I need a tent to dream about. Suggestions please!

[Migsy1]

I have a 4m bell tent which I love BUT I find it too small and cluttered with me and the 3 boys (the eldest is 11).
What could I trade it in for? I am a petite single mum so it must be quick and easy to erect. It also needs to be big enough for the 4 of us.
I like the feel of the bell tent canvas as opposed to nylon but I'm not keen on the weight. I was thinking of a polycotton one perhaps.
The budget would be up to £500
xx

If you still like the bell do you need to trade it in? How about a utility tent for your cooking stuff to make a bit of space? Pup tent for the oldest 1 / 2? Or a decathlon base seconds living area for living in? Or a pop up Quechua tent for you all to sleep in and use the bell as a living area?

I have just bought an Asda gazebo (with sides) so I'm going to do cooking and eating in that. I'll see how that goes. I'm just dreaming really. The bell is wonderful when I go camping without kids but with the kids - well, it is ultimate mess and chaos.

Oh, yes. I have a pup tent too but sometimes they don't want to sleep in it :(

How about sell 4m bell, get 5m one with bedroom thing so you can separate all the crap from your living space?

I think the 5m one would be too heavy for me to get the pole up :(

My DB's got a cheapie 6-berth one from GoOutdoors. It's a Voyager 6. It's a lovely tent with loads of room. It's got two bedrooms, I think, with those tidy things hanging up. It's got quite a few windows, so it's light inside the living area.

DB is quite short, but he can put it up. He says it takes about 20 mins to get the main bit sorted, without the pegging out, etc. I really would recommend this tent. I have a folding camper, but if I wanted a tent, this is the one I would get.

also, I see that you've bought a gazebo. Lots of campsites won't allow them as they're not very sturdy in the wind.

5 m bell is gorgeous for family of four!

Migsy - I'm 5ft2" with a bad back and I can get the 5m bell tent up on my own in under 10 mins. The pole is fine.

Oooh, tent porn thread!! just what I need! (had better look at all of it now, eh)

Judge That looks good, thanks.
Viva Really? I am 5'2" as well. Are you super strong? I struggle with the 4m pole, but I always manage it. My friend has a 5m so perhaps I will have to ask her next time we go camping together if I can try putting hers up.

I'm desperate to go camping!!!!

Yes Mrs I think a tent porn thread is good. Any more porn out there tent huns?

I'm not strong, no. Don't do any sports or weightlifting, etc!

Sounds like a 5m one might be the way to go then - they have lots more room in them than the 4m.

I have the Quencha base tent. Square base tall enough to stand up in dome tent, best of all it pops up. Used as a stand alone tent with a sleeping pod, but invested in the bigger 2 bed version, stills pops up, so easy to put up myself, 2 good size integral sleeping pods with inbuilt ground sheets, big seperate ground sheet goes under these and central living area, besy of all the basic base tent can hook onto the front of it to give cooking and dining area, love it. Oh and did i mention it pops up

www.decathlon.co.uk/base-seconds-42-tent-id_8091844.html