REVIEW: Star Bell Tent from Boutique Camping

So here we have something a bit different from the standard 5m bell tents....the Star Bell Tent from Boutique Camping

Finally there was a dry weekend forecast, and as we were having a bunch of mates from the Crafty Campers Group meeting up, I took it along.

So I laid everything out, and worked out what was a bit different from the normal

The star bell has an inbuilt canopy, so the extra five minutes you spend pitching this one, are justified in that you don't need to put a tarp or anything else at the front.

The canopy whilst not massively deep (about 500-750mm), is big enough to shield the doorway from rain etc, and gives some protection for shoes, wood and other bits

The actual doorway itself is also larger than a standard bell - in summer this is a really nice bonus (not that summer lasts more than 48 hours generally)

Contents

Mallet - Initial thoughts were 'YAYYY, I got a free mallet'

Pegs - Decent strong pegs supplied (enough to peg the groundsheet once, but elastics share the same peg.  In fairness most suppliers only ever supply one set of pegs for this purpose)

Guy ropes - seem to have been upgraded with little metal barrel sliders. The same 'boutique purple' guy rope


Rain Cap - Simple things! - They added a screw to the rain cap, so you just screw it on and off! No more lost rain cap, and it secures the canvas down

screwy rain cap

Purple Guys and metal runner

Centre Pole

Canopy pole

Canvas - Nice deeper sandstone colour, and same quality as most credible bells

Groundsheet & zips - again, fairly standard, thick and decent quality

Packaging straps - Nice quality, decent straps for pulling the canvas tight for packing

Poles - Made of aluminium, rather than the normal steel.  Centre pole is in 4 sections with the button type push out joins, which work just as well, if not better than the standard springs (which always break anyway).  The hook on the centre pole doesn't look as sturdy as the usual steel ones, but its easy enough to add a bolt if you wanted anything more substantial.  The A-frame is made of the same aluminium.  Lighter and look fine, my only gripe would be the ease of them sliding into each other - they tend to be a bit 'sticky' when you push them in.  Perhaps after a few uses, this will wear off, and connecting will be simple....

Pitching

1. As normal, peg down the groundsheet - as there are fewer panels than a standard bell, this is a bit quicker.  The info sheet advise to then do the elastics - I don't. Why pull the canvas taught, before inserting the centre pole?  I always do the elastics around the edges, after the centre pole has been positioned

2. Sling exciting new lovely free broken mallet in bin, and dig out stronger mallet from the van

Arghhh

3. Once the groundsheet is pegged, you then slide the long thin pole through the edge of the front of the canopy, and push the ends over the 2 pins at the end of the canopy edges - this gives it its shape.

4.  Insert the centre pole.

5.  Then you do the A-frame. Except it isnt. It's a H frame. Now if I am going to have any whinge about this tent (and in honesty, I really like it), its the bloody H frame!!!  This part of the process took me longer than pitching the rest of it.  The H frame falls as you are trying to slip it into two pockets, which go at right angles in the corners of the tent.  You have to place the frame into the entrance, then add the extra section at the bottom on either side.  This was a total ball ache.  As I said previously, the pole is quite stiff/sticky to slide into each section, so the frame didn't want to go together properly, until it was locked into place, and tied into position.

I had a H style frame on my canvas and cast, and was never very impressed with them then, either.

I am presuming it has to be this shape, to get the entrance of the star bell in position, as the standard A frame wouldn't work (but is a lot quicker)  It probably didn't take that long to do it, but it doesn't take much for me to throw my rattle out

Then you go round and guy the star portions of the outside of the canvas.  Now rather than guy ropes, you insert the peg into a webbing strap at the end of each of the star points.  Read the info leaflet for this.  I tried to put the peg into the open strap at the end. Went back, read the info, and realised you need to make a loop behind the buckle at the top. The peg then goes in there.  The beauty of these points is that the tent feels a lot more stable and secure (windy weather etc), and as the points cover a lot of the wall canvas, there is less chance of leakage around the ZIP

Overall

Pros

The tent has the standard mesh door nets included

The stability seems sturdier than a standard bell

The aesthetics (in my opinion) are nicer than a standard bell

The canopy at the front is incorporated into the design, so you dont need to faff with tarps and canopies, to give some protection to the door entrance

