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Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

Original poster

It's the time of year to talk Bell Tents...

60 replies

lowenergylightbulb · 25/04/2010 21:22

I want either a bell tent, or some other canvas type frame tent. Pref 5/6 berth...

I seem to remember some people last summer buying direct from holland?

I've looked at the soulpad site - is that the 'cheapest' I'm likely to get a lovely bell tent for?

I really, really, really want one

OP posts:
SpringHeeledJack · 25/04/2010 21:30
Original poster
lowenergylightbulb · 25/04/2010 21:32

I got excited then springheeled and thought that you were wise in the ways of canvas

OP posts:
MisSalLaneous · 25/04/2010 22:11

Sorry, but I've got bad news for you, lowenergylightbulb... They stopped shipping directly from Holland. I heard that they wanted to, but thought I'd try my luck anyway, so ordered online as I understand Dutch (it doesn't even show you belltents when you go on their English speaking site). Anyway, it looked like all was ok, I got the confirmation e-mail, money left my account etc, but next day I got another e-mail saying the transaction was cancelled and my money refunded.

In fairness to them, the site did clearly show they did not ship to England, so I can't really blame them, I was just trying my luck.

belltent.co.uk also sell them (exactly the same tents, but with a £100+ markup), but I won't buy from them out of principle, as they are the ones who enforces the no-selling by Obelisk (the Dutch company). I can understand trying to protect your market, but feel that that mark-up is a bit much for exactly the same product if you then block any other option to buy it. Hey ho, I'm probably just grumpy and cutting my nose to spite my face...

paisleyleaf · 25/04/2010 22:28

I think that obelink site stopped selling to the UK.
But looking here, these guys seem to have found a way of buying those Dutch ones through the German ebay site here.

I keep seeing ones like this for sale, but the canvas doesn't look so good.

MisSalLaneous · 25/04/2010 22:46

paisley, some of the more recent posts on UK campsite seemed to suggest that they stopped selling through the German ebay site now too. I've checked and it also states that they won't ship to the UK, but if anyone tries and has luck, PLEASE come and tell me I'm wrong!

fireandlife · 26/04/2010 10:40

I've ordered one from Canvas and Cast - should be arriving at the end of May. They are more expensive but I'm keen on the fact that they are a heavier weight of canvas and have at least been treated with fire retardant.

CrankyTwanky · 26/04/2010 10:49

Ooh I was going to post this.
I have been lurking on camping for a while and have decided I MUST HAVE a bell tent!

What size would one go for then? Would a 4 metre fit 5 + tat?
I have been perving looking at the belltent website

I'm thinkig the ultimate is the way to go.
Anyone know different?
They are much more expensive.

fireandlife · 26/04/2010 10:54

I decided that we needed 5m for four of us and everything else. I've also ordered a 'tarp' to use as an awning and a bedroom compartment too.

I have two small boys and a very tall DH. I suspect one day the boys will be very big too! We went for the 5m because then, even with the bedroom bit in, DH and I will still have space to sit and chat while the DCs are asleep when it's freezing outside!

fireandlife · 26/04/2010 10:59

Oh yes, the thing about the ZIG on the 'ultimate'. I understand that as long as the tent has good quality mud flaps, water really shouldn't get in via the groundsheet. If you are going to have the bedroom bit/inner tent then that will remain totally bug free anyway. Perhaps you could save a bit of money by not going for the ZIG.
I'm all for avoiding too many zips because however heavy duty they are, they have the potential to break so I try to go for as few as poss!

EccentricaGallumbits · 26/04/2010 11:02

I WANT ONE!

fireandlife · 26/04/2010 11:12

That's lovely!

omnishambles · 26/04/2010 11:14

Mine is on its way - ordered last week, expected today or tomorrow - am going to put it up in the garden next weekend - am so excited...its a 5m one as well - it will take up half of the garden but hey ho...

CrankyTwanky · 26/04/2010 12:00

Is the pole telescopic on the tipi?
Would it fit in a roof-box?
Hmmm,interesting about zips, fire.

Fizzylemonade · 26/04/2010 22:14

Well I may not own one but I am staying in one, in a couple of weeks! Have booked to go to /www.jollydaysluxurycamping.co.uk

It was the bunting, I couldn't resist

omnishambles · 26/04/2010 22:20

Mine did arrive today - we are going to put it up on Saturday. Whoop.

lunavix · 26/04/2010 22:25

Sal - what you could have done, is take orders for Bell tents, and ask everyone for a contribution towards your petrol, ie £20 at the very least, and then drive over pick up a few, and you'd have saved money too :D

lunavix · 26/04/2010 22:26

Incidentally I MUST HAVE a bell tent too, but refuse to pay the markup. Maybe I'm tight, but it irritates me, quite frankly!

MisSalLaneous · 26/04/2010 22:36

Now see, lunavix, that sounds like a plan! I'm with you on refusing to pay such a huge markup. Even more so as they enforce a monopoly in effect.

lunavix · 26/04/2010 22:38

Well, I would happily contribute to your bell tent expedition!!!! So count me in

Slubberdegullion · 27/04/2010 17:08
lunavix · 27/04/2010 18:35

They are lovely tents slubber, but I think I'm simply a circular girl as opposed to a pyramide one!

Slubberdegullion · 27/04/2010 18:43

No bugger on here is a pyramid girl

I have NO ONE to have special intimate pyramid chats with.

EricPicklesFatNeck · 27/04/2010 20:27

'As you can see from the pictures with a bit of effort you can create your own vibe and be the envy of everyone in naff modern tents with no soul.' bascially bell tents are about showing off?

i like slubbers

MisSalLaneous · 27/04/2010 20:59

In my heart, Slubber, in my heart I'm with you all the way! Luckily my heart is quite big, so it's yearning for my bell tent too! (And for now, dh the bank manager is relieved.)

Much as I love a bell tent (and I will still get one, just you all wait!), those pyramids do look like the ultimate "proper" tent, don't they? Next to a stream / in a wood / away from it all, with a camp fire at night and mugs of steaming coffee in the morning...

Strangely, dh not keen on them, but have convinced him on a bell tent. I suspect seeing one in real life might make a difference, so will keep an eye out when camping this year.

omnishambles · 27/04/2010 21:21

MisSal - if you're ever in south-west london then you can pop in and see mine!