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

[lowenergylightbulb]

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

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

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...

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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!

I WANT ONE!

That's lovely!

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...

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

No bugger on here is a pyramid girl

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

'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

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.

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