Pitching time is probably similar to a standard bell

At 29kg, its no heavier than any other 5m 285g bell, despite having the canopy

The walls are higher than other bells - always a bonus

No crouching to get into the entrance

The bag was generally larger than normal, so it was easy enough to pack away

Higher Walls

Lantern Holder

Large Entrance 

Cons

The H Frame.  Farty thing

No inner tent available at the moment (if you are handy with a sewing needle, you could probably easily adapt an inner)  The plastic rings are in place for an inner to hook to, so I am presuming there is one in the pipeline

I'm not sure you would get clearance with a wall exit wood stove - It would take a bit of manouevering to get it into a decent clear space (roof exit would be fine)

It you want fit a larger tarp to the front, for kitchen use etc, you would struggle to fit it against the existing porch

Standard lantern holders won't fit around the bigger centre pole

Summary

So overall, yes ok , I am sold on it.  If I was starting out and wanted a 5m bell - I would go for this option rather than the regular shape

As it was a decent weekend for weather, I can't comment yet on waterproofing etc (thankfully, no rain)  So I will pitch it again, when I can go through the lovely chore of camping in horrible wet conditions.  I will pray that summer comes on the day I take it down

Link to the seller:

https://www.boutiquecamping.com/tents-c1/star-range-c64/5m-sandstone-star-bell-tent-p995






The standard manufacturers blurb is:

• Brand new Boutique Camping 5m Star Bell Tent design 
• All Boutique Camping tents come with zipped In groundsheet (ZIG)
• Luxury bell tent with heavy duty zipped in water resistant, extra thick groundsheet (540g per sqm)
• Total weight 5m = 29kg 
• 3m lightweight 35mm diameter Aluminium centre pole.
• Centre pole has a loop to hang chandeliers
• This bell tent does not fit our current, standard inner tent.
• 3 Extra thick 5mm guy ropes for the canopy entrance
• 360 netting around the 75cm walls, can be rolled up for airflow
• Heavy Duty Pegs; 6mm groundsheet pegs and 8mm robust groundsheet pegs
• Packed downsize (105cm x 36cm x 36cm)
• Big entrance door 2m high & 2.90cm wide
• Bendy pole for canopy
• Integrated canopy with a 50cm overhang at the entrance
• Breathable and durable polycotton canvas 285g per sqm, with reinforced double stitched seams. For more information, please click here.
• Webbing to secure the tent to the ground
• Double-sided zippers
• 3 way zips with loops that can be easily padlocked for extra security
• Secondary zipped mosquito door
• 4 zipped windows for airflow and ventilation with mesh cover to keep insects away
• Canvas tents are renowned for retaining heat and their cooling effect, as they are a breathable material.
• Canvas is treated with UV, mildew, rot & water repellent
• All our bell tents will fit a wood burning stove, however, you will need to create the opening yourself
• Can sleep up to 6 adults on airbeds comfortably with space for luggage, furniture or a walkway
• Easy to assemble – one person can assemble in under 15 min
• Comes with 12 months manufacturers warranty

Alcohol is flowing

REVIEW: 'Camping under the Stars' 5m Bell Tent

Camping Under The Stars

12 months ago, Tommy approached me and asked if I would like to review one of his bell tents. No problem..

However, due to a bit of a manic year the opportunity never came around to just whisk it off somewhere.  Several camps using the Lotus, Tipi, camper and awning, but with grandaughters popping out every five minutes, and a hectic year, it got later and later, and still no review.

I'm sure Tommy thought I had ate the tent, or donated it to Calais.

So first camp of the year, I finally got round to testing it.  Tommy who had lost the will to message anymore, actually did contact me the day before by pure coincidence. 'YES!!! I am finally taking it camping, honest!!!'
Tommy advised that a small upgrade to the guy rope sliders had been made, and he would send some of the new ones through. No worries, if they arrived late, it wasn't the end of the world.





And so, feeling brave I took an overloaded Tillie (the campervan) to Somerset, complete with enough camping gear to keep a small gypsy population going for a few years.

