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

Which bell tent for you?

There is a new version of this thread posted on the main page now - there are also a lot more comments and feed back, so click below to more recent updates and reviews :)

click here

Looking to buy a bell tent?

Just a bit of advice/my opinions on bell tents....(only my personal opinions so you can take them all with a pinch of salt!)

Price

Prices vary from £200 (for a 3m.  Ebay bargains come up - I have purchased 2 x 4m tents for this price which were used as wedding tents for 1 day only), to around £400 for a  4m/5m

6m upwards can be anything from £600-£1000

SIG/ZIG (explained below!) are generally more expensive but worth paying for

What Size?

The standard sizes tend to be 3m, 4m & 5m

Although if you shop around you can now buy 6m (Canvas & Cast) and even a 7m (Boutique Camping).  Alternatively Bell Tent UK sell the Emporer (6m x 4m), which although not a bell shape, is the same material and general pitching method as a bell. There is also the lotus tent available from canvas and cast which has higher walls, but I must admit I think it's an ugly looking thing, and pitching looks a lot more like hard work on it

If you are in Europe (not UK) pop over/order from Obelink, you will get the same spec tents a lot cheaper (they wont deliver to the UK)

The Emporer



The ugly Lotus

Other suppliers include soulpad and karma canvas

There are obviously others out there, but I haven't had any dealings with these so dont really want to put up any recommendations

Soulpad, Karma & Bell Tent UK tents tend to be very similar - The spec on them is pretty much the same poles, canvas.  There are a few small tweaks such as slightly thicker pole (bell tent), fly screen in the doorway (soulpad) etc, so its worth looking at the different sites before you make your choice.

Price varies slightly between these but no great difference

Canvas and Cast are noticeably different.  Very nice heavier canvas and some nice touches with wooden pegs, string fittings, wooden poles - you can usually request something and have it adapted/supplied.  Only downfall with C & C is usually the delivery times quoted - I dont think they sit on a huge stock so everything is ordered in, which means we are reliant on the little chinese actually supplying on time

The 6m bell from Canvas & Cast - I love this tent and the quality is excellent

What colour??

And yes it's purple....

Canvas and Cast sell a few colours (sandstone, green & purple) and Boutique camping do standard 4m & 5m bells in various colours now (blue, coral, green, sandstone,lilac).  But the rest of the suppliers tend to stick with just the cream canvas

Then there is the rhubarb and custard striped one available from Glam Camping

Be aware if you go for a coloured option, the colour inside is a lot stronger than it appears from the outside!!!

This is purple and green canvas and cast outside...

and just a bit brighter inside!

3m Bell Tent

Advantages

• Brilliant for 1 person (and 2 dogs..) 
• Very stable in any weather.
• Quick to pitch
• Easy to heat
• Ideal for quick weekend camps

Disadvantages

• Stick 2 adults in there for any longer than 2/3 days and they will kill each other - space is limited
• You are not going to be able to cook in this one due to lack of room, so will need an awning or kitchen tent in addition
• No room for a woodburner

and inside...(the bed is a double sim, but a fairly tight fit)

4m Bell Tent

Advantages

• Good amount of room for 2 adults 
• Very stable in any weather.
• Quick to pitch
• Easy to heat
• Inners widely available - extend your camping season through the colder weather

Disadvantages

• If you are taking kids, go for the 5m option - it doesn't sound like much of a difference being 0.5m bigger all round the circumference, but it is the head room that gives the space

Inside the 4m without the inner

and using an inner

5m Bell Tent

Advantages

• Very roomy - will accommodate 2 adults and 2 children
• Seperate inners are available, also a quarter inner (bijou) can be purchased from soulpad 
• Quick to pitch

Disadvantages

• Once the weather gets colder they are very hard to heat - an inner is a must.  If you are looking at woodstoves I would go for a minimum of a 4kw output (forget your pipsqueaks)
• Although roomy, the sloping walls dont lend themselves to cooking areas (especially if you have kids in there as well)

5m Mr Men Outside

Inside using the inner

Inside without the inner

SIG/ZIG/Separate ground sheets?

Not a foreign language, it just means:-

SIG - Sewn in groundsheet.

Advantages:

• Quickest off all of them to pitch, as you 'lose' a row of loops so less pegging
• Secure, so no bugs/rain gets in

Disadvantages:

• Be careful how you fold it when muddy/wet as you dont want to stain the canvas
• You cant roll the sides up in the hot weather
• Nowhere to feed the ehu cable through other than the front entrance

ZIG - Zipped in groundsheet

Advantages:

• Secure so no bugs/rain gets in
• Unzips when mucky so you can hose and dry separately without messing up the canvas
• Groundsheet can be packed separately to spread the weight into 2 bags
• Sides can be raised in the summer
• The ZIP usually is in 2/3 sections, so you can usually feed the ehu (electrics) cable through, between the start and end of a new zip 

Disadvantages:

