Tent Showcase: Outwell Norfolk Lake
Range Year:
Max berths:
Tent weight:
Tent RRP on date added:
Bedroom inners:
Living area groundsheet:
Pitching Style:
Category:
Compare Tent Price:
|
2006
8
67.10 KG
3
Fully Sewn-in
In one
Tent
Search
|
Average User Rating:
9.39/10 from 23 reviews
Viewed: 8726 times
Back to index
|
Manufacturer Images |
NB: Outwell have advised that this model has been discontinued.
|
Member Uploaded Images - click to enlarge |
|
If you have a photo of this tent click here to upload it
|
User Reviews of the Norfolk Lake
By: Martinjp65 Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2008 Rating:  Date: 25/10/2009
Well, after a horrible cut-short week in North Devon in July(!) when our high street tent was blown flat in a horrendous storm we decided that if we wanted to 'carry on camping' we would have to invest in something a bit more substantial. Following much research, quite a bit of saving and visits to tent shows we had narrowed our choice down to, either an Arrow or Bear lake 6, when, the Norfolk cropped up as an end of season deal just within our budget so we grabbed it sharpish. On collection or delivery of an Outwell 'lake' I dont think anything quite prepares you for the size and weight of the boxes, however as has been quite correctly said this is a consequence of the huge size and material. It comes in two bags one in polycotton containing flysheet and bedpods and a nylon one containing poles/groundsheets, as a practical size guide I have an avensis hatchback and with just the two of us and the back seats folded down we can just fit in the tent with one bag on top of the other behind the front seat widthways and have enough boot space left for rest of gear/luggage BUT it is tight!
Knowing from previous reviews that Outwell are not immune from the odd quality control howler we borrowed a relatives field for a trial run (far too big for the garden!)we found it easy and pleasant enough to pitch as despite its bulk it is not a challenging shape and it can only get easier with practice (two person essential though in my opinion), on carefully checking over the tent all fasteners were present and correct all zips worked very well and we were delighted with our purchase (small snag list at end of review)
In the Norfolk the living space where the bedpods are has a very thick grey zip-in groundsheet we didnt need the additional x2 man bedpod so left it out but its nice to know its there if needed the main bedroom in our model year is the universal with a zipped divider we used one half for a double air bed with room to spare and the other as a wardrobe. The front area beyond the internal partition has a black 'bathtub' clip in groundsheet which is a different material to the grey one but still very substantial and there is a good amount of overlap between the two to keep things clean (if you obtain a 'footprint' which, I would recommend, it only covers the ZIG area)
The windows have enough options to keep you playing for hours and are a great feature. Because of previous experience we invested in a set of Delta ground anchors for the guys and the same companies stainless steel pegs and they are superb and well worth the money we also use caravan awning pegs for the canopy(s) and the guyed vents which are very convenient as you can unhook it without partially removing the peg.
Following our successful trial run we booked a week in Dorset and again everything was very sound our pitch was slightly sloping but again experienced no problem with zips ETC. About the only thing I cannot comment on at this stage is the waterproofing as (minor miracle this!) we have experienced no inclement weather in this tent so far which is great as I really dont fancy trying to air the flysheet off at home if packed damp!
Why only 9/10? well, there are a couple of minor imperfections in the flysheet, on the front sloping door the top seam you can see daylight through and there is a stitching 'overrun' about half way down of about a dozen needle holes there is a tiny snag in the roof polycotton and one small area of uneven dying the size of a two pence piece if any of these do cause a problem I will deal with it with some seam sealer as the word on the forums is that Outwell are discontinuing the beast for next season and compared to all the good points these small gripes do not warrant a return.
Overall very pleased so far but bitterly regret not grabbing the last carpet in stock at the retailer as know unobtainable ANYWHERE will update on waterproofing when it rains on subsequent trips (as no doubt it will!) compared to our previous this tent is the Messiah and I should know I've followed a few!
By: Issym Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2008 Rating:  Date: 20/10/2009
Having used the tent three times this year I felt I needed to update my initial reaction. Every time we use the tent I am more pleased with it. We have just returned from a week in Padstow. While other hardy folk were exiting there tents in the morning with woolie hats and quilted jackets we lazed indoors in the pleasant heat in jim jams. We had a fan heater but once the air was warmed up, about 15 minutes we switched it off, and it stayed extremely pleasant.
By: PembPitcher Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2009 Rating: Date: 03/10/2009
Having bought a Maryland XL earlier in the year and not being happy with it , we decided to buy after getting a refund for the Maryland a polycotton tent from Outwells classic range.
Well I got to say what a difference the Norfolk Lake is just so much better quality , the large tent and pole bag were of no surprise to us after the Maryland and I even think the Norfolk lake is lighter.