Arrived to the sun out, and a nice large pitch.  Groundsheet down, and humping the canvas onto it, I tweaked and shuffled, turned and primped, until the door faced an exact 287 degrees to the campfire.

I laid out the bags (one for the canvas and one for the poles), pegs, and poles.

All looked good - sturdy 32mm centre pole, and standard A frame with a plastic raincap....which flew across the campsite, and I had to find another in my spares box

Very impressive galvanised pegs supplied for the guy ropes..

which got me thinking...

where are the bloody guy ropes...?!!!

Flitting between considering a 4 hour drive home, robbing a washing line, or adopting foetal position...I looked closer at the canvas I had laid out.  The guy ropes were already attached.....JOY!  

Its the first tent I haven't had to tie the bloody things on at the start.

The guy ropes were hiding

The zipped on ground sheet was a standard 540gr/m2 in a sand colour.  Canvas is 285g.  The canvas is slightly darker, and more of a sand colour than some of the bells I have tested.  It also seemed a bit denser on the grain, with what I presume is a light coating or finish on it, to assist waterproofing.  No big difference, and may just be because some of the older tents have been bashed about in the elements now.

Despite Tarqs best efforts, I finished pitching the tent pretty smoothly.

All was up and ready for the final tweaks to get the walls neat and firm.

What you swearing at, Mum?

Now this was the moment, I thought 'I should have waited for the wooden sliders Tommy was sending'.....

The ropes on the guys are thicker than are usually supplied, but the original guys had fairly small plastic runners.  And they were an absolute b*&Stard to tighten up!  After red raw fingers, I started to adjust the guys by moving the whole bloody peg away from the tent.  Some slid after a bit of resistance, but some were a nightmare.  I'm sure they would have eased off after a couple of uses, as the rope would have worn in, but I was throwing my rattle out of the pram by now (in honesty I probably wasted about 5 minutes, but I'm not the most patient)

So here is the nice thick rope and nasty little black plastic runners...

And here are the lovely wooden sliders that greeted me when I got home, after they obviously arrived 5 minutes after I had left the house....

There are enough wire pegs to peg down the groundsheet, and galvanised ones to do the guy ropes.  However, as with 99% of bell tent suppliers, none are supplied if your preference is to peg the elastics seperately from the groundsheet.  Just a niggle of mine, as I always peg this way, to ensure the zip is protected from the elements, and the tent has a nice firm shape to the walls

The corners of the A Frame have the 'pockets' and clips as standard. An electric lead can be threaded through these when using hook up.
I am presuming the small eyelet is to take a peg,  to lock the front lip in place if  folded down when the wall is up (Not something I've ever seen/noticed before)

The main doorway, has an internal mesh door that can be zipped up independently.  This is a fairly standard feature now, and one I would always look out for.  Earlier bells didn't have this, but it gives you a 'window' in colder weather, without actually zipping everything up, and also restrains the dog (who thankfully hasn't realised he could actually get his 6 stone bulk through it pretty easily if he tried)

Chilling, with just the mesh door closed

So the only job left was to glamp and pimp it, with a few cushions throws, and a bloody great sofa.  We had our chill out area for the next 5 nights

Weather conditions were pretty good - it was pretty windy whilst pitching, and the tent had no issues with being pulled around a bit.  There was a small shower, but in honesty, it probably wasn't enough to totally test the waterproofing and seams.  I can't envisage any problems, as its a decent solid tent, and has obviously had the canvas treated.

Overall I couldn't fault it (as the little plastic runner demons have been demoted to the bin, and his nice chunky wooden cousins have taken their place)

I will put the wooden sliders on, and do a half arsed pitch on the back garden, next time torrential rain is forecast....If I do have any issues or leakage, I will update the review

At £475, and with free delivery, it is a competitive price option against the bigger named soulpad, and bell tent uk, which offer the same spec tent for a higher price

Link to the website is: https://campingunderthestars.com/product/5m-bell-tent/

The full spec and description is on the website:-

5M Tent Dimensions

Door Height – 1.6m

Centre height – 3m

Side Walls – 0.6m

Floor Diameter – 5 metre

Weight – 31kg approx

Bag size 1mx40cmx40cm approx

Customer Service

Some of the larger bell tent sellers seemed to have lost their personal touch a bit with regards to communications and service.  I have never seen a negative word about Tommy, or his tents from anyone who has purchased them, and hopefully he will remain as proactive and helpful in the future

PS: The only bit I would disagree on is:

'Even though the tent comes to you already proofed with mould and water resistance, we recommend that you treat your tent after the first years camping season to keep the canvas in optimum condition. Like anything in life, the more you look after it, the longer it should last.'

