Looking to buy a tent for 2 adults & 2 small DC's- any recommendations?

[ilikeyoursleeves]

We are thinking of holidaying at home this year and are looking at tents. There are 4 of us, me, DH, DS1 (2.5 years) & DS2 (8 months). We would like one that you can stand up in, have a seperate living area and a bedroom where we are all together ie, no separated areas (wouldn't want to take my eyes off DC's at night!). Something good but cheapish, lightweight and easy to put up.

Any suggestions?

I've just bought the Easycamp boston 500. The bedrooms zip open so can be a large single or 2 compartments. I got the tent, footprint and carpet for just over £200 here

Easycamp are owned by Oase who make the Outwell brand so the quality is pretty good. I got the tent up on my own with just 5 mins help from my 7yo in about 45 mins.

a soulpad is great, you can buy dividers to put inside to seperate the sleeping area if you so desire. I have one myself, without the divider (don't feel it is needed) and it is lovely. Very high so lots of head room. Sturdy, waterproof, wind-proof. Lovely to be in when it is raining outside, the sound of the rain is just so calming in fat! It is cool in the hot and warm in the cold, none of that slightly damp feeling when you wake up in the morning.

soulpad

Oh and ease of putting up - the first few times, takes a while as you have to learn how to line up the guys, but once you have done it 3-4 times, we can do it in half hour? or so.

I have similar requirements and this is top of my list at the moment....though that easy camp looks good too...this is a bit longer and has a porch...which i really liked having on a tent in the past as a place to put wet shoes/coats etc....

www.outdoorworld.co.uk/sprayway-hood-river-4-tent-2010-preorder-p-3159.html?currency=GBP

both are 3 pole tunnel tents so straightforward to put up

although friends bought this last year and loved it.... as v light inside and really well made..
www.campingworld.co.uk/Models.aspx?ModelID=2064

I would love a bell tent but dh completely anti due lack of head height for 6'+

I love shopping for tents!

I've just ordered a 5m bell tent with bedrooms and a 'tarp' to use as an awning from Canvas and Cast. My DH is 6ft 2 and the 5m bell tents from canvas and cast are 9ft high at the top - they have extented the wall height so he should have plenty of room, otherwise he'll have to stand outside!
I'm very excited but they aren't in stock at the moment so I'll have to be patient until it arrives! Ithink I'll love it, I hope I do!

Oh my goodness. I'm not the only tent nerd out there!

leading questions.... I am sure its not as bad as he thinks...He thinks will only be able to stand in the middle of the tent and will have to crouch down elsewhere stayed in a yurt from canvas and cast and it was fantastic quality am very

We got a vango icarus 500 last year - its fab - 2 seperate bedrooms but only seperated by a curtain thing - can put it up alone if needs me (i like to play inthe garden with it) and we can stand up in it and sit out the rain. I love it. I am a tent nerd.

Vango Icarus 500. The orchy is also quite lovely.

if only a yurt was more transportable, i would have one in a trailer and take that with me!

Luckily, the bell tents these days accommodate wood burners, so i can pretend!

We've got a Vango Orchy and really like it. We have a 5-man one, and I would think that would be the perfect size for you.

I would also love a Soul Pad bell tent, but there is no way that I'd be able to persuade dh we need another. They are beautiful though, and people on here rave about them.

we've also got a Vango, it's the sigma 300+ so wouldn't recommend it for two adults and two dc, but the Icarus has fab ratings. Would say definitely go Vango rather than other makes.

Vango website for info

We really liked the orchy but the only thing what put us off was the two bedroom though side to side are not attached where as in icarus its just a curtain between so easier access to get at kids as a parent. I think the design of the orchy is better in a wind battering though i thynk i have read but then we are fair weather campers.

Those soulpads !?

They don't exactly fit into squishy spaces at festivals do they?

And aren't they a bit open? Where are the people's suitcases on those pictures. Only see drums and tamborines. Are they perhaps nude?

i dont think they fit in a little bag either in my little boot - stilli like the look of the wigwam ones and would like on for me the dc to play in the garden in the summer.

They are open spaces inside yes, but you can buy bedroom dividers if you wish. Not shown in the photos as not very asthetically pleasing for the whole bohemian look . We don't have suitcases ourselves. We have different coloured plastic boxes, and drape throws over them to use as seats (makes them less unsightly). They are fine for festivals, and small spaces as the guys can be tightly pegged. Ours takes up about the same room as our friend's family tent with a huge porch thing. It is loooooovely!

nappy my soulpad comes in a nice little bag with a strap! It fits onto the floor space of the back seat nicely or snugly in the boot! Although, perhaps not ideal if going on a long hike first!

My DH is more than 6 ft and is really happy in the bell tent.
DPW, I always have sarongs with me (handy for shade/spills/towel/sit on etc etc). I throw a sarong over suitcase so it's a like a little table.

paisley do you have sarongs hung in the doorway? I am v v sad. I have a whole box with shimmery muslin material to hang up at the door and inside. And several throws for the floor and to cover the bed up!

oh i have just spent the last 20 drooling over them - is there anywherer that does them cheap as chips?

No I mean the baby can crawl out.

Loving the plastic box seat idea!

Pavlov and paisley, quick question for you, please: Compared to a "normal" tent, does it take longer to pitch? Also, as Pavlov said it's lovely listening to the rain - does it not come inside from the bottom? Dh's main objections (ignoring price and the fact that we don't need another for the moment) is that it'll be a lot more difficult to pitch, and that he'd need to dig "trenches" ( ) around it to stop water entering. I know this must be nonsense, but I need first hand experience to trump him. Please.

Also, without dividers and knowing me and DH, nevermind the kids, - it'll become a tip very very quickly.

I think it's perhaps inverted snobery actually. I'd LOVE one.

Pavlov, I've hung mosquito netting in the doorway.
But you're right - a sarong would be much better!