Camping shop in the Cotswolds?

[DonkeyApple]

Does anyone know if there is a nice big shop near the Cotswolds where you can walk in and just buy everything you need and find tons of stuff you obviously don’t need?

All the ones that I am aware of are quite small and many just tell you to buy from their online store but I like actual shops and looking at tangible goods.

[agent006]

Attwools, just south of Gloucester is my go-to camping shop.

https://www.attwoolls.co.uk/

There's also a fairly big Cotswold Outdoor near Cirencester.

[s2sol]

Go Oudoors in Gloucester should have everything you need.

[petemurphy]

Near the Cotswolds is a big area! There’s some in Bicester if you’re coming in from that way and a decathlon in west oxford

[The3rdDukeofB]

Without wanting to sound ironic......
Surely Cotswold Camping ???



https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/stores.html

Or should I browse for Parrots ??

[DonkeyApple]

The3rdDukeofB said:

Without wanting to sound ironic......
Surely Cotswold Camping ???



https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/stores.html

Or should I browse for Parrots ??

Maybe just parakeets.

I know most of these shops and they are mostly stores within stores or just selling a few items. They also tend to focus more on caravan bits that tourists have forgotten to bring etc.

What I couldn’t find via Google is if there is just a very big store which has tents up and all the main kit on display. Somewhere to walk around and tangibly look at these goods and get a feel for them.

Basically, the sort of shop that existed 20 years ago before the days of the internet and buying goods blindly only for them to turn up and you to realise that it’s just another shoddy, rattley bit of Chinese tat.

[The3rdDukeofB]

Hmmmm, OK, fair point but they do also have AFAIK 'proper' stores with it all in - and more importantly of a reasonable quality rather than some of the chuff that GO Outdoors or Decathlon pump out.

[DonkeyApple]

agent006 said:

Attwools, just south of Gloucester is my go-to camping shop.

https://www.attwoolls.co.uk/

There's also a fairly big Cotswold Outdoor near Cirencester.

Thanks. That looks like the sort of place I was looking for. It seems pretty big and has lots of kit on display?

[C0ffin D0dger]

DonkeyApple said:

Thanks. That looks like the sort of place I was looking for. It seems pretty big and has lots of kit on display?

Been years since I've been there but bought my first Khyam tent from there and decided to treat myself to a nice new cosy sleeping bag at the same time. Both items a great investment, must have had 10 years out of the tent and spent many nights in sub zero temperatures without feeling the slightest bit cold (drinking whisky helps though ). Good shop from what I remember.

[DonkeyApple]

Thanks. My children have reached the age where they will get a lot out of some camping now and be easier for one parent to manage as my wife is Italian and building an entire luxury resort complex doesn’t seem feasible within the parameters of a three day getaway. Pretty much got the tent aspect decided. One of the Vango airbeams just need to go somewhere to buy the basic furniture.

The girls are getting excited and taking them to an actual shop to be involved in the process instead of just having things mystically appear at the front door for free will be a good way to get them even more engaged.

They’ve already invented a new term for our impending style of camping, ‘cramping’. I thought it was because they expected to be squashed into a small tent but it is actually related to the fact that Inwill be in charge so invariably forget to bring obvious essentials. It means cr4p camping.

Edited by DonkeyApple on Wednesday 17th July 08:59

[agent006]

DonkeyApple said:

Thanks. That looks like the sort of place I was looking for. It seems pretty big and has lots of kit on display?

Tents inside and also had a load in the field out the back last time I was there. Quite a lot of caravan stuff but plenty of camping too.

[agent006]

The3rdDukeofB said:

Or should I browse for Parrots ??

Given that one of your results is mountain warehouse in Cheltenham, that's barely bigger than my living room, and another is Cotswold Outdoor's head office warehouse so not open to the public, probably yes.

[louiebaby]

DonkeyApple said:

Pretty much got the tent aspect decided. One of the Vango airbeams just need to go somewhere to buy the basic furniture.

Before you pull the trigger, have a look at the Decathlon Air tents with Blackout Tech.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/C-359116-tents/N-40190...

We got the 8 person one, it's enormous, and does a good job of keeping the bedrooms dark so the rug-rats don't wake up at the crack of dawn.

[DonkeyApple]

Thanks for the link. I’ve a bad back and am reasonably tall. What I know is that 3 nights on a camp bed and 3 days mucking about with the children will put me in the danger zone for putting my back out so I am set on a tent that I have no need to stoop to access any areas as that’ll be what does me in.

[Welshbeef]

I’m trying to find a campsite which accommodates large tents - ours is 8mx4.6m excl securing ropes.

Will we need to book a double pitch or is there a special pitch we need to select ?

[louiebaby]

DonkeyApple said:

Thanks for the link. I’ve a bad back and am reasonably tall. What I know is that 3 nights on a camp bed and 3 days mucking about with the children will put me in the danger zone for putting my back out so I am set on a tent that I have no need to stoop to access any areas as that’ll be what does me in.

I'm 6'8'' myself. I have the 8 person version from my link, and there is plenty of space to stand in any of the living area.

For a camp bed, have you considered the fisherman's bed? I had a look at a couple in Go Outdoors, I think it was this one, and it was more comfortable than any other bed I've laid on:

https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15901127/tfgear-flat-...

[petemurphy]

louiebaby said:

Before you pull the trigger, have a look at the Decathlon Air tents with Blackout Tech.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/C-359116-tents/N-40190...

We got the 8 person one, it's enormous, and does a good job of keeping the bedrooms dark so the rug-rats don't wake up at the crack of dawn.

everyone had these at glasto i was v jealous as they got to sleep whilst i burnt in my super hot super bright tent!

[DonkeyApple]

They’re half the price of the tent that I’ve been considering which makes it tempting. As does the black out rooms.

The living space looks a little small once you have a table and chairs in, a kitchen unit and then some more comfortable seating. Nothing insurmountable but considering the shape of typical plot sizes it looks like bolting on units could be a non starter? Thinking along the lines of a porch area when cooking and wet clothes can be left etc.

[oblio]

DonkeyApple said:

Does anyone know if there is a nice big shop near the Cotswolds where you can walk in and just buy everything you need and find tons of stuff you obviously don’t need?

All the ones that I am aware of are quite small and many just tell you to buy from their online store but I like actual shops and looking at tangible goods.

This is a big place - 3 floors from memory. In the heart of the Cotswolds and just off the A419 between Swindon and Cirencester...

https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/stores/cirencester...

[louiebaby]

DonkeyApple said:

They’re half the price of the tent that I’ve been considering which makes it tempting. As does the black out rooms.

The living space looks a little small once you have a table and chairs in, a kitchen unit and then some more comfortable seating. Nothing insurmountable but considering the shape of typical plot sizes it looks like bolting on units could be a non starter? Thinking along the lines of a porch area when cooking and wet clothes can be left etc.

So buy 2?