably with room for a 4th sometimes
  • Standing room in the living area
  • Nice looking (totally subjective i know)

I can't really find anything thats prompting me to buy yet. So I'm asking you, if money was no object , what tents would you buy? It doesn't have to fit my criteria. I'm just looking for some random inspiration.

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7
HazeyJaneII · 30/01/2021 14:56

I know you say no canvas but I would 100% go with a bell tent, I cant imagine ever having anything else now.
I'm just sat ogling a new one, as a treat for when we can go camping again.

Original poster
Hotcuppatea · 30/01/2021 15:04

Am I right in thinking that I'd need a 5m bell tent in order to comfortably fit 3 people? The thought of lugging around 5m of canvas (and trying to dry it out in the spring/autumn months, is really putting me off.

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Fatnotfitformuch · 30/01/2021 15:17

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HazeyJaneII · 30/01/2021 15:21

We have a 5m tent for 5 of us, and it is plenty roomy enough - but now the dds are teenagers and ds is 10, we thought it might be good to get a bigger one with an inner.
We've never found drying out a problem, because our garden is big enough to stick it up when we get home to dry it.
It is fecking huge though - so although I can put the thing up in 15 minutes on my own...I wouldn't be able to pick it up in its bag!! It also used to take up half the boot of our old car.
I still love it though.
I'm getting so excited about the prospect of camping again!!

Original poster
Hotcuppatea · 30/01/2021 15:25

@HazeyJaneII I know!!! We've already booked a long weekend in May. Everything crossed that it happens.

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Petalbird · 30/01/2021 15:30

Decathlons own brand q..... black out sleeping tents are awesome. Only used it once but my tall dp can stand up in it

NotMeNoNo · 30/01/2021 15:37

How big is your car? What style of tent are you looking for?
We are downsizing our camping gear so I would buy a smaller very good quality tent and a tarp or gazebo.
This is our tent, I don't know where this old stock came from but I'd buy it again in a moment. www.terra-nova.co.uk/all-tents/aspect-4-tent/
Having owned one Wild Country tent I'd look at this for a more normal family tent. www.terra-nova.co.uk/all-tents/inflatable-tent/zonda-4ep/ It has more modern features like blackout bedrooms.
Huge tents are overrated when they blow over in wind or take up all the room in the boot.

Original poster
Hotcuppatea · 30/01/2021 15:45

@NotMeNoNo I'm torn between practical and beautiful. Boot space isn't an issue, but I usually camp without DH so the tent has to be easy to put up. I just want to see what other people's dream tents are to see if something inspires me.

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WitchDancer · 30/01/2021 16:08

I have a 4 man tent for when I camp by myself, which has the air poles. I can put it up by myself in about 15 minutes, bearing in mind I have a dodgy back and get tired very easily. The only thing I need help with is folding it when taking it down, but if needs be I just do it as best I can and then refold it with DH when I get home.

Fatnotfitformuch · 30/01/2021 17:15

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WitchDancer · 30/01/2021 17:19

I can't remember I'm afraid, but we got it from Go Outdoors a couple of years ago. It's got a sleeping area to the back and then a main area, and it is grey (I think!)

Fatnotfitformuch · 30/01/2021 17:39

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BasinHaircut · 30/01/2021 17:45

I know this is a money no object thread but we bought this last year and honestly it’s fab. There are 3 of us and we could comfortably fit a 4th. Can stand up inside, piss easy to erect (3poles). I think we paid even less last year than it’s up for now:
www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15980932/eurohike-rydal-500-5-person-tent-15980932

lazylinguist · 30/01/2021 17:49

I love love love our Hi Gear Sahara 6 with 3 double bedroom pods and a huge, circular, head-height living area. Too big for you probably, but I'd certainly recommend the brand (Hi Gear is Go Outdoors' own tent brand, I think). I will be very say when it eventually dies. They don't make that particular tent any more.

Fooshufflewickjbannanapants · 30/01/2021 17:51

These guys do poly cotton I've got canvas 5m and when kids were little there were 8 of us with an awning for the kitchen and a toilet tent.

Moondust001 · 30/01/2021 17:51

The three bedroom, two lounges, two bathroom and veranda ones, located in the centre of an African safari park, complete with cooks, waiters, a bar, drivers, and porters...

Does that count?

Original poster
Hotcuppatea · 30/01/2021 17:55

@Moondust001

The three bedroom, two lounges, two bathroom and veranda ones, located in the centre of an African safari park, complete with cooks, waiters, a bar, drivers, and porters...

Does that count?

Sounds amazing. Not sure it will fit in the back of the van but I wish it could Grin
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Original poster
Hotcuppatea · 30/01/2021 17:58

@Fooshufflewickjbannanapants

[[https://www.boutiquecamping.com/tents-c1?campaignid=185623313&adgroupid=8924245193&network=g&device=m&content=395044272195&keyword=bell%20tent&gclid=CjwKCAiApNSABhAlEiwANuR9YB9d5LH]]TJGvCORG8yMBNck55MsVfhSAkXe9RoWRPxorjMXTEr94BoChb0QAvDDBwE
Yes. I'm considering the 5m polyester bell tent, but would only buy it with an inner bedroom because of the condensation. Their 5m bedrooms are out of stock, but I've messaged to ask when they might have more.
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Original poster
Hotcuppatea · 30/01/2021 17:59

I also love the Touareg tents, but again its just all that heavy fabric to dry out. Pain in the arse.

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RainingBatsAndFrogs · 06/02/2021 09:07

www.obelink.co.uk/obelink-porto-ercole.html

www.boutiquecamping.com/tents-c1/4-4m-touareg-tent-with-double-door-p1268

I am a convert to canvas (a Dutch storm tent) and just never choose to use my polyester tent any more.

But I like these poly cotton tents. Also the Robbens cabin tent.

I personally don’t choose airbeam. Would rather save weight and bulk for cotton.

Msfoxy17 · 06/02/2021 09:13

We have a 5 canvas bell tent - a proper one which cost over a grand about 10 years ago. We love it and have had some great family adventures before and after arrival of our little one. It is easy to put up however it's very very bulky and heavy. Means you need a campsite where you can park next to the tent.
If money were no object we'd probably get a much more lightweight and practical Tentipu - with inner compartment and all the trimming (porch canopy etc)

Msfoxy17 · 06/02/2021 09:13

Tentipi I mean

Queenelsarules · 06/02/2021 13:51

None! I'd buy a lovely holiday cottage with extensive grounds, near woods and sea!

Tangledtresses · 06/02/2021 15:28

I bought a van and had it converted to a camper van

No more tents for us 😀