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Hi loobyloo2.  I have campbeds and airbeds.  I do think the campbeds are good for a few reasons - one being that they give extra storage underneath!! they don't deflate like many airbeds do, and you also get none of "wobble" when somebody else is moving on the airbed!!

however I do find them a little uncomfortable if used on their own - not sure which ones you have but I put a folded blanket on top of our campbed to soften it a little, or if you have enough space in your car an old quilt on top of it would be even more comfortable.

We usually take some fleece blankets/throws with us for extra warmth, either on top of your sleeping bag or underneath - or even just sitting outside.  We have a few cheap ones we bought from primark.  they are nice to snuggle up in when sitting outside in a chair also!!

hope this helps. 

Happy camping - you will love it, we started two years ago and I am itching to get back out in our tent!!!

Wow those carp beds look amazing!  Me and hubbie have sunncamp deluxe XL camp beds, didn't realise until we got them home how huge they are, looked a lot smaller in the shop! haven't spent a whole night on them yet but can't wait.  The kids have got the basic ones you see in the argos, we've borrowed them for the first trip so can always go out and buy airbeds or camp beds if they are uncomfortable.  Thanks for the tip about blankets/fleeces i've got loads about the house stored in blanket chests so we'll definately take them with us.  As soon as we get back I'll post some pics of our tent.  Anyone camping at easter will spot us, we'll be the ones with all the shiny new gear and no idea what to do with it!

Hi loobyloo2.

                  As you will notice from Rex's camp bed info, good kit don't come cheap, I have gone for two "ThermaRest DreamTime XL", they fasten together to make a Queensize bed, more of a sleeping system than an airbed, my previous bed was a Campingaz Double Quickbed £10 from ASDA (piece of nonsense), the "DreamTime XL" is in a differant ballpark, RRP is £170 each, although got mine from www.theoutdoorshop.com for £119 each, still silly money for what is basicly an airbed, but they do come with a lifetime warranty, should you need to use it, you wont, I also have a "ThermaRest ProLite 3 Regular" for backpacking and cycle touring, RRP now is £70, I have been using that for over 5 years and is as good as the day I bought it, £40 back then, so in the long run, the "ThermaRest" stuff is good value. remember the old saying buy cheap, buy twice!. 

Comfort wise, self-inflating mats have been wonderful for me. I have always suffered from sciatica with airbeds and back ache in general. I wasn't expecting much as they appear to be little more than glorified roll mats but I have never had such a comfortable nights sleep. A complete revelation for me and better for my back than my bed at home. Only trouble was my son kept sliding down his in the night and almost out of the tent in the morning! Temporarily solved by using a holdall full of clothes as a 'buffer' at his feet but maybe jersey sheets for next year.

I only had the cheap ones from Aldi as on a budget and hopefully I'll get another few seasons out of them.

We swapped from airbeds last yr to camp beds. Best thing we have done for a good nights sleep. We do however have self inflating mattresses on top for extra comfort. We got fed up with airbeds slowly deflating or being punctured. Paid £25 each for the beds.

Martin.

Thanks again everyone for all your advice. We have 2 of those self inflating mattresses (hubbie bought them when he went touring with his motorbike) I would never have thought of putting them on top of the camp beds but I will now!  Booked 14 nights in August today at Smytham Manor, North Devon.  Only 6 weeks to our first trip.  Can't wait.

We like airebeds coz we can snuggle up in our double sleepingbag, surely with two campbeds it's two sleepign bags and half the fun of camping is geographically impossible, or am I being thick (wouldn't be the first time)?