The glow sticks are brilliant for night time. I hang one at each bedroom opening, one at the main door and one near where the torch is kept ( pocket on inside of tent! ). Last we bought Osram lamps that are battery driven, but have remote control and use energy saving bulbs. Think they came from Lidl for around £10, but I haven't seem them there this year.. I'm sure a google will turns something similar up.
We have the Coleman Northstar battery lantern, it's marketed as the 'brightest lantern available' and certainly lives up to this. Takes 8 batteries but seems to last forever (last for the whole of our 10 day break last year) also has the added bonus of a night lite option. Shop around as it cab vary in price from £49 right down to £25
I saw theColeman Northstar battery lantern in Costco in Derby today and it was priced at £17.61 inc vat, so this is what I am going for. I'm glad to hear it lasts a long time, I was worried that as it took 8 D batteries, it was a false economy.
We've got the Coleman two mantle lamp and it's fab - turned up full it's too bright to look at! We use this outside and in the Dayroom. We previously had one of the small camping gas lamps that screws into the small cartridge. Personally I was happy with that but OH wanted more petrol to play with
For inside the tent last thing at night we use a small Gelert type battery lantern which I acquired from my Dad a couple of years ago. A set of batteries normally last a year as it doesn't get a vast amount of use.
I like the idea of glowsticks, I keep meaning to order some from ebay.
I got a Benross rechargable area lantern. You can charge it up on the mains before you go away and if you are doing a bit of touring it has a cigarette lighter connection to charge it on the move. Another bonus is that it has a remote control so you can even turn it on as you approach your tent especially handy if you have had a couple of shandys. I got mine off e-bay and I think it was about £18 including the postage..
We have an old Epi-gas gas lantern that uses self sealing cartridges, but we also have an adapter to fit onto the campingaz refillable cylinders. It gives off good light, a small amount of heat & is ideal outside or inside larger tent (wouldn't use it inside small low tent). Quite economical on gas.
We also use a Hi-Gear 4 D cell battery lantern recently bought at Wilkinsons for £1.99 or £2.99 (I forget which). It has a good adjustable handle & a dimmer setting for a background glow. It also when on main setting, simultaneously gives off a beam so you can use it as a torch, or it's ideal used above your stove as it lights up the tent and also shines into your cooking pan at the same time. Bit heavy on batteries but good amount of light. If you used rechargeable D cells & a charger (but that'd mean EHU .....)
We've also got "old faithful" - an ancient cheap 4 D cell battery lantern with 360 degree light - not all that bright but last ages on its batteries which is why we call it "old faithful" - it keeps on going long after all our other battery lanterns have flattened their batteries.
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.