How to Choose the Right Camping Tent
Choosing the right camping tent comes down to three things: capacity, weather performance, and ease of setup. Whether you're heading to a UK festival, a family campsite, or wild camping in the hills, getting these right means the difference between a great trip and a miserable one. Our range covers everything from lightweight pop up tents to large family camping tents with dedicated living areas — so there's a fit for every style of trip.
Family Camping Tents: What Size Do You Need?
As a rule of thumb, size up from the stated capacity. A tent listed as a 4-person will sleep four adults at a squeeze — for a comfortable family camping experience, a 6-person or 8-person tent gives you room to move, store kit, and keep everyone sane on a rainy afternoon. Large family camping tents and family tunnel camping tents are particularly well suited to longer stays, offering separate sleeping pods and a central living area for dining and relaxing.
Pop Up Tents vs Inflatable Tents: Which Is Right for You?
Pop up tents are the fastest to pitch — ideal for festivals, short breaks, or solo campers who want to be set up in seconds. Inflatable tents take a little longer but offer a more rigid, weatherproof structure with no poles to snap or lose. For families or anyone camping in changeable UK weather, an inflatable tent is a worthwhile investment. Both types are available across our range in waterproof-rated fabrics.
Waterproof Ratings Explained
All camping tents are rated by their hydrostatic head (HH) — the measure of how much water pressure the fabric can withstand before leaking. For UK conditions, look for a minimum of 2,000mm HH on the flysheet and 3,000mm on the groundsheet. Our waterproof tents meet or exceed these thresholds, giving you reliable protection through British summer showers and beyond.
Tents With a Living Area: Worth It?
If you're camping for more than a weekend, a tent with a living area transforms the experience. A dedicated porch or tunnel living space gives you somewhere to eat, store muddy boots, and keep the kids entertained when the weather turns. Family tunnel camping tents are the most popular choice for this — their linear layout maximises usable floor space and makes it easy to separate sleeping and living zones.
What to Look for in a Camping Tent
Beyond size and waterproofing, consider: ventilation (mesh inner panels reduce condensation), peg points and guy lines (essential in wind), carry weight (important if you're walking to your pitch), and blackout bedrooms (a game-changer for early risers and children). Our buying team has selected tents that balance all of these factors across every price point in the range.