Camping Travel Store Blog

We have just returned from a fantastic family break at Robin Hoods Bay , North Yorkshire; and I must say, I feel like I have been abroad. Arriving at the Campsite , our pitch was postcard material the view from our tent - simply stunning. The weather over the 1st weekend started windy and ended in strong gales over Sunday late afternoon and a Force 8/9 forcast for the night; still that blew the cobwebs away as well as a few tents, and the weather remained sunny for the remainder of the week. YouTube Link of Gales Bogglehole provided excellent rockpooling for the children, whilst the Moors provided fantastic walks and cycle rides for the fit. Average hill was 20-25% with a 30% decent into Robin Hoods Bay itself. Goathland where the TV series Heartbeat is filmed is a short drive away with a beautiful steam railway station. We found that York was a very worth while visit but took just over an hour by car. There was so much to see and do, we will definately be returning........very soo...

Since seeing a 50 year old igloo tent at the Karsten Tent Display in Newbury we have been sent this photo from Anthony Kent who has resurrected his. He says "I have just resurrected our old igloo. It needed new zips, replacement for a lost canvas cap and reproofing with Thompson's Water Seal. It is amazing that the tubes are as good as new. Looking Good! A great little example!

Great News...... We are able to offer an Autumn Season Discount of 10% on all New Purchases of Karsten Tents. Please contact Camping Travel Store for further details Our On-Line Store is also now live, so please have a look at the Human- Comfort Range of Camping Equipment Click HERE to enter Store

We have just supplied our first "Midge Proof" Karsten (A Karsten 240). The versatility of these tent being made to order means that within reason we can specify anything and if it is possible and does not affect the integrity of the tent, then Karsten will provide. In fact there is not much that hasn't been asked previously, so when we were asked for a Midge Proof Tent, to do battle with the Scottish Midges.......Karsten had the answer. They have previously made these tents to conquer the Swedish midges by simply replacing the mosquito netting in the top and bottom ventilation grills with midge netting. They make a velcro-on midge proof window (very similar to the sealed foil (plastic) window) and then replace the screen door netting with midge netting. "Midge Proof" Where possible, specialist netting has been incorporated in the tent to reduce the likelihood of midges entering the tent.

Just got back from work to a nice suprise - The CCC Magazine waiting on the floor, and the star letter relating to a 1960's Igloo, manufactured by the Pneumatic Tent Company and a Karsten Inflatable Tent. We were lucky enough to see a 50 year old Igloo at out latest Karsten Tent Display, when Karsten Tent Enthusiast Garry Jones and his family brought one along to show us. It just so happend that we made a small video of it for posperity - how fantastic that I can now relate it to this article. CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO If anyone else has photos of their old Igloo, we would love to see them!

We are all set up and ready for the Newbury Karsten Tent Display - Just managed to add a video on YouTube so please check out the " Newbury Display " Really lucky to see a double rainbow over the tents to! - Check out our latest flickr upload

Karsten 325 with Sleeping Extension and Extras £1950.00 Click HERE for further details

NOW SOLD Click HERE for Further Details

We have just delivered a Karsten Carp Tent to Colin Richards, a Member of Team Dynamite. As well as being one of the most profilic anglers at the Rainbow Lakes in the South of France, Colin also holds the Welsh title for a record fish (40lb common). To read more about Colin's profile, click HERE Click below for further information on Karsten Inflatable Carp Tents

Managed to get a good couple of walks in this Bank Holiday. Unfortunately not camping under canvas, but enjoying what our home in Buntingford has to offer. The walk on Sunday up and over Wakley lane, round to Tannis Court and back through Aspenden proved much fun for the dog, as well providing the much need entertainment for the children of chasing her through the hedgerows. Thankfully the weather stayed good for the walk, but the downpour the previous night provided lots of good deep splashing puddles that were just too tempting for them to avoid. Monday provided a mixed bag of weather from downpours to blue skies and the a hail storm, but again, those who dare, and we did - donning all the wet weather gear, we set off for Standon May Day. A traditional village fete. The clouds parted and the sun shone - Typical should have just taken a brolley! The children enjoyed having their faces painted, and then we walked to the Ford. The views across fields are always great and although it ca...

We made it in good time to Knutsford just off the M6, and managed to meet the people interested in viewing the Karstens. We pitched a 350 with the Comfort / Front Wall and Rain Awning, which seemed to fit perfectly in the wooded area we were located to. Having shown the tent, we proceeded to spend the night and after a hearty home cooked pub meal, we tucked up for the night. It seemed strange sleeping in the 350; as we are used to four of us in the 300, the 350 seemed cavanas. The site is mainly static caravans, but the grass area we were on which was near to the toilets and water tap allowed for around 6 pitches. Although not really my kind of site, it was fit for purpose and very well run.

Been quite a busy time recently, and now we have just completed a stay of 2 days at the Blackmore CCC Site, to attend a photoshoot for the Camping & Caravanning Club Magazine. After a bit of a drive down, and arriving around 9.30pm in pitch black with the rain lashing down, we managed to pitch up in about 10 minutes and settle our heads down pretty quickly. We awoke to a glorious morning at about 5am as we were pitched on Crows row, and boy can they make a racket. After a basic breakfast, we met the CCC Team who were their testing their long-term tents at the other end of the field. Candy Evans and her team could not have been more welcoming. It was also great to meet Clive Garrett of Camping Magazine, who popped by for the goings on. Unfortunately, the bad weather delayed the photo shoot by a day. But eventually we pitched it and hopefully we will see the results in their magazine in the near future. As I type, we are just packing to leave for South Manchester for a further night ...

