Thinking about a 5m bell tent
Discussion
I second the advice above.
They're ace. I used to borrow my brother's. In the summer it's fine to leave the inner tent out and enjoy the open space - that way you can position the beds all against the sides for a cool breeze (mesh half moon windows) and the centre is the living space.
I had one of those hanging tea light holders around the pole and some carpet - it looked really hippy. Great fun.
And it was easily the most resilient in strong winds but we did have extremely long pegs holding it down. It flaps a lot but does that instead of blowing over. Other more conventional tents we were with didn't fare as well.
They're ace. I used to borrow my brother's. In the summer it's fine to leave the inner tent out and enjoy the open space - that way you can position the beds all against the sides for a cool breeze (mesh half moon windows) and the centre is the living space.
I had one of those hanging tea light holders around the pole and some carpet - it looked really hippy. Great fun.
And it was easily the most resilient in strong winds but we did have extremely long pegs holding it down. It flaps a lot but does that instead of blowing over. Other more conventional tents we were with didn't fare as well.
They only really come into their own if you fit a woodburner in my opinion. Otherwise they're pretty drafty and really only for warm weather use.
I've had a 4m with woodburner for about 10 years and it's been great. It's amazing how much more pleasant camping in the UK is when you can keep the tent warm and dry. Lazing around in shorts and t shirts while everyone else is huddled in damp jackets never gets old.
It also makes it useable year round. With some decent heavy duty pegs and the stove, we were comfortable at -10c with a couple of feet of snow on the ground near Aviemore one new year. One of the best things I've ever bought.
I've had a 4m with woodburner for about 10 years and it's been great. It's amazing how much more pleasant camping in the UK is when you can keep the tent warm and dry. Lazing around in shorts and t shirts while everyone else is huddled in damp jackets never gets old.
It also makes it useable year round. With some decent heavy duty pegs and the stove, we were comfortable at -10c with a couple of feet of snow on the ground near Aviemore one new year. One of the best things I've ever bought.
Some observations:
You have no inbuilt porch, so you're stepping right into the living/sleeping area which is fine in the dry but needs some management in the wet.
Again in the rain you can't sit and watch the world go buy as there are no windows.
They are large and need space to dry if they get wet.
Canvas is so, so much nicer to be in than plastic.
They are lovely and airy and you do get a real sense of space.
They are easy to pitch if you have the space.
My general thought is the Dutch style pyramid tents have most of the benefits and fewer draw backs than bell tents but are no where near as fashionable.
You have no inbuilt porch, so you're stepping right into the living/sleeping area which is fine in the dry but needs some management in the wet.
Again in the rain you can't sit and watch the world go buy as there are no windows.
They are large and need space to dry if they get wet.
Canvas is so, so much nicer to be in than plastic.
They are lovely and airy and you do get a real sense of space.
They are easy to pitch if you have the space.
My general thought is the Dutch style pyramid tents have most of the benefits and fewer draw backs than bell tents but are no where near as fashionable.
We made the move from a conventional tunnel tent to a canvas bell tent, and love it. There's a lot of rubbish out there from companies jumping on the glamping bandwagon, so after much research we went for this...
https://www.blacksofgreenock.co.uk/tents/8-solace-...
Which is solidly constructed, has a separate inner tent and lots of clever features. We also plumped for the matching canopy and heavy duty ground sheet, both of which make a difference. The canopy provides shelter when it's wet or scorching hot...
https://www.blacksofgreenock.co.uk/tents/10-solace...
They also do a 5m bell tent, but do your research as to which size you really want as they can get very heavy. Our 4m tent is perfectly fine for two of us plus a dog.
If you phone them up they will usually do a package deal if you get the canopy & heavy duty ground sheet and got something like £150 off.
https://www.blacksofgreenock.co.uk/tents/8-solace-...
Which is solidly constructed, has a separate inner tent and lots of clever features. We also plumped for the matching canopy and heavy duty ground sheet, both of which make a difference. The canopy provides shelter when it's wet or scorching hot...
https://www.blacksofgreenock.co.uk/tents/10-solace...
