[viki&neil]

This is probably a very silly question, but can any one give us some ideas or hints. We want to go camping for the first time (2 adults 2 kids) and want to know if there are any campsites in the essex/kent area that already have tents up or sites we can hire from, as we dont want to buy it all and find its not for us? Any ideas will be gratefully received.
viki

[rob_jax]

Hi Viki,

No I don't, and with the way the weather is in the UK at the moment, I wouldn't recommend it anyway as a first experience. Opening the tent flap to bright sunshine, fresh croisants and clean air is a great experience, opening it to see flood water isn't.

You may want to take a look at keycamp or eurocamp - if you do a Google search for "eurocamping" there will be direct links to these companies and many others - OK most if not all of their sites are in France or further afield, but you stand a chance of good weather, their camp-sites will have family orientated things to do, and the food should be good.

A week in September shouldn't cost too much, especially if they do a combined package with ferry - and driving in Europe isn't a problem.

Robert

[Rob Boughton]

Hi Viki,

No I don't, and with the way the weather is in the UK at the moment, I wouldn't recommend it anyway as a first experience. Opening the tent flap to bright sunshine, fresh croisants and clean air is a great experience, opening it to see flood water isn't.

You may want to take a look at keycamp or eurocamp - if you do a Google search for "eurocamping" there will be direct links to these companies and many others - OK most if not all of their sites are in France or further afield, but you stand a chance of good weather, their camp-sites will have family orientated things to do, and the food should be good.

A week in September shouldn't cost too much, especially if they do a combined package with ferry - and driving in Europe isn't a problem.

Robert

All of the above is very good advice. I would not want to do a tent in the UK the way it is. As you live down south you will have no problems getting the ferry over to warmer climates to be honest i have not been off in the CV since all this horrible weather started.

[FishyDave]

I haven't heard of anyone renting tents in the UK either. Then again, when you can get brand new ones for buttons off eBay, it's probably not worth their while. We picked up an 8 berth one for about 40 quid - it's from a German manufacturer that I've never heard of, and our only criticism was that the hanging points for the bedroom inner tents could do with being a bit more robust.

Buy one of those, and it should last you a good 12 months - probably longer with care. If it turns out that you don't like camping, then bin/sell it.

It's the cost of the other accessories that'll really add up though. At the least, you'll need:
Air beds (plus an inflater)
Sleeping bags (you could possibly get away with bringing duvets from home)
Probably a cooker (though those cartridge fuelled single burners are quite good, and everyone seems to be doing them for a tenner these days.)
Folding chairs

Pots, pans and cooking utensils, I'd bring from home on a first trip. Likewise for plates, glasses and cutlery, unless you buy disposables.

[mary.ross]

Have a look at wigwamholidays.com - they're ready erected wooden wigwams, otherwise they're pretty much like camping!

[chatterdog]

Brean Sands in somerset has tents already set up for hire. There is kids clubs, swimming pool, Golf, 2 nightly entertainment venues, selection of different diners, and a great beach accross the road from the site.

[_Bev_]

Hi Viki

welcome to T&T

you will find all the help you need to get started in here

good luck hun