Discussion
I've just started looking at these, partially because I was looking at an organised camping holiday on a Chilli plant farm, that had these set up for glamping.
Anyway I fell through the floor at the cost for 3 nights away in one and decided to do some research into buying one outright.
Does anyone have one?
I'm looking at 4 sellers at the moment.
www.belltent.biz
www.souldpad.co.uk
www.belltent.co.uk
www.karmacanvas.co.uk
Anyway I fell through the floor at the cost for 3 nights away in one and decided to do some research into buying one outright.
Does anyone have one?
I'm looking at 4 sellers at the moment.
www.belltent.biz
www.souldpad.co.uk
www.belltent.co.uk
www.karmacanvas.co.uk
Hi Cat,
Got your email but I thought I'd answer here so others can see.
My brother *does* have a line to manufacture these but he hasn't got any at the moment and doesn't look like he'll have any this year I'm afraid. I probably spoke-up too quickly claiming he could supply them. He did sell a few last year but once that first batch were gone, he hasn't reordered. I think perhaps they weren't the quick sellers he thought they would be.
Sorry for getting your hopes up.
Some of the changes he had made in addition to other brands he'd seen included an extra line of stitching between panels and the central pole being a fair bit thicker in diameter. It's quite heavy but seems to withstand harsh weather well.
There's also a porch. I'm not yet convinced this is a great thing. Forces you to duck earlier than the zip-entrance but it does give the entrance some protection from rain.
Got your email but I thought I'd answer here so others can see.
My brother *does* have a line to manufacture these but he hasn't got any at the moment and doesn't look like he'll have any this year I'm afraid. I probably spoke-up too quickly claiming he could supply them. He did sell a few last year but once that first batch were gone, he hasn't reordered. I think perhaps they weren't the quick sellers he thought they would be.
Sorry for getting your hopes up.
Some of the changes he had made in addition to other brands he'd seen included an extra line of stitching between panels and the central pole being a fair bit thicker in diameter. It's quite heavy but seems to withstand harsh weather well.
There's also a porch. I'm not yet convinced this is a great thing. Forces you to duck earlier than the zip-entrance but it does give the entrance some protection from rain.
I have a 5m one, from Belltent.co.uk
Very good quality indeed. Heavy duty zips, pole, stitching, materials etc. Can't fault the quality at all.
I find the bell tent really easy to pitch. It takes around 15 minutes to pitch it by myself.
A very sociable way of camping for parents with kids, as you're all in the same huge space.
There is masses of head room.
I was away with it at the weekend and it was extremely windy at times. I had no problem at all with stability or security, whereas, some of the modern tunnel tents were in trouble when the wind turned around and found themselves end on, to the wind.
The down side is the weight. You need to be able to get your car to where you want to pitch. The 5m weighs in at around 45Kg, with the pole and pegs, and heavy duty ground sheet (which I have to say, I think is essential).
PM me if you want to know any more.
Very good quality indeed. Heavy duty zips, pole, stitching, materials etc. Can't fault the quality at all.
I find the bell tent really easy to pitch. It takes around 15 minutes to pitch it by myself.
A very sociable way of camping for parents with kids, as you're all in the same huge space.
There is masses of head room.
I was away with it at the weekend and it was extremely windy at times. I had no problem at all with stability or security, whereas, some of the modern tunnel tents were in trouble when the wind turned around and found themselves end on, to the wind.
The down side is the weight. You need to be able to get your car to where you want to pitch. The 5m weighs in at around 45Kg, with the pole and pegs, and heavy duty ground sheet (which I have to say, I think is essential).
PM me if you want to know any more.
Nobby what do you use for cooking?
I quite fancy one of the bon-fire (dutch oven) kits.
http://www.bon-fire.dk/images/files/Bon-fire%20Bro...
I quite fancy one of the bon-fire (dutch oven) kits.
http://www.bon-fire.dk/images/files/Bon-fire%20Bro...
CatJ,
Re cooking, it all depends on where we are and how long we are there.
In my experience, the vast majority of site, will not allow open fires, or any wood burning.
So this limits you to gas and BBQ.
I usually take a big Weber kettle BBQ, as you can pretty much cook any way on there. Just put the lid on, cook indirect and its an oven. Don't see why you couldn't put a a cast iron pot in there too.
The briefcase style gas hobs are great. Light, convenient and cheap.
I also have a Kampa Oven, which has 2 rings on the top, but you need a good sized gas bottle.
So, it varies, depending on location and duration.
Re cooking, it all depends on where we are and how long we are there.
In my experience, the vast majority of site, will not allow open fires, or any wood burning.
So this limits you to gas and BBQ.
I usually take a big Weber kettle BBQ, as you can pretty much cook any way on there. Just put the lid on, cook indirect and its an oven. Don't see why you couldn't put a a cast iron pot in there too.
The briefcase style gas hobs are great. Light, convenient and cheap.
I also have a Kampa Oven, which has 2 rings on the top, but you need a good sized gas bottle.
So, it varies, depending on location and duration.
We have a 4m Soulpad, and we love it. We've had it for four years now, and it's as smart now as when we bought it. It's survived torrential rain without leaking and high winds without flapping. Best of all it looks cool and everyone cones over to admire it. Would buy another one tomorrow.
If you can get to the Netherlands there is a company out there called Obelink that sells Bell Tents at a vastly reduced price without a drop off in quality. Im afraid Obelink do not ship to the UK though, so you'd have to go collect it or get a friendly local to collect and post it to you...but youd probably lose a fortune on the postage and end up paying roughly the same.
I would imagine they'd do the job for you because they're the same brand the company you were probably going to rent a bell from are providing IIRC. If we're talking about the same Bell Tent rental company then they definately use Obelink.....the owner was my best man.
In support of Bell tent Rental companies the price you pay for a tent isn't comparable to a "glamping" weekend as you also have to consider purchasing lighting, bedding, furniture, cooking equipment, the erection and take-down of the tent, the aggro of transportation etc.
For what its worth Bell Tents are a great investment. I have two currently....a Belltent.co.uk 5m and a 6m Emperor Bell. I know a lot of people with them and they all highly reccommend them but specifically reccommend the deluxe ones with sewn in or zip on groundsheets.
If you want one on the cheap your best bet is either Gumtree.com, eBay or your local Scouts (as these tents have long been used by Scouting organisations).
I would imagine they'd do the job for you because they're the same brand the company you were probably going to rent a bell from are providing IIRC. If we're talking about the same Bell Tent rental company then they definately use Obelink.....the owner was my best man.
In support of Bell tent Rental companies the price you pay for a tent isn't comparable to a "glamping" weekend as you also have to consider purchasing lighting, bedding, furniture, cooking equipment, the erection and take-down of the tent, the aggro of transportation etc.
For what its worth Bell Tents are a great investment. I have two currently....a Belltent.co.uk 5m and a 6m Emperor Bell. I know a lot of people with them and they all highly reccommend them but specifically reccommend the deluxe ones with sewn in or zip on groundsheets.
If you want one on the cheap your best bet is either Gumtree.com, eBay or your local Scouts (as these tents have long been used by Scouting organisations).
Gassing Station | Tents, Caravans & Motorhomes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff