Choosing the right family tent is one of the most important decisions you will make when planning a camping holiday. A good tent can make the difference between a holiday you remember with affection and one you remember with a shudder. The UK market offers an overwhelming range of options, from lightweight dome tents that pack down to the size of a suitcase to enormous family tents with separate bedrooms, living areas, and even porches. Understanding the different types of tents, the features that matter most for family camping, and the practical considerations of pitching and packing will help you make the right choice.
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In This Article
The Different Types of Family Tents
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The traditional frame tent, with its sturdy steel poles and separate flysheet, is the most spacious and comfortable option for family camping. These tents offer generous headroom, separate sleeping compartments that provide privacy for parents and children, and a large living area where the family can eat, play games, and shelter from bad weather. Brands such as Outwell, Coleman, and Vango offer a wide range of frame tents in various sizes and configurations. The tunnel tent, with its flexible fibreglass poles creating a curved structure, is lighter and easier to pitch than a frame tent but generally offers less headroom and living space. The inflatable tent, which uses air beams instead of poles, has become increasingly popular in recent years for its ease of pitching. Inflatable tents can be erected in minutes with a pump, making them ideal for families who want to reduce the time and effort required to set up camp. The pop-up tent, which springs into shape when removed from its bag, is the fastest and easiest option but offers the least space and comfort for longer stays.
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Key Features to Consider
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The size of the tent is the most important consideration. A six-person tent is the minimum recommended for a family of four, as this allows space for the sleeping area, a living area, and storage for luggage and equipment. A tent with a separate living area is highly recommended, as it provides a space where the family can be together during bad weather without having to go to bed. A sewn-in groundsheet is essential for keeping the tent dry and draught-free, and a porch or canopy provides sheltered outdoor space for cooking and storing wet boots. The hydrostatic head rating, measured in millimetres, indicates how waterproof the tent fabric is. A rating of at least 3,000mm is recommended for reliable protection in British summer weather. The number and position of doors is important for ventilation and access, particularly for children who need to make nighttime trips to the toilet.
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Practical Tips for Pitching and Packing
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Practice pitching your tent at home before you take it on holiday. Trying to pitch an unfamiliar tent for the first time in the rain, in fading light, or with tired children waiting in the car is a guaranteed way to start your holiday on a bad note. Look for a tent that comes with a colour-coded pole system, bend or sleeve markers that make it easier to identify which pole goes where. A footprint or groundsheet protector, placed under the tent, will protect the floor from sharp stones and extend the life of the tent. Pack the tent in a dedicated bag with the poles and pegs stored separately so they are easy to find when you arrive. The Vango Kela, the Outwell Vermont, and the Coleman Coastline are among the most popular and reliable family tents on the market, each offering a good balance of space, comfort, and value for money.
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Have you found the perfect family tent for your camping adventures? What features do you consider essential for a comfortable family camping holiday?
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During the summer holidays planning the perfect getaway with the children can be a struggle, weather you choose to go abroad or stay here in the UK, there’s so much to plan and think about it means that staying at home is just as complicated.
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\nPhoto by Henry Burrows
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So, you’ve finally decided and opted for a camping holiday in the UK. The next problem, the perfect tent; where is everyone going to sleep? With so many tents on the market it’s hard to know who to trust when they say that their tent is the best. One thing that you don’t want is to buy a tent and then find out that it’s not as waterproof as it was said to be. Here are the top dogs when it comes to family tents for more than 6.
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1. The Outwell Montana 6
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A superb family tent that sleeps at least six. The tent is a great design with three separate spacious rooms and a tunnel entrance. This means less clutter and more space for the family. One of the big bonus features of the tent is the three entrances; this is a benefit as it means that you can get great ventilation coming through and you can also keep the kids muddy trainers at one entrance so that they don’t have to walk them through the tent. The tent has two linings and is made from a strong material meaning that it keeps out any rainfall, so it is 100% waterproof – a great advantage considering you can’t rely on British weather that often. The tent also comes with an add on porch should you need it; this space could be used as extra sleeping room for visitors or cooking etc. This tent is priced between £200- £300 but worth every penny.
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2. Vango Tigris 800
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The Vango Tigris 800 is the newest model in the Vango range and is a must have for any family. It can sleep up to 8 people and has been voted a favourite by families. The Vango Tigris has been voted so highly due to its four individual rooms and spacious walk ways reaching a height of 2 meters, making for a comfortable stay with a well-ventilated tent. The tent weighs 25 kg and can be assembled in around 15 minutes by two adults.
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3. Soul Pad 500
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Soul pad have been providing camping tents in the UK since 1990. Since then the company has grown to be one of the market leaders of family tents in the UK and across Europe. The tent has a luxurious waterproof ground sheet sewn inside. The Soul Pad 500 comes in a bath tub style meaning regardless of how wet or muddy it is around you nothing will leak in, so it’s ideal to keep all the little ones warm and dry. There are four zipped windows on the tent and three vents at the top. All of these have a mosquito mesh fitted so that nothing can disturb your peaceful night sleep.
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This guest post has been written by Arthur Jonas, a leading outdoor specialist. He recommends the general public to use Camping Tents from www.winfieldsoutdoors.co.uk when planning their summer trip away.
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