I managed first time to almost put the tent up by myself only getting some help off my wife who has MS to hold the aluminium poles up while I placed them on the pins which is fantastic for such a large tent and something I couldn't have done with a lot of other tents
The inside of the tent with its heavy duty zip in groundsheet , polycotton bedrooms and cotton curtains just shouts luxury at you , the windows also have mosquito nets built into them and all the plastic windows, mosquito nets and curtains can all be opened separate which is a real nice touch for the summer months.
The living area I would regard as adequate(cosy) but not over size for a family, as long as you are prepared to remove the third bedroom pod everyday(which is easy) otherwise it is a little more than a hallway really ,the good point of this of course is its easier to keep warm on those chiller nights camping.It also has doors either side of the living room which is great if you don't want to use the front entrance the only problem with the doorways(all of them) is that they tend to let water in when entering and leaving the tent when its raining , which is something we get a lot of in this country unless of course you buy the side extensions.
The front porch in comparison to the living room is massive and could easly be used in warm weather as your living area , although the clip in bathtub groundsheet is not as good quality as the zip in one in the lounge it is better quality than the one we had in the Maryland.
Even though this tent does have some little niggles about it they are few and they can easily be overcome , the quality on the other hand is top notch and if looked after this tent will certainly give you many happy years camping.
We are a family of four and this tent is more than big enough for us including taking our eldest childs friend with us , I would highly recommend this tent to anyone.
By: Jörgen Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2008 Rating: Date: 10/08/2009
These reviews were very helpful in our decision making so wish to offer the same courtesy to future owners of the Norfolk Lake. Because when you’re in doubt which tent to buy and looking for a three cabin 5+ persons tent, you won’t be disappointed when choosing the Norfolk Lake.
OK it’s personal but we think it’s the most “cosiest” large (5+) tent available, not as wide as the Wolf Lake or Ohio XL (which also were on our wish list) or the Bardani Villanova 450 (also in the same range).
Bought it last week and tried it out last weekend. Although our experience up to this point only is based on pitching, taking down and packing we’re pleased we bought the Norfolk Lake.
Pitching was done by the two of us. Tent was standing in about 30 minutes (two people required), after this zipping in the ground sheet, inner cabins and pegging down (which can be done alone) will take about 50 minutes. OK, it takes some time but it is worth the reward!
One of the things which persuaded us was the lay out of the sleeping cabins. Placing one sleeping inner tent crosswise results in two larges cabins (both 1.80m). We couldn’t find this in the other tents on our wish list. It’s nice to have some room because both our daughters (now 4 yrs. And 7 months) are going to sleep in the same inner tent (one in the baby bed and one on an air bed).
Taking down didn’t give any hick-ups. The same for the packing although we think that experience will lead to a smaller packed tent which would give us a bit more car boot space. We managed taking down and packing within the hour but mind you this only is the tent.
Also bought the kids tent which was an immediate success, our daughter (4) loves it. Although it was a pleasant 25C outside she kept playing in the tent, seems the print of flowers and grass is more interesting then the real thing :-). The inner carpet and ground sheet are in back order :-( but we believe it will only make camping more comfortable.
Hope that this review is worth the while for English readers. My sincere apologies for any grammatical errors but hope it contributes to the positive reviews on the Norfolk Lake. We couldn’t find any negative things. OK it takes a lot of space and it is heavy but you’re aware of this when you by the tent. Hope all things positive will stay this way when camping for a longer period, we can’t wait to really use it.
Van Amen family (Gouda, the Netherlands)
Note: our tip for baby beds is the Deryan travel cod, we also bought it because it saves a lot of space compared to the conventional baby beds. Don’t know if these are available in the UK but we thought it was worth the mentioning (photograph is also posted). We don’t have any shares in Deryan :-) but were very enthusiast and recommended it to our friends.
By: Tigang Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2008 Rating: Date: 01/08/2009
An update from us on this impressive tent.
Apart from the colour beginning to fade slightly and the 'new smell' almost gone, nothing to fault on the performance so far. If anything, we have learnt to use this tent better, so if we had not already given it a 10/10 score it would have gone up in rating! These have been no leakages or weakening of the seams, the fabric is still in very good (as new) condition and the poles have not suffered one iota in all of the conditions subjected to them so far.
With such a big polycotton tent, it is particularly important to leave the under-straps loose on pitching, only tightening once the pegs have gone in and the guys adjusted. The latter means that we no longer have a problem closing the zip separating the inner living space (sanctum sanctorum) from the enclosed front.
