Nothing quite beats camping under the stars, surrounded by nature’s beauty, it’s a call that resonates with many families. For festival-goers, a tent offers a home for the weekend and shelter from the often unpredictable festival weather.
When it comes to creating a cosy and comfortable retreat, nothing quite beats the charm of a bell tent. Offering spaciousness, durability, and a touch of nostalgia, bell tents are the epitome of outdoor luxury.
In this guide, we’ll explore the ten best bell tents for family camping and festivals in 2024, ensuring your outdoor adventures are memorable for all the right reasons.
Why Bell Tents Make the Best Family Tent
Planning a family camping trip can be both exciting and daunting, especially when it comes to choosing the perfect accommodation for your outdoor adventure. While there are many options to consider, from traditional family tents to camper vans, one option that stands out for its versatility, comfort, and charm is the bell tent.
Bell tents offer a unique blend of tradition and modern convenience, making them ideal for families of all sizes. Whether you’re embarking on a weekend getaway or a week-long camping excursion, a bell tent provides you and your loved ones the perfect home away from home.
They are spacious, versatile, durable, easy to set up, cosy, and adventurous. They accommodate families comfortably with ample headroom and floor space, while customisable features like multiple sleeping compartments and accessories cater to individual needs.
Their quick and intuitive assembly makes camping hassle-free, allowing more time for outdoor enjoyment. Finally, and possibly most importantly, bell tents are built to withstand outdoor rigours and offer protection from various weather conditions when camping in the UK.
How to Choose the Best Festival Tent
If you’re heading to festivals this summer, there are a few key factors to consider when it comes to choosing the best festival tent. These factors include:
1. Size: Festival campsites can be crowded, so opt for a tent that provides enough space for you and your gear without taking up too much room.
2. Portability: Portability is essential since you’ll likely carry your tent from your car to the campsite.
3. Durability: Choose a tent with durability and weather resistance, essential for unpredictable festival campsites and the great British weather.
5. Ease of Setup: Festival camping is all about convenience, so choose a tent that is quick and easy to set up.
Bell tents can tick all of these boxes, and what’s more, they’re great for the social side of festivals. When you need to get away from the elements, relax with friends between the music, and don’t want to be stuck in a small space with wet gear – it’s a bell tent all the way!
Pop-Up Tent vs Canvas Bell Tent
As we’ve already mentioned, you want to find a tent that best suits your needs. People often lean towards a pop-up tent for ease and convenience when it comes to camping, especially at festivals, but is it really the right choice?
Let’s examine the key differences between a canvas bell tent and a small pop-up tent.
Pop-Up Tent: Known for their quick setup and portability, pop-up tents are perfect for spontaneous camping trips or festivals. With their innovative folding mechanisms, pop-up tents can be pitched in seconds, making them ideal for solo campers or couples looking for a compact and lightweight shelter.
However, they may lack the durability and weather resistance of canvas bell tents, making them best suited for fair-weather camping or occasional use.
Canvas Bell Tent: Renowned for their spaciousness and durability, canvas bell tents offer a comfortable and reliable shelter for families or groups of friends. With their high ceilings, roomy interiors, and sturdy construction, bell tents provide plenty of space to stretch out and relax, making them perfect for extended camping trips or family vacations.
While they may require a bit more time and effort to set up, canvas bell tents offer superior weather resistance and longevity, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable camping experience in any condition, which is why they are often the preferred choice for families and festival goers.
Moreover, recent trends have seen a rise in the use of lighter materials like synthetic polyesters for bell tents, offering enhanced portability without compromising durability. Polyester fabrics, known for their strength, resistance to stretching, and quick-drying properties, are increasingly favoured in outdoor gear manufacturing.
They provide excellent weather resistance and are often treated with waterproof coatings to ensure protection from the elements. Check out this informative article on Sewport to learn more about the benefits of polyester fabric and its applications in camping gear.
