Bell tent at festival - stupid idea?

[BeetRoost]

Hello, I'm new to the camping board, and so pleased I've found you!

We have been camping in a tiny tent for a several years, only over weekends, in good weather. But recently decided to get a bell tent as they look fun and spacious!

In a few weeks we are going to a festival (my first ever festival) and I cannot decide if it's a stupid idea to take the bell tent. I'm not concerned about having to transport it to the camping site from the car, but worried that it will get wrecked/peed on/crashed in to by other festival attendees.

Have you ever taken a bell tent to a festival? What are your experiences of festival camping - will I get any sleep at all?

Depends on the festival. We've only taken ours to 'naice' ones like Latitude and End of the Road where there is lots of space and designated family camping.

I'm not sure I'd fancy its chances at Glastonbury, Reading or V, tbh.

What sort of festival are you going to? If it is a family friendly one, I would say take your bell. It will be fine. If it is a big one like Reading or V, say, I would say don't. It might be fine but it might not and it also might be hard to pitch as campsites can be very crowded at the big festivals.

We took our bell to Camp Bestowal by the way and the hardest thing was finding it amongst all the other bells. So if you do take it bring some unusual bunting or something to mark it out.

Sleep-wise, I would take ear plugs. There will always be late noise and at a family festival there will be children up early too. Not a good combination.

Oh, and take earplugs. It will sound as if the entire world is trying to get into your tent as people crash by/wake up ridiculously early and start a heated debate 4 tents away - sound really carries under canvas! You will sleep, if only out of drunken exhaustion

On the plus side the bell is really easy to put up/take down so it's good in that respect. On the downside, the fact you've got all that room means it's tempting to stay in it if it tips down with rain and you could end up missing some great bands not looking at you DH, oh no

Don't be tempted to bring cooking equipment (although I do bring a kettle and bleuet for a morning cuppa) unless you're really skint, it's easier to throw money at the problem and buy your food from the stalls than to try and keep a kitchen set up - people will put tents in the tiniest spaces - usually right outside your tent entrance! - and I don't feel safe cooking so close to other people's tents. Also we NEVER cook in your tent , so it does get a bit cramped outside and is just too much hassle.

Thanks, earplugs are on the packing list and emergency earplugs

I think it's a small 'naice' one, but it's the first year they have run it so really not sure. But probably not in the same league as V/Reading etc. Perhaps a small scale version of Beautiful Days?

I don't know if I'm being stupidly naive to hope that there will be a reasonable amount of space for us to pitch it in, perhaps on the edge of a field away from the main entrance of the field.. I'd rather walk an extra 5-10 minutes to be in a place with a reasonable amount of space between us and the next tent.

Some people take windbreaks to give themselves more space. I despise them while half-wishing I'd done the same... :o

Hmm, that's not a bad idea, at least then there would be some space to make my bacon butties outside the tent each morning!

I expect if it is a small new naice one, you will be fine. We went to Elderflower Fields this year and last and have had plenty of space both years. This year it was just our group and one other family in the wildcamping field for most of the weekend (that is v rare though obv). Windbreak is a good idea tthough especially if you are not in a group which can form a tent circle. I