Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Camping

Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

Original poster

Bell tent 4m or 5m?

28 replies

Longagoandfaraway · 20/05/2012 21:18

Very excitingly we have decided to abandon our cathedral-like outwell Hartford xl in favour of a beautiful bell tent but just not sure whether to go for the 4m or 5m? Is 5m much bigger or will 4 be big enough - there are 4 of us. Thanks!

OP posts:
HepHep · 20/05/2012 22:06

4 of you, I would go for the 5m. If it is just one or two people, the 4m is mor than spacious enough, but you will appreciate the extra room if there are lots of you. I bought mine from a company (obelink) in the netherlands that bell tent uk get their stock from. Got it much cheaper, but I think bell tent uk have closed that particular loophole now sadly as they have a monopoly on the selling of them in this country and obelink won't sell to here now as a result. Ho hum :)

hellymelly · 20/05/2012 22:09

I agree, get the 5m. I have the 5m and it is big, but I think for four the 4m would be rather more cramped. I don't think you would regret getting the largest one you can afford, whereas it would be annoying to get a 4m and find it a bit too small.

threeandcounting · 20/05/2012 22:59

Hello

We are just back from our first camping weekend with our lovely new bell tent and we have the 5m. There are 6 of us and it is great, so i would definitely go with the 5m.

We got ours from Karma Canvas; it has the zip in groundsheet and fly(?) sheet. Very happy with ours, great customer service too!

LoopyLoopsTootTootToots · 20/05/2012 23:02

5m. You'll regret it otherwise.

Enjoy! Love love love ours. :)

issyocean · 21/05/2012 07:10

WE have a 4m and it's fine but there are only three of us.Be warned!! It doesn't stop at the tent you know Wink

oranges123 · 21/05/2012 07:28

For 4 people, definitely get the 5m. We are just three but really appreciate the extra space since we traded in our 4m last year. Also, I maanaged to get my 5m through Obelink last year. It must have slipped through the ban somehow. So you could give it a try using their online ordering system and see what happens... Otherwise, there is very good feedback on here for Soulpad - apparently their customer service is great.

Happy bell tenting.... Grin

HepHep · 21/05/2012 10:10

Obelink state on their website that they don't ship it to the UK or Ireland. I got mine in 2010 through their eBay German outlet, and it slipped through the net :) It's worth considering a trip to their huge store in NL if you want to make a big saving on the price. Soulpad seem pretty good with their customer service, I bought an inner tent from them to fit my bell tent. Have heard not very good things about the Bell Tent UK peoples customer service, although the tents are top notch.

hellymelly · 21/05/2012 11:53

Should say, I bought mine through soulpad and I thought their customer service was...um...crap. I wish I'd bought from another company actually, they annoyed me so much.

Original poster
Longagoandfaraway · 21/05/2012 13:04

Thanks for all the replies everyone, like the sound of the 5m but the cost is obv. higher.... I have been looking around have found a 4m Dutch one on www.bakerandbell.com for £299 which they say comfortably fits a family of 5 and seems to be cheaper than others, hmmm! Will have a look at Soulpad etc and report back!

OP posts:
oranges123 · 21/05/2012 14:25

Personally, I think a family of 5 in a 4m bell tent would be seriously pushing it. It is completely possible logistically if you are just sleeping in there and keep your camping gear elsewhere but otherwise I think you will feel cramped. Because they don't have separate rooms, bell tents get messy very easily anyway even if there are only 2 of you.

If money is an issue could you combine a holiday in the Netherlands with a trip to Obelink and save money that way maybe (the basic 5m with separate groundsheet (like the B&B 4m one) is 325 euros www.obelink.nl/tenten/groepstenten/sahara-500.html?category_params=category_id%3D1194)? Alternatively, give the online purchase a try - they slip through every so often so it is always worth a try unless you need the tent urgently.

poppyboo · 21/05/2012 18:39

5 Metre-definately, you'll kick yourself if you go for a 4 m. We have 5 m, we're family of 4, we love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

poppyboo · 21/05/2012 18:40

4 m will be too small for you all during day.

ifeelloved · 22/05/2012 22:29

def 5m. The 4m is lovely but quite small for a family of 4.

We had a hartford XXL and the 5m is just a little bigger than the central bit.

Don't forget that if the weathers bad you'll want to be able to sit in the tent not necessarily on your beds, would be difficult in a 4m

ThreadWatcher · 22/05/2012 22:37

We have a 4m and dont regret not getting the 5m.
We are 2 adults and 2 pre teens.
Even in the rain we didnt mind.

Obviously extra space might be a bonus but equally less tent, means less tent to pack in the car. Fitting everything into the boot is troublesome enough - this years quest is to try and cut down on 'essentials'

ThreadWatcher · 22/05/2012 22:38

4m is definately NOT too small............

Do ya hear? :)

LoopyLoopsTootTootToots · 22/05/2012 22:53

oh yes it is

ThreadWatcher · 23/05/2012 00:09

I spent 10 days with two kids and another adult (who Im not in a relationship with) - it was fine honestly, we didnt argue even once.

I think it maybe depends on how much stuff you 'think' you need in the tent/in the car.

4m is plenty of space for 4 people to sleep plus their stuff around the edge.

oranges123 · 23/05/2012 08:02

I think threadwatcher is right that it depends how much stuff you think you need in with you. If you are tidy naturally and prepared to keep stuff in the car, a 4m should be fine. If you like to have your things in with you, the 5m will give you extra breathing space.

Also, if you think you may want an inner tent, most comments I have seen suggest this works better in a 5m than in a 4m, because more living space is still left outside. We are getting one shortly (for warmth and toddler-containment reasons) so will be able to report back as to whether that is true.

HepHep · 23/05/2012 13:03

My inner tent in the 4m definitely makes the tent feel a lot smaller, it takes up closer to a third of the tent rather than the quarter I was imagining. It's a little inner and not the kind that goes across the entire back half of the tent.
Best thing is to try one out if you have a friend with one and see.

oranges123 · 23/05/2012 13:39

That is interesting HepHep, particualrly as the one we have ordered is the half one not the quarter, so will take up even more space. I think we will probably only use it while DD is little and maybe for camping in the colder months when heating up a smaller space is preferable. We decided to take the plunge as if we decide immediately we don't like it, we can always sell it on ebay and get some or all of our money back.

ThreadWatcher · 23/05/2012 13:49

Good point about inner tents
We decided that as you don't NEED one with a bell tent we wouldn't bother - definately prefer the tent without - plus less stuff.
We have just bought a vango shelter and windbreak - mostly to help at festivals (help keep other people from walking within inches of ourbtent doorway)
So we are now considering what to leave out to leave room for those!

NettleTea · 23/05/2012 22:03

5m all the way.
though there is a 7m one for sale on ebay at the moment which i have been eyeing up.......

ifeelloved · 23/05/2012 22:32

Woah that's massive!

Original poster
Longagoandfaraway · 27/05/2012 11:35

Ok so we decided to get the 4m after all and tried it last night in the garden - perfect, plenty of room for us all. Think it's fine for us as we will use for festivals and weekend camping so don't need loads of stuff (will try to remind myself of this when packing ...!) and I will be able to manage if I go on my own with dd's too. Am totally in love with it and of course now "need" a few things to go in it!

OP posts:
ThreadWatcher · 27/05/2012 13:49

Yay! 4m is fine........
I hope you have loads of camping fun :)

Swipe left for the next trending thread