We are looking at buying a bell tent this year but need a big enough size to cater for 2 adults and 4 children.
I have just come across the Little Big Top from Canvas & Cast, just wandering if anyone has one of these and what they are like for 6 people, kids are young age 6 and lower but they will grow and I'm hoping we'll still be family camping when they are teenagers ?
Other than that would the 5m be big enough for us ?
Any advice will be gratefully received.
many thanks
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can't comment on the LBT but I do have a 5m bell tent and it all depends on how you expect to use the tent but it is possible to sleep 6 or more.
We have ours set for 5 = 2 doubles & 1 single campbed in half the tent (wouldn't fit any more) and living area in the other half. We also have a kitchen /diner tent.
I have a 5M and an Emperor Bell (similar to the little big top in size). I would say for comfort the Emperor would be better, have you looked at the 6M Bells? They are enormous inside and would give you plenty of space!
Quote: Originally posted by jayner on 05/5/2013
I have a 5M and an Emperor Bell (similar to the little big top in size). I would say for comfort the Emperor would be better, have you looked at the 6M Bells? They are enormous inside and would give you plenty of space!
Thanks for feedback, no we haven't looked at the 6m bell but realise we do need space to be more comfortable, we'd all enjoy it more.
Your Emperor Bell that's the one from belltent? Do you have the sleep inners? How many people can sleep comfortably in them?
Don't suppose you have seen a LBT, how different are they to the Emporer in terms of usable space
Hope you don't mind me asking questions.
Once we have an idea we'll have to find somewhere to view before committing, don't want to make an expensive mistake.
many thanks and kind regards
Chel
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I have a canvas & cast 4m bell, the tent I eventually ended up with is excellent but there were some customer service issues along the way - see my tent review on this site for details.
------------- real men shouldn't be crying into their beer, they should be drinking whisky.
I do use an inner but they aren't very big,they would fit a max of 3 Sims. I put a curtain across the ridge pole and create a sleeping area for my son that way. Haven't seen the little big top but I would imagine it's a beast as the canvas is heavier.
You could sleep 6 in a 5m,we have the inner and you can fit a double each side comfortably, add an inflatable sofa bed and you can sleep six and still have plenty of space.As Raf says, adding a kitchen tent is a great way to get more room.
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Link above (if it works) to some pics I posted last year.
In terms of space, I think you'll be fine for the next few years, but might be cramped when the kids become teenagers, particularly if you use the inners, which do take up a fair bit of space.
We're a family of 5 (2 adults, 7yr, 5yr & 3 months). We used the inner and slept adults on an inflatable double + travel cot on one side, the other side had another inflatable double and space for all our stuff.
A key point to note with inners is that they have a removal canvass divider down the centre of each pod, which effectively gives you 4 rooms. Important though, you can't fit a standard inflatable mattress into the pods when their divided. You could comfortably fit in two SIMs though.
Personnally, I'd say go for the LBT over a bell, as the vis-a-vis arrangement creates separation between sleeping & living areas. LBT 'v' Emporer - I'd go for LBT. The canvass is a bit more heavyweight and I prefer the door configuration.
In case you needed them heres a couple of pics of the Emperor.
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Heres the bedroom pod, the curtains can be pulled to create a separate space if not using two inners and leave enough room for a kitchen/seating area.
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Here without the second inner in.
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The advantage of the Emperor is the extra height (2.5 metres) and the second entrance is on the side rather than the back (both sides have windows), plus the sewn in grond sheet that means the tent only takes about 20 minutes to erect as pegging out is simple.
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: Anyone have a Little Big Top ?
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