We recently visited the British Show at Royal Windsor, and were blessed with good weather. We took the who family and met some friends there. The first thing that I thought was great, was that it was dog friendly, so the new family addition could tag along as well, and all the owners seemed to all be in very good control of their animals. There was lots to see and do for all ages, and although the queues could be quite lenghty , there was lots going on around. The camping section, was slightly cramped and unfortunately, this is how I felt about the whole set up. I also felt that the layout would have been somewhat better. We were trying to display the Karsten's at this show, but decided against it in the end, and I must say that I am pleased that we made the right decision. It was great to visit, but quite a few of the exhibitors felt as though there was limited passing traffic due to the layout design. We'll just have to see if it improves next year!

We have now taken stock of the Human Comfort Range of Camping Products from Holland, and are gearing up for their sales in the UK. Danny Hazewindus from Karsten personally delivered the stock to us with the help of his son Mike and enjoyed staying a couple of days with our Family. We managed a whistle stop visit to Cambridge on the Saturday where we were given a lesson in the difference between polyester and nylon, and a flying visit to London's Southbank and Picadilly Circus on the Sunday before they departed for the Hook of Holland Ferry the same evening. A great time was had by all, and they have threatened to come back!!!

Well, despite the cold and us sleeping in the Human Comfort tent, we did manage to get the flagship Karsten out for it's first official pitch. I much prefer to see a tent actually pitched as opposed to a library picture. The awnings are not fully pegged out, so the material would be more taught. The zip-in groundsheet was much easier to handle and fit than I was expecting and really does give it an element of luxury. All in all, it was a great weekend and as you can see, we managed to get the Karsten Carp Tent up as well!

We have just had instructions to add the following: 2006 Karsten 300 for sales in the Staffordshire Area For further details, please click HERE

Well, the BBC weather forcast did not disappoint - minus 4 at 8pm as my daughter and I settled down for the night. The Marne tent, was easy to pitch using 3 poles and the fly and inner pitched together in about 5 minutes. I was really impressed with the tent. The two windows and the front let in good light, there was excellent ventilation throughout, and no condensation in the morning. The tent is described as a 'Technical Cotton' (polycotton) but is much softer to the touch than the main stream polycottons available on the market. The front porch has it's own ground sheet and the rear storage does not, but allows for other 'dirty' equipment to be stowed away. Both the doors from the inner tent have the fly net integrated and the rain porch to the front is a great little addition. We used the Human-Comfort self inflating air mats with optional foam topper and cover as well as Human Comfort sleeping bags (both to be reviewed soon). I have to admit it was really toas...

Karsten Tent Test - First Official Pitch I will be camping at the Hertford CCC Site this weekend coming, testing out a Karsten; so if anyone else is as silly as me, (having just looked at the weather forcast), minus two!!! that's (-2) on Saturday with the possibility of waking to snow on Sunday. Please come and say hello!......... preferably with a hot drink to hand. This could be reality come Sunday Brrrrrrrrrr...

Check out this Campsite in Wales It's owned and run by one of the Karsten Tent Club Members! Click the Picture for Further Information

Well, we've started to book our camping for this year. Over the Easter break, we shall be at Clippesby Hall in Norfolk, and in the middle of September, we'll be joing the UK Campite Meet 'Pillaton Hall' The Return.... Although we are camping as a family, we'll have a selection of Karsten's with us, so if you are interested and you see us on site, please come and say hello, and view the tents. We are also gathering some dates together where all the Karstens will be displayed (Tent Shows). So far we are aiming to be in the Stockport (South Manchester Area late March) and will hopefully be displaying at our local Buntingford Town Carnival in June. To keep up to date with new dates and areas, please log onto our website: Camping Travel Store or Click HERE . Hopefully see you soon!

The Karsten Tent Club has just received instructions to advertise a 2003 Karsten 350 with Awnings and Extras. Please visit the Club Site: http://www.karstententclub.com/tentsforsale.html for further details and picture. Please make contact direct with the seller and mention the Club when calling.

Karsten have launched a new Combi-Awning for 2010

Just got back from checking over the Karsten Show Tents - Hired the local school hall so could not peg out, but still very impressed. We also have the complete range of awnings available for the tents. We have the following tents to view... 220 Grey, 240 Carp Tent, 300 Grey with Pod Link to 200, 300 Beige Standard, 300 Blue with Adaptor Zip and Bedroom Extension, 325 Light Green with Bedroom Adaptor Zip and Bedroom Extension and a 350 Burgandy Standard.

It's been a bit of a wait, but we now have a range of Karsten Inflatable Tents ready for viewing... As well as the various sizes, we also have a complete range of colours, awnings and combinations. Please check out our websites for further details: www.campingtravelstore.co.uk and www.karstententclub.com

We have now been introduced to the UK Camping World by the nice people at Camping Magazine, who have featured us (Camping Travel Store & Karsten Tent Club) in their February Edition. Please click the picture to read the article...

We have received confirmation from Karsten that the show tents have been made and after having the finishing touches added, should be available for viewing from the End of January. We should also have all the stock from the Human Comfort range of Camping Equipment and Accessories available by then to. If you are interested in viewing the Karsten Inflatable Tents, or would like to be kept updated about the Human Comfort range, please visit out websites, Camping Travel Store or Karsten Tent Club to request the information you require.