Crowland Caravans & Camping

CROWLAND Caravans & Camping is known as a dealer for Elddis and Buccaneer caravans, but during the summers months, has both indoor and outdoor displays that encompass a diverse range of tents, at prices to  suit all pockets.

Not only is there a large outdoor display area, there is a new, indoor tent showroom, with still more on display in the huge indoor accessory shop.

Crowland has the largest tent display in the area, but even if it is too far to travel, you can still pick up tents at great prices by shopping online at their internet store.

You can buy most of the leading tent brands, including Cabanon, Coleman, EasyCamp, Kampa, Outwell, Robens, SunnCamp and Vango. Bargain hunters can often pick up a selection of last year’s models at reduced prices, but these are not advertised on the website and you will need to attend in person to seek them out.

One of the most impressive tents on display is also the most expensive. Cabanon produce the Biscaya in a choice of materials and the Biscaya 440, at £1,725 – that honour goes to the Biscaya 500 at £1,969.

If you are wondering why a tent would attract that kind of price tag, then you only have to feel the Ten Cate polyester to find the answer.

Polyester is often regarded as the poorer cousin of pure cotton canvas or poly-cotton, but this remarkable material feels unlike any other tent material you will have encountered. It looks like a canvas with a slight gloss, a little bit like oil cloth, but it is light and looks almost indestructible.


The best poly-cotton tents can also be found at Crowland, including those mighty classics from Outwell, the best selling Bear Lake and the tipi-style tent that everyone wants – the Indian Lake.

One that really stood out was a new tent from Robens, part of the the Oase Outdoors stable, from which Outwell also originate.

Admittedly, the Vista 500 it does have the look of a tent favoured by those who use Kelly Kettles and wear sandals made from tree bark, but its as-used-by-the-armed-forces look does have a certain allure.

It is expensive of course, costing £549, but to males at least, it has an almost hypnotic appeal that will make you want to go camping simply to use it. It is polycotton of course, although with the poly quota so well disguised that it has the tactile appeal of cotton canvas.

I first thought that the metallic orange supporting hoops were made of something like polypropylene, but closer inspection reveals them to be anodised alloy. It is almost self supporting, so that it would be possible to alter the position of this tent without completely re-pitching it.

Not everyone can afford to spend so much on a tent and Sunncamp has excelled in providing tents in the mid-ranges.

The Prism, at a reduced price of £299, is a large tent with a radical, futuristic design, potentially sleeping eight people but far better for four or five.

I have seen this tent erected by one person and it is as steady as a rock. Cheaper still is the Kuro 500, Sunncamp’s best selling tent  at £139, although it’s a case of first come, first served, as stocks are now running low.

Contact:

Crowland Caravans & Camping
Postland Road, Crowland Lincs  PE6 0JB

Tel: 01733 210186

Web: www.crowlandcaravansandcamping.co.uk or shop online at:
www.crowlandcamping.co.uk

• This profile was first published in Caravan Motorhome & Camping Mart's Summer Special issue.

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