The Ultimate Guide • 2026
The Ultimate 2026 Vango Family Tent Buying Guide (UK)
A friendly, expert guide for first-time family campers and experienced upgraders — comparing every Vango family tent from the 2026 brochure so you can buy with confidence. CTAs link to the Vango category at Newquay Camping & Leisure for immediate purchase or in-store advice.
Why Vango family tents remain the top pick for UK families in 2026
Vango has built a reputation on reliability, simple pitching and family-friendly design — and the 2026 family tent range doubles down on what matters to UK campers: strong weather protection, quick set up and practical living space. Whether you want a lightweight weekend tent or a large, home-from-home model for extended stays, the 2026 line gives clear choices across fabrics, technologies and sizes.
Key innovations to look for: Vango’s AirBeam® inflatable support systems for fast pitching, the Sentinel fabric family for weather performance, and thoughtful family additions (awnings, fitted carpets, groundsheet protectors and storage solutions).
How to choose the right Vango family tent (quick checklist)
- Sleeping capacity: Choose a tent that matches usable sleeping space, not just “person” rating. A 4-person tent is often a tight fit for family-of-four with kit.
- Air vs pole: AirBeam® (inflatable) tents pitch faster and are easier to adjust in wind. Traditional poles stay light and very durable.
- Fabric & weather: Sentinel, Sentinel Excel and Sentinel TC offer varying durability and breathability — TC (technical cotton) blends can improve comfort in long stays.
- Pitch time & pack size: If you move camps often, prefer tents with short pitch times and sensible pack sizes.
- Living space: Look for generous living areas and internal pockets for tidy family life.
Vango 2026 family tents — full range breakdown (what each model delivers)
Below you’ll find short, buyer-focused profiles for every Vango family tent in the 2026 brochure — who each tent suits, key specs and why you might choose it. (Pitch times and fabric noted where available.)
Entry-level & compact family tents
Capri 400
Pitch Time: 15 minutes • Persons: 4 • Fabric: Sentinel Essential
Perfect for small families or weekend campers who want a simple, reliable tent. The Capri 400 is lightweight to carry and quick to pitch — a practical first family tent with sensible living space.
Iris 500
Pitch Time: 15 minutes • Persons: 5 • Fabric: Sentinel Essential
If you need an extra bed for kids or grandparents, the Iris 500 gives that little bit more room without dramatically increasing pack size. Great for families who occasionally need the extra berth.
Sorrento 600XL
Pitch Time: 18 minutes • Persons: 6 • Fabric: Sentinel Essential
A sensible choice for growing families who want a larger footprint and sleep space while keeping pitching manageable.
Beta Series — Beta 350XL, 450XL, 550XL
Pitch Time (typical): 15 minutes • Fabric: Dynamic Weave® 100
The Beta series are compact, robust tents in Dynamic Weave® fabric — a good mix of durability and value. Choose the model based on family size: Beta 350XL for smaller groups, Beta 550XL when you want extra living room.
Mid-range family tents — roomier & feature-packed
Tahoe 400 & Tahoe 500
Pitch Time: 15 minutes • Fabric: Sentinel / Dynamic Weave® 100
Reliable everyday family tents with sensible living areas and solid weather performance. The Tahoe pair are great all-rounders for UK camping — balanced weight, easy pitching and practical interiors.
Tacoma 400 & Tacoma 800XL
Pack Size & Pitch Times vary • Fabric: Dynamic Weave® 100
Large footprints with robust space for family living. The Tacoma 800XL is an excellent choice if you want a proper communal area and multi-bedroom options — ideal for holidays and festivals where space matters.
Sierra 300 & Sierra 500
Pitch Time: 15 minutes • Fabric: Dynamic Weave® / Sentinel
These models strike a good balance between weight and space — suitable for families who swap between short breaks and longer stays. The Sierra range has versions in both standard and TC fabrics (see fabric guide below).
Premium & large family tents
Savannah 400 & Savannah 600XL
Pitch Time: 18–20 minutes • Fabric: Dynamic Weave® 100
Savannah models are roomy, with generous living areas and strong structural performance. The 600XL works brilliantly as a home-from-home for longer stays and family holidays.
Sierra TC 300
Pitch Time: 14 minutes • Fabric: Sentinel TC (technical cotton)
If you value comfort on long breaks, TC fabrics regulate temperature and breathability better — great for summer touring and family camping where you want a softer, less “plastic” feel.
Sherwood 400XL & Sherwood 600XL
Pitch Time: 20–25 minutes • Fabric: Sentinel Excel • Colour: Ivy
True family hubs — large, feature-rich tents built for extended stays. If you want a tent that feels like a second living room, Sherwood models deliver excellent space, storage and durability.
Inflatable (AirBeam®) family tents — fastest pitching & easy handling
Vango’s AirBeam® range removes traditional poles and uses inflatable beams for quick pitching, easy repairs and a comfortable feel.
Sierra Air 300 & Sierra Air 500
Pitch Time: 10–12 minutes • Fabric: Sentinel
Compact AirBeam® options with speedy pitching and excellent living space for families who value quick setup and minimum fuss.
