Which tent do I need?

[BettyBoopy]

We are beginner campers and am a bit lost as to which tent to buy. We would only be camping for 2-3 nights and in the spring and summer. We have a big van so transport not an issue. Would appreciate any advice from seasoned campers!

We would like a tent that is quick and easy to put up and take down. Air tent maybe?
family of 5. (3 kids under 6) so ideally one large bedroom
somewhere we could sit and eat or play games in the evenings
blackout bedroom with ventilation
under £600 of possible

do you think we could fit in a 4 man with 2 double mattresses or would we need a 5/6?

Largest bell tent you can find.

they don't last and replacement parts are near impossible to get. go cheap and upgrade every two years.
honestly skip the tent phase and get a camper van. the tenting paraphernalia just grows and grows, wet rots or dry rots, and breaks down.

My husband wants a camper van but I really want to do the tent thing whilst the kids are little! Did glamping last year and loved it but it's really expensive for more than one night. Just priced up the Lake District and it's £2-300 per. Night.... To sleep in basically a shed!

We've had our ancient 6 man tent for years.

I even find that too small and it has 2 separate sleeping areas plus a large main part

Just make sure it's bone dry before you pack it up.

I'd buy a new one but we stopped camping a few years ago because we all got fed up

It was tons of fun though with younger DC and large groups of friends

Just get a big tent because there is so much stuff you have to take

i've been there and done the tenting with kids good photo's horrible memories.

Vango do good sized cheap(ish) tents. They have their own recycled tent website where you can get nearly new tents with industry standard repairs (usually very minor) or ex display with massive discounts as well. Definitely worth a look into!

Okay, so we’re backpackers so tend to do things fairly small. But… I would suggest getting a larger tent so you all have enough space and can have an airbed/SIM/roll mat each. The children won’t be under 6 forever. Also helps with storage for your stuff (some campsites you can’t park next to your tent even if you are car camping). I have heard good things about the air poles but I don’t have any experience as we tend to buy ultralight backpacking tents. We have a sail with poles for our living space: we have two two-man backpacking tents, one with a porch, one without and a sail shade rather than one big tent because that’s what we own and we haven’t bought a family size tent and not sure if we will.

I'd go for one marketed as 6XL... thats six persons sleeping area plus a living area.

Air vs Pole... our Berghaus air tent is a lot more sturdy than a pole tent. I've also seen air tents that look like they will collapse any second. We lost our last (big) pole tent in bad winds where air tents didn't budge.

Go somewhere like Go Outdoors and look at all the different styles to get an idea on what you like.

We have a decathlon air tent with blackout for family of 5 : children ages 2,5,9.

Our tent has the large bedroom with a dividing curtain. We can fit two double air beds in it. Also has a separate bedroom

Can't find it now on decathlon which is a shame.

The big plus of the air tent is my partner can most of the tent up on his own - we started camping with the middle child was a baby and it's no fun trying to pitch a tent while managing a baby and a toddler.

I bet it's not! My youngest is almost 3 so feel this is a good age to try camping. I've been looking at some decathlon tents and also vango?? Can't make my mind up!

We're a family of 5 and have an 8 man. You can never fit as many people in the bedrooms as they say you can unless you want to be squashed like sardines.

We have a Kampa Hayling 4 and it does all the things you need except the blackout bit. We use it about 35 days a year and have had it for 5 years so really good value although it's a bit faded now. It's just the two of us and the dog, but it would definitely be fine for your children at their age.

Have camped, caravanned and camper vanned. There's nothing like camping in a tent for really feeling connected to the outdoors, I love it and kids adore it.

Things that make it even better....fairy lights, self inflating mattress, hot water bottles, proper duvets and pillows instead of sleeping bags.

Gratuitous tent porn of our tent to get you in the mood.

If your budget will stretch I'd go for something like this one.

www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15987049/hi-gear-horizon-700-air-nightfall-tent-15987049

Have a look at Go Outdoors, they usually have plenty on display and you can get a feel for the space.

Consider having single air beds, mattresses or sleeping bags, it gives you more flexibility to move DC around if needed.

Remember that by the time you add 'stuff' to your tent the living space fills up quickly so get the biggest tent you can transport.

Another option could be the Berghaus Air XL - keep an eye on Marketplace as often there are lots of tents for sale that have been barely used.

2 berths bigger than the number of people.

You are all very helpful! Thanks so much!

We have a 4 man for 2 of us. It has two bedrooms and a small living space in the middle. It's a decathlon air and blackout too. I'm not sure they make it anymore but I'm sure they dk similar. I agree with the 2 berths more comment!

Definitely an 8 man tent! Our set up
is amazing but sadly we are now selling up as we’ve our grown it (we’re all too old and knackered lol)! It’s only 3 years old and hardly any of it has been used sadly! Loved it while we did it though!

https://www.millets.co.uk/15981046/hi-gear-hampton-6-nightfall-family-tent-15981046

Look at the Cross Camping Method on YouTube on how to put up a tunnel tent single handed.

https://www.millets.co.uk/15985185/hi-gear-vanguard-nightfall-6-tent-15985185
Sturdier tent but I think harder for one to put up while one is on child care.

https://www.millets.co.uk/16136596/vango-antrim-air-600xl-family-tent-16136596

Really good buy, as air beam tents are generally more ££. Air beam = easier to put up for one person but much heavier bulkier packs and not necessarily easier to take down and pack up.

Bell tents: so easy for one person to put up. Cotton tents feel nicer to be in. But also bulky pack, and if you have a damp pack up they need drying vey thoroughly asap when you get home.

This is a good tent if you want something a little smaller:

https://www.blacks.co.uk/16232033/coleman-mosedale-5-pro-blackout-tent-16232033/?istCompanyId=d92b362f-ac8a-4a8a-87ca-c56eafad7955&istFeedId=2f99410f-1124-43d5-8232-86c184f09479&istItemId=rlxtrwrwr&istBid=t&gclid=EAIaIQobChMInojiuZy8_wIVzdvtCh3a-wCqEAQYASABEgIQBvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Pardon my camping ignorance - but what is an air tent?

High pressure inflatable tubes instead of fibreglass or steel poles.

Ah - thanks!

6 man inflatable black out tent for £600

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/6-man-inflatable-blackout-tent-air-seconds-6-3-f-b/_/R-p-324957?mc=8584571

they say you need a bigger tent than the actual people it’s for. So certainly don’t go for a 4 man.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/mp/olpro/olpro-endeavour-7-berth-tent/_/R-p-587c0add-3b96-457c-96ca-d82d88af732d?mc=587c0add-3b96-457c-96ca-d82d88af732d_c251&c=GREY

or a bigger poled tent.

Thanks all for your help and advice. In the end I bought an outdoor Revolution Camp Star 600. Got it half price as it was a x display.

The tent comes with a pump, groundsheet and carpet. We already have sleeping bags and a cooler box.

What else do we need? I'm thinking...
camping stove and kettle for cups of tea (and pot noodles!)
air beds/mattresses
torch/tantern
camping chairs

any other essentials?

Inflatable pillows. Get the roll up mattresses, airbeds are crap! Water containers to save trekking to the standpipe every 5 minutes. Camping toilet if so inclined! Fold up table. Fire pit for cooking/evening warmth.