Bell tents are more popular than ever, but is a canvas or polycotton bell tent right for you? Read on to find out about all the pros and cons of owning a bell tent, as well as the pros and cons of the various different bell tent material options that are currently available – updated for Summer 2023.
In This Bell Tent Guide
- Introduction to bell tents
- Bell tent sizes
- Bell tent materials
- Using a wood burning stove in your bell tent
- Pros and cons of owning a bell tent
- Bell tent buying tips & recommendations
- Bell tent buying options
- Our bell tent reviews
1. Introduction to Bell Tents
I’ve been camping in canvas bell tents for more than 6 years now, and I much prefer the more natural feel of cotton canvas tents, however, deciding to invest in a bell tent can be a difficult decision, as it is almost impossible to see an erected bell tent in a camping shop or at a tent show.
They are very fast and easy to put up, but there are some downsides to owning a bell tent too, not least their considerable cost and bulk, which can make transporting them a pain.
Inside our huge 6m Boutique Camping bell tent aka “The Big Top” 
The stunning Star Emperor Bell Tent from Boutique Camping 2. Bell Tent Sizes
Modern tents usually state that they are a 4-man or 6-person tent etc. however most bell tents don’t tend to give you that information and instead focus on the size of the tent, typically ranging from 3 metres up to 7 metres.
Tent manufacturers will often over-optimistically state that a 5m bell tent, for example, will sleep 6 people or more, so you might assume that a 5m would be far too big if you’re a small family or a couple.
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The maximum number of people you can fit in any tent though always relies on you being packed in like sardines on the tiniest little narrow sleeping mats money can buy, rarely taking into account the fact that everyone in that tent will also have luggage with them, and if you have camp furniture, of course, you’ll need extra space so won’t be able to sleep as many people as stated.
Even if you don’t take loads of camping gear with you, you’ll still need space for bags and ‘stuff’, at the very least torches and camp chairs if not camp furniture. Try fitting a few camp chairs AND 6 people into a 5m bell, and suddenly that doesn’t make for such a comfortable camping trip!
Inside the Bell Tent Boutique Touareg bell tent
So whilst technically that 5m bell can sleep 6 – 8, if you are looking for comfort, in our opinion as bell tent users for the past 7 years, a 5m is ideal for up to 4 adults, less if you want to set up camp furniture and use proper camp beds instead of mattresses on the floor.
Some bell tents have much higher sides than others, which means you get far more usable space. Usable space in the same size bell tent varies significantly between manufacturers!
Usable space inside bell tents
Remember too that the sides of bell tents slope down, so if you are using camp beds or want to set up things like a kitchen unit, you’ll have to bring them in away from the sloping walls in order to fit them in, which means they take up more space than if there were able to sit flush again the wall.
Some bell tents too have much higher sides than others, which means you get far more usable space, and the height of doorways differs significantly too.
If you don’t want to have to bend over to walk in and out of your bell tent, make sure you choose a bell tent from a manufacturer that provides generous door heights as this varies greatly depending on the size, style and manufacturer of the bell tent, though the best door heights we’ve found so far are from Boutique Camping and Life Under Canvas.
The Star Canopy Bell tent from Boutique Camping has a very wide and tall entrance and relatively high sides for maximum usable space inside 3. Bell Tent Materials
Traditionally bell tents were made from 100% cotton canvas. Some of the benefits being that with proper care, canvas tents can enjoy a long life and they are highly breathable too.
Some of the downsides however, are that 100% cotton canvas tents generally cost more, they are not waterproof on their first use and they require a fair bit of care to keep them in good condition. With this in mind bell tent manufacturers have been researching alternatives, and as I write this, the following options are currently available.
- 100% Cotton Canvas
- Polycotton
- Oxford Canvas
- Polyester
100% Cotton Canvas
Canvas tents are made from natural materials so have a lovely organic and natural feel to them. They are highly breathable, are great at regulating temperature and with care, they are hard-wearing.
One of the downsides of a cotton canvas bell tent is that you have to be very careful that you never put the tent away damp as mould and mildew will quickly take hold and damage and rot the tent.
Coloured cotton canvas tends to fade over time and as well as being a more expensive option, it’s also heavy.
Another disadvantage with cotton canvas is that it generally needs weathering-in. On first use, cotton canvas tents are not fully waterproof, so the first time it rains expect puddles inside your tent!
Once the fabric has got wet however, the fabric knits itself together more tightly, and so it will be waterproof on subsequent uses.
Polycotton
A polycotton tent is a blend of natural cotton and man-made polyester. These kinds of tents still retain the natural look and feel of the cotton canvas but they don’t require quite as much care and attention as a cotton canvas tent.
They are still pretty heavy, they definitely aren’t a cheap option and they do still require more care than a modern Polyester tent, but they are a bit more resistant to mould and mildew.
Colour holds better on a polycotton tent and they dry more quickly than cotton canvas tents.
