Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Shopping

From everyday essentials to big purchases, swap tips and recommendations. For the best deals without the hassle, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Hey!! all you TENT FANATICS, over here please.......

209 replies

LadyTophamHatt · 23/04/2006 11:07

This year we are going to start buying camping equipment for future holidays, been camping pre-kids and always went on camping holidays as a child.

Ok, Dh thinks we should get a big frame tent. I'm sure you know the thing I mean. Big window at the front, 2 layers of canvas.
I prefer the big dome tents, they look so much more 21st century for a start.

Which is better?

Also if you have any other helpful hints and tips of stuff to add to our list I'd be grateful.

OP posts:
snafu · 30/04/2006 10:49

No, MN campers scare me Grin

Will reply to school stuff on other thread. (Went out last night, am weensy bit overhung...)

manitz · 01/05/2006 14:44

bumpin for me and crunchie. still haven't bought tent yet am working out if can afford this month. will update but need to print out some of the info below.

KBear · 01/05/2006 14:46

I've been to Millets today [saddo emoticon!]. they had a big flowery tent in the middle of the shop - I want that one (Andy's voice)!!

KBear · 01/05/2006 14:47

manitz - Argos have a sale on tents at the mo.

manitz · 01/05/2006 14:50

thanks. it's the actual parting with money i have an issue with. not how much!!! will talk to dh also am whinign about being skint to parents and am living with them, i can prob hide my recent eve lom purchase but a tent may not be so easy...

leggymamba · 01/05/2006 16:43

So we went to a tent sale today and decided that we like the \link{http://www.outdoorworld.org.uk/cgi-bin/sh000099.pl?REFPAGE=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2eoutdoorworld%2eorg%2euk%2facatalog%2fWynnster_Satellite_12%2ehtml&WD=oregon&PN=Vango_TBS_Oregon_800_2006%2ehtml%23aoregon800#aoregon800\vango oregon 800} but have looked around and found the \link{http://www.worldofcamping.co.uk/shop/Detail.asp?search=vista&ProductID=539\vango vista 600} for the same price.

As camping (with kids) novices which do you think we should go for - we want easy to put up for long weekends with ds (1) and dd (2)

leggymamba · 01/05/2006 17:00

Or any other similar priced (or cheaper) similar idea tents?

We liked the sew in groundsheet as dd has bug phobia (see other thread!)

Lucycat · 01/05/2006 18:01

At the risk of infuriating the non campers - here we go! Grin
I personally like the long porch on the Vista, were you wanting 2 or 3 bedrooms? It looks quite easy to put up as long as you get the tension bands right, certainly easier than those with lots of pods coming out at all angles, and £200 is a good price!

Lucycat · 01/05/2006 18:08

With 2 little kids, you may be better going for something like a \link{http://www.outdoormegastore.co.uk/acatalog/Family_Clearance_Tents.html\Campus Nevada} as it has 2 big bedrooms, so when they end up in your room at night (and they will!) there's enough room for you all! Can't work out whether this one has a sig, but the layout may give you something to think about!

Peachyclair · 01/05/2006 19:01

i would suggest the gelert quebec if you like that shape

or- or- Argos have a CAMPING SALE ON- the 6 man tundra? we have one, not right for us but i think it's a much better tent than the price of £100 would warrant tbh- recommend if the shape suits you

Blandmum · 01/05/2006 19:06

halfords also have a sale of Gelerts. I saw one 6 berth for £150

Peachyclair · 01/05/2006 19:11

\link{http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10151&storeId=10001&productId=204635&categoryId=31512&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=31512&crumb=34005&varient=&CarSelectorCatalogId=&CarSelectorGroupId=\ this?} MB?

seems good value

Lucycat · 01/05/2006 19:15

ooh I like that!

Blandmum · 01/05/2006 19:24

That was the one. I was in there buying camp beds. Theirs are very good value at £20 each....the heavy duty aluminium ones

manitz · 01/05/2006 20:30

where's the infuriation stuff come from? i haven't noticed it. I'm a bit torn about the gelert now. for £50 extra it looks fantastic compared to the yale. it has suddenly occured to me as novices we a) might appreciate electricity and b) dont' have enough cash to go abroad so might need to do more than sleep in a tent (as bit rainy). i can't see a floor plan but i'm really impressed by that tent. also wld solve problme of not being too far from kids w/o having to be in same room.

also doesn't look like i'd need to rush to buy it as not in a sale.

Finally, how does a huge tent like that fit into pitches, does it cost more?
also are there any good sites to find out good places to go once you have a tent?

final question meant to ask a bit back, can you still get proper tupperware? it just seems so much better than the plastic tat in supermarkets.

Peachyclair · 01/05/2006 20:33

many sites have a 8 X 8 metre limitation, anything else you might (I repeat might) pay a supplement

but 8 X 8 is big!!

Can i recommend these 2:

wood farm in charmouth and nodes point on the isle of wight,
both just perfect imo. and both have websites

Peachyclair · 01/05/2006 20:34

oh try ukcampsite.co.uk

has a site search facility

manitz · 01/05/2006 21:02

thanks i partic want iow as have never been hve to go for new tricks now but will look tomorrow.

Lucycat · 01/05/2006 22:08

I'd have to agre that the Gelert looks good value for money and you can pick up a 3 way electric hook up for £50, so you'd have your leccy for the same price as the other tent!

leggymamba · 02/05/2006 19:38

Thanks for the advice,

manitz - you're asking all the things I want to know too so keep going !

manitz · 02/05/2006 19:48

thanks.sorry have taken over a bit. looks like we are in a similar situation leggymamba. ive got two dds 3 and 1 but it's me with the bug phobia. complete novices. that isle of wight site looks like a good start and about £16-20a night in august which is kind of my prob, stuck in school hols cos of dhs' job.

leggymamba · 02/05/2006 19:58

Dh also has bug phobia but pretends hard that he's being considerate of the kids!

Another question - how do you fit everything into the car? We've got a roof box will we get everyone in?

Also - what is ettequette (sp?) about dogs on campsites - are they generally allowed? (last time I camped was pre kids and dogs). Come to that what is the ettequette (sp again!) about kids on campsites - particularly about keeping them quiet in the morning? Begining to get cold feet!

Blandmum · 02/05/2006 20:01

We have a roof box and that is enough with the bbot of the car....but we don't take loads od clothes etc.

RE dogs, depends on the site, some ban them. When they allow them the feelimg on UK campsite is that doegs aboulf be on a long lead attached to a ground spike.....so they can't roam everywhere. Must say I would be happy if dogs were free to roam at will, since ds is a huge allergic reaction to them.

Quiet time is usualy held to, bur campers are understanding sorts (on the while) . that said, mine stay up late on camping hols and so sleep in!

leggymamba · 03/05/2006 17:03

Right thanks to the links to Ukcampsites I've found a dead cheap factory second \link{http://www.cave-crag.co.uk/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/185\khyam ridgi-dome xxl classic} What do you think about these?

I've seen one and from what I can remember the sewn in ground sheet is only for the bedroom bits - is this an issue? Are they really as quick to put up as the bumpf would have me believe?

Blandmum · 03/05/2006 17:05

Very good, easy to put up, very expensive....but those that have them swear by them. At one point they were a rather purple, purple colur which I found odd! But that is just me! Smile