The flexibility of the inner living area and pods is impressive. This is truly a tent for all-weather living and judging by last summer and this August's predictions we have spend (and are going to be spending) a lot of leisure time within the confines of the tent itself.
I cannot begin to tell you how quiet this tent is in even the most challenging weather. How could one ever go back to polyester fabric again. Unless active sound cancellation is installed as standard. As for the horizontal side struts, I have only seen these deployed once on another make of tent but they were too flimsy. Outwell have really scored with these side reinforcements as they allow for a tunnel design with NONE of the concertina problems of lessor designs.
We will probably post another update at the end of the season, but as of this report (1st August 2009) my advice is go for a Norfolk Lake in the sure knowledge that your £money is well invested.
By: Meddy Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2007 Rating: Date: 22/07/2009
Be warned that this is my first tent, so I don't have a decent frame of reference. My only other camping experience (infrequent) comes from holidays as a child in static and touring caravans and a trailer tent - oh, and the Girl Guides!
I've pitched it twice now and it's definitely a two man job due to the weight of the tent, but in terms of complexity it's no trouble at all, beautifully straightforward. I don't think it takes us too long - downwards of an hour - and we'll get faster with experience. The bags are intimidatingly big and heavy and I don't know about all you other NL owners, but I think a trailer is almost a pre-requisite with this tent - it took up pretty much all our boot space!
Pitched, it's beautiful and solid as a rock. I was concerned before I bought it that it would be too big but it's just the right size for our family - we had three adults and three children and to be honest, I wouldn't have wanted a smaller tent particularly as with the third bedroom in situ and the porch full of gear, the amount of living space was a bit compromised. Three children's mats fit in one of the main rooms, and two adult mats in the other (with room to spare). However, a single airbed was a good fit in the third bedroom and I don't think it would comfortably fit a double.
We sat through some harsh rainy weather with no leaks and you'd almost think there was no wind (although there was!) due to lack of noise and movement! The only drawback we found was the sloping uncanopied front door which other reviewers have already mentioned - it really CAN be an issue when the rain is lashing down and people are going in and out of the tent - the porch groundsheet got very wet indeed.
It's hard to judge how the tent handles extremes of temperature as we haven't taken it out much yet, but so far it was exceptionally comfortable inside.
We're lucky enough not to have any quality glitches in ours - everything seems well crafted and well assembled so we're more than happy from that point of view. The zip on the side door has started to come away a little but we bought this tent second-hand so I'm not going to put it down to a manufacturing fault. In any case, it'll be easily fixed.
I really love this tent and am glad we bought it. It loses one point for the rainy front door, otherwise it's great. I'm not going to penalise it for using up all my boot space as I think that's the price I have to pay for such a nice big tent!
By: JJRufus Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2008 Rating: Date: 10/07/2009
Having a drink with 5 friends sitting, chatting and laughing inside the main living area of the Norfolk Lake Tent while an Atlantic Force 7 storm and torrential rain raged outside demonstrated the worth of our tent.
Large, strong and comfortable (with carpet). It takes 45 minutes to set up.
We have done 43 days camping in our Norfolk Lake so far. It has taken camping to a whole new comfort and fun level. If we had bought an inferior tent we just simply would have camped less.
By: 2gocampin Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2009 Rating: Date: 10/07/2009
Ok the Norfolk, wow about sums it up, its big but not too big to cause pitch problems, its so much better than the Bear or Wolf Lake as it has the separate front section so you don't clutter the living area and for what ever reason it just feels right, balanced and very welcoming.
It doesn't take any longer to pitch than the Bear does, 20 minutes will get the Norfolk standing on its own and then its just the tweaking.
The packed size is a tad daunting though and the weight of the canvas takes some shifting but you cant have this quality of tent without this.
The only negative, although this does not relate directly to the tent as such is that there is no canopy for the front. A canopy like the Bear's would be perfect as this is the door we will tend to use most and being angled as it is without a canopy when raining its going to get wet inside very quickly.
We have seen that other owners have used Montana 6 and Minnesota canopies so I think we will take the same route.
Don't think we will ever use the 3rd bedroom but always good to have it spare.
All in all an gorgeous tent that feels so good that we wont ever want to come home, what ever the weather brings.
By: Issym Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2009 Rating: Date: 28/06/2009
Having had experience of camping on and off over the years we had a vague idea about what we didn't want rather than what we did want. Having seen the Norfolk Lake there wasn't one 'didn't want' part about it. We are now in our 50's and worried about the weight of the tent, but shouldn't have, it was very easy to handle and took 20 minutes from getting it out of the trailer to being able to 'let go'! I only gave it 9/10 as there was a loop missing from the bedroom tent and one of the elastic loops looked like it had been overstretched, so it's 10/10 for the tent but 9/10 for quality against price.
