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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.

Original poster

Bell tents

28 replies

mrspainful · 17/08/2021 16:26

I'm thinking of buying a bell tent ready for camping next year. I've always loved the look of them, but also need something easy to put up by myself, and I also like the "open plan" feel to them as I get a bit claustrophobic in some tents.

There's me and 2 children, so ideally want space for 1 double and 2 single air beds and general paraphernalia. Would a 5m be big enough?

Also, do I go for canvas or a lighter fabric? I prefer the idea of the traditional canvas but would I struggle with the weight of it, putting it up and getting it back in the car afterwards ( particularly if it's wet)? We are very much fair weather campers, so more likely to worry about being too hot rather than too cold!

OP posts:
SirVixofVixHall · 17/08/2021 16:29

We have a 5m, I have never put it up but DH has and he finds it quick and straightforward. I think it would be big enough for the airbeds, we have had two doubles in ours.

SirVixofVixHall · 17/08/2021 16:29

Ours is canvas.

Cannes12 · 17/08/2021 16:32

We have a 5m canvas and love it. It'll be big enough for you. The putting up question is trickier. My dh does it by himself but takes him at least an hour and he's tired afterwards. They are heavy tents. I couldn't do it by myself. Are the kids old enough to help?

PosiePerkinPootleFlump · 17/08/2021 16:33

5m is definitely big enough.
I can put ours up and take down by myself in less than 10 mins.
If it is wet, it is easier to separate groundsheet and top to out in the car.. Its hard for me to lift both together. But I am weedy. So I'd recommend one with a zip off groundsheet.
Canvas ones are bulky. You need a reasonable size car, and somewhere to air it properly when you get home if it was put in the car damp

Meloncurse · 17/08/2021 16:36

We've just bought a 4m and the OH put it up for the first time, on his own and it took less than 15 mins.

5m would definitely be big enough, we could easily fit a double mattress and 2 singles in ours. Depends how much other space you would need

Original poster
mrspainful · 17/08/2021 17:04

Thanks all. Def 5m then. Still undecided about whether I'd manage a canvas one on my own or not. DC are 8 and 10 and 8 year old will certainly be enthusiastic to help but could be more of a hindrance. I will be camping with a friend though most of the time but would like the option of going it alone occasionally.

OP posts:
Original poster
mrspainful · 17/08/2021 17:05

Oh and I do have a reasonable sized car and a lawn to dry it out afterwards (and practice putting it up on).

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ShingleBeach · 17/08/2021 18:02

‘Canvas’ comes in different weights, and generally includes polycotton, which may be a good compromise.

Don’t buy a polyester bell tent.

Many many women put up bell tents single handed in a short time.

I do my canvas Dutch Pyramid on my own in less than half an hour and am not tired afterwards. Confused

Moonlaserbearwolf · 17/08/2021 18:07

I have a 5m canvas. Absolutely big enough and fine for one person to put up and take down.
However, I find drying it out at the end of summer and packing away a real pain. The canvas is so heavy and it needs to be bone dry before storing for the winter. If I was buying again I would get a lighter material.

Poppins2016 · 17/08/2021 18:09

@ShingleBeach why would you say not to buy a polyester bell tent? Aesthetics? Function? Integrity of original design (lost)?

Asking because I've been debating doing just that due to needing to reduce the weight and size for storage purposes...

MrsKDB · 17/08/2021 18:10

We have 5m canvas. I’ve no idea how it could take an hour to put up! It’s super quick and easy, 10-15 mins and we are done. Lots of space inside. Get the chandelier!! I love ours.

Original poster
mrspainful · 17/08/2021 20:42

shinglebeach I didn't realise canvas comes in different weights.

Def going to get a chandelier!

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HangingChads · 17/08/2021 20:45

We have a 5m canvas bell tent and I can erect it solo in about 15 minutes. This video shows how easy they are to put up:

user16395699 · 17/08/2021 20:49

Guide camps often used to be all canvas bell tents so pretty confident they can be dealt with without men and with the assistance of children.

Original poster
mrspainful · 17/08/2021 20:50

Thanks hangingchads that's the exact video I watched that persuaded me I'd be able to do it on my own.

