Hi folks. This is my first posting here so thought I'd do a quick intro. Me, wife and 4 kids (aged 4 to 12) wanting to go camping this summer.
The last time I went camping was about 12 years ago - a mate and I spent just over a week in and around Glencoe, in the middle of August, in pouring rain, with a Vango 2 man dome tent. Had a fantastic time and stayed nice and dry.
Anyway, married now and the family has grown. I can successfully pitch my kids' Ikea pop-up tent in the garden, and have just bought a North Face Bedrock (5/6 person) off ebay. I know this won't be big enough for 6 of us, but we Mum will be coming with us in her 3 berth motorhome and I'll have my Mitsubishi Delica which can also sleep 2. We should all be fairly comfortable.
I was wondering though if anyone can recommend a good tent shop near Brighton, and what recommended brands of tent they sell. I'd be interested in getting one with seperate inner tents/chambers that could potentially sleep 8+. Avoiding "dodgy bargains" of course! Is there anywhere near here that has, say, the Outwell tents set up so I can see them?
Anybody have any experience of the North Face Bedrock tent I've bought? I know the HH isn't as high as some of the cheaper tents but from its shape it would appear that water is more likely to run off rather than pool.
Don't know of any camping shops in Brighton, but S K Camping at Godstone, and Camping International at Horsham are both good, and not too far from you.
CE Sports are based in Seaford and Newhaven. I have just bought a Khyam Indiana 8 the Newhaven shop. Very good deal (price-matched best I could find) and they even carried the tent to the car in the rain! They organise the tent display at Middle Farm (between Lewes and Eastbourne) that runs at the end of May for a fortnight. I've also visited the SK Camping at Godstone - they had quite a few tents on display. The only other place local to us that had display tents was at the John's Cross caravan center at Robertsbridge on the A21 - quite a few tents upstairs.
Using the Indiana as a "coffee table" in the middle of the floor at the moment and waiting for a clear day to try and put it up. It is an 8 berth (4+2+2) and well recommended by the folks on here (thanks for the notes). You could even stick a few more in the middle if you wanted to.
Thanks Mat - I'm looking at Camping International's website now, and the Outdoor Revolution Scenic 4.4 may be ideal (and I've just seen its in the UKCampsite shop).
And Wyn, many thanks for the heads up on CE Sports (I used to get my diving bottle refilled there!), and the Khyam Indiana. I'm liking the look of that very much indeed. Not sure if I can wait a whole month for the Middle Farm display - my patience won't last out so I think I'll be toddling off to Newhaven in a bit! How much did they price-match to? I've seen them for £225 on the web.
Cheers again!
Hi Pete, In their advertising CE sports have the Indiana at the standard £225, but I asked if they could beat or pricematch the £199.99 from OutdoorGear. Paul replied with an "Early Season Price" for £194, and later confirmed it was for the 2006 model. I went to collect on Easter Saturday and took the email to show the assistant. He gave me the impression that it was a great price I'd be getting it for, but they were great.
Do a search on here for the Khyam or Campus Indiana 8, it was the feedback from the others on this site which nudged me towards this tent. I also looked at the Gelert Vancouver 8+4 - its a few quid cheaper and had a SIG - but after nearly tripping over going into a SIG tent at SK Camping, and imagining the kids running about and tripping over I plumped for the Khyam. The staff at SK Camping at Godstone didn't seem to think much of the Gelert, didn't stock them as far as I can see - Our old tent was a Gelert and was fine.
Hope you manage to get the tent you want soon, Wyn
Thanks for the welcom Nutty Tart!
Thanks again Wyn re the info on CE and the Indi 8 tent. I'll be popping along to see them tomorrow. I did have a quick read on the Gelert Vancouver as well (I've got Gelert sleeping bags that I'm more than happy with), butI too would prefer not to have the SIG. Also I noticed the Gelert is a "pitch inner first" tent, and I'd rather pitch the outer and then hang in the sleeping rooms.
Am I right in thinking that the sleeping compartments have waterproof bases anyway?
Cheers again.
Hi and welcome pete - yes the bedroom "pods" in flysheet-first pitching tents have their own groundsheet type bottom sewn in, so it is waterproof to the same extent as the GS in the living area.
Some folks put an extra groundsheet or thin layer under that (e.g. one of those plastic-bag type dust sheets you can get from DIY places) just to keep the bottom of the bedroom clean and dry - otherwise you can find yourself doing a big cleaning job before you can pack it away.
HI again Pete - Did you manage to make it over to Newhaven? I have just posted a new topic saying that there is a tent show in Eastbourne this bank holiday weekend - at the Miniature Steam Railway site on Lottbridge Drove - next to Willingdon Golf club. We popped in there today and saw they have a fair few tents up, all sizes and prices. No sign of my new Indiana but did catch the Gelert that was an early option, and a few very nice Wynnster tents as well.
The show runs from today until the 1st May. Might give you a few more options if you are still looking. Hope it helps, Wyn
I'm popping down to C&E Sports this morning to see Paul and have a look over the Indi 8, after I've been to Johns Camping Intl in Brighton to see a Vango Colorado. Also trying to find somewhere local that has the Jack Wolfskin tents so I can have a proper look at the RT Hacienda.
I know the Miniature Steam Railway - family permitting, I'll try and get there to have a look as well, probably tomorrow after my youngest son's "Sponsored Toddle"!
Thanks again, I'll let you know how we get on.
Pete
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: An intro & good tent shops nr Brighton?