I wouldn't ever reproof unless the tent shows signs of leakage. Once you start applying fabsil, you are putting a layer of silicon on the tent, and it has to be done regularly.  Some of my bells are in their 6th/7th year and still have no leakage

REVIEW: Lotus Belle

Following on from a comment on this blog, that I found the Lotus Belle Tents, 'a bit ugly', it started some correspondence with Hari from Lotus Belles.

http://lotusbelle.co.uk/

After a few emails back and forth, Hari offered to lend a Lotus Belle so I could try it 'in the flesh'.  So a quick dash to Bristol, I had visions of meeting Hari, with the exotic name, and an image of a Somalian Eastern exotic women sitting in zen gardens and meditating.

I rolled up to Hari's (which I later found out was short for Harriet), amidst total chaos, as 10 lotus belles had just been returned and dumped on her, after being hired out at Glastonbury. An hour of locating all the bits (and the dog, the phone charger, the phone, the handbag..) and we almost had a full set....

So a quick detour home via Hari's warehouse and I had a 5m Lotus Belle.  I think.  So the tape measure came out, and in my neuroticness, I measured every part, rather than pitch up with a jumble of maybe matches.  It was all fine, see I knew Hari knew what she was doing really... (Hari is lovely, I want to adopt her)

As this was a rental tent, the poles were already threaded into the wall panels, and the guys were already tied.  The wall section was stored in a separate banana bag, so it didn't have to be threaded together each time you used it.  In the other bag I had the groundsheet, 3m wooden pole, 30 marquee type heavy duty pegs, the cream canvas roof.  Plus an octopus. And a toadstool head.

Banana Bag for the wall

I had 10 days at Nantcol Waterfalls booked, so I packed the trailer, along with the lotus belle, a dragon, a tree, and some christmas goblins, and set off.

Arrived at the campsite with some pretty strong winds, so was fairly dubious having never pitched the lotus before. Thankfully, it's pretty sturdy even during pitching, so it holds itself in shape as you go along.  It's also remarkably easier than it appears, to both put up and take down.  An absolute must for me is that it can be done by a solo person as well.

Spacing the pegs

Firstly pegging out the groundsheet.  Once done, you them measure out the placement of the pegs for the roof and wall.  After watching a video, I put the furthest peg about 1m out - this wasn't enough, and I had to redo the outer ones (the video was based on a 4m pitch) as I went along.

















Once pegged, you simply go round each section of the wall and clip the 10 poles to the groundsheet - the guys then hold each section as you go along.

At this stage the tent is remarkably sturdy, and held up well despite the winds.  Next you locate the 'Lotus Belle' Logo on the roof  'tenatacles', guy out the first two by the door, then just move around the tent and guy the rest of his 'legs'.  There is a velcro strip that then joins the roof panels to the top of the wall.  A layer of mesh either side of the velcro gives the tent flexibility in the wind

Ready to add the centre pole

Once the roof is sitting happily, it was a good time to go in and lay the carpet down (the carpet was mine, but hopefully Hari will get something on the market in the future).  Final part is to just slide in the 3m pole, placing it in the centre on the wooden cup.  This part is actually a lot easier than a standard bell, as you don't have the huge canvas resistance pushing it up.

Carpet laid

Centre pole in

Total pitching was about 45-60 mins as this was the first time I had ever attempted it - It also involved me moving the pegs out as I had misjudged them, and re-tying quite a few of the guy ropes.  I'm pretty confident I could cut this down to 30 minutes solo, in future.

With solo camping the hardest bit is lugging the bags around - but everything can be split down, even the wall (but i would prefer to keep this intact with the poles).  Total weight on the 5m is around 66kg, the 4m is about 55kg

Pitched!

