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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

Can you help me find a cheap and cheerful one-night/festival tent?

22 replies

nomoremagnolia · 16/08/2009 16:12

Can any of you nice campers help me?
I need a cheap and cheerful tent to fit a double airbed which costs as little as possible but doesn't leak! I think those are our only criteria, but tbh I don't know what I ought to be looking for. We really only want somewhere dry to crash out when we've drunk danced too much and I've been looking online but am a bit bamboozled by all the different tents and I have no idea which ones are good and which are a false economy!
Thanks in advance

OP posts:
Pixel · 17/08/2009 00:13

I once took the kids away for just a night with their school friends (and mums) and didn't want to bother putting up our big tent so I got a cheapy two-man tent from Tesco. My dcs were quite small for their age so we put a double readybed in there and all squeezed in together. It was cosy but ok.
I must admit I was expecting disaster as it was pouring with rain when we arrived and the field was already sodden but it stopped for about an hour while we put up tents. We didn't even start getting tiny leaks until about 5am and that was after it had rained all night so I was pleasantly surprised, especially as our friends' 'proper' Millets tents had started to leak too.
I'm not sure I'd want to camp in it for longer than one night, but it did only cost about £18. This was a couple of years ago so I don't know if they still do similar ones.

Furball · 17/08/2009 07:53

Have you seen the pop up ones like

vango or gelert - argos have some with really funky colours

troutpout · 17/08/2009 18:14

This is good value
here

There are 2 mans for even cheaper too on that site.

Slubberdegullion · 17/08/2009 19:16

ahh look trouty got here before me.

Having spent ONE WHOLE NIGHT in the Jersey M I can vouch fully for its marvellousness

disclaimer: night spent was wind and rain free.

Original poster
nomoremagnolia · 17/08/2009 20:07

Thanks guys, I was wondering if the £15/20 ones were too cheap to be true..
I don't really want to spend more than £25 but have seen a vango dart 200 here for £25, is that good? Also need it for this weekend! Can I get it in RL anywhere that cheap??
Better go and measure the air bed to be sure it fits as well

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Original poster
nomoremagnolia · 17/08/2009 20:13

by 'in RL' I meant where I can go to the shop, and I've just seen the link on that site to thier stores, sadly none are near me.

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Washersaurus · 17/08/2009 20:39

You can get them from the Yeomans stores for the same price - is there one near you? Good idea to call them first to check they have one that you want.

Original poster
nomoremagnolia · 17/08/2009 20:47

There are no stores near where I live, we could drive past a store on the way there, but I think that's a bit risky!!

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Slubberdegullion · 17/08/2009 20:50

If you are driving by then check they have them in stock and ask them to hold it for you.

You might want a quick demo of how to fold them down though. Popping up is a doddle

Original poster
nomoremagnolia · 17/08/2009 21:01

Are they good like that - keeping one by for me? I guess we could go via tesco/argos if it all goes pete tong...

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Washersaurus · 17/08/2009 21:03

I'm sure they would hold one for you no problem. Where are you going? Sounds good

Ponders · 17/08/2009 21:12

We bought the Gelert one for DS's Leeds expedition for £25 from a local supermarket - £25 for the Vango one seems like an excellent deal & I'm sure they'd reserve one for you, magnolia.

(Folding DS's down won't be an issue though, Slub - he doesn't do folding down - it will stay on site Well, unless there is blazing sun all weekend which is highly likely. Not.)

Original poster
nomoremagnolia · 17/08/2009 21:18

I've just had a look at their delivery details and I can order it online for in store collection at no charge. Having read the reviews I think I like the £30 Jersey S one - am I getting carried away? Should I stick to the £25 one? We're off to a festival a friend is hosting on his farm. Bands, beer tent, mud, the works!

OP posts:
Slubberdegullion · 17/08/2009 21:19

lol @ he doesn't do folding down

Slubberdegullion · 17/08/2009 21:31

They are probably much of a muchness magnolia. Is the vango a double skin?

Original poster
nomoremagnolia · 17/08/2009 21:39

I have no idea what double skinned means (well I can guess it has two skins, but is that good or bad?)

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oneopinionatedmother · 17/08/2009 21:44

double skinned means fly sheet (waterproof outer) + inner (usually cotton)- makes it warmer. good IMO.

Original poster
nomoremagnolia · 17/08/2009 21:49

vango is single skinned ,can't find out at the mo about the jersey one

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Slubberdegullion · 17/08/2009 21:53

jersey is a double, well the M is. Get the jersey, for an extra £5 you will be avoiding getting damp from condensation.

Original poster
nomoremagnolia · 17/08/2009 21:53

I can't find any reviews of the vango, plenty of positive reviews of the jersey. Did I say I like to do my research before buying anything? I would love to buy a tent called vango on the recommendation of MN though

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Original poster
nomoremagnolia · 17/08/2009 21:56

Looks like jersey s is double skinned, I guess that is the better one?

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Original poster
nomoremagnolia · 17/08/2009 22:03

Thanks for your help, I think I'm convinced on the merits of the jersey one
I told DH that MN would know

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