Camping.

[keyplus90]

As kids are growing up now plus recession has made it difficult for holidays in BB's and hotels. My wife has suggested that we should buy tent and start camping holidays. She has done that before our marriage with her father and family but I have no experience whatsoever. So, are there any things we have to consider before buying equipment. I looked on ebay for tents and there so many different types, styles and so on. I would need a relatively bigger tent as we have five kids ranging from Year and half to 14 and half. Any suggestion, recomendations and information would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Buenchico]

This isn't a direct answer to your question but I hope that you'll still find it useful.

Once you've got all of your camping gear you'll want to find a suitable campsite. So you'll need a sort of camping version of TripAdvisor, which gives all of the information you could require about any particular campsite, together with lots of reviews from people who've stayed there. Here it is!
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/index.asp

Chris

[Buenchico]

PS: When selecting a tent, you might find this page (from the same website as above) useful:
http://www.ukcampsite...icles/cat.asp?catid=3

[buildersmate]

Whilst this may sound a great idea, the issue I found is the British weather. Two kids cooped up in a small tent whilst it tips it down outside is only limited fun - limited by the capability to amuse them.
Mrs BM spent a fortune one holiday in the SW as the inevitable consequence was to go to indoor places by car to keep the kids amused.
After that year we started to camp in France, going to the sites that are ready set-up. The organisation we used was Carefree Camping - long since taken over by Eurocamp. At least there is reasonable reliability of weather and you don't need to buy all the gear.
We found the ferry and petrol cost was less than the additional expenditure on entertainment on a SW UK camping holiday.

[keyplus90]

Thanks for your answers. That website is very good and full of information Chris. I also liked the idea of Buildersmate. As I have not bought anything as yet, where can I get more information about sites where you have ready setup camps in Europe?

[jno]

Eurocamp are probably the best known Some others are Keycamp and Canvas Holidays. You'll probably find lots more if you google "camping holidays"

http://www.eurocamp.co.uk/
http://www.keycamp.co.uk/
http://www.canvasholidays.co.uk/

I've never actually stayed in a tent; when I've been on holidays like this in France it's been in a mobile home - a big caravan but not actually mobile at all, permanently on site and hooked up to power, sewerage etc.

[DC_FC]

Ive stayed in tents at eurocamp and canvas and it was good, you could stand up in them tents and walk around and the cooking equipment is inside as well. Ive just returned from camping near newquay and it was good. Id suggest you buy a tent you are happy with, try and go to some retailers who have tents pitched up, i would get a tent from tesco or argos as it may not last long, a lamp/lantern, a way to cook food eg gas stove or a similar device, id also reccomend some camping pots and cutlery.

[thugulike]

The secret is to not expect good weather. Go equipped with wellies and anoraks and enjoy splashing about. You can swim in the rain without any probs. It's the only holiday we ever have as opposed to travelling. We travel the world but camping is the most relaxing. Take cards and games for bad weather and enjoy being together.

[DC_FC]

Forgto to say that i too alot of stuff i didnt even use eg i took matches but i could have got some morrisons,

[carrust]

Just got back from a fortnights camping in Scotland, where the weather on a couple of days was very inclement...force 8 gales etc. The only piece of advice I would give you is to buy the best quality tent you can afford.

We have an Outwell Montana 4, which has steel poles & a fitted ground sheet. It stood-up to all the bad weather that Scotland could throw at us.

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/. Are very reasonable with their prices

[keyplus90]

Thanks to all of you. More information than I was expecting. I will save these webites and links for future.

[KARL]

This may not be what you want as an answer, but if you are in either a caravan or else a motorhome, you are assured a dry place for everyone. Being in a tent in wet weather can be rather miserable but you could have a tent with you to provide more sleeping area - and children tend to find canvas camping great fun. Personally, I do not like the idea of towing but have had a motorhome and like that form of camping very much. You can start with a cheap option (smallish, old but sound) and then decide what is the right thing for you. The advantage of a camper is that it is entirely independent and carries everything you need - it even has a kitchen, storage and a toilet of sorts.

[steveryan]

Cabin tents are best one for you these are also called as family tents. Cabin tents are huge and are ideal if you are camping in one spot for a short time.

http://www.campingtou.../tents/camping-tents/