A new online company has launched, called Contented Camping, which aims to help novice campers who don’t know where to begin in buying camping gear, or indeed are not even sure if camping holidays are going to be for them, to ‘try before they buy’.

Contented Camping hires out good quality tents and accompanying camping equipment from the leading brand names in the camping world, Vango, Coleman and Outwell to newbie-camper families.  It offers models which are particularly easy to pitch – none of the tents should take more than 20 minutes to put up – so it aims to make the first camping trip out as hassle-free as possible.

Founder, Emma Cosby comments, “First-timer families conscious of wasting money on the cheap tent deals on the high street are after camping products offering quality, comfort and security especially if travelling with little ones.   Getting started in camping with even half-decent equipment is likely to cost around £500 – if you’ve never been before, you are really going to think twice about that kind of outlay.  Also there is the issue of storage space – you need a sizeable loft or garage to store all the camping gear which may not be feasible where you live and may not feel worthwhile for a once or twice a year trip”.

These are some of the many reasons why Contented Camping makes sense for first-timer campers.  It offers a range of sized tents from 2-man to 8-man, so has appeal for one-off hikers venturing off on an expedition and for larger families and groups trying a different and indeed economical trip away this summer.

Prices for a tent for a long weekend (up to 5 nights) for a family of four start at £39 plus delivery.  In general the hire prices offered for a period of 7-13 days equates to about a 25% of the purchase price of the items, so it makes good economic sense to try camping before you buy. Find them at www.contentedcamping.co.uk or call on 0845 519 4364.