Which Bell Tent do you buy? (Part 2 - Suppliers & Reviews)

BELL TENT SUPPLIERS

  Reviews & Comments

Lotus Belle

 www.lotusbelle.co.uk

 Offered one to trial, there is a full REVIEW here: 

http://bellsandlabs.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/review-lotus-belle.html

Canvas & Cast

http://canvasandcast.com/

Supplier of my 6m bell. Superior canvas and fittings to other suppliers.  Generally more expensive, but the quality is higher

Belltent.co.uk

http://www.belltent.co.uk/index.php My first belltent was a 5m from here.  No problems whatsoever.  No leakage (it wasn't weathered, but had no problems).  Spec at the time was a thicker centre pole.  Finish and canvas was all of a high standard.  This was later painted to create the Mr Men Tent Soulpad

http://soulpad.co.uk/ Standard 285g spec tent, customer service and quality usually good Karma

http://www.karmacanvas.co.uk/ Standard 285g spec tent, customer service and quality usually good.  Additional mesh doors and wooden sliders supplied as standard

Boutique Camping

http://www.boutiquecamping.com/

7th June 2014 - Update

Evidently some very unhappy customers with Boutique Bell tents lately - Amongst other things the following: Poor stitching, zippers coming off runners, inferior quality canvas, poorly dyed - large splodges of dye on panels and poor customer service

Will update if I hear more positive reviews, but would advise to shop elsewhere December 2014 Boutique have been in contact re: workmanship.  Evidently there was a faulty batch over the summer and new stocks are due in.  There are also further improvements and upgrades expected on the 2015 models.  Hopefully I will get a chance to review these in the new year, and will give an update then

Easter 2015

Reviewed the 4m pro bell tent. Unfortunately had huge problems with the waterpoofing, so I wouldn't recommend

Baker & Bell

http://www.bakerandbell.com/

 

Canvas and Camp http://www.canvascamp.com/en

(Overseas but sell to the UK).Tend to be one of the lowest priced suppliers, and tents are the same quality as belltentuk.  Quick delivery to the UK.  A few customer service comments, but generally ok Standard 285g spec tent, thicker pro versions also available

 

Obelink  

http://www.obelink.co.uk/tents.html

(Overseas company, sell only bells to Europe, but accessories and other tents delivered to the UK)  Delivery very quick. Efficient Standard 285g spec tent

BCT Tents

  http://www.bctbelltent.co.uk/ Cotton Tent Company http://thecottontentcompany.co.uk/category/belltents/ Nice quality, cost does reflect this though Green Outdoor http://www.greenoutdoor.co.uk/

A slightly different range of bells and bushfire tents

Glam Camping

http://www.theglamcampingcompany.com/

Spring 2014 - Update

Some nice accessories, but I would steer clear of the 'Strawberry and Cream Tent'.  It is sold as non waterproof (?!) and it does leak.  Originally they sold the Rhubarb and Custard tent (very similar) which is the one I have, and this is totally waterfast

7th June 2014: Update

New stocks in of the strawberry and cream tent, but have heard of no reviews

 

Camping Under The Stars

http://www.campingunderthestars.com/

I have reviewed one of these in my blog, full review here: http://bellsandlabs.blogspot.com/2017/04/review-camping-under-stars-5m-bell-tent.html

Pukka Tents

 

http://www.pukkatents.co.uk/

 Not had any personal experience of these tents, but I have been contacted by Pukka, who gave the following info:

 

My name’s Debbie and I’m from Pukka Tents. I am aware of some comments on your blog about Pukka Tents, so I thought I would respond.

First of all I’d like to say that we are very friendly and always try to help our customers with any queries or concerns they have. As well as Customer Service, we take Quality seriously and are proud of our 2015 tent stock – for instance we only use YKK zips, have generous-sized storm flaps throughout, including over window zips, have zippable mesh windows, use strong push-click poles along with quality pegs, ropes and wooden sliders.

Regarding the possibility of leakage in new tents, we have always recommended that canvas tents should be ‘weathered’  as a precaution before use, to allow for the canvas to naturally tighten up. However, our 2015 tents, when erected in heavy rain with no pre-weathering, have showed no sign of any leakage at all. Our 2015 camel-coloured tents and tri-awnings are now 350gsm+.

Recently, we cleared some old stock 4mx4m tarps: it was made clear on the website that the tarp fabric was 130-150gsm PU-coated polycotton, and ivory/white in colour (matching the colour of our pre-2015 tents). Nowhere did we suggest that these tarps should be used as tent carpets!

It’s good that you help people to understand tent issues as I know it gets confusing out there and I’d be really pleased if you could relay some of the above, somehow. 

If you have any questions, please do get in touch with me.

Thanks for your time

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Poly Bell tent Supplier

Camping Outdoor Europe

http://www.camping-outdoor.eu/de/camping/

(the same tents are also available on Amazon UK from this supplier)

 

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And the ones to avoid.....!!!!

Pook Look

http://www.pooklook.co.uk/products/4m-bell-canvas-tent-1

 

Several bought, and all had waterproofing issues, very prone to leaks!!

           

Sabritex Tents

Only mentioning these as a company NOT to buy from.  Leakage and generally poor workmanship.

Although cheaper, its not worth the savings

http://www.bell-tents.co.uk/stores

Example of leakage, just one problem, by the a-frame:-

Poorly fitted eyelets and staining      

   

Camping & canvas 

 Unfortunately I have had to add these to the list of avoids, as the website is still live. The company have gone into liquidation, so don't place orders!!

 If you after a second hand tent, and come across one, then I had no issues with the actual tent, and I would recommend.