Bell tent flooring for occasional camping?

[Poppins2016]

We've just purchased a secondhand bell tent that comes with a groundsheet but no additional carpet/rug/matting...

We're 'occasional campers' - a few long weekends each year - 2 adults and 2 young children so lightish traffic but high potential for mess!

I've looked at coir mats (bulky, expensive, heavy), jute mats (possibly too lightweight looking at photos of it not sitting flat/is it worth it?), recycled plastic mats (leaning towards this), or just buying rectangular outdoor rugs (look attractive in photos but would they be practical?) or even picnic blankets (too lightweight/a trip hazard?).

What do experienced bell tent campers recommend?

I've just bought a couple of outdoor rugs from Argos. We might get a proper mat at some point if we're camping lots.

I'm thinking of changing my 4m for a 5m so was waiting to decide on that first.

There are a few bell tent groups on Facebook where you can find some second hand bargains.

Funnily enough, we bought our bell tent from FB Marketplace (it's a barely used, almost 'as new' ex hire tent... got a bargain).

Following your post I wonder whether to keep an eye out for 'proper' secondhand mats (jute?) and just get a couple of outdoor rugs for this summer.

When I had a bell tent I bought a bunch of those multi coloured rugs, Chindi rugs, I think they’re called. They roll up quite nicely and you can put them where you want them easily.

Just had a Google and quite like the look of this option... also the idea that I could buy a few and pack easily around other items rather than in a big bulky bag (it's a 5m tent so a reasonable amount of floorspace to cover and there's 'bulky' packing already)!

Does anyone use half or full moon jute mats? Are they worth keeping an eye out for (I'd probably source secondhand)?

Have a look at standard tent carpets that are big enough to cover most of your bell.

I use three or four of the cheap rag rugs from IKEA. Having a couple of smaller rugs rather than one big one makes it a lot easier to sweep out the tent and shake the rugs, they also pack easier.

I’ve been through every permeation of tent flooring

see if you can pick up a vango rosewood carpet, they’re the right size and shape but from past seasons so not widely available

failing that buy a big generic tent carpet and either fold the corners under or cut to shape

the advantage of an actual tent carpet is that they’re lightweight, repel stains well, can be chucked in the washing machine and pack up small

It also depends how much space you have when packing in the vehicle. We simply couldn’t fit the jute bell tent mats in the car along with everything else, they’re so bulky.

@Greydogs123 from the descriptions I've read, it appears that coir matting is bulky and heavy and jute is billed as a lightweight more transport able alternative... however it sounds as though jute is just as bulky from your description, would you agree?

Handsnotwands you're right, Vango rosewood isn't available (but I'll keep an eye on the secondhand market...). A 'normal' tent carpet would be easiest, it boggles the mind that they're not produced for bell tents. I'm tempted to see if I can buy a large tent carpet and cut to size then bind the edges myself (I'll probably potentialy regret saying that if/when I attempt such a thing, but seems like it might actually be worth the effort...).

Another thing I’ve not done but have seen recommended a lot is getting the blankets removal companies use and sewing however many you need together. Apparently it’s super warm and packs relatively small.