The only remaining job was to 'pimp' up the inside.  So armed with my dragon, a tree, and a few flowers, I got to work creating my temporary home for 10 days.

Ready to move in

By day 3 there was heavy rain forecast, so it seemed an ideal time to try out the 'octopus'.  This was a poly hat that sits on top of the canvas roof.  Exactly the same shape, you simply drop the centre pole, throw his suckery legs over the top and peg it on the existing pegs.  The bonus of the poly top is that there is no leakage at all, and it also keeps the canvas dry - invaluable on a wet take down.  The green octopus also gives a nice pattern to the ceiling

Pack size of the poly hat is small.  Shown here alongside Sid the Squid

The Octopus

The Pattern is diffused through the canvas roof

The tent had no issues at all with waterfastness (the upright walls prevent any leakage through the sides).  And although the groundsheet is a PIG (peg in) it is bath tub shaped at the bottom, so there is a 2 inch curve upwards, so no water puddled in.  Hari did mention that the tents had been professionally cleaned, but wasn't 100% happy about whether the waterproofing had been affected, so it made sense to try the poly cover (obviously a new tent will have no issues, regardless of whether you use an additional poly cover).

Day 7, the octopus was set free, and the red toadstool roof had a play

The red hat gives off more of a warm orange tint

It is a crowd stopper - After having bell tents for over 5 years now, I no longer have queues of people waiting for a guided tour, as they are on every campsite you visit.  So it was quite nice to have something a bit more unique, that had the visitors peering around the doors again.

It seems to have converted a lot of 'on the fence' people, who initially weren't sure about the tent (including me).  It also impressed the campsite owner, who is contemplating getting a couple to set up permanently onsite.

In summary

Overall there isn't much I can say about any faults.  The weather threw everything at us, torrential rain, 40mph gusts, and blazing sun - the belle flicked it all off as nonentities.  It was rock solid, with no billowing of the canvas in winds, and secure and watertight throughout.

I was planning to say the groundsheet is a PIG so would put some people off, but now there is a velcro version....and mesh doors would be useful.....but there is this option...so just to find something picky, and not give it 11/10 I will say its heavy....(but no more so than my 6m canvas and cast bell....)

Also there is now a porch available for the entrance, which would enhance the space even more

Obviously the costs are a lot higher than a standard bell, but the quality and extras do justify it.  It is a one off purchase, and will last for years.  My Canvas and Cast 6m bell cost just short of £1k - this is from the same manufacturer, so quality is excellent, on both fittings and canvas.  It is very much you get what you pay for.

So, having had the trial, will I purchase a Lotus Belle?.....I think I need to have some serious talks with Hari.... :)

Features:-

Thick guy ropes and wooden sliders
















Marquee heavy duty pegs

Thick breathable canvas (the suppliers are the same manufacturers as Canvas and Cast tents)

There are two large windows which puts the tent ahead of a standard bell.  These windows also have the option of the clear plastic, or unzip to allow the breeze to go through
























Half moon window, with access to a pre-fitted flue hole.  Nicely positioned, and suitable for a side wall entry wood stove

Lotus Belle Specification/Blurb

The larger Lotus Belle tent. This 5 metre version is 56% larger than the 4 metre version and can be used in a wide range of scenarios.

Original model tents are perfect for the UK climate, with 2 easy-clean, fully openable PVC windows, they offer the perfect balance of being able to look outside and keep dry on wet summer days, and open up to create a through draft when it gets a little warmer.

• 360gsm Cream canvas
• 5 metre diameter at the base
• 5.5 metres diameter at waist height
• 3.2 metre centre pole
• 8m pitching area
• 5'8" high at the edge of the tent, meaning the whole floor space is usable standing height for most people.
• 2 x fully openable clear PVC windows
• 540gsm Bath-tub groundsheet keeps out all water
• If you require mesh over the door and windows take a look at the 5 metre Outback version.

Deluxe version: 

There is now one available with a velcro groundsheet, and an additional rear door (handy to access a kitchen tent) and mesh doors & windows

Lotus Belle Pitching Video:-