By: Blaze591 Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2009 Rating: Date: 30/05/2009
We bought our Norfolk Lake to replace a Khyam Ontario, as we wanted a tent which had an internal porch area - somewhere to cook inside, leave tables & chairs, boots etc etc, and also was cooler than a polyester tent. We have not been disappointed. It's a big tent, plenty of headroom for me, and the internal porch area is perfect for having a 'wet' & 'dry' area. In this respect it beats the Bear & Wolf Lakes hands down.
First of all, the size. The pack size of the basic tent is slightly larger than the whole of the Ontario, so if you factor in the size of the second Pole bag, you will need more than twice the space in the car to carry it. In terms of weight, this is a heavy tent. I can carry both the Pole Bag and the Tent Bag on my own, but I'm 6'5' and frankly it's a big struggle - a two person lift is desirable / essential!
Pitching the tent is easy. Lay out the flysheet, assemble the poles, and put them into the colour coded sleeves. Lift the tent into the vertical position, insert the pegs into the ends of the poles, and repeat, working your way down the tent. Two people can have the basic tent up in 25 minutes. However, I do not imagine that a single person could put this tent up, as I could with the Ontario - it's just too heavy. Once the tent's up, it just a matter of zipping in the heavy duty groundsheet and fixing in the bedrooms.
Once the tent was up our impressions were of a handsome tent which is very solid and secure. There is none of the annoying flapping which plagues polyester tents, the tension poles on side of the tent anchor the whole thing together, and really there's no need to guy it out. Our first camping trip to Derbyshire involving pitching in 10 - 15 mph winds and the tent didn't move at all. In hot weather it's cool and pleasant inside, in stark contrast to our previous polyester tents!
A lot has been said in the forums regarding the quality of Outwell tent. I won't say that it's absolutely perfect, there are some loose threads that need to be tidied up, and two small (2p sized) spots where the dye in the tent material is a very slightly different colour, but there's no doubt that this tent is a quality product that will last for many, many years. We weathered it in the back garden, there were no leaks of any kind despite a very heavy and prolonged soaking.
In summary, if you want a comfortable, practical and high quality tent with a built in porch area, look no further.
By: Dezzie Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2008 Rating: Date: 19/05/2009
We bought the Norfolk lake to replace our Gelert Utah. The first thing that strikes me about this tent is the pack size. It can be quite overwhelming to see two massive bags and wonder how to transport it along with all the other gear that us campers essentially need. Once the initial shock is over, it becomes a pleasure to open and unfold this beautiful big tent. As with all polycotton tents, its heavier than synthetic tents and the pole bag really needs 2 people to carry it (as does the main tent bag). It is very straightforward to erect. You build up the colour coded poles, slip them into where they go and then raise the tent.
It is heavy and 2 can get the tent erected, but in my opinion its a lot easier with 3 people. Once erected, you will witness the sheer quality of the tent. Nice thick canvas, strong metal alloy poles, good quality guy lines. Quality is the key word here - The lake series of tents are definitely the jewel in the crown of Outwell tents. Everything just feels well made and well designed. The zip in groundsheet is fantastic though VERY heavy. The porch area has a detachable bathtub groundsheet too. I mention porch area, but to be honest, the porch has ample living space in it for a table and 4 chairs.
I haven't had the door canopy up yet due to the time of year camping, but I imagine this will only enhance the size of the porch. We actually use this part of the tent as our living area, and its bigger than the living area of our last tent. The room area of the tent is contained within the zig and all 3 rooms are detachable, so they can be left out if a smaller party are going camping. We use all 3 in the winter months as our oldest son uses the smaller room at the front of the room area. During the summer, this room is left out to make a very large living area that has a degree of privacy for evenings, eating inside etc.
All in all this tent is in my opinion one of the best tents in the market today. The only let down for me is the main tent bag. The strap burst on our first trip away with the tent. It didnt affect the carrying of the bag, but I was a bit shocked that it snapped so easily. I would have preferred a bag with a zip rather than the very large sack that the bag is. A minor gripe though. The tent is massive, but has a nice understated stance when pitched among other units, it does stand out, but not in a garish unsightly way. The Norfolk Lake is a modern design classic and the best way to enjoy this tent is to use it.
If you are considering buying one, remember that you need to pack it away dry. So it may involve it being erected in your garden till it dries out, or laid out in your house somewhere. It does take a while to dry because of the materials.
If you see it on a campsite, don't be scared to ask for a look. It is a thing of beauty and should be appreciated by all, but then I am biased.