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NannyR · 17/08/2021 20:52

I have a polycotton bell tent which is lighter than canvas but still has more breathability than polyester (and looks nice too!)
It's very easy to put up single-handed. It's a great tent for camping in good weather, where you are outside most of the time and just using the tent to sleep in, but I've gone back to using my more conventional tent as the space works better for me.
I notice you said you feel claustrophobic in normal tents - one of the reasons I don't like my bell tent is the lack of windows, especially in bad weather when the door is zipped up.

ReviewingTheSituation · 17/08/2021 20:54

Following with interest. I'm keen on a bell tent too. I fancy getting an inner pod too - if anyone has any places they'd recommend to buy from, that would be interesting.

SirVixofVixHall · 18/08/2021 18:13

A chandelier ???

SirVixofVixHall · 18/08/2021 18:15

I googled and see it is tea lights, I actually have one of those that I use at Christmas, not sure I feel v safe with naked flames near canvas..

Original poster
mrspainful · 18/08/2021 21:03

SirVixofVixHall yes I know what you mean, I thought I'd use those battery ones that look like tea lights. I'm ultra careful when it comes to fire. I always have a full bucket of water next to me when we light the fire pit 😂

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Original poster
mrspainful · 18/08/2021 21:04

@NannyR

I have a polycotton bell tent which is lighter than canvas but still has more breathability than polyester (and looks nice too!) It's very easy to put up single-handed. It's a great tent for camping in good weather, where you are outside most of the time and just using the tent to sleep in, but I've gone back to using my more conventional tent as the space works better for me. I notice you said you feel claustrophobic in normal tents - one of the reasons I don't like my bell tent is the lack of windows, especially in bad weather when the door is zipped up.
That's a good point about no windows, I hadn't thought of that.

Def thinking about a poly cotton one.

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londonmummy1966 · 18/08/2021 21:10

Why not hire one to see how you get on? We have a circus patterned one with zip in groundsheet which is fun, distinctive in a busy campsite and extremely easy to put up.

HelloDaisy · 18/08/2021 21:38

I have a 4.5m bell tent and it’s great. It’s not my favourite tent to date as I loved my huge family tent, but I can put this one up by myself in just under 15 minutes and the space inside is fabulous.

We’ve bought the porch to go with it which makes a big difference and is a good place to sit and watch the world go by.

We can easily fit in a double and 2 single beds along with all our clothes etc.

It is really big and heavy when packed but I can just about lift it into the car and can manage as long as i don’t have to carry it far.

EnjoyingTheSilence · 18/08/2021 22:02

@Cannes12

We have a 5m canvas and love it. It'll be big enough for you. The putting up question is trickier. My dh does it by himself but takes him at least an hour and he's tired afterwards. They are heavy tents. I couldn't do it by myself. Are the kids old enough to help?
How on earth is it taking your dh and hour to put up?! I’m 5’3” and can put our 5m up by myself in about 15 mins. Most of the at time is the getting it in the right position. It takes me more time to prettify it 😁

I do recommend separating the top from the ground sheet. It makes it easier to carry

TheABC · 18/08/2021 22:07

I can put up a 4m canvas bell with no problem, but struggled with the weight when we chose a 5m with an integrated ground sheet. However, it means the tent practically floats during heavy downpours and we have never had a leak. Ours comes with zipped half-windows at the bottom, so you don't feel claustrophobic. We have done the chandelier in the past, but we have opted for an inner divider at present, so we can have separate sleeping compartments and living space.

Pros on canvas tents:

  • They are simple. On central pole and a door frame. That's it.
  • They are fast to out up or take down
  • The thick canvas keeps the early morning sun out and the heat in at night
  • It's breathable and airy
  • I personally love hearing rain on canvas
  • They are durable. My canvas tents have last for 10+ years in all weathers and terrains. Including heavy snow. The bell shape will stay up, even in a dreadful storm that eats other tent shapes. You can stitch up tears, and even replace the pole.

Cons:
-Heavy when wet. Just heavy full stop. Take something you can wheel the tent bag on, if you have to walk from the car park to the camping field.

  • You need a car with decent boot space.
  • Mould. You must dry out the tent and that includes the guy ropes too. Or else your beautiful tent comes out in a month's time with little black rope patterns over it! We actually have ours on clips now and just remove them when packing down.
  • It's a single enclosed space. I recommend getting an awning, so you cook outside without getting wet in the rain.

I have not used a polyester mixed tent, so can't comment on them.