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We are new to all this, but are thinking of purchasing a tent for accassional weekend use.  We are a family of four (kids 5 and 8).  I've been on to a few websites, but I have to admit one tent looks much the same as another and I don't really know good from bad. 

Ideally we need something with a ground sheet attached (as I have heard separate ground sheets are a nightmare as they don't stay in place and let in creepy crawlies), easy to erect with 2 bedroom areas and some sort of living area (in case it rains!!).  Ideally, we would want to be able to stand up in it (at least in the living area). 

Unfortunately, we don't have an endless supply of cash and we are on a budget.  Basically, the cheaper the better really!!  Can anybody recommend a tent that might fit the bill?  Also, what equipment would we need to buy as a minimum?

Yes, we are very much novices at all this.

Hi Kim,

Welcome to the forum..and the money drain

I won't go into specifics, I'll wimp out and let others give better advice in that respect. However, I would advise that in terms of camping, you get what you pay for. ie, a £50 family tent is not going to last you more than your first trip, and if that ends up with the poles breaking or the tent leeking like a sieve, you are not going to enjoy the experience and may well be put off from going again.

I appreciate that we all have certain budgets, but don't lose sight of the fact that the tent is the most important part of the whole experience.

As for separate groundsheets vs. sewn in groundsheets...hahahahaha you will learn very quickly just how divided and partisan we all are on this matter. Personally I prefer separate...as in this country ventilation is more of an issue than snakes and tarantulas ...however...read up on this from the billions of arguments that have lasted for centuries on the forum.

But most of all enjoy the experience of getting all your kit together, and then your first weekend away.

Cheers

Probably  good time of year to be looking, all the retailers will be doing end of season sales, we were in Ambleside on Sunday and every shop was slashing prices and the place was still heaving so as the winter approaches I am sure stuff will get cheaper.

You could do a lot worse than have a look at Outwell, again like Victor said you will get varying opinions on this site but in my experience there stuff is super and we too are a family of four (kids 10 and 6) and their tunnel styles sound like the sort of thing you are after, sown in groundsheets, 2 beds,  room to live etc. Not the cheapest tents around but excellent designs and quality (stands back waiting for torrents of abuse from disgruntled outwell owners )

Welcome to the forum and happy camping.

JK

Hi

Welcome to the forum - I'd personally recommend a Vango Oregon either 600 or 800 - both have seperate bedrooms, living space if the weather is inclemental and a SIG. 

You can pick up some good bargins in the autumn/winter as most camp shops will be clearing out ready for the new 2008 versions of tents. 

If you have a shop near you that has a display try to go and take a look if you can to get a feel for tents and what type of tent will suit you and your family.

HTH

Clare

Hello and welcome,

following on from the brilliant advice already offered, as to the necessary equipment, basics would be some form of cooking the cheapest may be one of those single burner gas cannister stoves or try a second hand butane/ propane two burner stove, check the local paper.  As for the sleeping bags try a bit of wrangling at a camping shop?  Buy the best bags you can afford as there is nothing worse than being cold, there are some previous threads on sleeping bags.  Those combined with some cheap fleece blankets, supermarkets do them occsionally, should keep you warm. 

Air beds or cheap camp beds, again second had if available would suffice, perhaps with those foam mats about £5 each.

Saucepan, cutlery, plates, mugs etc can all be used from home and as the years go on add to the camping equipment, same with a table and chairs, not vital in the first instance, add to when you see a bargain.

you really can make do for some items in the first instance, keep a look out for suitable items and bargains, try Lidl or is it the other Aldi?

Hope this helps, most of all enjoy the time with your family for what it is not for all the flash gear, that doesn't necessarily make the holiday.

Well firstly, thank you all for your replies.  I never imagined I would get so many.  Some really good advice as well.  Cheers.

We've just learnt that a relative has got an Auckland Dome Tent sleeping 8 that they are selling.  We are going to pick it up tomorrow and try putting it up in the garden.  That will determine whether we want to buy it or not.  I am a little hesitant, I am not entirely sure why they are selling it if they only used it once.  They mentioned something about it sounding like a crisp packet!  Does anyone know of this tent?  Is it OK?  They want £50-which is a bargain.  I was thinking of spending £150.

Also, where would you recommend camping in Somerset/Devon?  There's nothing like recommendation.  Now I've just got to work on my other half to find a free weekend for us to "give it a try".  Quite exciting, although probably too late in the season now to really benefit.  Do people camp in October?  

hey there, have just done a quick search and found the following on here:

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=32&TopicID=105232&SearchPagePosition=1&search=Auckland+&searchMode=allwords&searchIn=Topic&forum=32&searchSort=dateDESC&ReturnPage=Search

Its got a little info on the tent your auckland, though im not sure you will like it.

Like you i new on the camp scene, we have just bought a tent from blacks on the high street from £220 down to £110. They had one up in the store and looked pretty decent. But i really cant comment on the quality of it, if there are any problems with it its going straight back to the store just down the road.

oh and stay away from the proline hyperdome tents from argos.

The only tent i have experiance of is the lichfield arapaho tent from argos £119 we managed to put it up in a bit of a wind in around 25 mins very easy to pitch! Its a vis a vis style (learnt that on here!) bedrooms either side of the living area, it far from the biggest tent out there, but it rained hard for two days and the wind was pretty strong and no problems with it at all, and planty of head hight in the main area, bedrooms are sitting room only. We have no complaints about the 10 days we had in ours while on the one site :)

which ever tent you choose im sure you will have pleanty of un with it :)

enjoy your stay now you have found the site here, i know i am

ROB :)