They also do a 5m bell tent, but do your research as to which size you really want as they can get very heavy. Our 4m tent is perfectly fine for two of us plus a dog.
If you phone them up they will usually do a package deal if you get the canopy & heavy duty ground sheet and got something like £150 off.
A friend had 3 inflatable awnings (for his camper) fail - all from one of the best vendors, not good when you are away. They were all covered under warranty (which was very good), but it put me off.
We have had a 5m bell tent for many years now. We got it when we moved from couple to family camping, and now use it for 4 of us, and the dog! We do not have a burner, but really only camp in the summer months.
I agree with most comments above (though we do not have the inner, as I love the open space). I love the tent, but if looking for things to consider:
It is very heavy. You will not be carrying it far from your car! Storing it at home in the loft is not an option for us as my wife struggles to lift it!
The one thing I am still not happy with, is the cooking arrangements. A traditional tent often has an area you can stand up in and dedicate to cooking. The bell tent has plenty of space inside, and I am happy cooking inside if 2 adults are using it. But with 4 of us, I will not risk it (due to the likelihood of it being knocked by a flying child / dog etc!)
I have tried a number of awnings, and am still not completely happy. This is because if the weather is great, then you cook outside. If the weather is poor, you want shelter. But the awnings either slope to a high point in the centre, meaning that there is not that much room (unless your cooker is as floor level), or you are standing in the middle and nobody can pass you to get in or out. If you raise 1 side of the porch to make a shelter, you also make a great sail.... not ideal in wind.
In summary - I love it, and would not consider an inflatable as an alternative. But if anyone has solved the porch / cooking area challenge, please share. If I were buying again, I would now be looking at some of the dutch (I believe) canvas tents that are kind of a hybrid.
Good points above. For storage (and transportation) I had a decently-large trailer. When I parked it up at home, I just left the tent in that.
I also used the trailer for cooking, and made my own "station" that was covered. It was a little inelegant but I always had in mind those adventure trailers that the Ozzies do so well (check out Patriot Campers).
I also used the trailer for cooking, and made my own "station" that was covered. It was a little inelegant but I always had in mind those adventure trailers that the Ozzies do so well (check out Patriot Campers).
I have a 5m Bell tent and think its great.
One thing to be aware of, its HEAVEY! I think about 55KG.
You need to be able to get your car to where you want to pitch. Also, they take up a lot of storage/transport space.
With a bell tent, you'll be tempted to take all the rugs, tea light, bed spreads, blah, blah, blah. All great and make the inside of the tent feel really welcoming and comfortable.
Very quick to pitch, but a pig to get dry, should you need to, once you've finished using it.
Mine has a stitched in ground sheet and I don't find it draughty, flappy or cold. I also have a flying porch, which adds outdoor covered space for boots etc.
The idea of a wood burner is lovely, but I never went to that trouble. I don't think I'd bother camping in temperatures that needed a stove/fire. Very atmospheric though. I know people who keep them pitched long term, with stoves and they are wonderful inside.
One thing to be aware of, its HEAVEY! I think about 55KG.
You need to be able to get your car to where you want to pitch. Also, they take up a lot of storage/transport space.
With a bell tent, you'll be tempted to take all the rugs, tea light, bed spreads, blah, blah, blah. All great and make the inside of the tent feel really welcoming and comfortable.
Very quick to pitch, but a pig to get dry, should you need to, once you've finished using it.
Mine has a stitched in ground sheet and I don't find it draughty, flappy or cold. I also have a flying porch, which adds outdoor covered space for boots etc.
The idea of a wood burner is lovely, but I never went to that trouble. I don't think I'd bother camping in temperatures that needed a stove/fire. Very atmospheric though. I know people who keep them pitched long term, with stoves and they are wonderful inside.
I’ve got a blow-up tent and there are pro’s and con’s to it. Pro is the quickness to pitch, other than these pop-up tents i’ve not seen a tent able to pitch quicker. Con is the opposite, packing up is longer as the air needs to be properly squeezed out before folding. Also the size and weight when folded and carried is a lot more than standard tents as the air tubes are very thick and heavy.
