FAMILY CAMPING PROPERTY GUIDE
Your next home-from-home could be your holiday base camp for the following 10 years (or more), so a good decision now could lead to a decade of happy memories...
Luxurious options for your next canvas home
1 Tent size
As with all tents, a good rule is to shop a size up from the stated number the tent can hold. A fourberth tent can sleep four people, but it’ll be a squeeze once you factor in luggage and other paraphernalia. So if there are four of you, look for a five-person tent, and so on.
2 Weight
Many family tents require two people (and a vehicle) to carry them, so if you’re planning a multi-campsite trip, aim for small and basic. But if you’re driving straight to your pitch, you’ll appreciate the luxuries a heavy tent can bring.
3 Poles
Fibreglass poles are light, but bend and break more easily on larger tents. Metal poles give better support in strong winds, but are heavier. Inflatable air-framed tents make pitching easy but tend to be heavy and expensive.
4 Bedrooms
If you have young kids, then neighbouring bedrooms separated by a zip divider allow tots to go to bed early without you disturbing them later, and you can easily get to them if they wake in the night.
5 Fly sheets
These tend to be made from polyurethane, which is waterproof; or polycotton (a polyester/cotton hybrid), which is also very breathable and allows more light into the tent.
6 Light
Many family tents come with windows to allow light to stream in. But blinds or tinted windows are a good idea if you also need privacy. If you or your kids tend to wake up at first light, opt for a tent with darkened bedrooms.
7 Entrance
Check that rain won’t drip into the tent when you open the door.
Some tents have a storm entrance or gullies to keep rain outside.
8 Hydrostatic head
This indicates how waterproof your tent is. In Britain, aim for a rating of at least 2000.
9 Porch
These are really handy for storing gear, but can also be large enough to use as a dining/living area in some family tents.
10 Ventilation
Ventilation points increase comfort and reduce condensation, as do mesh covers on doors and windows.
11 Price
You can pick up a basic 4-berth family tent for as little as £100-£150. The inflatable varieties start at around £500. A large family tent that sleeps 8 to 10 people can range from £400 to £800.