Message Forums

Hi there

We're just about to invest in our first tent!

We are a family of 5 (2 adults, 1 child aged 6 and twin boys aged 4). We're off to thh New forest for a long weekend at the end of May and were thinking about the Maritsa 700 or the Gelert Meridian 8.

Can anybody give us some advice?

Thanks, Steve

Hi

We are also a famly of 5 also, twins aged 6 and boy of 4. We bought the Gelert last year and it worked really well for us. Two boys sleep together, our daughter has her own pod, we have one and the spare does for storage.

Just bought the canopy for this year too. I would highly recommend the tent.

We have the Maritsa and there is loads of room.I have 3 kids - 13,10,4.We put the older 2 in one pod and the 4yr in  the other.There was lots of room for the bigger boys and they were very happy - me and the OH plus clothes in the 3 pod - again loads of room.I would recommend this tent.

Hi, 

We are new to camping, only been once!!!  3 kids 5yr old & 3 yr old twins, went to Go outdoors yesterday to look at bigger tents...would highly recommend the Vango Marista which we will be getting in the next few weeks... We have been doing lots of research over the last month & for the price you can not go wrong with Vango!!!! currently £399 at the moment at go outdoors but If you check out Yeomans website it's £319.00 till midnight cracking offer!!  hope this helps

Hi

We've just bought the maritsa 700. Didn't get the yeomans discount but got tent, footprint and carpet for £495 from outdoor megastore.

Put it up at the weekend and are incredibly impressed.

Jo

Hi Amanda,

Yes, it was quite heavy to put up but we managed it ok (and I'm not very strong!). Only problem we had was getting the pins in the bottoms of the poles - I've set a forum on that called 'pitching problems' - but I'm sure we'll get better with practice.

So impressed with its sturdiness and space once up that any pitching problems are soon forgotten. That said, I probably wouldn't use it for a short (weekend) break.

Jo

No problem Amanda, let us know what you end up getting.

Timing wise, it probably took us 2 hours to get it up first time but at least 45 mins of this was spent trying to get the pins in and I'm sure that's cos we're not very strong. Agree with you about ity being stressful though!! We're hoping to get it down to an hour (including bedrooms, carpet etc) once we've had a few goes.

All the best, Jo