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We are a family of 3, (2 adults and 1 fourteen year old daughter). All new to camping.  Does anybody have any advice on a good tent to purchase?  I think we would want one with pleny of space inside for eating or playing games in bad weather etc.  I would prefer one that is easily erected.

I also keep reading about 'groundsheets' and always thought that they were part of the tent.  Am I being stupid! 

It seems that inflatable mattresses are the way to go rather than the fold-up camp beds is this correct?

Look forward to hearing from you.

Get a tent with good head height and for 3 of you, i would get a 6 berth tent with 2 x 3 berth bedrooms, vis a vis to give you all a bit of privacy. 

Groundsheets do tend to come with the tent but you have a choice of one that's sewn into the actual tent or one that's loose that you clip onto the rest of the tent.  The bedrooms have their own sewn in groundsheet so you don't need to worry about them, you'll not get bugs in bed with you whatever kind you go for.

Airbeds do seem to be more popular but you can still get campbeds if you prefer.  There's also self inflating mats, like a good old roll mat crossed with an airbed.

Hi and welcome to UKCS.

You will get loads of valuable advice from members on this site but the best advice I can give to you is to actually go to a camping shop that has lots of tents on display.

That way, you will be able to see the living / sleeping areas and decide which you feel would be best suited to you. I personally rate the Gelert Quebec 8 + 4 that I bought last year. It has a sewn in groundsheet which keeps the draughts etc out and the layout between the living and the sleeping areas is perfect for our needs.

I have also noticed that you live in Carlisle, so if you decide to take a hike across to Newcastle, then United British Caravans in Wideopen have a display range that is pretty much unrivalled.

I also have both a blow-up matress and camp beds and have found both to be ok but I would personally err on the side of the matress.(you could also lay your matress on top of the camp bed for extra comfort and storage space under the bed !!)

Dont worry about asking, there is no such thing as a stupid question.

enjoy the site !!!

Thanks Aimless, Fatlad and Kate W

I will check out the place in Wide open, I know the area quite well (its near the Macgas/bp depot and the HGV testing station is there.

Before I go looking I would like some idea of the good proven brands and the ones worth avoiding, or I could come away with anything.  If I end up with something that leaks or is horrendous to put up I fear my wife would ne'er go camping again! and we don't want that.

Are you you campers working 'off the card'

I would say that most of the tents that they have on display there are from reputable manufacturers. They have Sunncamp, Gelert, Coleman etc. tents there.

To give you some Idea of their range and prices, visit their website :- http://www.awnings.co.uk/Scripts/default.asp

PS, I wish that I had commission from them for every time I had recommended them !!!!!