A camping/tent question or two.

[Dave7]

This is purely out of interest as I will never camp again.
Going back many years when we started camping there were, in Warrington, at least 3 places where you could go and check out all the gear. We had one massive place where they actually made thier own tents, called Stan Evans.
So.......if a family wanted to get into camping, are there still places to go and check out all the latest gear ?
NB
When i read comments from Fossyant I dont have a clue re some of the gear he has eg the electric gizmos.

 

[fossyant]

You've generally got two choices these days for a 'browse' - Decathlon and Go Outdoors. You've also got smaller shops like Mountain Warehouse that sell a range of outdoor gear, the odd tent etc. Decathlon are generally well rated and good value. Otherwise, it's on-line and reading reviews.

Certainly if you want a family tent, you do need to go look at them. Some are rather palatial and huge - not something you'd put up for a night or two.

 

[fossyant]

Important things like 'sleeping' arrangements need a bit of research, especially as you get 'older' and want something 'comfy'. We have settled on two rather expensive Thermarest self inflating air beds - they are very comfy - just got to get the air pressure right - not too hard, not to soft, and they adapt well to your shape, especially if a side sleeper. They are also very good thermally - something you overlook - they need to stop cold air/ground from seeping through the mattress onto you ! If in the tent, we'll often take the camp beds that we pop the airbeds on - this means you aren't getting 'up' from on the floor - makes getting in and out of bed easier (especially with a knackered back).It also means you have 'hidden' storage under the bed.

I do take too much 'shoot' with me, and always forget something.

The essentials, like pots, kettle, camping bits, cooking gear are all in three folding boxes. The fourth 'box' is for food storage. They all stack too.

 

[dicko]

The French know how to make camping gear I would suggest take a look at what the French buy. We were most impressed with our French Raclet family tent.

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

Ultralight Outdoor have a showroom (in Teesside). Never been there (too far for me) but they do sell an excellent range of tents.

I imagine they don't have their range of tents on display but several years ago discussing tents with them they did say I could visit and they get one out of stock. Can't speak as to what happens these days but if interested in seeing something from their range and it's within travel distance maybe worth giving them a call.

 

[fossyant]

We've had two 3 person '2 Second's' Decathlon tents for years - they were great for short trips, coupled with their 'pop up' base. Sadly, the base was extensively used and eventually started to rip due to UV damage. We didn't do much camping for a number of years due to 'inheriting' a static caravan (and the extortionate running costs). That went a couple of years ago, and the 'Wiggle Fire Sale' appeared and I spotted a rather good 'tent' from Nordisk - a Danish company. It was at a 'silly' price - basically got a £1,500 'bell' tent for £400 including groundsheet and 'bedroom'. That has been an excellent buy. Relatively quick to pitch and very weatherproof, including standing up to storms.

 

[Alex321]

As said above, there are two main national chanins which have a decent range - Go OUtdoors and Decathlon, then a few more such as Trespass, Regatta, Mountain Warehouse, Cotswold Outdoor which have a much more limited stock.

And then there are some local places, depending on where you live, such as this one fairly local to us (South Wales) https://www.facebook.com/pontycaravans/?locale=en_GB

Or this one in Gloucester
https://www.attwoolls.co.uk/

Your location is shown as Cheshire, so somewhere like this
https://www.aeleisure.co.uk/

 

[Sharky]

Here in Kent, we have ...

Camping International - Tents, Caravan Awnings and Camping Accessories https://share.google/eSiHFIfF1WAqNLa7V

Used them a couple of times, but quite a few years ago now.

 

[vickster]

Tents...are precisely why 4 & 5* hotels were invented

 

[Alex321]

Tents...are precisely why 4 & 5* hotels were invented

We switched to a cravan after one particularly traumatic (excessively windy, actually broke a ridge pole) Sealed Knot muster in Stroud one Easter.

And after Covid, switched to a camper van as our last caravan had died in storage over lockdown. Completely waterproof, and has a full sized double bed with proper sprung matterss across the back.

 

[vickster]

We switched to a cravan after one particularly traumatic (excessively windy, actually broke a ridge pole) Sealed Knot muster in Stroud one Easter.

And after Covid, switched to a camper van as our last caravan had died in storage over lockdown. Completely waterproof, and has a full sized double bed with proper sprung matterss across the back.

Ah but you still have to make your own bed

 

[fossyant]

Tents...are precisely why 4 & 5* hotels were invented

Nah, boring. I have a 5* tent. Don't do roughing it.

 

[vickster]

Nah, boring. I have a 5* tent. Don't do roughing it.

You still have to sleep outside on the floor even if you have an airbed!

 

[fossyant]

You still have to sleep outside on the floor even if you have an airbed!

Fresh air, what's not to like.

 

[fossyant]

Ordered a load of additional tent pegs. The 'lazy ones'.....

Lazy ones you say ?

Screw in pegs with a power drill. They are ace. Been using them with the awning as the supplied pegs were a bit 'pants' - they don't half make the job much easier and are very 'storm proof' - they don't pull out with the wind. The 'big' tent came with some excellent V profile pegs, but as there are 24 that need hammering in, it's hard work, especially when it's 'warm' - you don't half work up a sweat.