Woody said:
Really recommend have a look first. We have a couple of places in the Midlands that have loads of tents set up so you can walk around them.
In the North, I know Yeoman's in York, used to have a site. If you have one of them locally it is worth popping your head round the door.
For straight camping, I would recommend Colemans, I would never buy another brand. It is not just the big things but the little touch's that other manufacturers rip off. That said, their current range is not very well designed for my sort of use. If I could get a Canvas fly for my Savanaha I would be a very happy man.
The main reason I would go have a look is - it is 20:00, the kids are being a pain, it is dark, and raining. You have just spent five minutes threading the wrong pole because they are not colour coded. The bedding areas are soaked because they had to go up first.
It also gives you an idea of -
a) how much of a pain it will be to put up.
b) what it is surposed to look like when up.
Somebody I know bought a Sunncamp and we have never got it up right, because it is missing the straps inside that guide your pegging out. Everytime, we look at the picture and the tent they never match.
My biggest tip of all is, put it up before you go anywhere. We have had to return 2 brand new tents, because they were damaged in the bag.
Regards
Ps Stay away from tunnel tents, esp. the Sunncamp ones, they are rubbish in the wind.
