Vango Storm Shelter
A practical camping shelter (camping shelter) for time spent outdoors.
The Best Tents in the UK (2026)
The right tent depends on how you camp - a spacious family tunnel tent, a quick-pitch inflatable, a compact hiking tent or a festival pop-up. This guide covers what matters most (size, waterproofing, pitching and features), then lists our top tent picks for UK camping.
Quick answer
For family camping, a tunnel or inflatable tent from Vango, Coleman, Skandika or Outwell gives the best space and comfort; for hiking, a lightweight 1-2 man tent; for festivals, a quick pop-up. Prioritise a hydrostatic head of at least 2000mm (3000mm+ for peace of mind in UK rain), enough sleeping and living space for your group, and a pitching style that suits you.
What to look for
Match the size to your group with room for kit - manufacturer person ratings are snug, so many families size up. Check the waterproofing (hydrostatic head in mm, plus taped seams and a sewn-in groundsheet), the pole type (poled, inflatable air, or pop-up), and useful features like blackout bedrooms, a porch or living area and good ventilation. Consider how it packs and how easy it is to pitch.
How we pick
We rate tents on space and comfort, waterproofing, ease of pitching, build and value - across family, hiking and festival types. Every pick is a genuine camping tent - not a kids' play tent, a greenhouse or a pet tent.
Our top picks
#1
#2 
QUICKPLAY PRO Bench Shelter
A practical camping shelter (camping shelter) for time spent outdoors.
#3 
EVER ADVANCED Outdoor Shelter
A practical camping shelter (tent, 3000mm HH waterproof) for time spent outdoors.
#4 
Portal Outdoors Gamma 5
A practical camping shelter (tunnel tent) for time spent outdoors.
#5 
Vango Nevis Tunnel
A practical camping shelter (tunnel tent, 3000mm HH waterproof) for time spent outdoors.
#6 
Outsunny Tunnel Tent
A practical camping shelter (tunnel tent, 2-person, 2000mm HH waterproof) for time spent outdoors.
#7 
Lomo Emergency Storm Shelter Camping
A practical camping shelter (camping shelter, 5-person) for time spent outdoors.
#8 
Vango Orion 200
A practical camping shelter (tunnel tent, 2-person, 5000mm HH waterproof) for time spent outdoors.
#9 
Eurohike Sendero 4
A practical camping shelter (tent, 4-person, 2000mm HH waterproof) for time spent outdoors.
#10 
Vango Skye
A practical camping shelter (tunnel tent, 3000mm HH waterproof) for time spent outdoors.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best tent for camping?
For families, a tunnel or inflatable tent from Vango, Coleman, Skandika or Outwell offers the best space and comfort; for hiking, a lightweight 1-2 man tent; for festivals, a pop-up. The best tent depends on your group size, how you camp and your budget - prioritise waterproofing (2000mm+ HH), space and easy pitching.
How waterproof does a tent need to be for the UK?
For UK camping, look for a hydrostatic head (HH) of at least 2000mm as a sensible minimum, with 3000mm and above giving reassurance in sustained rain and 5000mm+ being very robust. Taped seams and a good sewn-in groundsheet matter just as much as the HH number for staying dry.
Bottom line
Our top pick is the Vango Storm Shelter (our score 9.4/10) - A practical camping shelter (camping shelter) for time spent outdoors..