Bell tent advice

[cactustime]

We've been using an old but lovely Cabanon canvas tent for years and want to upgrade to a new tent. I'm thinking about buying a bell tent as I want to stick with canvas but want a bigger space and a quicker putting up time. Does anyone have any advice please - what size? (we are two adults, two growing up kids (7&11), where to buy from?, is second hand advisable?.
Many thanks!

[cactustime]

Thanks everyone for your help. I'm sold! So a 5m, zipped in ground sheet it is then.
Cheers for your replies!

[GSfordays]

I have one which is most prized possession!

I love it, it transformed our camping trips. I’m a single mother and can easily get it up in 20 mins, only drawback is that it is very heavy. I struggle getting it up and down stairs but how often do you really need to carry it anywhere?! Ours is a zipped in one, no inners.

[morecaffeinerequired]

We did exactly the same this year. Upgraded our large canvas frame tent to a bell tent. We have similar aged kids to you and went for the 5m with zipped in ground sheet from bell tent boutique.

I am really happy with it, plenty of room inside to set up beds and have a 'living' area in the middle. We didn't bother with inners because we are considering installing a stove, but there is a hook at the top of the pole which we use to tie string to, the other end ties to the metal loops where the inner would attach and you can peg up a sheet for some privacy for changing as the kids get older.

So far we've been away 3 times. Set up time is less than 15 minutes if you crack on with it. It is very heavy, but no more so than a cabanon. I can just about carry it by myself and of course there are only 2 poles so its much smaller to fit in the car.

[Youcantscaremeihavechildren]

We have a 5m bell tent, it's lovely, we have just got the separate base and top, no zip, it is brilliant to have it floating. We use a separate pop up tent inside for our kids aged 3 and 8, so it's a bit darker for them and in an attempt to get them to sleep for longer!
We've considered the inners but never bothered, we do use an awning though as need somewhere to sit out when they're asleep.
DH can put in up in 30 mins with no help...mainly because I'm not allowed to!
Go for it, our was from soul pad 8 years ago and has been out yearly.

[MorelloKisses]

Soul pad are good, people also recommended Camping Under The Stars

Go Zig do you can float it and for your family 5m, assuming you are ok with the pack size and weight. Don’t go poly.

Get some kind of tarp for an awning - try Obelink Morgan or a wing (polycotton fine for this).

[cactustime]

Also - can anyone recommend where to buy one from? There seem to be millions of websites. Old threads recommend Soulpad, is this still good advice? And does anyone have an opinion on canvas v poly cotton?
Thanks all