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I put this query under wrong heading so worried that all you wonderful helpful people out there might not have seen my plea. 

Firstly, need some advice on what tent to buy for 2 virgin campers.  Husband and I (at ripe old age of 59 and 55 - me being younger of course) have decided to buy a tent and go camping.  Have looked at Gelert Seattle 400 and like layout but would appreciate advice from all you old timers out there (at look on site today saw Vango TBS Oregon 400 which looked quite good as well).  Although only two of us, want enough space to stretch out if weather bad.  Should we buy a separate airbed each or try and cosy up on a double?

Secondly, also need advice on what sort of questions to ask when booking campsites.  Only experience is being 2 inches away from next tent on a set up campsite in France (could virtually hear your neighbours breathing).  Would love a little more privacy.

Any other tips would be more than gratefully received.  Could go on forever but had better stop here.

JaxP

Ahhhhh more 50+ campers

Best advice is get a tent that allows you to stand up  while dressing etc.

I'm a short a**e so anything over 5' 8" (around 175cm in new money) is good enough.

Check out the dimensions of the tents before buying. A couple more must haves are; fitted ground sheets, storm flaps and a decent porch to cook in.

Go and visit a local big camping store make notes of models etc then get on t'internet and source them at discount prices.

Get the tent right and the rest is easy (and also a joy) get the tent wrong and you will feel cramped, cheesed off and you will probably never go again. In the words of the American KFC salesman "Go large sir?"

Welcome JaxP.  It's always a good idea to get a bigger tent than you would think.  We are a family of 4, but have a 6 berth - as you say, more room to move about especially when the weather is bad.  We used to share a double airbed, but changed to singles this year - gives a much better nights sleep. 

You shouldn't be that close in campsites in the UK.  There is a minimum space between tent requirement, not sure how much, but it's more than 2" .  You should be able to get your car between your tent and the next anyway.  There's good sites and there's bad, but the sites reviews on here should point you in the right direction.

Gelert & Vango are both good tents, they are made in the same factory.  I have both and they are of similar quality.
I would advise you not to decide on a particular model until you have seen it erected.  Also consider how easy it is to erect, tunnels are usually easier to erect that domes which have crossover poles.

The secret of a good night's sleep on an airbed is not to blow it up hard.  When using a double I used to find that if one person moved then the other person got bounced about, so personally I prefer singles.

With regard to campsites, read the reviews on the ukcs camp site pages.
I would also suggest joining the Camping and Caravanning Club.  It is worth the membership fee for the the campsite book and the monthly magazine, and like me you will be eligible for the members age concession rates when staying on club sites.

Quote: Originally posted by welshwyn on 08/8/2006

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Bernie, I was considering joining the C&CC, just wondered if the fee is really worth it. What is this 'age concession' thing

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Members aged 55 or over get 30% off the overnight fee at club sites during low & mid season.  This also applies to high season at some sites.  Depending on the site this works out at about £2 per person per night. Membership covers 2 people living at the same address.

You also get a monthly magazine and a copy of "The Big Sites Book" which costs £15 to non-members.  This is probably the most comprehensive campsite guide that you will find.

Although I regularly complain about the C&CC now being biased towards carvanners, it is definitely worth the money, even for lone campers like myself.  You can also check for vacancies and make reservations on their website.

Hope this helps

We're in our 50's too & only started camping two years ago. We bought a 6 berth modern tunnel tent (Sunncamp Vario) for our first trip. Hubby picked it cos it was the largest in our local camping shop, but after a breezy night with the constant flapping of the fabric and the creaking of the fibreglass poles, he decided the modern tent had got to go  

There were two frame tents on the campsite which he fell in love with, so after that first trip, we sold the Vario & bought a second-hand 6 berth frame tent. We've been through two thunder storms in it & it's solid as a rock - no creaking of the metal poles and the canvas doesn't flap either.

If you have enough space in the car to take a frame tent, then I'd certainly recommend it. Ours is 17' x 13'6" and I can erect it on my own in around 50 minutes - it took two of us 2 hours to erect the tunnel tent.

With a frame tent you have lots of windows, making it bright & airy. You don't have a problem with condensation because canvas breathes, and you can cook inside a frame tent if the weather is bad