I just bought a bell tent. Now what?

[StarlightMcKenzie]

Help. I know nothing!

hey Starlight; now you go camping!

go into the garden or the park and practice putting it up, then make sure it fits in the boot of the car, and if it doesn't get a trailer.

Then start booking up which festivals and camps you want to go to this year with the DC's.
I'll come too! I had to bin my tent last year because of mildew and I'm either going to get a bell tent or a camper van. depends which pops up first.
enjoy

Thanks lorrikeet

My garden isn't big enough though but I reckon we'll book a Sat night at some campsite close by to try it out. Don't think it will manage festivals. Don't you have to have a teeny tent to fit in the absence of space?

You're welcome to come with btw!

Starlight - depends on the festival- there were quite a few bell tents at Big Chill family field last year and firneds took their bigger than a bell tent tent to camp bestival and said there were some huge tents there..... but Glastonbury is probably out! just take a wheelbarrow or something like it to carry it! enjoy

Thanks. Actually, I went to Glastonbury once and there is a field at the back half way up the hill near the dance tents that is virtually empty.

Anyway, my tent just arrived. So I'm in South East Herts. Anyone know of any local campsites to try it out in?

Go to www.ukcampsite.co.uk - very comprehensive in coverage and has camper reviews on, also www.coolcamping.co.uk v good too...

Ooh, it's all a different world.

Tent very heavy though, although not that big packed up (Although that is the manufacturers packing, ours might not make it that small).

I don't geddit. Some of the campsites say that their prices are x amount for adults, and then there is x amount for tent pitch.

Which is it? Or is it both?

And then there seems to be a £39 fee per year to pay. Is this right?

£39 a year sounds like membership to something- ie forest holidays. You can stay at their sites without being a member though, so it's worth "try before you buy". We have just joined Camping and Caravanning Club to get discounts and to get access to their member only sites.

I would definitely try to go locally first, and awayfrom school holidays so you don't rock up 6pm on a Friday night with a new tent and packed site!! (most open at 12pm for new arrivals)

There are lots if threads here regarding kit-you can spend a fortune or be very frugal depending on budget!

Re fees-they do differ between sites ie some do per pitch, others per person etc etc

Happy camping :) :)

Normally (but not always) a pitch fee will cover a car, 2 adults and a tent and you may the appropriate fee for any extras. HTH

Ooh lovely, I like a bell tent convert. Starlight, probably not good location wise for you, but to give you an ideal of my favourite places to camp with our bell was:

Forgewood, where we camped on an empty field away from the normal camping field,

Wowo, where we camped on Frank's Spot on Tipi trail,

Welsummer, where we were alone in our woodlands spot again.

I'm obviously a bit antisocial, but love the feeling of just the 3 of us (or with some close friends at times) in the "middle of nowhere", living out my inner Ray Mears. Well, if he did roasted marshmallows over a campfire, that is...

My one tip would be to get a fold flat trolley thing and bungee cords. Ours isn't this one, but to get an idea. Makes heavy tent a non-issue.