By: Melissa90 Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2007 Rating: Date: 11/11/2008
We recently returned to camping after quite a few years and my husband wanted a 'canvas' tent as we had previously had canvas followed by a nylon tent. We spent quite a lot of time researching them, and saw this one on display and really liked the layout. We put it up for the first time in our garden (took about an hour for the two of us), we made the mistake of leaving the groundsheet zipped in and then it took two of us to lift it! We used it properly for our annual (previously caravanning) holiday in South West France and loved it. Saved us over 5 hours driving, took an hour to put up in the dark. Had loads of room for the two of us and a 12 year old - we put up the third bedroom and used it to store our bags and a portaloo for the night but still left enough living space for us and a fridge. Only slight complaint would be that we bought an outwell campbed for our daughter and it was a bit of a squash trying to fit it in the bedroom area. The front porch area we had a cupboard, table, cooker and three chairs and there was enough room to sit in there with the front up at night time enjoying a glass of wine and watching the world go by! Had rain and a thunderstorm - no leaks, just had to get up at 5.00 one morning to shut the windows - tent remains cool in the heat. We too tended to use the door at the front but didn't find it a problem. Also bought a Quecha 3 second pop up tent for the journey down rather than unpack and pack the bigger tent, that was great too! Would recommend this tent to anyone, easy to put up, although large to carry it's easy for two people.
By: Mumshadenough Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2008 Rating: Date: 28/09/2008
We have just used our Norfolk Lake for the first time, and found it incredibly easy to put up.
We are used to erecting Tunnel tents so this was not a challenge. We were aware that there may have been an issue with the side poles fitting in the mesh sleeves, so we just made sure that the butons that clip the poles together were facing the tent as we slid it through. Worked a treat!
The space in the tent is fantastic, and even though we used the 3rd bedroom, we still had plenty of living space.
I love the fact that the front porch can be used for cooking, having had a tent with only a small canopy to cook under, this was luxury!
With the front door on poles as a porch canopy, with the sun shining, we had a lovely weekend lazing around in the sun.
And inside the tent you really feel like you are under canvas. The tent was cool, and darker than in the polyester tents, which definitely helped when the kids had to go to bed!
The night time was rather chilly outside, so we spent the night with a fan heater on, and we were toasty all night. It was lovely to wake up to a warm tent, with no condensation, and be able to get a cuppa without going outside.
Taking down the tent was incredibly easy, and we kept the ZIG attached to make things easier next time we set up. The bag is great, because it expands if you want to fit more in.And even though it takes 2 of us to put it in the trailer, its still no heaver than an old canvas frame tent!
This is the perfect tent for my family with the versatility to use it for a long weekend or a couple of weeks! I can see a long happy relationship with this one!
By: BERTIE Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2007 Rating: Date: 04/09/2008
We love our Norfolk Lake, since owning it we have had 2 x 2 weeks in France and several weekends in the UK, so it has had quite a lot of use over varying terrain and weather conditions.
We only use the 2 bedrooms and use the area to the front of this as our 'Living Room' - we have carpet and find it to be very warm and cosy, during the hot days in France we had a fan on most days and this kept it cool and a place to get away from it all - the sides we tend not to use except for the night time toilet!
The front porch area we use as a kitchen enabling us to cook whatever the weather and whatever the time of day - it quite easily accommodates a camp kitchen with cooker, larder, table and usually 2 x coleman coolboxes.
We felt that the design regarding the sloping front door was a bit of a pain during wet/damp days to open the zip from the bottom so, we purchased a canopy for the Minnesota 6 (nearest size to it) and fixed this to the front. This now enables us to keep the front door open all day from breakfast time to bedtime allowing the air to circulate through the tent!
I have recently seen the new 2008 and model and like the idea of the tent tidies and the bedrooms zipping together!
The zig works fantastically, we have got the footprint but do find that it gets very wet, could be the condensation from being laid under the carpet and thick groundsheet, but it is certainly easier to wipe moisture of the ZIG and then clean the footprint when we get home!
The only down side we have really found is how much the fabric has faded - we bought it green it is now a very light khaki - this can be seen quite obviously from the front door when it is down as the canopy normally protects it from all weathers!
By: Wissymo Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2007 Rating: Date: 31/08/2008
We have just returned from Longnor woods and it is the 3rd time we have camped in our norfolk lake.
For us this tent is perfect! With 2 adults,2 children and 1 dog we fit just fine.
We also never use the side doors as we have a carpet,and never use the 3rd bedroom as it isnt needed for the 4 of us.
The living area is lovely on an evening if it is chilly and we really do set it up to be quite homely.
Through the day we use the porch mainly as its big enough to lounge in and you get the nice outdoors feeling without wet grass on your feet or bugs running up your legs!
