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visted aspinalls today,now i am more confused then ever, the tent i am looking for should be out there somewhere, we are only planning on using the tent fri-sun/mon, a few weekends a month, have 3 children and want them all in the same sleeping pod with us in the other next to them (if you understand what i mean), maybe a  curtain seperating us all, a largeish inside if it rains, a canopy for sitting out in underneath the stars, and maybe an extra pod for all our storage, also want to be able to stand up in it, i am 5ft 9 and dh if he comes is 6ft.

the sales guy at aspinalls was trying to sell me a huge tent, yep it was great but really to big for me to put up. what i plan to do is if we like camping then we will get a bigger and better tent next year as its the 1st time we will be going.

any tips

oh want to spend roughly between 80-150.00

is this a small order or a possibiltiy.

jane    

There is supposed to be a huge tent display right next to Cheshire Oaks ( quite close to you I think )  Apparently it's an annual thing and should be on for the whole of May . Try taking a trip over there and there should be a much larger range of tents which should give you a better idea of what is right for you ( hopefully you'll be free to browse without pushy salesmen )

I'm sure you'll see something that fits all the criteria you listed - so Happy Hunting !!!   We are off to have a look around ourselves next week - we need a smaller tent just for weekends -  If anyone else is reading this who has already been to the Cheshire oaks display - what was it like ? Is it worth a visit ?

What about an Aztec Sala 6 for £129? http://www.worldofcamping.co.uk/shop/SpecialOfferDetail.asp?offset=10&ProductID=552

A tunnel shape, so easier to put up than a dome. One six person inner with two dividing curtains. Living space. Pole out canopy. 18.5 kilos so not too heavy to manoevre. Windows, doors, skylight. Way to go! MT

The Gelert Cadiz 5+2 has been redesigned for 2006, but I`ve got one of the 2004/5 ones. The 2005 one is still availible at Singers for £110 inc postage though...not sure of the exact differences apart from the colour. (2006 version is blue and about £140.) 

http://www.singersoutdoors.co.uk/pages/6tents.htm

(Scroll down the page a bit...it`s the 5+2 you want, not the 4+2.)

As I said, I have one and it`s a doddle to pitch solo, even though I`m only 5`4". The headhight in the dome is more than enough for my 6`4" Hubby, and he tells me that he didn`t really notice the living area headheight so it must have been adequate. You can leave the second pod out for extra living space, though you`d need to take an extra groundsheet for this area. (Cheap piece of tarp from B&Q.)

The dome will easily sleep five, though not all on airbeds side by side. you`d need to use mats or have two double airbeds (they will just squeeze in) side by side plus a single along the foot. There is a divider. We tend to use it with adults and equipment in the big pod and our two kids in the smaller pod. The small pod will fit a double airbed or two singles.

I bought it because I wanted a tent I could pitch solo, that was big enough for me and the two kids and Hubby (if he came) to spend 4-5 days in comfort and that was sturdy and cheap. It fits the bill just fine.

It`s let down by three things... bit short of living space if second inner is up, no stormflap along the back of the living area (I keep meaning to add one) though this may have changed in the 2006 version and no porch. (So I`m buying it a seperate Coleman Classic awning.)

There is a similar design from Coleman, but I think the big pod is a bit smaller...would only take two double airbeds. It`s on offer for £99.99 plus postage thoug here.

http://www.qksrv.net/click-1428744-10297635?URL=http://www.qksrv.net/click-1428744-10297635?URL=http://www.qksrv.net/click-1428744-10297635?URL=http://www.wildday.co.uk/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=4327

You could get the Coleman classic awning from the same place for £25 with no increase in postage.

http://www.qksrv.net/click-1428744-10297635?URL=http://www.qksrv.net/click-1428744-10297635?URL=http://www.qksrv.net/click-1428744-10297635?URL=http://www.wildday.co.uk/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=4329

Hi jane (and Jake, Libby and Em too!)

I see from your other thread that your partner is a reluctant camper so I would agree with Merry Terrier that a tunnel style tent is a good idea, as they are the easiest to put up - if any of your children are old/big enough to lend a hand then that is a bonus. I can do our 6 berth Vango Quest tunnel tent on my tod.

I will go forth and have a snoop for anything that may suit your needs and budget.

http://www.highbridgecaravans.com/tentdetails.php?AN=376

Try this Sunncamp tent. Looks like it's been renamed, we have the Odyssey which was the old name and I can put it up alone. Two bedrooms, whole tent has great head-height, choice of two doors and sun canopy.