Oh My! I NEED a Bell Tent!!

[wickedfairy]

I realise I am a little late to the party with this declaration, they look fabulous and I need one!

We have a 4man nylon-y tent at the moment, which does the job but with DC3 on the way, we would need to get a bigger one anyway. I figure we may as well get a fabuous one, while we are at it. So, sorry about all the questions....

So, is a 5m one the best for a family of 5? Are they really massive - can you get one pitched on an average pitch or would you need to book 2 pitches?

We normally go camping in France, this year at a place where they have "open" pitches that are not demarcated, so I would assume this is best? But we do also go to Wales as well.

Where is best to buy from - belltent.co.uk or soulpad.co.uk?

Thanking all you bell tent experts in advance!!

I prefer pegged in to zipped in, or sewn in, anyday.
As I have already said - they are lighter to carry. There is no stupid zip to undoubtedly break eventually either. For the extra 4-5 minutes it takes to peg under the groundsheet, you have the best of both worlds. Only Soulpad have this design extra on their basic model. (That's basic, as in it does not have a zip on groundsheet or a sewn on groundsheet.)

A sewn in groundsheet on a bell tent would be a no no for me. Yes they are quicker to put up, but they also make the interior much harder to keep clean and are restrictive...no rolling up the walls for you! They also weigh mucho heaviness.

it tells you about the peg in design here

I went for the zipped in. The groundsheet is thicker and you then have the best I both worlds with bugs out and being able to roll up on hit days. I've also got an extra bag so I can pack the groundsheet and tent separately. No problems with the zip so far.

Also we do have the half inner tent but we're going to try it without next trip.

We tend to have the beds at the back (us in middle, child each side ) with clothes next to beds and shoes, food etc near the door so there is still space to sit if needed.

It is different to having separate pods for things (which is what our old tent was like) but I can honestly say I much prefer the bell tent.

I'm ok with bugs. Don't really mind them

The difference in cost between zig and pig (I'm talking the talk now!) is £80. That seems a lot just for a zip and a thicker groundsheet

Weight isn't an issue ( we're a straight out if the car kind of campers)

Oh god I just can't decide

We have the 5m Zig and are v impressed with the groundsheet thickness and the heavy duty zip. Not used it yet for a proper camp (just setting it up at any given opportunity) but can wait for our first trip in a couple of weeks!

I find the zip a bit of a pain and a pain to unzip on hot days, worrying about it breaking too, get the one without the zip that you just peg together . We are bug free with the zipped in groundsheet though !

I struggle to unzip it, dependIng on how taught the pitch is.

So what did you decide?

Yes, wickedfairy are you getting one? And if so which and from where?

I haven't decided and I can't decide between soul pad and the dutch people it's deffo a 5m. That much I know

What difference does the thick ground sheet make?

Am waiting for my Dutch rellies to tell me the difference between the different obelink ones

Thicker ground sheet feels more luxurious underfoot and is warmer.
We use rugs though.

Can I ask about rugs? What do people use? I was thinking about getting some of those foil-backed picnic blankets from Lidl but does anyone have a better idea?

We splurged and bought some lovely flatweave rugs from Bell Tent UK.
They were tremendously good value and are brilliant quality.

I like to have all the fripperies see? Duvets, rugs, cushions, lamps and fairy lights. Tealight chandelier.

I care not one jot about looking wanky on the campsite....they're all just jealous.

Plus the kids totally delight in it all.

Pictish-I've just seen your tent on our profile-she is beautiful! I'm glad you've named her, I'm thinking of a name for mine but I think it may take the first camp to decide :) can not admit to that in real life

Oh ha ha - bless you!!

I am unashamedly in love with it all.
By the way...I wanted call her Nellie, but everyone else wanted Bessie, so I was outvoted.

Can you link to the bell tent rugs you got? We are searching for rugs etc but it is tough to find something practical/good price/pretty :)

It is signing up to a love affair isn't it? We can't wait!

here are the rugs

We bought two large ones...in the moroccan and the aztec design. They are massive and two cover the whole inner of the tent pretty much.
I think even the medium ones must be pretty big.
We were surprised how thick and soft they are for the price. the design is basic, but attractive, and they are very hard wearing indeed.
Thumbs up.

Thanks! Will add to the list of tabs I have up on my browser screen!!

She is gorgeous Pictish. Do you have a vey large boot on the car?

Seashells, fancy finding you here ;)

Thank you!
No - we have a crappy hatchback. When we go camping the kids can't see out the windows as the car is piled so high - we tuck things into every available nook and cranny.
We are about to spring for this

Oh god Pictish. Am salivating over that site.

oooh can i play too?

have bought a bell tent, still in it's packet. am having a lot of fantasies involving sheepskins. think i will probably go down the fairy light route.
have got a fairly shagged out white fluffy rug that you can put in the washing machine, and was thinking about taking that.

i was going to give it a whirl at easter, but after all the snorts of laughter i had to shelve that idea.

i am the opposite of an experienced camper - in fact i've never really done it on my own, just gate-crashed friends, but the dc had so much fun, that i decided to do it properly.

am slightly worried about cooking in the rain. is there any kind of porch covering?

happy camping to us all!

Ooooo baskingseals which one have you got?

I'm still undecided about pigs and zigs ;(