Choosing the right family tent is the most important decision for a great camping trip. Get it right, and you'll have a comfortable, weatherproof tent from home. Get it wrong, and you could face a cramped, leaky, and miserable holiday. In this guide, we break down the absolute best family tents on the UK market, focusing on the key features that matter the most like space, weather protection, and how easy it goes up.
Our Top Recommendations in Brief
- Best Overall: The Berghaus Air 600 Nightfall is a true fortress against the elements, making it our top pick for all-weather reliability.
- Best for Privacy: For larger families, the clever 'vis-a-vis' layout of the Hi-Gear Zenobia 8 Eclipse is a game-changer.
- Best Value: If you're on a tighter budget, the Vango Purbeck 600XL offers a fantastic balance of space and reliability.
Quick Jump to Reviews
Detailed Reviews
- Type: Air Tent
- Sleeps: 6 People
- Waterproof: 6000mm HH
- Bedrooms: Nightfall Blackout
🏆 Best for All-Weather Protection
Berghaus Air 600 Nightfall Tent
The Berghaus Air 600 is a fortress against the elements, designed for families who refuse to let a bad forecast ruin their holiday. As an air tent, it pitches remarkably quickly for its substantial size. Its standout features are the market-leading 6000mm HH waterproof rating and the superb Nightfall darkened bedrooms. The combination of premium, durable materials and excellent ventilation makes this a comfortable and secure home base, capable of handling the worst of the British weather with ease.
Verdict
An investment in worry-free camping. If your priority is keeping your family safe, dry, and comfortable in any weather, the Air 600 is one of the best and most dependable choices on the market.
- Type: Pole Tent
- Sleeps: 6 People
- Waterproof: 4000mm HH
- Bedrooms: Nightfall Blackout
💸 Best Value All-Rounder
Vango Purbeck 600XL
The Vango Purbeck 600XL hits the sweet spot for family camping, offering a fantastic balance of space, features, and price. This is a traditional poled tunnel tent, which helps keep the cost down while providing a huge living area. It features Vango's Nightfall bedrooms for darker mornings and queen-sized sleeping pods for extra comfort. With a solid 4000mm HH rating, it's more than capable of handling typical British summer weather.
Verdict
An outstanding all-round performer for families who want comfort and reliability without the premium price of an air tent. It represents fantastic value for a main summer holiday tent.
- Type: Pole Tent
- Sleeps: 8 People
- Waterproof: 6000mm HH
- Bedrooms: Eclipse Blackout
🛡️ Best for Large Family Privacy
Hi-Gear Zenobia 8 Eclipse Tent
The Zenobia 8 is a brilliantly designed solution for large families, especially those with teenagers. Its 'vis-a-vis' layout places two separate bedroom pods at opposite ends of a large central living area, providing a welcome degree of privacy. It boasts an impressive 6000mm HH waterproof rating and features 'Eclipse' bedrooms for a darker sleeping environment.
Verdict
The perfect answer for large families craving space and separation. For families of five or more, the Zenobia provides a level of comfort and privacy that few other tents can match in this price bracket.
💸 Best for Space on a Budget
Eurohike Sendero 8XL
The Eurohike Sendero 8XL is all about maximising your space without emptying your wallet. This enormous poled tunnel tent provides a colossal living area and can sleep up to eight people. While the 2000mm HH waterproof rating makes it best suited for summer camping, its relatively low weight for its size makes it surprisingly manageable.
Verdict
If you need to shelter a large family or group on a tight budget, its value is simply impossible to beat. It unapologetically prioritises size and value above all else for summer adventures.
- Type: Pole Tent (Hybrid)
- Sleeps: 5 People
- Waterproof: 2000mm HH
- Bedrooms: Single Space
🏕️ Best for Social Camping & Glamping
Coleman Polygon 5
The Coleman Polygon 5 breaks the mould of traditional tent design. Part tent, part gazebo, its unique octagonal shape and 360-degree mesh windows create a wonderfully open and airy living space. It offers full head height throughout and features a clever hinged door for easy access. While its 2000mm HH rating makes it a fair-weather option, its distinctive style makes it a standout choice for festivals or glamping trips.
Verdict
The Polygon 5 is for the camper who prioritises atmosphere and socialising over hunkering down in a storm. If your idea of camping involves friends and sunny days, its unique design makes it an exceptional choice.
Best for Couples & Small Families
Vango Keswick 500 Tent
The Vango Keswick 500 is a classic tunnel tent that offers reliability and practicality in a manageable package, ideal for couples who want extra space or small families on weekend trips. The simple three-pole structure is easy to pitch, while the 3000mm HH rating provides solid protection against rain. While it lacks flashy features, the Keswick 500 delivers on the fundamentals.
Verdict
A workhorse tent that excels in its simplicity and reliability. If you value proven design over bells and whistles, the Keswick 500 is a solid, practical, and sensible investment.