• None really! (I suppose the zip could break!)
• Quite a lot of canvas to dry if it gets soaked when you are packing up

Separate Ground Sheet

Although probably the less attractive of the 3 options, these usually have a fairly good overlap as opposed to most modern tents - There is a pretty good seal all round

Advantages:

• If it gets mucky you can hose and dry separately without messing up the canvas
• Groundsheet can be packed separately to spread the weight into 2 bags
• Sides can be raised in the summer

Disadvantages:

• Rain/bugs can get in, as the join is at ground level

In summary

The bells are a quick pitch, graceful looking tent which is a lovely experience to camp in.  On a hot summers day (I think it falls around July 7th for about 6 hours, known as british summertime) the sides can be rolled up - perfect

Take into consideration the groundsheet type & size before buying.  All season camping can get cold and I would try and manage with a 4m if size/room isn't a major issue. Summer campers only? - go with a 5m (pitching time difference is neglible between the 2)

Cooking is better done outside under a awning or in a separate kitchen tent (not only safer but the tent doesnt stink of spaghetti bolognese for the next 6 months)

Be aware of the English weather - it rains. a lot.  The major downfall with the bells is they have no windows when this happens.  (Canvas & cast do tend to have a small circular one in the doors, but you aren't really inclined to sit up next to it peering out

Go with the smaller options if you are more of a weekend camper, drying a 5m canvas is a hassle for just a weekend away.  Althought I tend to have a tent over my dining table more often than a tablecloth

Other tents to take into consideration is the Bell Tents Touareg.  I adore this tent!! (and tbh probably use it a lot more than any of the bells)

Pitching is simple (same method as the bells) and being a SIG (a separate ground sheet version is also available but not a ZIG version) is very quick

The advantage being that you have windows - on both walls - also it works well for me as you have doors on both walls - ideal if you use a motorhome.  You can park right up and use the entrance on one end to the van, and the other is free to get in and out.

The space is a lot more usable than the bells, and I have had a kitchen area against one of the flat walls on a short camp

A last alternative if funds/space are low is the poly bell tent. Do your homework before buying as some have bad reviews.  If you want to know more, here is my review of the 4m poly I bought http://bellsandlabs.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/somewhere-in-byfield-poly-bells-and.html

Good luck on your bell buying

If I think of anything else I'll add it, but I'm sure you'll love it if you get one

Theres more info and pics on my tents on the sidebar and in the blog

However you can contact me and I'll try and answer any questions you have, but I'm no guru, just a bit nuts about tents!

BELL TENT SUPPLIERS

Canvas & Cast

http://canvasandcast.com/

Belltent.co.uk

http://www.belltent.co.uk/index.php

Soulpad

http://soulpad.co.uk/

Karma

http://www.karmacanvas.co.uk/

Boutique Camping

http://www.boutiquecamping.com/

Baker & Bell

http://www.bakerandbell.com/

Canvas and Camp (Overseas but sell to the UK)

http://www.canvascamp.com/en

Obelink (Overseas company, sell only bells to Europe, but accessories and other tents delivered to the UK)

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

BCT Tents

http://www.bctbelltent.co.uk/

Cotton Tent Company

http://thecottontentcompany.co.uk/category/belltents/

Green Outdoor

http://www.greenoutdoor.co.uk/

Glam Camping

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

http://www.theglamcampingcompany.com/

Poly Bell tent Supplier

Camping Outdoor Europe

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

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

Boutique Camping now also do a poly version (link above)

 

 

The Mr Mens at Exmoor

Drove down Friday night to Westermill Farm in Exford Exmoor to meet up with a few others, including the daughter and MM1 tent

Drive into the site was interesting. There was a sign at the top of the lane saying the road restriction was 6'6 (actually i never saw the sign) but was a bit of a shock when you arrive at the bridge. Not totally sure that the crossing was meant for a vehicle, but the gap did make me consider putting the Citreon Berlingo on a strict diet

After driving downhill (yes it is a nightmare when you realise you have actually got to get up these hills again - just grateful I wasn't in Tillie) I got to the campsite tucked into a nice lethal bend in the road.

Found the others in the far field and we were restricted to where we could camp due to the downpours of the last few days (weeks...months...year)

All pitched and stove set up (no EHU...wahhh)

Robbed Gullivers picture of the aerial view, as I wasn't energetic enough to climb the hill

First and second nights we sat in rain round the bonfire and got drenched. The last night Gumball put the tarps up, we were secure and ready for anything. So of course it didn't rain. One of the main activities was Gnome light hoopla using these 'endearing' (ok vile) lights

And the daughter brought along a small game of dilemnas. Which basically consisted of soul searching questions such as...

'If you were to have a fart problem, would you prefer odourless ones that everyone could hear, or vile smelling quiet ones?'

'Would you rather have the face of a dog, or go round smelling peopls arses?'

There was a bit of contention on this one...

