Royal Hampton 4 Tent Reviews and Details Page 2

Tent Reviews: Royal Hampton 4

Tent and Awning Reviews Index > Royal > Hampton 4 Reviews

Current Model?
Berths:
Weight:
RRP on date added:
Bedroom inners:
Living area groundsheet:
Pitching Style:

Yes
4 (more 4 berth tents)
28.70 KG
Ł319.00
2
Fully Sewn-in
Fly first

Average User Rating:

8.64/10 from 11 reviews

Viewed: 42850 times

Back to index

Manufacturer Images

Member Uploaded Images - click to enlarge

If you have a photo of this Tent click here to upload it

11 Reviews of the Hampton 4 Showing 11 to 11 Page: 1 2

By: Sat in a field Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2010 Rating: 9 from 10

I thought I'd write the first review of this tent having recently returned from our first weekend away in our lovely shiny new Royal Hampton 4.

Having spent a very wet and windy week away in Cornwall last year in my parents' cheap and flimsy tent - developing a severe case of backache from bending down constantly in the process - my wife and I decided that it was either a case of giving up on camping altogether before we'd even properly started, or invest in a new tent which (a) keeps us dry; (b) doesn't fly higher than Mary Poppins when the wind changes; and (c) has sufficient headroom to prevent a long course of physiotherapy once the trip is over.

First, a point on the buying experience. Before going tent shopping I did my research, I read lots of reviews on this site, saw lots of nice pictures on the internet and found the tent I thought was 'the one'. I even toyed with buying it online. Best to check it in the flesh first I thought so we travelled to the nearest camping shop that looked large enough to sell a bit more than a few mess tins and a survival kit. Lucky we did because the tent I thought was 'the one' turned out to be more disappointing than a very disappointing thing. Cheap, flimsy, not much headroom. You get the idea.

We spent a long time wandering around the tent display and boy there were a lot of tents. We had a budget of Ł200-ish. Hey, if we were rich we'd be in a villa somewhere hot, not stuck on a cold hill in St Ives for a week. We were undecided between the Outwell Carolina M, the Royal Hampton 4 and a Sunncamp tent whose name I forget. In the end we plumped for the Hampton 4 on the basis that it looked to be really well made, really good quality and it just felt bigger and more airier than the Carolina. The Royal Hampton 4 it was then.

I prised Ł220 out of my old wallet in exchange for our new piece of the good life and off we went- safe in the knowledge that even if it doesn't work out and we only go away once, at least it's better value than that 3 year gym membership I took out that seemed such a good idea at the time.

My first impression was one of surprise. I didn't know tents were really that big in the bag. Or two bags as it happens. The bag, I should add, is a rather nifty thing being oversized with two sort of compression straps with quick release buckles on the side. I like the bag. You probably realise by now that I like little details. So, before I get too carried away.

The following weekend we set off on our first camping trip in the Hampton 4, or Bert as I will now affectionately refer to him. No reason for this, the tent just looks like a Bert. We went to Poole because it's far enough so that we are actually away from home yet close enough to turn around and come back if the people who packed Bert decided to go on a tea break whilst doing so and forgot to put all the bits in. 'Stupid!' some might say. 'Put it up in the garden first!' others cry. No. I refuse to. I like living on the edge so we (or rather I) decide our first grapple with the tent in anger will be after we've paid our pitch fees and we are on site.

All the bits were there. Bert was complete. Hurrah! Pitching Bert was fairly easy. The two fibreglass poles were colour coded and, unless you're colour blind, there is no problem understanding what goes where. The steel poles went together fairly easily and before we knew it we were all pegged out, tensioned up and looking rather smug in no time at all. Bert was king of the campsite, in our eyes at least.

Inside, Bert is very bright and airy. More importantly Bert kept us dry. Ok, so we had a couple of light showers over the course of the weekend but you never know. I had visions of our cold, wet Cornwall holiday coming back to me but, fortunately, these were never realised. The SIG is a big bonus for us as well. I know that camping purists will probably hate that we do not let the grass breathe but I for one really do like the fact that I will be dry and not covered in muddy grass for the entire duration of our weekend away. If you're that bothered I'll sprinkle some grass seed over my lawn when I get home to repent.

There is also a cover to feed an EHU through, which we did, as well. In short, Bert is, in my humble opinion, very well made. The zips are big and chunky, the stitching looks neat and tidy, there are plenty of hooks and the like everywhere. There is head height aplenty. In short, it is a good design. The sleeping area isn't massive, however, but with just me, the wife and the dog it is perfectly adequate. You only sleep in there, right? More important for us is the living area which, for a tent of this size, is positively cavernous.

Taking Bert down was simplicity as well. Ten minutes and he was rolled up in his bag (did I mention the bag?) and we were good to go. We had to pack him away wet so when we got home we had to dry him out in the spare room. The spare room now has a lovely tent smell (you know the smell I'm talking about) which is good because it's kept Bert in my conscience and I'm now planning our next trip with him.

I like Bert. I like Bert a lot. I've given him 9 stars for the time being because he hasn't really been fully tested as yet. Perhaps I will re-grade him once we've spent a cold and wet week together living in the midst of a cloud on a hill in Cornwall. I'm sure Burt will relish it. And so will I.

5 from 5 people found this review helpful, was it helpful to you?

11 User Reviews of the Hampton 4 - Showing 11 to 11 Page: 1 2

Add your review of the Hampton 4!

If you have used this product please leave a review, or your comments for other visitors, many thanks!

To leave a review you need to be logged in to the UKCampsite.co.uk Please log in or register here.

Manufacturer's Description

3000HH 185T polyester Flysheet with taped seams Inner tent 180T Polyester
13.5mm Fibre-flex poles and 22mm ultra-plus poles Sewn in groundsheet
Steel poles wiht fibre-flex extensions to give a large living area and bedrooms
covered side doors for easy access
2 Side doors for easy access Large Side windows for enhanced visability Mesh door for enhanced ventilation Pack size: 95cm x 20cm x 20xm

... there may be more info on their website

Back to main tent and awning index

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024