Help a camping novice with a tent please;

[LG93]

Hi all, hoping to pick your brains. I need to buy a tent - I'm going to an adult summer camp next year and need my own tent, and I'd like to get one big enough that I could also take the kids away with it (just me and them, they would be 7 and 4).

I don't really want to spend much more than about £200, I know that will likely mean compromising in some areas, but we're unlikely to stick out a trip if it was torrential rain at this stage, and while it may not last, we have never been camping so may hate it and would rather replace in a few years with something better if we are still enjoying it.

I am most drawn to these 2, but wondered if anyone had any advice, or other suggestions to consider?

https://www.millets.co.uk/16618540/berghaus-adhara-500-nightfall-tent-16618540

https://amzn.eu/d/6yBj7Ag

Any tips gratefully received!!!

Have you considered an air tent? Pros are its easier to put up (especially if you're trying to do it solo). Cons are they take up lots of boot space and are quite heavy. We love ours.

Lots seem to be on sale at the moment This one is within budget

I bought my last tent from here, you can get some good quality Vango bits for much less than retail:
https://www.campingrecycled.co.uk/

I would discount the Eurohike one. Its far too big for one person, both to put up and to live in. The berghaus is a more sensible size for you for now

You also need to space to dry the tent, so when looking you need one that will fit in your garden.

Air tents are a litceasuer to put up... but extremely heavy.

Ok that's useful to know about drying. I probably won't have a garden but my parents will so can use that, will keep in mind that it needs to fit! It did seem overkill just for me but thought it might work well for the kids, but maybe I'm getting carried away!

I did think about air ones for ease of putting up on my own but the weight worried me a bit, although it's not insurmountable. Do they pack back down easily, or is it like trying to get air out of an airbed and you never actually get it completely out?!

Those Berghaus tents are excellent.

Ideal for your solo camp.

Also simple to put up, and great for if you take the kids, is this https://www.millets.co.uk/15980551/vango-icarus-500-deluxe-family-tent-15980551

It is possible to put these tents up solo, I do it all the time, but easier if someone holds a pole (7 year olds can do this).

For drying a wet tent you don’t have to pitch it completely, I drape mine over a step ladder.

If you get an air pole tent, you can get electric inflators, which work in reverse to get the air out.

I have an air tent and can put it up and take it down by myself without any problems. Mine is technically a 4 person one, but I only ever use it by myself as I like space.

The Berghaus one (or the similar linked vango one above) look perfect - if it’s just you, you can sleep in the larger room at the back with your bags in the small one, and for you and kids, you go in the smaller room and they’ll both fit in the 3 person room with a bit of wiggle space. Living room just about big enough for 3 of you to sit around in camp chairs eating or playing cards etc.

If you started going away camping a lot more, you might appreciate more space, but as a beginner this is spot on. If you wanted more shelter for eg an outside space to cook, you can get the porch add on at a later date.

I think it’d be easy enough to put up. It looks pretty uncomplicated. Sewn in groundsheet always helps. And blackout fabric is def worth having.

I love the ease of air tents but it makes them more expensive and also a bit heavier to lug around. For a smaller first tent like this, I reckon the poles are quick and simple enough.