Is it just me who doesn't 'get' bell tents?

[millimat]

I just can't see the appeal? Why go for just one open room?

[dancinglife]

Yep - that's the same as ours! We couldn't do without it, especially if it rains.
Their tents are much cheaper than over here too..

[Lavenderloves]

Great thread!
We have a bell tent and love it.
We take sheepskin rugs, massive sofa cushions, down duvets and even a coffee table ( big one)

My DH was of the you must suffer to be camping school of thought. I have converted him.

They are lovely to camp in such a great space with a different feel to nylon.

[LauraShigihara]

Lovely thread (weird that it started out as anti-bell tent thread!)

I stayed in one recently (not mine, sadly) and I was amazed at how comfy it was, even in the rain. My memories of camping many years ago, is of damp clothes and condensation everywhere. The bell tent was paradise, all airy and dry.

We have a motorhome so DH is never going to be persuaded that we need a bell tent as well, but I am cribbing ideas to make the awning lovely, so keep them coming...

[MummyPigsFatTummy]

You know, we should have a Mumsnet glampers camping weekend. All welcome regardless of set up. Glampers come and show off your frills and fripperies and hard core campers come and be converted to the frilly side!

[MummyPigsFatTummy]

Ooh white company chandelier is waiting in the post office. Ridiculously excited. Loved your photos shiraz.

Laura, your DH is probably right about the bell but there is no doubt your motorbike will be much the better for bunting and fairy lights, and dare I suggest, a chandelier in the awning.

[MummyPigsFatTummy]

Motorbike? Stupid phone ( probably would be true for a motorbike too though)

[shirazplease]

Get your running shoes on Mummy Pig and get down to that post office!

Glad you like the pics, not bad for a first season of glamping it truly is an addiction!

Glamping motorbike, now there's a whole new challenge must stop imagining overweight, leather clad biker with fairy lights

[hazeyjane]

My chandelier has arrived (huge box!!!) along with table now just waiting for tealights, and obviously won't open them until birthday tomorrow!

I will be eyeing up everyones tents, bunting and chandeliers when we go to eweleaze in the holidays, maybe a small discrete mumsnet flag would be on order!

[SconeInSixtySeconds]

Obelink don't sell bell tents though do they? not that I have been browsing eBay etc since yesterday

[shirazplease]

Obelink do sell Bell tents however they have an EU contravening agreement with Bell Tent UK to not ship them to the UK

[TheRealMBJ]

Buying a tarp as we speak.

[millimat]

Glad my thread could be of assistance still don't get them though!!

[teacherandguideleader]

I don't get them either - I'm not into frills at the best of times so can't imagine getting into them for camping! I remember when I was a Guide we always thought of groups that still used Bell tents as being old fashioned and the poor relation, while we had our nice ridge tents. I don't much like the ridge tents either now - I hate all the open space, and like a cosy pod to sleep in.

My tent is nylon and I love it, I have a bedroom and a lovely porch. My bedroom is cosy and I have never been cold despite using my tent on my own (I do have an expensive sleeping bag and thermarest though).

If I was in to paraphernalia maybe I would feel differently, but I'm not. The thought of bunting sends shivers down my spine.

[nooka]

I've never seen a bell tent. All the fancy stuff sounds very harem like :) We live in Canada now and camp because we can pretty much guarantee that it won't rain (dh would have never camped in the UK/Europe - too many bad childhood memories). Most other people we know have campers large and small (you can get some enormous fancy things here).

I've just bought a new tent because my mother is coming to stay and wants to go out into the back country. She has bad arthritis and can't sleep on the ground so we are taking a proper bed with us for her I've found blow up beds don't last for more than a few night (plus I do have a long pick up truck and the bed fits in the back)

Our tent takes me less than 5 minutes to put up and the new one says it only takes a minute.

[Chubfuddler]

I haven't camped since girl guides/scouts when I was about 14. I now know that those "proper" tents we used to be in are called bell tents and they people still use them. Hurrah! I'm on my own and not feeling equal to camping with a two year old but it definitely appeals now I know there are other loons traditional campers like me out there.

Thank you bell tenters, love the tea lights.

[zgaze]

White Company must have had a rush last week on those chandeliers, I bought two! Arrived yesterday and they're really lovely so thank you very much shirazplease

[shirazplease]

[MummyPigsFatTummy]

Shiraz - thanks so much for chandelier tip. I collected it on Friday but only opened it tonight (get me and my self control). In the end, I didn't open it properly but just had a quick peer and left it all in its very thorough packaging to await its inaugural camp at the weekend. it looks fab though from what I could see - can't wait to get it up (har har)!

[Hopefully]

OK, those of you who love them, where do you put your clothes/wash stuff etc? DH and I are coming round to the idea, but a bit scared of the one room thing. We currently just live out of an assortment of tatty luggage while camping, but we hide it in a bedroom so I don't have to see it! Am I going to have to buy these so my poor eyes don't have to be offended?

[MinimalistMommi]

We take draw string cotton laundry bags in pretty colours to put clean folded clothes and then a separate one for the dirty clothes.

[MinimalistMommi]

Sheepskins: we also take sheepskin rugs, look lovely in bell tent and so warm to sit on.

[Hopefully]

OMG that's genius. plus I have a slight addiction to making drawstring bags, so I could make hundreds.

[Hopefully]

We are confirmed sheepskin-aholics - always get mocked because our sensible little Outwell is always bedecked in sheepskin. Slightly ruins the serious-family-campers vibe.

Crap, I think I might have just talked myself into a bell tent

[MinimalistMommi]

Bell tents are a pain but lush at the same time
Glad you liked the cotton bag idea

[shirazplease]

Ok. Storage. You will laugh but we take this:

storage

Think theirs a pic showing it in my profile.

(Since embarking on this camping obsession I'm now v experienced at inserting links!)

Mainly because it folds flat and the box all fits inside the lid. V useful as it stores loads. Think we transport it on its long side by kids feet poor kids

Also, we have one of those double height airbeds which hides all manner of crap luggage behind it.

Glad everyone likes their White Company chandeliers