Has anyone got a bell tent ?

[ruthydd]

.....persuade me its a good idea!

If you are in love with cotton (and to be fair there are some pluses as well as minuses) you might want to look at the Cabanon range of tents. They do lots of cotton based stuff but a bit more up to date than the old 'scout' tent'

here

I have seen lots of Cabanon tents on the continient. They look fantastic and seem to be exceptionally well made.

The downside is that they cost a lot, but if looked after properly they will last longer.

Outwell also do a premier range in cotton, they tents are twice to three times as expecsive as their polyester equivalent. But they will be very heavy.

Rather than being in love with canvas, I think I would describe it as a fleeting pregnancy-fuelled love affair. Thanks to all the sensible advice on here, I've come to my senses!

So, before I commit to something polyester on-line. Does anyone know if it is possible to see something (or better still a range of things) erected first ? I live in London, but we're in Yorkshire all next week.

I know that Yeomans do shows, and you will be able to see lots of different ones put up (essential IMHO), but the show I went to was all polyester

not sure how much stuff there is in the camping and caravaning expo in Birmingham

THose Cabanons are lovely tents and are very popular on the contininet.

They have the class of canvas, and modern styling, with the advantages it gives

bell tent

A brilliant festival tent.

Ok they are quite heavy but easy to put up with just one central wooden pole (which comes in 2 parts), bang in the pegs and you are done. Very roomy inside.

Thanks MB - looks like there's a Yeomans exhibition we can go to in York next week. The kids will love being involved in helping choose a tent. Oh, I'm getting all excited already. Sod canvas!

aDad - where were you Sunday? I've been talked out of it! dh still sitting on the fence, but I'm now firmly committed to polyester (unless I change my mind of course).

at you going at the thought of all the fun you wil lhave.

Seeing them up is great fun, but it also gives you a much better idea of which tent will suit you and your family best.

I love the look of the geodesic dome tents, and envy the living space that you get in them. But the bedroom pods are too small for us, as dh doesn't like to stoop and I'm mildly claustrophobic! [shakes head emoticon at being claustrophobic in a tent!]

So seeing the tents up was a real help.

In reality most of the brand names will all be good. We all get terribly attached to our brands, but a well known name is unlikly to disapoint

yeah got in too late!

and having said that, with famiy and loads of kit in tow, we use a lightweight modern tent tbh. I just know someone who bought one of these and love them!

I saw one when we were camping last Augus bank holiday.

It looked great, and the owner has painted patterns round the bottom of the bell......very stylish.

Everyone was complimenting the owner. I had to keep muttereing to myself, 'Remember the weight, think about the pack size, a bugger to dry and store, think mildew!' to stop myself lusting after one!

absolutely right MB. Same here.

Those Cabanon tents are supurb. In the UK the brand is synonymous with the old Frame tents, with the floral curtains. But their new style products look amazing. The canvas is as taught as a drum and they look very sturdy....none of the wrinkles and flappy bits you see on the polyester ones (one of which I have). But owning a canvas tent is a real investment in both time and money.

But look at this !!

We're after one of the Outwell Canvas range- COmfort they're called, just a weekender this year and maybe the Norfolk lake next year to replace the tahoma BUT we are serious campers- 5 trips a year at least- wouldn't recommend the expense for anyone who hasn't lived the lifestyle for a while, you don't want to go off it after a £700 tent!!

bvut for us, the temperature thing si a plus- 2 of the ds's are sensoty impaired and can't tell if they're too hot; last year the tent got so hot (we were in hottest place in UK on hottest day of 2006) that the plastic glasses crazed- and the boys would still sit there in a fleece jacket!