Oxford Canvas
This is a newer type of canvas developed by Boutique Camping, it’s a lot easier to care for and is a little lighter than cotton canvas too. The price point is generally lower and it does retain, at least from a distance, the look of natural cotton canvas.
It’s fully waterproof from the first use and the colour won’t fade. This kind of tent offers very high levels of waterproofing and it’s much less prone to mould and mildew. The main downside with this is that you do lose the natural breathability of cotton canvas.
Polyester
Polyester is the fabric of choice for most modern tents as well as the new Boutique Camping Weekender range of bell tents and Luna tents. The main benefit of Polyester is that it’s so much cheaper than cotton canvas and polycotton.
Polyester tents are also much lighter and have a smaller pack size too, they are also quick to dry and don’t require as much care as cotton canvas or a polycotton tent.
The downside is that you don’t get the natural look and feel of cotton canvas and polyester isn’t breathable.
4. Using a Wood Burning Stove in Your Bell Tent
One of the big positives of having a bell tent from our point of view, is the ability to use a wood burning stove inside one. If you are intending to convert your bell tent for this purpose, you’ll need to fit a flashing kit to the tent, which means, if you don’t already have an opening in your bell tent, you’ll need to cut a hole in the side of your tent.
Take it from me, it’s a nerve-wracking but simple process – even I managed to fit ours without a problem.
Take fire safety seriously when using a wood burner in a bell tent Wood burners should be used with great care. Take a look at this safety advice from The Camping and Caravanning club.
Gizmo cat approves (this is his delighted face)
Bell tent flashing kit for Frontier Stoves
Tips on using a wood burning stove
- A wood burning stove can only be used in a cotton canvas bell tent with a properly installed ‘flashing’ kit or vent. This creates an opening for the chimney to go through and allows smoke to be vented.
- Your bell tent will still need to be well ventilated when a wood burning stove is in use, even with the flashing kit and chimney in place.
- Wood burning stoves are made from cast iron and are, as you might expect, heavy, so do consider their weight and size before buying.
- Check that your canvas has been specially treated to make it fire retardant. If it hasn’t, you can buy it and treat the fabric yourself but remember that this may impact the natural breathability of the cotton canvas.
- Make sure you use a carbon monoxide alarm, take a small fire extinguisher and we also recommend a fire blanket, poker and heatproof gloves.
- Thoroughly read the stove manufacturers advice and safety instructions before you use a wood burning stove.
- Use an appropriate heat-proof base for your wood burning stove to sit on, we also recommend placing a thick rug under that so you don’t risk damaging your groundsheet.
- Remember that not all campsites allow fires, so check in advance to ensure you won’t be breaking campsite rules by using one.
- Oxford canvas and polyester bell tents are NOT suitable for use with wood burning stoves.
5. Pros and Cons of Owning A Bell Tent
Bell Tent ProsBell Tent Cons
What’s Good About Bell Tents?
- Very fast to put up and take down
- Anything up to a 5m can be easily erected by just one person
- They come in lots of different designs and colours and so they are ideal for people who like to stand out
- Cotton canvas tents are breathable and help to moderate temperature more effectively (no waking up on a summer morning feeling like an ill fated lobster)
- Interior space is more flexible than many modern tents as inner tents can be purchased and positioned to suit your needs
- With many styles of bell tent, the sides can be rolled up for maximum airflow, ideal for hot summers days
- There is a large amount of floor space, making bell tents ideal for sleeping lots of people, assuming you have no camp furniture inside the tent with you
- Most cotton canvas bell tents are compatible for use with wood burning stoves (you’ll need a proper chimney opening making for this however and always double check with the manufacturer first)
- With proper care they will last many years
- There are now lots of bell tent variations available, including the Touareg tent from Bell Tent Boutique and the Luna Bell Tent from Boutique Camping
What’s Not So Good About Bell Tents?
- Their purchase price can be quite high compared to a basic ‘modern’ tent. Bell tents start at around £350 and go up from there depending on the size and brand you choose
- Most bell tents don’t have windows, just half-moon vents low down, which means unless the front doors are open they aren’t great for people watching or admiring the view from inside
- You don’t get a separate kitchen, living or sleeping area, unless you invest in additional inner tents which has a big impact on usable space
- Usable space can actually be less than you’d think due to the sloping sides limiting where you can put, for example, a kitchen unit or a table – you tend to end up with lots of dead space behind camp furniture
- 5m or larger bell tents can be difficult (heavy) to put up alone
- There’s only one place you can hang up or attach things from, a little round metal loop positioned high up on the centre pole
- You’ll need to invest in looking after the canvas and treating it every couple of years is recommended
- Traditional cream/beige colour bell tents show up dirt and grass stains and can quickly look grubby whilst some coloured and patterned cotton canvas bell tents fade over time
- Some bell tent entrances are too low to walk in and out of without bending, which can be a pain for those with mobility issues
6. Bell Tent Buying Tips & Recommendations
- Unlike most modern tents, some bell tents come with separate ground sheets, we prefer and would recommend the kind with zipped or sewn in ground sheets
- Due to the nature of canvas, bell tents are rarely fully waterproof on their first use. To be fully waterproof, the fabric needs to be wet first, and once it dries the fabric knits together, making it fully waterproof
- Some bell tents don’t have zipped or fully closable front doors and instead are tied shut – great if you want a bell tent for re enactment or LARP, not so great in terms of practicality, particularly in wind and rain
- Depending on the modern style tent you have and the weight of poles, you may find bell tents are bigger and heavier to carry, so bear this in mind if you need to carry your tent any distance and this is especially true if the tent is wet during take down.
