The 50 Best Camping Essentials - Tents

Psychedelic Teepee

“A modern equivalent of the Native American tepee, this tent sticks out like a totem pole among the sea of green and blue dome tents, which inevitably dominate the landscape at every UK festival,” says Rob. “With its crazy psychedelic design, finding your way home will be so simple you will have to think of something else to do all night. Either that or everyone buys it and we’re back to square one.”

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Where: Millets (0800 389 5861; www.millets.co.uk)

How much: £69.99

Ministry of Sound Speed XT

“Prevent those unnecessary arguments about who’s putting what tent pole and guard rope where by investing in this two-person, pop-up tent,” say Jonathan and Sophie. “It assembles in seconds (throw it up and it snaps itself into shape – all you need to do is hammer in the pegs) and is made with black-out material so you can have a lie in without being baked by the morning sun. It even comes with free MP3 downloads. Can canvas get any cooler?”

Where: Blacks (0800 665410; www.blacks.co.uk)

How much: £54.99

Celia Birtwell Monkey Puzzle

Jonathan and Sophie say, “Guaranteed to make you stand out from the campsite crowd, this hip Celia Birtwell-designed family tent is spacious as well as stylish. Boasting two roomy bedrooms at each end, with communal space between for storage or a game of cards on a rainy day, it can happily accommodate families or two couples. Practical as well as pretty, the tent is waterproof, light, made from breathable polyester and packs neatly into a matching bag.

Where: Millets (0800 389 5861; www.millets.co.uk)

How much: £99.99

Saunders Spacepacker

Clive says, “The Spacepacker was the world’s first modern, single-hoop backpacking tent and, even after many decades, it is hard to find a rival. Backpackers using this two-berth tent each have their own door and porch in which to stowrucksack and gear. Top-spec materials ensure they only carry 1.9kg between them. A British-made classic from the old master designer Bob Saunders, and a refreshing change to the mass-produced mediocre tents that swamp the market.”

Where: Robert Saunders (020-8500 2447; www.robertsaunders.co.uk)

How much: £269

Biodegradable Pegs

If there’s one thing ruminating cows don’t like when they return to their fields after a festival it’s steel tent pegs buried in the ground. These alternatives are made from potatoes and wheat and will disappear in a few weeks. They were handed out free at Glastonbury this year and are now on sale in packs of 10. Ideal for festivals, they are just as good for campsites and are only disposable if you want to be rid of them. Cows, fields, campers: everyone’s happy.

Where: Millets (0800 389 5861; www.millets.co.uk)

How much: £3.99

Bell Tent

“Group camping doesn’t get muchbetter, or more stylish, than this,” Jonathan and Sophie say. “Even with eight people sleeping inside, you’ll still have enough room to relax under the communalbell tent’s breathable cotton canvas. On hot days its walls can be rolled up to transform it into an airy shade – great to take with you on camping trips, as it also packs down small enough to fit into any car boot.”

Where: BellTent (07830 355993; www.belltent.co.uk)

How much: from £264

Outwell Idaho

Clive says, “Easy to pitch, superb quality, big living area, sleeping compartments that face your own dressing room – this is the family home from home. Best of all, Outwell tents have a kid’s bedroom with printed walls, a dark, starstudded ceiling, hanging shelves and a ground-level hatch. There’s also a hammock ball game (soft balls provided), which should be played with caution if you ever want the kids to go to sleep.”

Where: Outwell (www.outwell.co.uk)

How much: £499.99