'Would you rather have a cat that was a domestic cleaning goddess, or a dog who could whip up gourmet meals?'. I was the only one that wanted the dog chef. Might explain why my house is a tip

And so the night carried on with classic favourites like hum a tune and we'll guess what it is. Although somehow this changed into 9/11 consipiracy debates and whether man landed on the moon (again)

Awoke the first morning to find Homer had a purple face. Was a bit worried as no internet to google dog disease, skin colour, purple splodges. He hadn't escaped in the night so the farmer cant have branded him with the rest of the sheep. It was only by the end of the day we realised it was where he had headbutted the bottle of red wine and split it all over his head.

During the day I had a couple of trips out, first day to Minehead where I purchased half of the cake supplies of Morrisons, then walked the dogs (in the 2ft square bit of beach they were allowed)

Beach isn't great and the water is the colour of mud. Homer totally misjudging where his ball will land

Can't see why they ban dogs tbh, they should ban the blummin worms, there were millions of the vile little squirly pile things

'Mumm! carry me over them!!'

Trip to the West Somerset station in Minehead, had a mooch down the platform at the steam trains

Some buckets (please do not steal this photo as much as you are tempted :S)

Err the station

A steam train waiting to take people somewhere (began with a 'B')

I asked the Train driver if it was ok to take a pic of the poor bloke in dungarees shovelling vast amounts of coals. He said 'no problem, climb up there if u want'

So I did. And took a few pics of poor man in his sad trousers while he explained about how they stoked up the coal to get up hills, and then let the train roll down. Very much like Tillie really

Next days excursion was to Dunster. Parked up in the grounds of Dunster Castle (well 3 times I parked, as every time the attendant turned round I sneaked up the field a bit to the front). The others went off for some cream teas while I went to find a shop I spotted on the way in. Never atually found the shop but ended up at the watermill in the castles grounds Felt a bit sorry for the weird bloke at the mill, so forked out the £3.50 to look at a rusty wheel

And the exhibiton about 'flour' (amazing what you will look at on holiday. I wouldn't dream of taking a picture of he Homepride stuff in Morrisons)

And here are 4 'Handworked Cake Crushers' - no I don't know why either. Just stick them in the back of the car with Homer, and voila! job done

Arty shot of rotten window

Walked back through the gardens

Found the others still waiting for their cream tea, so decided to go and fetch the dogs for a quick walk.

The others mentioned the 'secret garden' which I found just along the path. According to the brochure it was a delightful plant haven

Unfortunately it appeared to be a secret from the gardener who couldn't find it either as it was just a mass of soil

Fetched the mutts, moved the car again and off we went for a walk in the castle gardens

Got lost again and yayyy, back at the bloody mill

Made them pose on a bench for photoshoot

5 minutes after this pic was a bit manic as a blummin squirrel decided to taunt them. So they proceeded to chase litle squirt and pull my arm sockets out

Did find this little one later devouring the bird food

So after artfully dragging them out of the river every 5 minutes we got back to the car where I dumped them, and went off to meet the rest of the group in the castle. Was told by snotty woman in entrance I must walk to the right, I rebelled and went left. Ruined her day I am sure

Did the usual tour of looking at rooms and ugly munters in pictures

I'm sure this is a man in drag (he reminds me of someone on monty pythons)

And obviously in them olde worldedays there weren't many good quilters. Some lazy git has just thrown the wadding on the bed. Admittedly it's a bit of chore finishing the quilts, but there's no excuse for medeival lazyness

Snarly duck thing with no teeth in on the castle terrace

View from the castle terrace, see it wasnt all rifles and catapults. They must have sat up here with the ambre solaire on a sunny day

Next stop was the tearoom...which just happened to be by the watermill again...

We had a v good lunch of ploughmans (except they gave it a posh name) and watched the kids rolling down the banks. Which looked like fun....
..so obviously....

Must admit the cafe gardens were cleared by the top we rolled to the bottom.

Started walking back via the 'childrens natural playground'. Obviously my child (aged 25) had a play (actually this looks more like bullying in the playground)

Detoured back via the Dunster shops

and the famous 'Yarn market' (no I hadnt got a clue what it was either, have just googled it)

So ambled back to the cars and home for more beer and campfire chat

Packed up Sunday and went home via Porlock. Had a sneaky few pics of the Classic car museum, which unfortunately is closing this year (no doubt helped by me not paying the £3.50 entrance fee) It reminded me of the 'pickers program' on TV

As it was such a lovely morning we stopped and had lunch before heading home. The cafe bloke was a bit strange - a bit like a cockney John Cleese off Fawlty Towers. After abusing us for about 15 mins he took the orders of a bun filled with..well.. whatever he had left to fill buns with. 3 of the party had soup. Which sort of seeped through the bun it was served in and all over a serviette put underneath. It wasn't going to win any cordon bleu awards.

Went out the door for the long journey home and faced this....standard british summer weather...