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Camping

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

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Original poster

Can I have your bell tent recommendations please?

15 replies

Reluctant2ndtimer · 22/07/2014 14:27

I have pretty much decided on a 4m bell tent with no inner. It's just going to be for the odd couple of days here and there with me, DH or DM and two small kids. DH is useless at anything practical so I'll be putting it up with little useful help so I need it to be manageable.
Do I need a zipped or pegged in ground sheet, pretty colour or plain canvas, where's the best place to buy it from?... I've been procrastinating over this for months now. Please help!

OP posts:

wickedfairy · 22/07/2014 15:13

We have a 5m from Bell Tents. ZIG. I love it. We originally ordered from Soulpad but they had a massive delay with the order (it wasn't them but a supplier fault), we had a trip booked so bought from Bell Tent instead, slightly dearer.

Mylovelylovelyhorse · 22/07/2014 15:17

Ours is from karma canvas. At that time it was the only one that had a fly screen door which was handy when DC was crawling. Not sure if the others have them now. We could zip it ip so he couldnt escape but could still see out iyswim. We've had it for three or four years with no problems

We went for a zig

Original poster

Reluctant2ndtimer · 22/07/2014 18:48

Thanks. I think a zig is the way forward then, I'll take a look at karma canvas and soul pad. Can't wait to get going.

OP posts:

freckleonear · 23/07/2014 18:59

Personally I wouldn't get a pegged in ground sheet, they are more fiddly and less water/bug proof. I love our 5m Soulpad with a sewn in groundsheet, as it is the quickest and simplest to pitch. A zipped in groundsheet would be better if you want to be able to roll up the sides though.

zoemaguire · 23/07/2014 19:13

I vote for a pig personally! Our 5m bell tent (from soulpad) got its first outing a couple of weeks ago. The heavens opened, but not a drop got in through the sides. I like the option of rolling up the sides, and unlike an enormous Lu long zip, much less potential for breaking halfway through a holiday!

zoemaguire · 23/07/2014 19:13

Lu? Sorry, phone added that in!

FrozenAteMyDaughter · 23/07/2014 20:19

Ours doesn't even peg in and it still has never let in water. I wouldn't worry about zips etc unless you have a bug phobia I guess.

Ours is from Obelink btw. Sadly they don't deliver to the UK any more due to a deal with Belltent.UK (who then sell the same tents more expensively) not that this is a bugbear of mine of course

Lovecat · 23/07/2014 23:39

I have a 5m bell from Soulpad, amazing customer service and aftercare.

Despite being a shortarse with no upper body strength and a creaky back, I can put it up in 20 mins from start to finish.

We have an early model Soulpad Hybrid which has a zig and also a flyscreen inner door, which is a great help when you have nesh children who scream at the sight of an insect...

Lovecat · 23/07/2014 23:42

Oh, and one thing to think about with the groundsheet - if you get a pig or a zig you can carry it/store it away separately. If you get a sig you will have to make sure the bottom is absolutely, scrupulously dry before you put it away - I thought mine was dry, it looked dry, I left it zipped on and put it away, next time I got it out a small amount of dirty water ran out and the canvas had discoloured. I had to reproof the whole thing :(

Having 2 bags also makes it a lot easier to put away!

MinimalistMommi · 24/07/2014 07:51

Don't get a 4m, you will kick yourself and wish you had got a 5m. There is four of us and we have a 5m. I got it when the kids were teeny. There actually is a big difference inside size comparatively.

MinimalistMommi · 24/07/2014 07:53

Ours is a zipped groundsheet with a fly screen door. It's from Soulpad. Don't think the newer ones have a fly screen now.

wickedfairy · 24/07/2014 09:19

Ours is the ZIG - it's best to have that or PIG, so that you can separate it from the tent. We dry our tent over the bannister but do the groundsheet on its own elsewhere. Much easier. As the bell is canvas, you have to be really careful it is properly dry once you get home, otherwise it will mildew.

Definitely get a 5m, they are so spacious and plenty room off the kids. Worth it for the extra space!

MinimalistMommi · 24/07/2014 09:30

^agree about being able to separate canvas from groundsheet, makes for easier drying.

DreamingAlice · 24/07/2014 09:50

I have a 4m ZIG from Pukka Tents. It was a little more expensive than Karma, Soulpad or the like but it has quite a high spec with the heavier weight canvas (which I wanted). Also the other suppliers were out of stock! I think I might have been inclined to get a PIG because less faff with the zippers but the model of tent I wanted was one with a mesh door and their PIGs didn't offer that.

The service from Pukka was just fine- quick delivery. You might also look at Canvas and Camp- based in Belgium but apparently quick and with the exchange rate quite reasonable.

I can put it up myself and I am a petite little thing- it takes a bit of practice but it is totally do-able. I have no real regrets getting a 4m rather than a 5m-we can only just get the 4m up in our quite narrow garden and would definitely not have space for anything bigger. And as it is, the 4m is very heavy to lug about and I have struggled it get it folded up.

MinimalistMommi · 24/07/2014 10:03

The 5m is a faff to fold away and put back into its stuff sack after airing at home!

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