One final point when choosing between a pop-up tent and a bell tent is your sustainability efforts. We’ve all seen the photos of the devastation left behind at campsites after a particularly wet and windy festival. The impact on the environment from damaged tents being left behind is easily avoidable.
A durable and reliable bell tent—yes, it may take a short while longer to put up and take down—will withstand those harsh weather conditions, meaning it will survive the festival and be ready for the next one!
Our Top Ten Bell Tents for 2024
So now you know why bell tents are a great choice for your next family holiday or festival adventure. Which one do you choose?
We’ve helped make this easier for you by sharing our top ten bell tents and reasons why we think they are so great. So, let’s find the right one for you!
1. Boutique Camping Classic Bell Tent Quad Door
Starting our list with a standout option, the Boutique Camping Classic Bell Tent Quad Door combines classic design with modern features. With four doors for easy access and excellent ventilation, this bell tent is perfect for family camping trips where convenience and comfort are key.
2. Boutique Camping Star Emperor Bell Tent
For those seeking luxury in the great outdoors, the Boutique Camping Star Emperor Bell Tent ticks all the boxes. Crafted from high-quality canvas, this spacious tent offers ample room for the whole family, along with superior breathability and durability.
3. Boutique Camping Luna Bell Tent
With its innovative fire-retardant cotton fabric, the Boutique Camping Luna Bell Tent ensures peace of mind without compromising on style. This bell tent combines safety with sophistication, ideal for festival-goers and family campers alike.
4. Multicolour Classic Bell Tent
Adding a pop of colour to your camping experience, the Multicolour Classic Bell Tent is as vibrant as it is practical. Its eye-catching design will stand out in any campground or festival field, making it a favourite among those who like to make a statement.
5. Bell Tent Plus 4m
Safety and style come together in the Bell Tent Plus 4m. Constructed from fire-retardant cotton canvas, this bell tent offers peace of mind for family campers, while its generous size ensures plenty of room for everyone to relax and unwind.
6. Classic Bell Tent 4m
Combining durability with a lightweight design, the Classic Bell Tent 4m is perfect for campers on the go. Its sandstone colour adds a touch of elegance to any outdoor setting, while its Oxford Ultralite fabric offers excellent weather resistance.
7. Robens Klondike Bell Tent
For those who crave adventure without sacrificing comfort, the Robens Klondike Bell Tent is the ultimate choice. This versatile tent is designed for all-season camping and features a spacious living area, making it ideal for family adventures in any weather.
8. Pro Bell Tent with Stove Hole
Taking camping to the next level, the Pro Bell Tent with Stove Hole offers unrivalled comfort and convenience. Its fireproof fabric and integrated stove hole make it perfect for winter camping, while its spacious interior ensures a cosy retreat for the whole family.
9. 4 Metre Bell Tent
Simple yet stylish, the 4 Metre Bell Tent is a classic choice for family camping trips and festivals. Its durable construction and easy setup make it a favourite among seasoned campers and novices alike, while its affordable price point makes it accessible to all.
10. Boutique Camping Star Bell Tent
Rounding off our list is the Boutique Camping Star Bell Tent, another great tent for campers who want to stand out in a crowd. Crafted from Oxford Ultralite fabric, this bell tent combines luxury with practicality, offering the perfect blend of style and substance.
Camping Responsibly with Bell Tents
As we wrap up our guide to the top ten bell tents for family camping and festivals in 2024, let’s not forget the importance of camping responsibly. Bell tents offer unmatched comfort and versatility, making them ideal for outdoor adventures with loved ones. However, it’s crucial to respect nature and minimise our impact on the environment.
The National Trust offers valuable advice on responsible camping, advocating for Leave No Trace principles and mindful wildlife interaction. By heeding these guidelines, we can savour nature’s wonders while safeguarding them for generations to come.
So, as you gear up for your next outdoor escapade, remember to pitch your bell tent with care and consideration. Happy camping!
