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As you probably all know by now - I am looking to buy a tent - my very first tent - is the outdoor show at the NEC in Feb a good place for tents?  I know they show vans and boats, but are there any tents on show too?  Most of you seem to think that I should touch before I buy ....

And following on from your made or born survey, I'm looking to be re-born - hallelujah!

Hi Ineedhelp,

I posted about this the other day and from the responses I got it appears that this show seems to be more geared towards caravans and mobile homes.  However I understand that the Ordinance Survey Outdoor Show in March is better for tents. 

Maybe someone else has been to this one and can shed some light on it.

Dave

Sorry Dave, I didn't realise you had already asked this question.  I should maybe have looked more thoroughly!

I'll wait and see if any one knows anything...

Hi

 Yes I think Dave is right. I haven't been to that show for a couple of years now because the last time I went there was no tents at all other than folding campers. When I enquired why the lack of tents that year the reply was that the outdoor show a few weeks later was doing all tents and camping equipment. And so we left a little dissapointed and haven't been since.

I`ve never been to the boat, caravan and outdoor show so I can`t coment but last year hubbie and I went to the ordnance survey outdoors show at the nec and it was brilliant. There is a tent village inside in addition to the large tent display they have outside on the grass as well as a huge assortment of camping gear and outdoor clothing. We loved it as it covered our favourite hobbies of camping and country walking aswell as other outdoor activities like climbing, canoeing etc. We are going again this year, it`s 17 - 19th March and I highly recommend it, it`s a great day out. Be warned though you`ll probably come home skint as there is so much great stuff to buy.

Ray

The Camping and caravaing show is better for family type tents there are many set up out side, try and get a map of the halls as some time they separate the various 'factions' , i.e. tents, caravans, camper vans etc,in to separate halls.

The out door show deals mainly with back packers, out door adventure type activities.

I usually visit both shows

Gary

Thanks so much for the advice guys.

Maybe I should go to them all, at least I'll know I have all bases covered ... !

We went to the February show last year and it was great for us.  However, I cannot remember seeing much in the way of tents. Does CCC have a branch in your neck of the woods?

Before you go, have a good think about your basic requirements. -

• How many should it sleep,
• Do you want to use air beds
• Cooking - on floor or on a stand.
• How many people will/should it take to erect
• Are you planning on backpacking
• Can you follow written instructions????