OUTWELL’S Fantasy Explorer was given the award of Tent of the Year 2010 in the Camping magazine 20120 awards.

Editor Clive Garrett said: "The Fantasy Collection is a real winner and our judging panel found it hard to choose from the three models available. All three tents combine practicality with a healthy dose of fun – and that is what camping is about.

"However, for value and versatility it is the £309 Explorer that gets the vote for Tent of the Year in our 2010 Camping Magazine Awards – although you could consider the honour shared with the entire Fantasy Range.”

As part of its 50th birthday celebrations in 2010, Camping magazine, the UK’s only magazine dedicated to life under canvas, aimed to recognise the hard work and innovation that goes into improving the camping experience.

The magazine brought together a judging panel of top camping journalists and readers to seek out those manufacturers and campsites worthy of a Camping Award, with Outwell topping the bill.

Other awards included Best Buy 2010 going to the Sea to Summit Ultra Sil Shopping Bag, and Campsite winner 2010 to The Orchard Campsite in Wickham Market, Suffolk.

On the Best Buy 2010 winner, Clive said: "The Ultra Sil shopping bag is handy at home as well as on the campsite and is the answer to getting rid of those environmentally unfriendly plastic carrier bags. Although there are similar bags on the market the judges consider that none compare to the Ultra Sil in terms of rugged materials and quality."

The Ultra Sil Shopping Bag, which also won the Accessories category, was followed in the Best Buy category by Vango’s ECO 15 LED Lantern, and Crocs Cayman who both receive Highly Commended awards.

On the winning Campsite 2010, Clove said: "The atmosphere on The Orchard Campsite is very relaxed and the wooded site is the ideal environment to sample the traditional joys of family camping. Much is down to the fact that the owner, Alan Hammond, and his staff mix freely and treat campers as an extended family – they go about the daily routine with obvious enjoyment. This encourages mutual respect and ensures campers behave with consideration for each other."

The Orchard Campsite was followed by two Highly Commended sites; The Bell Inn, Buckland Dinham, Somerset and Steart Farm Touring Park, Bideford, Devon.

The Camping and Caravanning Club’s Marketing & Communications Director Matthew Eastlake adds: "The Camping and Caravanning Club plays an important role within the outdoor industry, providing a valuable service to active campers and caravanners.

"We want to continue to encourage more people to enjoy the outdoors and enjoy that same enthusiasm that we feel for it; that’s why we are fully supportive of Camping Magazine’s annual awards and would like to express our sincere congratulations to all of the winners."

The full list of Camping Magazine Awards 2010 Highly Commended and Winners are to be announced in the March 2010 issue of Camping, available to order securely online now!

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