I don't mind the way the porch opens as we put the front up on poles instead of rolling it up and a little wipe with kitchen roll sorts out any drips.
The only thing I would change is the bag.It would be easier if it had a zip along the top rather than a opening at one end with the tent being so heavy.
By: Bossdog Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2007 Rating: Date: 29/08/2008
Hi, I first saw the Norfolk lake tent at Mitchells of Wakefield. Loved it straight away but the price tag put me off, eventually I bought 1 and I can say honestly, its worth the money !. As all the reviews say, this is a top top family tent built to last,it has all the space you could ever want,very versatile, warm and dry. We too don't use the third pod in favour for extra space and we also recommend having the carpet.We have used our tent several time and experienced all weather,the Norfolk lake is equally brilliant in both sun or rain. I agree that it is very easy to pitch and it does take approx an hour. My only draw back is the amount of space it takes in the back of the car and its also heavy,(both bags) but its worth it.
By: Ro11erba11 Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2007 Rating:  Date: 05/08/2008
Only used the Norfolk lake twice and last week was the first time in rain, but it leaked quite badly on the front door about an area of 8' x 10' low down. We only use the front door because we have a carpet in the living area and try to keep it clean. As the front was used frequently by 8 people we experienced problems with lots of water and mud entering the front area of tent. Maybe the constant use of this door in rain didn't help with our leak problem?. If the tent had a front extension it would probably help with the front door problems and would get a higher recommendation from me. Overall we found this a very good tent, easy to erect, cosy, quiet, plenty of room and full of nice little touches.
By: Ivys Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2007 Rating: Date: 02/08/2008
We love our Norfolk lake tent but don't like the front porch when it rains, any solution out there? What is the old style side canopy and where can I buy it? We are happy with everything else, went camping in wild Scotland and the tent never budged apart from water coming in through the front door when you go out.
By: Morgaine Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2007 Rating: Date: 28/07/2008
I was very nervous going camping for the first time without my husband because he's always taken charge of putting up our Norfolk Lake. On my last trip I was in charge, with the help of a female friend and two 12-year-old boys. I needn't have worried - we had the tent up in under an hour.
I definitely recommend the Norfolk Lake to anybody who wants a quality tent. The tent is very well made, there are lots of little touches that make it excellent, like the curtains that neatly roll up. I wasn't too keen on the green colour initially but it has grown on me and I love the matching green carpet, it's all very nice. It's also beautifully quiet - it was very windy during our camping trip and I noticed how noisy my friend's nylon tent was, unlike the Norfolk Lake. It also rained a few times, but we've not had a dribble of moisture inside the tent yet.
We sometimes use the third bedroom and I admit it does make the living space into an awkward L-shape. But it is easy to take down and you have an excellent living area, with carpet it's just like a front room! Like the other reviewers we don't like to use the side entrances, preferring to use the front porch as the main entry, the kids have been trained to keep their shoes and boots in there and this keeps the living area mud and grass free.The back bedrooms are a good size for 2 people but would be a squeeze for three adults.
The only problem with the Norfolk Lake is the sloping front porch, and yes it can be a bit awkward getting in and out when it's raining. Outwell definitely need to look at making a front extension for this tent, then it will be 10/10 for us!
By: Tigang Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2008 Rating: Date: 30/06/2008
We have just returned from a five day break in Dorset at Rowlands Wait, so thought it worthwhile to do an update to our first review of this fantastic tent.
Outwell customer service quickly addressed the missing hook problem on the front groundsheet by sending us a complete new groundsheet and telling us to keep the old one as a spare for our trouble. Outstanding! The only other slight fault we have noticed is a 'slit' of fly about three inches long where a couple of threads appear to have broken during the manufacturing process; I suppose I'm nit-picking here because it didn't leak when it rained and there are a number of other parts of the fly that appear to have an overlap of extra thread here and there, so I guess it's just part and parcel of the weaving process. But we'll keep an eye on it just in case it becomes and issue and this post is timestampted to prove we noticed the fault early in the warranty period.
We didn't experience really bad weather on this trip, but when the wind did gust all you could hear was rustling leaves from the trees and not a whisper from the tent itself; solid as a rock.
The ground was slightly sloping where we pitched and we found as a result that the large internal zip-up door that separates the living area from the front of the tent was under a lot of stress to one side. This meant that the zip could not be closed properly, but no amount of adjustment outside could correct it. The stress was highest at the point where one of the large plastic flysheet hooks latches to the pole outside, so removing that could have allowed the zip to close but would have slightly compromised the structural integrity of the 'tunnel'. It was only a minor annoyance and I'm sure we could have compensated for it if we'd spent the time trying more adjustments around other parts of the fly.
