Just come back from a 5 day trip with my Norfolk Lake, which was lovely and cosy. BUT... far too much hard work for the weekend camping that I'd love to do. And far too big - we had a trailer *and* a top box and still the car was stuffed.
I've considered loads of tents and now have narrowed my choices down to a Nevada M or a Bell tent. We have 3 small kids so a 5 berth minimum is required. With Yeoman's sale, the Nevada M price is looking very good at the moment. But I have a secret craving for a bell tent... I can't work out whether it's because it would be better for us, or just because everyone else seems to own or be craving one (I think I'm more impressionable than I'd like to be!). Love the idea of canvas rather than polyester for our weekender, and the bell tent is SO funky. But the Nevada M is cheaper.
Would pay the extra for a bell tent over the Nevada M if it's that much nicer. But IS it nicer? Or just more fashionable! At the moment I'm split in the middle and can't decide. And, if I went for a bell tent, I don't know whether I'd want a 4m or a 5m. I mean, if it's just a weekend tent, surely 4m would be enough?
Grateful for all opinions!
Meddy
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welcome to the secret bell tent lovers brigade! I was going for a Vango Icarus 500 as a weekender then thanks to these forums discovered bell tents!! After weeks I'm still in a dilemma but think I've not made my decision ready to purchase next week. For me it was just the answer to so many different scenarios. It's ease to put up and being able to do it single handed meant it was great as a weekender for me and the kids. It would also be good for longer holidays with the tarp. You can use it with the basics for weekends or you can glam it up. It's so much fun for the kids esp if you have fairy lights etc and it's a more rustic back to basics which is the appeal of camping in the first place for me. And how much fun are they in the back garden for sleepovers particularly with a huge family like mine! There are also the obvious advantages of canvas and so, practical or not I've fallen in love and there's no going back
I have tried to think more along the practical lines now and have moved from the idea of a 4m to 5m and Soulpad now do a smaller inner that only takes quarter the space so the two little ones can sleep in there and if bf is with us we at least get a warning if they wake up and appear and we have somewhere to get changed in private. However, I'm now dreaming of road trips round Europe with a VW Camper and the bell tent...there is something romantic and capturing about them that kinda interferes with the rational side of your mind!!
I'm sure loads of people will argue the case for the Nevada....
While the kids are small it will be fine, probably as they get older you may need to rethink layouts and space in your tent
But the bell tent is easy to put up - no more work on a 5m than a 4m either, so i'd pay the extra £30 and go for the bigger one. Soulpad and bell tent.co.uk appear to be the same tent
I don't think they're 'fashionable' as there's only a handful of people on the whole forum with them, perhaps we just rant about them too much!
I would rather sleep in a canvas tent than a nylon tent any day of the week, but it might be worth considering the difference in pack size between a 5m bell tent and a Nevada M if one of your issues with the Norflok Lake is the size of it for transport.
------------- Tackling life the Western District way
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PS Also, if you do still hanker after a an easy-up canvas tent, it might be worth taking five minutes to consider a pyramid design as well a bell tent. Still a single pole set up but imo a more practical design with good sized dividable inners, eye level ventilated windows, protected entrances and front canopies.
Some people on here have been getting brand new canvas pyramid tents over the internet for total bargain prices from one of the Dutch companies. Can't remember the name right now though
------------- Tackling life the Western District way
I doubt it's Obelink as they're pretty much refusing to ship any cotton tents to the UK whether it's a bell tent or a square tent.
Cotton tents have their upsides and downsides:
On the downside, they tend to be heavier, bulkier and more expensive than a similar sized modern tent.
On the upside, they last longer, look nicer, are easier to erect and pack away (unless you own a big pop up tent!), easier to repair and get spares for, don't have condensation problems nor turn into sweat boxes in the sun, stand up to bad weather alot better and are nicer to be in and give you a good feel.
To me, the good points far outweigh the bad ones everytime.
Things to think of if you want a tent are basically its shape and how you intend to use it: Bell tents are a big open circular space unless you add an inner, square tents tend to have a high middle section and then two sides which can be easily sectioned off with a throw stretched between the poles for example, ridge tents are a big rectangular space that sometimes have an additional centre pole right in the middle (which defeats the object to me).
Once you decide on a shape and a purpose you can look at what's available and make a decision. At the end of the day a good quality cotton tent should last you 20 years plus so it's an investment not a purchase.
------------- The Cotton Tent Company - Europe's largest selection of modern cotton tents and home of the world's most versatile tent.
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Quote: Originally posted by Mark Royal on 19/4/2010
I doubt it's Obelink as they're pretty much refusing to ship any cotton tents to the UK whether it's a bell tent or a square tent.
I bought my lovely cotton pyramid tent from www.tent-tents.com which is run by Obelink - if you go to the Obelink site and change the language to English it re-directs you to the tent-tents site - they don't have the full range from the Obelink site but there's plenty of choice and the shipping costs are brill. We were so impressed with the company, we've since bought a polycotton tarp and matching windbreak from them.
I bought the Hypercamp Eldorado and it only cost me £166.63 including delivery - it was here within 3 days! Really nice quality tent and lovely to be in - looking forward to some summer camping without the inner now I've tried it in horrific weather
Oh no! I've only just stopped obsessing about getting a bell tent and you've got me started again!
I have just spent a week in a vango omega, which was fab and very roomy for my toddler and myself. I did wish that I had got a canvas tent though, daytime toddler naps in a boiling hot nylon tent were not comfortable.
Get a bell tent
Right, well, as for me - I've definitely decided now it's going to be a 5m Bell tent. I think that's what I really wanted all along and I probably wanted to be talked into it. Apologies to you all for trying to get you to justify my tent lust.
I had a look at that link, kittenshipman, and it looks great - think you got a good deal with that Eldorado!
I'm off to save up some pennies and follow my bell tent shaped heart!!
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
Right, well, as for me - I've definitely decided now it's going to be a 5m Bell tent. I think that's what I really wanted all along and I probably wanted to be talked into it. Apologies to you all for trying to get you to justify my tent lust.
I had a look at that link, kittenshipman, and it looks great - think you got a good deal with that Eldorado!
I'm off to save up some pennies and follow my bell tent shaped heart!!
welcome to the bell tent club!
I'm pitching at oxford this weekend and leicester (depending on weather, might be the BL) the week after if you want a nose at one!
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Weekender - Bell Tent or Nevada M?
welcome to the secret bell tent lovers brigade! I was going for a Vango Icarus 500 as a weekender then thanks to these forums discovered bell tents!! After weeks I'm still in a dilemma but think I've not made my decision ready to purchase next week. For me it was just the answer to so many different scenarios. It's ease to put up and being able to do it single handed meant it was great as a weekender for me and the kids. It would also be good for longer holidays with the tarp. You can use it with the basics for weekends or you can glam it up. It's so much fun for the kids esp if you have fairy lights etc and it's a more rustic back to basics which is the appeal of camping in the first place for me. And how much fun are they in the back garden for sleepovers particularly with a huge family like mine! There are also the obvious advantages of canvas and so, practical or not I've fallen in love and there's no going back 
