I am new to cmaping I have been once. We got a samll four man tent for me my other half and our two kids 3 years and 1 year. We loved it but quickly foud we needed more space and I didnt like the condenstion in the morning...so I have been looking into bell tents as although they are dear we are hoping that we camp lots in the coming years and think the investment would be worth it. Has any one any dealings with bell tent uk? ALso will a bell tent fit into a estate acr with out the need for a trailer etc? Infact any views on bell tents in general would be great!
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I don't have one MM but I'm currently in the process of considering/buying one. Anyway. I am looking more for certain features, such as mozzie nets on windows/doors, as I'm like catnip to insects. I also want a ZIG.
Currently doing the research and there are a few out there that almost meet what I want ... Karma Canvas, Soulpads, Bell Tent UK. I'm also quite near to a company that manufacture them the old 'boy scout' way, in Bradford, so may give them a call.
Customer service, not sure with any, though if I have stumbled across negative reviews, it's been towards Bell Tent UK.
Camped next to someone in a bell a few weeks back and when they got theirs down, the pack size was no bigger than my Monty. I get all my (now) camping stuff into a Ford Ka. And I take the usual - cooker, beds, chairs, bedding., carpet, windbreak etc.
So, not 100% what you were looking for as I don't have one but at least know you're not alone in the bell tent hunt stakes
I'm quite interested in what owners have to say ...
Many people rate Bell Tent UK and they have an offer on ebay at the moment so prices are good. Our 4m bell tent is a 'lesser' brand which many slatted but I've had no big issues with it (it kept us dry over the Jubilee weekend).
We are a family of 5 and have managed with the Wilkos sofa bed which allows a little room during the day and once folded out as a bed very little spare space, if money was no object I would go for a 5m but the 4m is fine for short breaks. Remember with a bell tent you will probably need an utility tent to cook/eat in especially with our wonderful weather , Jubilee weekend it was just me and the children and we used a gazebo with windbreak for cooking & eating under which was adequate but not 100% sheltered so I have since bought an enclosed utility which gets tested next week.
The site is in English and is advertising the bell tents. The second page of ordering shows an extra delivery charge to UK of 4.95 so I assume they will deliver.
Yep, it does. Just saw the big warning that said they didn't ship to the UK. Wonder why that would be there. It's just another style of tent when all's said and done.
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My understanding is that for the tents that they don't ship to UK, but they do accept it if you arrange your own courier for pickup from Obelink.
I have a 5M bell for son and I and dog and we often bring son's little friends camping also - loads of room for us. Its a lovely bedroom/living area ... however because of its structure, you can't cook in it, and so I ended up getting a utility tent too ... So if getting a utility tent, then you need to factor in the extra purchase for a utility and also factor in the extra "gear"and time to pack / unpack / pitch / etc. Yes I do love the bell, but this set up isn't ideal ... last week it rained for 8 days solid and I kept having to go back and forth between bell tent and utility tent for cooking / getting drinks / etc. ... so I kept getting rained upon. After 8 days of that, I went home and swopped tents (and chose a tent that was a tunnel tent in which my kitchen set up was inside the main tent - it worked out well for us). All this gear (two tents, all the accompanying gear might mean you might need to consider a trailer also ... and that cost).
I bought my 5M from Soulpad in Jan 2012 - its a hybrid genie model, so I can also put in a wood burning stove if I want.
Have you considered a pyrimid? This is a very nice alternative to a bell - it has the extra benefit of one straight wall which is great for storage and cooking in. Take a look at the Hypercamp Appreciation thread and you will get a good idea about those tents. Perhaps a Hypercamp Palomos 6 might be good for you or a a Superior or one of the others. They are canvas tents, very good quality and great prices.
One other thing about the bell tent .... the Soulpad has no mesh door (it just has mesh tiny windows at ankle level, it has no windows for looking out of. So I found last week when it rained for a full week that I missed having windows to look out of, I felt a bit caged in. Also despite the rain, it was warm ... so the tent got stuffy because the door had to be zipped up to keep the rain out.
When I bought the tent I think I had rosy tinted glasses on and didn't think of any downsides of a bell. I am just highlighting some aspects of it that you may not have considered (no windows, no mesh on door, storage and cooking difficulties) .. so that you can make your own decision on the purchase of a bell knowing the good and bad points. After saying all that, the bell is lovely to be inside and the tranquil atmosphere can't be beaten.
I have a small pyrimid (Hypercamp Rosas) also, and I have now got it kitted out so it resembles the bell (I have a chandelier hanging off the centre pole, and have it just looking really nice) - but I really do enjoy having hte windows in my pyrimid and a straight wall for storage.
Just stumbled upon these guys, never heard of them, but found them because I was looking for a bell with secondary mesh doors.
Not the cheapest but they come with low meshed windows, secondary mesh doors, a choice of groundsheet options, as well as tent sizes, plus a flue exit. Canvas is a nice weight too.
It depends which model you get (if you purchase from soulpad) I have the 5 metre ease which is a sewn in groundsheet and this does have an inner mesh door, unlike Humbird's model.
However as stated, look at one first and decide what you want from your tent before buying.
thanks very much for all your replys they have certainly given us a lot to think about. I hadnt even thought about cooking so will ned to think about this!
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No tent is perfect,Yes it had no high level window,its biggest drawback,but its so very easy to put up and take down,is a lovely place to chill,a 5 metre tent had loads of space,and packed down is very compact,We can get our soulpad and outwell utility tent easily in our Focus boot with room to spare.
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Topic: which bell tent?
, Jubilee weekend it was just me and the children and we used a gazebo with windbreak for cooking & eating under which was adequate but not 100% sheltered so I have since bought an enclosed utility which gets tested next week.
