What's the best tent to buy to start out with?

[Fimbo]

I know I definately want a sewn in ground sheet, so what's the best? Also any essential must have buys to go with it?

It may be a white elephant but we shall see. Budget upto about £500

What size tent? How many people does it need to sleep? Do you want a dome tent, frame tent, bell, tunnel etc?

Do you want something easy to erect? Or light to carry? Or are you just going to drive to the campsite and put it up?

It has to sleep 2 adults and 2 children, preferably not all on top of one another!

Haven't a clue what type.

Drive to campsite and put it up.

Thanks Janice.

And I can access Decathlon but don't want a pop up number

It's about 15 years since I've bought a tent but Vango were always a good, reasonably priced brand.

As for extras, that also depends on what type of camping you want to do. Food-wise, do you want to eat at the campsite cafe, with maybe a couple of BBQs? Or boy scout style with wood collecting, matches etc. That will affect your choice of cooking and food storage facilities.

The thing I would recommend is decent sleeping bags for all of you, especially if you'll be camping in spring or autumn. Mummy shaped bags are far cosier than the cheap rectangular sort. Air beds possibly if you want a bit of luxury too.

Cheers Janice we did foray into it last year, rather pathetically and to a readytent so didn't actually have to take anything apart from ourselves and sleeping bags. It was a good lesson though as I was much much colder at night than I thought I would be and ending up seeking out the local Millets to stock up on ski-socks and a hat!

We live near the North Norfolk coast so will only be using it for a couple of nights at weekends.

I've got a Vango 500. It's brill. Go Outdoors have 15% off this weekend, and there are tons of other bargains too.

I got a Vango 400 which is a cosy 4-man in the sleep section, but very generous living area. Got it off ebay with footprint, carpet and extra bit all for under £200 - billy!

we have Outwell nevada m - just trying to give you some to look at really! has loads of living space.

We have the Outwell Montana 6 (well reviewed on here) and it's fab. Easy to put up (follow the Yeoman video on YouTube!) Sleeps 4 easily. Go Outdoors have 20% off on 10th July with a coupon you can download from their website, so you could grab a bargain - with your budget you'd also then be able to afford the carpet and footprint, which are well worth the investment.

VANGO ICARUS

Doh, Vango Tigris 400 (pg brain )

We bought Hi Gear Caplan as our weekend tent. We have a huge Vango for trips to France and needed a new one that wasn't too expensive. It's fine - plenty room for 2 adults and 2 children and enough space for table inside if it rains.

Ooh thank you heaps.

I think we are going to have a trip out to a camping place tomorrow (excited).

Another vote for the Montana 6 - we love ours

Would easily fit 2 adults and 2 children (we are a family of 2 adults and 3 children and fit no problem).
We have ended up buying the awning too though as we wanted somewhere sheltered for cooking.

We also have the carpet which is very cosy

We are going with GeordieMinx's Vango Icarus, we liked the 6 berth version on display today but I have found a good package deal on the 5 berth version on-line which includes the tent/carpet & lantern. So, we are off back to the shop tomorrow to see if they have the 5 berth version on display. We looked at so many that they are all beginning to merge into one!

Thank you again to everyone who took the time to reply to this thread.

tbh if we had money/would get the use we would have bought montana, but the icarus just seemed like a much better price for an occasional weekend camper like me.

We got tent footprint and carpet for £158. Remember gooutdoors will price match +10%, plus they have 15% off everything today.

Asda/tesco/poundland very good for bits and pieces such as lights, mats, kettle etc.