Main lounge area (320cm x 190cm) having large side and front doors, each with windows offering great visibility – Kampa use their ‘crystal clear’ tech for this and it works well. Most tents have thin, collapsible poles made from fibreglass. They often fold up into a compact size and are connected by an elastic cord. They're usually flexible and will need to be bent to fit the shape of the tent canvas during pitching. Actually we should give a shoutout to the windows on the Antrim – they are excellent. The ‘glass’ needs to be seen to be believed and the Diamond Clear name they have chosen is very apt. These are up there with the best windows on the tent scene at the moment. Lounge and Sleeping Area The bedroom area is a suspended inner cotton tent and as mentioned above, is just a single room – you really are all in this together! Personally we prefer two separate bedrooms for adults and children, but that is very much a personal choice. We had no problems with light streaming in on a sunny morning and were able to sleep well. As mentioned, head height in the Joro is substantial due to the pre-angled airbeams used to support the tent. They give an excellent arch and make walking around easy, even for tall folk like me.

We were unfortunately not given the Hydrostatic Head information for the 6XL, but can report that our test model was definitely waterproof and will survive a biblical deluge. To make the decision a little easier, here are our top 3 tips on purchasing your perfect family tent. This latter point – the feel – shouldn’t be underestimated. The Berghaus 6XL feels like a luxury ‘proper’ tent. The kind you used to go off camping in with the scouts. It is a quality item and really will not disappoint. Absolutely no condensation in the mornings either. A good rule of thumb is to go for a tent that's claimed to sleep one more person than you need. If you're a family of four, for example, we'd recommend going for a five-person tent.

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You'll want to ensure your tent footprint is the same size as the tent you're pitching – several manufacturers sell footprints specifically to fit certain tent models. So, now the scope is set, I introduce the Berghaus Cairngorm 3. This 3 man tent is Semi-Geodesic in shape, supposedly better at providing ‘useable’ space, and to the more discerning eye, makes it look pretty damn cool. Dometic have created a fairly unique ‘Safari Tent’ appearance which offers great internal space and height. We feel it approaches the comfort of a caravan and yet costs a tenth of the price of one and does not sit on your drive taking up masses of space when you’re not using it! Weighing in at a fairly hefty 33.4kg (50kg for the polycotton version!) makes it almost certainly a two person job to carry any great distance. If you’re just transferring from a car boot to the ground then you can probably manage it on your own.

Accommodating up to ten people, the Quest Touareg Bell is a tipi-style tent perfect for summer camping with large families. During the summer, roll up the sides and enjoy the spacious socialising area. In the winter, roll down the sides and socialise comfortably around the single central pole. Stay cool in warmer weather and comfy in the winter with the 100% cotton canvas flysheet equipped with breathing and insulating properties. The Dometic Ascension in use with the optional side annexe attached. In Use – our thoughts on the Dometic Ascension FTX 601 TC

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Two or more bedroom compartments – it’s our opinion that it’s both warmer and more private to have multiple sleeping quarters within a family tent than all sleeping in the same area. Entry to the tent is achieved via a large door on one side, but there is no ‘porch roof’ to allow shelter when putting your boots on. The main difference between the 6L and 6XL is the dimensions. The 6L measures 820cm (L) x 300cm (W) x 200cm (H). The 6XL switches this around a bit by being 740cm (L) x 440cm (W) x 215cm (H). As a family, we found the 6XL to be the better layout for the way we like to live in a tent. In Use The Kielder 6 air consists of three large living areas, logically laid out in an ‘arched tunnel’ format as follows: Setup took us around 20 minutes in total, but that was at a fairly leisurely pace. Look at it as a bit of holiday exercise – you can always treat yourself to a glass of wine afterwards!

The Joro has a front porch which is almost semi-circular in shape and has a really useful vestibule area. There is ample room to sit and enjoy the sun whilst also offering protection if a shower starts hammering down. You could definitely bring a BBQ or camping stove into this area to cook and there is great visibility with a few large windows. The quality of the fabric and the size of the tent means that it’s a hefty weight though – 49.2kg. It is a two-person effort to shift it if you’re not built like Sylvester Stallone. Comfy, roomy and straightforward to pitch, the Robens Klondike Grande is a retro-styled bell tent equipped with modern technology. Designed with HydroTex Polycotton Fabric with a water-repellent treatment, the Klondike Grande benefits from reduced condensation and natural breathability. Housing up to nine people, this model has a stovepipe port, ideal for a wood-burning stove. So, when it comes to tents – the wind is literally your worst enemy. It can be the make or break for most; it can be generally expected that tents will keep the rain, sun and bugs off you while you bask in your beauty sleep, but the ability to withstand more punishing conditions can really set it apart from the rest of the crowd.

Our favourite family tents

I was slightly surprised to find out that the Vango Ringstead only has 3000mm of hydrostatic head waterproofing. As I say, there was no sign of any leaking, and so either Vango are underplaying it or other manufacturers are over-exaggerating their numbers (more likely). I counted 3 air vents in total in the tent which allowed great air flow, and there was no condensation build-up even when the weather was humid. We highly recommend spending a little extra and also buying the carpet for the 6XL for a bit of added luxury underfoot. A tent with more than one door can help with airflow, assisting with ventilation and also gives you more flexibility to enter and leave the tent through the most convenient doorway. 8) Number and size of windows The outer covering has a 6000mm hydrostatic head which means it’s extremely waterproof and will survive a biblical deluge. The quality of the fabric and the size of the tent means that it’s a hefty weight though – 28.3kg. Could be a two-person effort to shift it if you’re not built like Sylvester Stallone.