bell tent - help - no expense spared

[belltenthelp]

Hello camping geeks, your help please.

A friend has become very ill. She has two young children and it looks like she will need to stay close to home for the foreseeable future for treatment. A large group of people are clubbing together to buy her a bell tent (or similar) to act as a kind of playroom in the garden as a surprise for her upcoming 40th.

We know this is a gift she will love but we don't know where to begin with the purchase. She wouldn't know either so I can't ask her before anyone suggests that (and we are hoping to keep it as a surprise - her husband is on the plan though).

The budget will be at least £2000 I think but it needs to include all accessories etc. So, please tell me, what would you buy?

The birthday is in 6 weeks and so it also needs to be deliverable before then.

Help much appreciated

Have a look at a lotus belle. More usable space due to the higher walls

That said I’m not sure any of them are intended for long term use, canvas gets moldy in our damp climate.

anyone else!?

Hopeful bump.

Thank you @Handsnotwands those look amazing!

Bell Tent Boutique have a good reputation, and are popular because the entrance door is higher than on some bell tents, so less stooping.

belltentboutique.co.uk/products/5m-bell-tent?variant=36187514631

You will need to decide what size, many people go for 5m for sleeping in with 2 adults and 2 kids. Allow for the guy ropes when measuring to ensure it will fit in the garden.

This tent has a zipped in groundsheet which means that on hot days you can unzip it and have the sides rolled up while the ‘bell’ hovers like a giant shelter.

These tents also have a zip mesh door to keep mozzies out if you want to sit inside in an evening.

The half moon rag rugs (same website) make a nice floor.

Otherwise a ‘footprint’ is good, an extra groundsheet that goes underneath, but you can just cut a cheap tarp to size. (Don’t leave any sticking out under the tent groundsheet or it will act as a funnel for water when it rains).

Then you need fairy lights, and bunting to taste!

If the tent gets mucky over the course of the summer, it can be brushed or sponged with plain water. Never detergent, and kids bubble mixture should not go near it!

I second bell tent boutique.
We have a proper canvas tent from there, with zip in ground sheet and a couple of half moon coir mats. We have the 5m one and that large enough for most peoples needs. Unless prices have risen a lot since we bought ours 3 years ago you would have well over £1000 left over for extra things after buying the tent and mats.

The difficult thing about a proper canvas tent is storing it over the winter. Your friend will need help with this - it's too much for one person, especially if she is unwell. You need to take the tent down before Autumn dampness sets in and hang it indoors to dry out fully before packing away.

How are you getting on @belltenthelp ?

Thank you guys. Have ordered a 5m one from Bell Tent Boutique and we are looking forward to making it as homely as possible.

At the moment I only have the tent ordered so if you have any tips on other essentials do let me know. The kids are 4 and 6.

It will be up for about 6 weeks (I am guessing!) over the summer and I admit to being surprised that the guidance is that this is too long... So I think we will come a few times armed with supplies for cleaning/ re-waterproofing so let me know if you have advice on that. I cannot emphasise enough how clueless we all are!

Is there a company we can send it to at the end of the summer for a bit of TLC?

Thank you for your input, very kind of you to check in @HomeHomeInTheRange

Oooh lovely, how exciting… though difficult circumstances .

6 weeks should be absolutely fine!

It definitely shouldn’t need waterproofing during that time!

It would be best if it could be pitched away from any trees likely to drip sap. Giving it a bit of a brush down with a clean brush will help stop muck building up. Bird dirt is best brushed off when dry , then a gentle damp sponge or hose and clear water. Never any kind of detergent.

Personally I am anti anything other than water going on canvas.

They can leak slightly the very first time they are in rain. This is because the waterproof quality of canvas relies on the fibres swelling. Don’t start sloshing Fabsil over it. Once ‘weathered’ by the first shower it should be thoroughly waterproof.

There is a good Facebook group, Bell Tent Campers, with lots of photos and enthusiastic tips for glamping up your tent!