We are thinking of camping with our 4 kids. Should we just go for new stuff as this s the first time, or is it worth looking at lightly used gear? Obviously don't want to buy a tent that starts leaking onm the first night of rain!

If you have never been camping before then you will need to get a lot of stuff that most people pick up over a period of years - a little here, a little there etc.

I would suggest buying your tent new, unless you KNOW that the tent is sound. If you do buy second hand, ask for a some now, some later deal and put it up in your garden to check condition and spray the garden hose over it. You should find any major issues such as holes, rips, mould etc. Also, you'll know whether it is all there or not!