We only use the front of the tent for entry/exit because the side options open right outside the main sleeping pod, which we wanted to remain free of mud, grass and creepy-crawlies. For that reason, we concur with Veronisyellow's comment that a front canopy would be more useful to us than a side one.
In our first review we stated that pitching/striking is totally workable with pods and zig attached. The only thing I would add is that the way you take the tent down has a significant bearing on how easy it is to put up again: As per the video (available on a number of web sites) once the poles are threaded through you erect the tent one pole at a time starting at the back, guying the back before continuing. The alloy poles are so thick that they are pre-curved, so before raising them they lay on the ground (looking from back towards front) as lower case 'n's. When we took the tent down for the first time, starting at the front we let the 'arches' fall backwards as we took them down. Mistake! Because the flysheet is large and heavy (particularly with the sleeping pods and ZIG in place) it is difficult to manouvre once down, so it is easier just to square it up slightly then 'fold and roll'. Thing is, when you come to put it up again, the pole sleeves retain the curve and because we put it down with (again, looking back towards front) as lower case 'u's instead of 'n's we had a bit of a job! The moral of this story then (finally you say) is take it down front to back allowing each pole 'arch' to fall forward. Hope that made sense :-)
When you see one of these tents up it stands out a mile from those around it both in terms of quality and sheer size. It reminds me of a small aircraft hanger and the four of us were 'lost' in it at the weekend. I would say that six people (certainly two adults and four children) would find this a very comfortable 'home from home' for two weeks even if the weather was inclement, so 10 out of 10 Outwell!
By: Veronisyellow Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2007 Rating: Date: 24/06/2008
We bought this tent after a truly awful camping holiday May 2007 when our old tent was totally trashed in the bad weather. We had to return home early and spent the rest of our holiday researching and looking for a new tent. We saw the Norfolk Lake erected at an outdoor display and were completely bowled over by the size and quality of the tent. We have been away in the tent twice so far and have experienced high winds and heavy rain. The tent has been as solid as a rock. We've experienced a little damp around a couple of the windows during wet weather and I think that this has been caused by the external plastic zip covers not covering the zips properly because we have not ensured that they are smoothed out. The space inside the tent is awesome and the size of the tent needs to be borne in mind when booking pitches. The fabric is great quality and the zips are heavy duty. The ZIG is excellent quality and keeps out unwelcome bugs. We use a footprint to keep the ZIG clean and we also use the tent carpet which ensures that the living area is snug - it's great to be able to walk around in bare feet and have warm feet. The front of the tent is great for storage etc. - loads of room. Outwell now do a side canopy but I think it would be much better if they manufactured a canopy for the front to keep out wind and rain when the front is open. The tent stays cool in warm weather and is cosy in cold weather. When it is windy the tent is not noisy. There are lots of storage pockets in the bedroom pods and for the untility area. The devider between the living and utility area has a number of combinations through creative use of the zips available. Each windown has no see um mesh and curtains and again, these can be used in combinations that suit your taste. Ventilation is great and adjustable. We would not sleep more than two adults in each sleeping pod and have not used the sleeping pod in the living area but can see that it would be preferable to leave it out and sleep people in the living area without it. It takes two of us about an hour to get the tent completely erected with pods and zig in. We have received shed loads of positive comments about the tent. All Outwell tents come with doormat and external thermometer - doormat is actually quite useful but thermometer? Not so sure. All in all a fantastic tent which I love.
By: Tigang Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2008 Rating: Date: 12/06/2008
Having suffered the May bank holiday wind and rain in a Coleman Darwin we decided to invest in something a little more substantial as a family tent.
Although the Darwin stayed up while other tents around us crumpled, the sheer noise from the polyester flapping around did not make for restful sleep, so we started to look at polycotton. We saw the Outwell Bear Lake up at a camping shop and were immediately impressed by the spacious living area, quality polycotton flysheet and (importantly for a tunnel design) the full-length side-bracing poles that keep the tent from 'concertinaring' in heavy wind.
Deciding that the Bear Lake was a little too small we opted for the Norfolk Lake and for £50 more (based on the deals we could strike) we got a lot more tent! We erected it at home and found it surprisingly easy for two. The only bit that took the time was zipping in the ZIG (like the other reviewer we also opted for a footprint groundsheet in addition) and handing up the sleeping pods. That said, we managed to strike the tent with everything attached; you end up with a very large, heavy roll that needs two to lift, but Outwell's flysheet bag is purposely made oversize to easily accomodate it.
I agree that the additional sleeping pod does detract from the spaciousness of the living area, but it is so easy to take down during the day and store in one of the other sleeping areas.