- Wet canvas bell tents weigh roughly the same as a small planet
- Expect to pay around £500 for a decent 5m bell tent
- Buy your bell tent out of season. Like all camping gear, if you buy at the end of the year or over winter you’ll get a much better deal.
- Ex-rental bell tents from glamping companies are often sold off cheaply on eBay, so do keep your eyes open if you’re on a tight budget or after a bargain.
- Many bell tents do not have fly sheets covering the air vents or doors, so our advice is to choose a bell tent that does
- If you have a 5m bell tent or over, some campsites will charge you extra for an oversize or even a double pitch
- Canvas can take a longer time to dry than a modern tent does
7. Bell Tent Buying Options
Here are some buying options you might want to consider. I mention Boutique Camping and Bell Tent Boutique most frequently because I’ve purchased and camped in tents from both manufacturers.
Many of my friends also have bell tents from Boutique Camping and Bell Tent Boutique, and are also extremely happy and as a result, they come particularly highly recommend by us so we’ve included several tents from them below, but have also included some picks from various other bell tent retailers too to provide you with choice.
- Mountain Warehouse
- Decathlon
- Boutique Camping
- Bell Tent Boutique
- Life Under Canvas
- Canvas Tent Shop
- Go Outdoors
- Glawning
- SoulPad
8. Our Bell Tent Reviews
Over the years we’ve been lucky enough to spend time camping in a vast array of different tents, including several different bell tents. You can see all of our tent reviews here or click below for individual bell tent reviews. We started off as customers, and have gone on to work closely with Boutique Camping, hence why a lot of our reviews feature their tents!
- Bell Tent Boutique Touareg Bell Tent – Review
- Review of the 5m Weekender Polyester Bell Tent from Boutique Camping
- Review of the Outback Trapper Polycotton Hybrid Bell Tent from Robens
- Review of the 5m Star Canopy Polycotton Bell Tent from Boutique Camping
- Review of the 5m Oxford Canvas Bell Tent from Boutique Camping
- Review of the 6m Rainbow Canvas Bell Tent from Boutique Camping
- Review of the 5m Flower Pattern Canvas Bell Tent from Boutique Camping
A Selection of Bell Tents Available
Bell Tent Boutique Oxford Lightweight Bell Tent From £246
Robens Apache Tipi Tent Around £1,449.99
5m Star Canopy Bell Tent from Boutique Camping £675
4m Nova Air Dome Tent Canvas Lite 200gsm £957
5m Rainbow Canvas Bell Tent with zipped in groundsheet from Boutique Camping at Mountain Warehouse £411 / Check Price On Amazon.co.uk
Robens Klondike Tipi Tent from Winfields Outdoors £899.99
Bell Tent 5 metre with zipped in groundsheet by Bell Tent Boutique – Check Price On Amazon.co.uk
5m Canvas Bell Tent from Bell Tent Boutique £474.99
Luna Bell Tent from Boutique Camping £874
4m Canvas Bell Tent With Porch – Check Price On Amazon.co.uk
Touareg Tent from Bell Tent Boutique £574.99
Emperor Bell Tent – Check Price On Amazon.co.uk
7m Luna Bell Tent From Boutique Camping at Mountain Warehouse £1,750
Bell Tent 4 metre with zipped in groundsheet – Check Price On Amazon.co.uk
Robens Klondike Grande Tent £910 from Blacks
B4m Bell Tent Plus Canvas Lite 200gsm £438
If you have any bell tent-related questions, do feel free to ask me below in the comments section or over on Instagram or TikTok and happy camping!
Where to next?
- We Put The Vango Harmony Deluxe 3 Season Sleeping Bag Through Its Paces
- Your Complete Guide To Camping Beds & Sleeping In Comfort Under Canvas
- Vango Planet 140 Down Sleeping Bag Review
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The post CAMPING | Should I Buy A Canvas Bell Tent? The Ultimate Bell Tent Buying Guide – Updated 2023 appeared first on Camping Blog Camping with Style | Travel, Outdoors & Glamping Blog.
By: Shell Robshaw-Bryan
Title: CAMPING | Should I Buy A Canvas Bell Tent? The Ultimate Bell Tent Buying Guide – Updated 2023
Sourced From: www.campingwithstyle.co.uk/should-i-buy-a-bell-tent-guide/
Published Date: Wed, 31 May 2023 06:54:00 +0000
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