Tacoma Air 800XL
Pitch Time: 14 minutes • Fabric: Sentinel • Persons: 8
A large Air option for big families or groups who want the convenience of inflatable beams with a huge interior — ideal for festival groups and extended family holidays.
Savannah Air 400 & Savannah Air 600XL
Pitch Time: 10–12 minutes • Fabric: Sentinel
Same Savannah space, now with AirBeam® convenience — perfect if setup speed and stability in variable weather are priorities.
Sherwood Air 400XL / Sherwood Air 600XL & Sherwood Air TC 400 / Sherwood Air TC 600XL
Pitch Times: 12–16 minutes • Fabric: Sentinel Excel / Sentinel TC
Premium, inflatable family tents that combine the Sherwood’s space with AirBeam® ease. The TC versions bring the comfort benefits of technical cotton for longer stays.
Sierra Air TC 300
Pitch Time: 12 minutes • Fabric: Sentinel TC
A compact AirBeam® tent in a TC fabric — great for campers who want the UK comfort of TC with quicker pitching.
That covers the full Vango 2026 family tent range — from the compact Capri 400 up to the Sherwood Air TC 600XL. If you’re unsure which category suits you, read on for scenario-based picks and fabric guidance.
Vango fabric & tech explained (plain English)
- Dynamic Weave® 100: A hard-wearing, budget-friendly polyester weave — durable, light and ideal for weekend trips and festival use.
- Sentinel (and Sentinel Essential / Sentinel Excel): Vango’s multi-layered protective fabrics. Sentinel Excel is a stronger, more premium finish for long-term touring and family tents.
- Sentinel TC / Technical Cotton (TC): A blended fabric that offers better breathability and thermal comfort — fantastic for extended family stays and warmer-weather camping.
- AirBeam®: Inflatable beams replace poles for rapid pitching, easy repairs and flexible structure — brilliant in mixed weather and for families who dislike pole-assembly.
Best Vango family tent for common UK scenarios
Here are quick, conversion-focused recommendations so you can move from browsing to buying.
Best budget family tent (value)
Capri 400 / Beta 350XL — lightweight, affordable and reliable for weekend breaks. Ideal if you’re price-conscious but want a brand you can trust.
Best tent for a family of four (first tent)
Sierra 300 / Sierra Air 300 — plenty of living space without large pack sizes. Choose the Air option if you want quicker pitching.
Best for families with older kids or privacy needs
Tacoma 800XL / Tacoma Air 800XL — multi-bedroom layouts and roomy living areas make these excellent for family groups and teenagers who need their own zones.
Best for frequent festival or weekend use
Beta series or Iris 500 — tough fabrics and compact packs make them easy to transport and robust for lively campsite environments.
Best “buy once, buy right” upgrade
Sherwood 600XL or Sherwood Air 400XL — premium fabrics, large living space and family-focused features. If you camp every season, these are long-term investments.
Best for family road trips & touring
Savannah Air 400 / Savannah Air 600XL — quick to pitch, roomy for luggage and comfortable for mixed weather touring across the UK.
Accessories that make a Vango tent feel like home
Vango offers a wide range of additions built to match these tents. Top picks to boost comfort and conversion value:
- Fitted carpets (CP0xx series): Instant warmth and a clean living area — great for family holidays.
- Groundsheet protectors (GP series): Preserve your tent’s groundsheet and increase longevity.
- Side awnings and windbreaks: Create sheltered dining or storage areas — perfect for British weather.
- Inner bedrooms & bedroom pods (BR series): Add privacy and separate sleeping zones for children.
- Pumps and AirBeam® pumps: Speed setup and make inflating beams stress-free.
- Lighting & furniture: Vango lights and camp furniture complete the living room feel and increase campsite comfort.
Accessories are an excellent upsell — they transform a functional tent into a proper family hub and are very popular add-ons at point-of-sale.
Buying tips & common mistakes (expert advice)
- Don’t undersize: Buy a tent slightly larger than your sleeping headcount if you value living space or plan long stays.
- Consider pitch time: If you move camps frequently, lighter AirBeam® options save time and effort.
- Match fabric to use: Sentinel Excel or TC for touring and long stays; Dynamic Weave® for intermittent use.
- Test the footprint: If possible, view tents pitched in-store to judge living space — Newquay Camping & Leisure can arrange demos.
- Budget for kits: Fitted carpet, groundsheet protector and a pump are small investments that extend tent life and comfort.
Decision table — at a glance
A quick visual decision aid: pick by priority.
- Quick pitching & ease: Sierra Air 300 / Savannah Air 400
- Big family space: Tacoma 800XL / Sherwood 600XL
- Best breathability & long stays: Sierra TC / Sherwood Air TC
- Best value weekend tent: Capri 400 / Beta range
Where to try and buy the Vango 2026 family tent range
For hands-on advice, in-store demos and the full 2026 Vango family tent range, visit Newquay Camping & Leisure. Our team can show tents pitched, advise on the best model for your family and help with accessories and delivery.
Shop the Vango 2026 range at Newquay Camping & Leisure
Prefer to call or visit? Our store team is ready to help you select the right tent and organize delivery or click & collect.