For those buying the additional footprint groundsheet, it is worth noting that the footprint only covers the ZIG and not the front porch, so when pitching start with the back of the tent flush with the footprint so that the pegs holding the front of the ZIG just miss the other end of the footprint rather than going through it. The porch of the tent has an additional custom-shaped 'hook-on' groundsheet, perfect for storing the meddy wellies etc. The latter had a sewn-on hook missing and Outwell are on the case.
Overall, very impressed so far with the superb design and build quality. We'll post a review update once we've really put it through its paces.
By: Spideygirl Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2007 Rating: Date: 10/05/2008
We bought this tent originally in 2006, but due to a couple of little problems had it replaced in 2007. So we have used it for 6 trips in all kinds of weather.
We have the found this tent to be excellent quality, the fabric is a breathable polycotton and the poles are made of a light weight alloy. After a couple of practice pitches we can now pitch this tent with in the hour. It goes up really easily and we manage it between the two of us. We do use a footprint ground sheet to protect the inside of the tent as it has a ZIG, The ZIG has very chunky zips and is made of a heavy weight material. So no real need for a footprint other than to keep it dry on the inside while pitching.
The layout is perfect for us, but we do not use the third bedroom. We found when that is fitted it turns into a corridor more than a living space. So when my in-laws join us they are more than happy to sleep in the main living area and store the bedding in the one of the pods during the day. It is great having the separate porch for all the messy stuff and it iholds a lot. The main living area is very cosy on rainy days. The only problem we found with this tent is the sloping front door in bad weather. This tends to flap in when opened bringing lots of wet with you. We got around that by using an Outwell side canopy (the old style) as a front porch. This works really well and allows us to open the door on rainy days.
We have been through all weathers with this tent and it did not budge. We had strong winds, rain and even hale stones!
So to conclude I would not change anything about this tent, we love the style, quality and layout.
Add your comments on the Norfolk Lake for a chance to win a prize!
|
 |
If you have used this tent please leave a review, or your comments for other visitors, and have a chance to win a set of Snap Capps in our monthly draws.
This fantastic new invention turns a can of drink into a sealed bottle, protecting drinks from being spilt, keeping out creepy crawlies, and keeping fizz in. They are a must for any camper or caravanner.
|
You will need to be logged in as a member of the UKCampsite.co.uk Please log in or register here.
|
Manufacturer's Description
The manufacturer has advised that this model has been discontinued.
With sleeping accommodation for up to 8 persons in its 3 + 3 inner tents across one end, plus a
removable 2-berth inner, the amazing Norfolk Lake makes a truly spacious holiday home. The full
zip-out groundsheet provides maximum protection from the elements, insects and floor draughts in
the enclosed bedroom and living area, and helps make housekeeping a cinch. The Norfolk is easy to
pitch, uses aluminium poles throughout, and remains stable in adverse conditions. Other strong selling points include the detachable groundsheet in the front living area, the large front door that doubles as a canopy, the additional half-opening entrance, and a wide range of sophisticated and carefully crafted Outwell details. Norfolk Lake is a wise choice for a large family that wants reliable quality and comfort.
Specifications:
Flysheet: Outtex® Airtech
Inner tent: Polycotton
Floor: PVC Tarpaulin
Pack size: Tent: 35 x 103 cm / Poles: 35 x 102 cm
Weight: Tent: 34.8 kg / Poles: 32.3 kg
Poles: Alloy poles #6063, 22 mm, 2 upright steel poles
Features:
• Detachable bathtub groundsheet for porch area
• Organiser pockets
• Full length mesh pockets in the inner tents
• Lamp holder and light cable tidies
• Reinforcement patch on all stress points
• Adjustable pegging points
• Luminous guy ropes
• Heavy duty Outwell zips
• Outwell doormat included
Optional Extras:
• Kids Room
• Carpet
• Footprint
... there may be more info on their website
Back to main tent index |
| Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all... |
|
|
| Upcoming Event! |
 |
19th - 21st March British Leisure Show
The show will be inspiring thousands of people, to discover new ways of enjoying the great outdoors, with a fantastic range of products and activities to see, try and buy. Plus win FREE tickets! Click here for more info
|
|
|
1747 Visitors online !
Free UKCampsite.co.uk Sticker - Recommend to friends - Cheap Hotels
[Message Forums]
[Caravan Sites & Camping]
[Company Listings]
[Features / Advice]
[Virtual Brochure]
[Shop!]
[Reception]
[Competitions]
[Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]
[Events & Meets]
[Contact Us]
[Tent Reviews]
|
Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy policy here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk
|
|
|
|