Not got any experience on bell tents but was looking at Vango Rosewood and Coleman octagon 8. The latter looks like it ticks all the boxes for me for height, space and material. Might be worth a look?
Not got any experience on bell tents but was looking at Vango Rosewood and Coleman octagon 8. The latter looks like it ticks all the boxes for me for height, space and material. Might be worth a look?
We have a 5m bell tent and two dutch pyramid tents.
The bell is great fun especially in the milder weather as it can be opened up and 'float'. The pyramids however, are much more practical and not as commonly found on UK sites. They have all the fantastic properties of canvas with a more practical shape and inner tents. The pyramids are fantastic in adverse weather too.
The bell is great fun especially in the milder weather as it can be opened up and 'float'. The pyramids however, are much more practical and not as commonly found on UK sites. They have all the fantastic properties of canvas with a more practical shape and inner tents. The pyramids are fantastic in adverse weather too.
We have a 6m diameter teepee. Superb. With a stove inside and flue out the top it is usable in winter. It weighs under 20kg and comes in a back pack. Dead easy to erect (20 mins).
Used it this summer for the annual family camping trip and I love the openness it gives compared to a traditional tent/compartments. Chatting to each other at bed time in the morning. Can also make it very comfy with tables, lamps and electric heaters if pitched at home. We use it as over flow accommodation as we don't have a spare room. A cheap extension!
It wasn't cheap, but I wanted something that would last, be attractive and would make people want to stay in it. Which it does.
The large vents at the top (opened by control lines led down inside) make internal temperature control easy and effective. It doesn't get hot in summer. And with the fire lit in winter gets very warm.
As mentioned above the only downside I can see, is if its wet. The opening then needs managing. I'm thinking of some sort of porch awning.
Used it this summer for the annual family camping trip and I love the openness it gives compared to a traditional tent/compartments. Chatting to each other at bed time in the morning. Can also make it very comfy with tables, lamps and electric heaters if pitched at home. We use it as over flow accommodation as we don't have a spare room. A cheap extension!
It wasn't cheap, but I wanted something that would last, be attractive and would make people want to stay in it. Which it does.
The large vents at the top (opened by control lines led down inside) make internal temperature control easy and effective. It doesn't get hot in summer. And with the fire lit in winter gets very warm.
As mentioned above the only downside I can see, is if its wet. The opening then needs managing. I'm thinking of some sort of porch awning.
Edited by alfabeat on Wednesday 18th September 06:39
I get that canvas makes for a nice camping experience....& bell tents are an iconic design....
...but I do find it curious that the downside most acknowledge (a nuisance when wet) is downplayed by owners so much!
I’ve camped a lot over the years....& sadly wet forms a fair part of them.
So tents generally need some airing soon after use.
Hefting a 20-55kg tent up and down is no 1-man job: I wouldn’t underestimate that!
The lack of porch or possible cooking area has always put me off, personally....
Never had an inflatable, but the people I know with them appear to be very happy.
Our current tent of choice is a Vango Kalu 400. 5,000HH rating (10,000 for groundsheet), 12.5kg (“luggable”).
An odd design, & they only made it for about 2 years, so we’ve been fully expecting it to collapse in a heap, but it does appear to work well: sewn in groundsheet (hate it when lots of bugs decide to join me in a tent!!), able to stand up, carpet makes it nice.
But not a bell tent.
...but I do find it curious that the downside most acknowledge (a nuisance when wet) is downplayed by owners so much!
I’ve camped a lot over the years....& sadly wet forms a fair part of them.
So tents generally need some airing soon after use.
Hefting a 20-55kg tent up and down is no 1-man job: I wouldn’t underestimate that!
The lack of porch or possible cooking area has always put me off, personally....
Never had an inflatable, but the people I know with them appear to be very happy.
Our current tent of choice is a Vango Kalu 400. 5,000HH rating (10,000 for groundsheet), 12.5kg (“luggable”).
An odd design, & they only made it for about 2 years, so we’ve been fully expecting it to collapse in a heap, but it does appear to work well: sewn in groundsheet (hate it when lots of bugs decide to join me in a tent!!), able to stand up, carpet makes it nice.
But not a bell tent.
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