Looking for some advice from bell tent owners, and this seems like the place :)
We have been camping for many years, usually go a couple of times each year, but more if we can. We are a family of 3 (couple + 5 year old) but plan to have another child at some point soon. Always fancied a bell tent and we are always jealous of our friends who have them... If only for the punishment nylon tents give you at 6am when you have a hangover! (bright, hot and noisy).
So, here are my questions...
1. What size should we go for? Bearing in mind that we plan to get an inner tent to help settle our little one down in. Also we have a trailer and we are used to a very large Wynnster Raven 8. I know many people say go for the biggest, but we only want to spend the money if it's really needed (can be an extra £200 between a 4m and 5m).
2. What brands are best (and what to avoid). I have been looking at the ones on www.belltent.co.uk - are they good? Value for money?
3. Are they ok for cooking in (gas)? Would not want to cook in it often, just when the weather is bad.
4. Anything else I need to know, things to look out for etc?
More questions to follow :)
Thanks for reading.
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
1. a 4m is cosy for five of us, we have a double set up in the inner (children share a double)and a sofa bed in the living are which we fold out at night but leaves little space for much else. I would like a 5m but can't justify the cost when the 4m works ok for short breaks and I wouldn't get much for it to go against the cost of a 5m.
2. I have a brand which some would say to avoid 'mycooltent.com', the company went out of business last year and many people had problems with leaks (mine did well during the jubilee weekend rain) belltent.co.uk, karma canvas and canvas and cast are a few of the better known brands.
3. Never cook in a bell tent with children about, you can get a cheap ulitity tent or windbreak with canopy.
4. Better to have an A frame entrance as this will appear to give more room and definately protects from the rain when doors are open.
I would suggest going for the 5m if you can. I have the 4m and it can easily fill up with just two of us in there if the weather is bad and the chairs are brought inside.
You'll have more headroom with a 5m and so more room to walk about. Those who have compared both sizes say there is a significant difference. Also, your little one(s) will soon grow and fill the space.
I found that the inner tent in the 4m really dominated the space, so I sold it. It actually took up just over half of the space and crept forwards past the halfway line.
Mine is from belltent.co.uk and I have no complaints about its quality.
I do resort to using the stove in the tent, with ventilation, when the weather is bad, but wouldn't risk it with children around or the inner in place. Consider getting a tarp to cook under, or a separate utility tent would probably be the safest option.
Having had both, I would also say it's worth the extra for the 5mtr version, especially as you want an inner.
I had the soulpad 5mtr, which I found no faults with other than the pole being too thin. Not sure if it's thicker now, as I know belltent said theirs is now thicker and most tend to be very similar.
------------- Canvas tent, paraffin light, petrol stove. Heaven
I'd rather be kayaking.
Spent up, not pent up, just had my new tent up.
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
Have been looking around and have found these: lotus belles - check out www.lotusbelle.co.uk I used to have a 4m bell tent but found that with my two small kiddies it was a pain cos of the low sides - they were always knocking stuff over, so this one has high sides like a yurt but packs down like a bell tent apparently. we're going to check one out tomorrow so will let you know how we get on with our research. good luck x
They do look lovely! For me the main advantage of the bell is how easy it is to put up, and this has 10 poles in the walls as well as the centre pole, so would take a lot longer I imagine. but they look fab- if money and pitching time were no object I could be tempted!
I reckon you could use some sheeting/material hung off the poles around the edge and the centre pole to screen off a bedroom(s) area to save having to get an inner tent.
Quote: Originally posted by RTS5 on 30/6/2012
Now that is a bell tent I like.
I reckon you could use some sheeting/material hung off the poles around the edge and the centre pole to screen off a bedroom(s) area to save having to get an inner tent.
If you have the time and patience for it, you could make a divider or "inner" yourself from some cheap fabric (I used cheap bed sheets):
It does not need to be as "tailor-made" as mine, and you can open the front like on the picture and thus have the whole room in daytime.
I had to sew some toggles onto the seam between wall and roof to fix the inner to.
------------- Proud owner of a 1987 Sprite Alpine 370 EK, a cheap popup tent and a beloved retro Trio frame tent from the early seventies, called Giraffen.
Thought i should feedback on earlier post suggestion - re the lotus belle, IT WAS AMAZING (see feedback on my other post about the bell tent - yurt alternative). Anyway, we bought one, so excited about going camping in it, so much space, proper actual tardis, and superb quality. Will update with photos when I got some, if it ever stops raining!!! And re bell tent companies - i dont know about soul pad, i know they use a thinner canvas which makes them wear out quicker and go mouldy more easily, the karma canvas and canvas and cast ones use a thicker canvas, but canvas and cast are sold out this year.
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: Bell tents - questions questions...
