Have just purchase a tent from Halfords, just wanted to know if we have a bargain.
We purchased a deluxe family tent.
Its a walk in height that sleeps 4 with 2 seperate bedrooms and a large living area (ideal for family) 4 x envelope style sleeping bags with zip and shoulder baffles for extra warmth, 2 double flocked airbeds and ground sheet and theyve also thrown in 2 large camping lights. Cost £100 and was reduced from £200. Was that a bargain.
We would also like some tips on where to go with the our kidz aged 8 and 14 oh and my rodhy ridge dog.
Cheers and be gentle with me its my very first message on the board
Sounds like a bargain to me. If you can, put it up in your garden first to get used to it and spray a garden hose on it to check its waterproof ( nothing worse than finding out in the middle of the night its not watertight). It might pay that the first time you go camping stay fairly close to home so if you forget anything (or do not like it) its not far to go.
Sounds like a great starter package, and will allow you to judge if camping is for you without breaking the bank!
I have looked at those tents in Halfords and they look reasonable. What is the hydrostatic head (HH) given for the tent? (Trying to impress you now - just means how waterproof they are and I think 2000 is adequate for 'summer' in GB.) I am sure there will be viewpoints much more technical and knowledgable than mine posted on here on that score anyway.
Our first tent was a cheapie Footpath from Makro. We were just lucky to have fine weather when we used it! Say no more....
Yours has to be better than that, so congratulations on becoming a camper and get practice-pitching in the garden!
...It certainly sounds like a bargain, you'll find out if it rains, but I'm sure the tent will be fine... It might be an Idea to take some additional bedding, there's nothing guaranteed to make you more miserable, than a cold sleepless night!...
Don't forget a stove & kettle!... You can always 'eat out' but you've gotta be able to make your early morning cuppa!...
The rest of the 'bits n bobs' you can pick up as you go along, if you decide you like this 'camping lark'...
The main thing is, keep warm & dry and well fed!, after that it's easy...
I'm not really that 'well up' on the campsites in Kent/Sussex, as I usually go to Norfolk & Suffolk and occasionally Dorset. Someone will come along soon and give you a few site recommendations for your area. I hope you enjoy yourselves and catch the 'camping bug'... Good luck... Andy...
For £100 you can`t really go wrong with that lot. It`s a small tent for four of you though...plan to keep a lot of your equipment in the car. And if you have the dog sleeping in the tent too, you`ll be keeping everything in the car, I should think!
It`s a weekend tent really, so plan your first trip accordingly.Go to a local campsite have fun just working out what camping is all about.
No doubt i will be giving the hints and tips after a few trips (if we like it) i checked out the HH on the tent and it was 1500 hope this is sufficient but will try out like you said in the backyard
Anywhere in the country especially any campers from newforest not just limited to kent/sussex. Especially New Forest heard how lovely it is there never been myself.
Hi and welcome, bur beware this site is very addictive.
We started out with a similar starter pack - tent, 2 double airbeds 4 sleeping bags, 4 chairs. It was a ideal way of seeing if we liked camping - and gave us the ideal toe in the water. OK we discovered that we needed a larger tent, but by then we knew it would be a worth while investment, as the kids took to camping like the proverbial duck to water. OH and I loved it as well For extra warmth if need I find those fleecy car blankets ideal - as they can be easily removed/added as necessary, and you can pick them up fairly cheaply in bargain stores. Love your idea of putting the old man in the car to make room for your little doggy.