There are many shades to camping.
There are bivvies and hiking tents, aka small spaces designed for very short stays. Then there are pop-up tents for festivals, and tunnel tents for family adventures.
But if you’re someone who appreciates their creature comforts, bell tents are the ones to know.
Most often associated with glamping, this style of tent uses some kind of canvas instead of polyester and poles alone.
They are typically supported by one central pole which does all the heavy lifting, while guy ropes pulled out in each direction help with stability. Highest here, most bell tents offer the ability for campers to stand completely upright in the middle of the tent, making the entire design much more comfortable and liveable, especially if you’re camping for more than a weekend.
Are bell tents good for festivals?
While you can take such a tent to a summer music festival (always check guidelines first), be warned that the canvas shell and pole mean a lot of extra weight which you’ll have to carry to your pitch. They also need quite a bit of space to set up properly; rarely possible in busy festival campgrounds.
All told, you’re better off taking a regular festival tent away for the weekend. Save a luxury bell tent for leisurely camping trips when you can enjoy it properly. They can even be set up in the garden as a chillout space to enjoy or a play area for kids who will love clambering in and out.
If you’re looking to invest in a glamping bell tent but don’t know where to start, we’ve rounded up the best options below.
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TOMOUNT Teepee Tent
- Dimensions: 87L x 39W x 36Hcm
- Weight: 26kg
This impressive design bears a resemblance to a yurt thanks to the high ceilings and spacious interior. With enough room to sleep six adults - it boasts a 5m diameter - the polyester cotton structure can hold up against light-medium wind and rain, making it a summer option only.
We like to think of it as the Madonna of tents because it can constantly reinvent itself. First as a closed family tent, then by undoing all eight doors to create a type of gazebo, and finally rolling up the walls to create a large tarp or shelter which is handy if the weather really hots up.
Buy now £499.99, Amazon
Cozy House Four Seasons Cotton Canvas Bell Tent
- Dimensions: 370 x 370 x 250cm
- Weight: 25kg
This charming tent has enough space to sleep up to five adults but go for the 5m or 6m options if you need more space. The waterproof design comes with a zippable ground sheet and central pole, made from strong galvanised steel. There are windows to let the light in too and the skirt can be rolled up to allow breezes to pass through on hot days, with the tent roof acting as a shelter.
The interior is super spacious with enough room to install all those bits and pieces that make camping a joy - think little table, chairs, an inflatable mattress or a camp bed. It's a good option for family holidays or keeping in the garden in summer as an outdoor retreat.
Buy now £419.00, Amazon
Ozark Trail Olive Green Yurt Tent 8 Person
- Dimensions: H 234cm x W 396cm x D 396cm
- Weight: 10.82kg
It's a case of happy trails for all the family with Ozark's yurt-style tent, which can sleep up to eight adults (but, as with all tents, it will be more comfortable with fewer people).
The large tent comes with windows covered by mesh panels to allow wind in and keep insects locked out - roof vents also help to keep things breathable and cool.
The central pole is made with a combination of fibreglass and steel resulting in a strong but lightweight design that won't add any more to your bulk. Oh, and there's an integrated camp table that wraps around the pole, creating some space to put essentials.
Everything packs into the storage bags, making stowing it away easy.
Buy now £145.00, Asda
Boutique Camping Bell Tent - Oxford Ultralite 100
- Dimensions: H25 x L85 x W25cm
- Weight: 25kg
Prepare to turn heads in this joyous bell tent, festooned in bright rainbow shades. Whether it's your fellow campers or neighbours peeking over the garden fence, this design will capture attention and imagination.
It's as practical as it is pretty, and comes in 2-berth, 4-berth and 6-berth sizes, so you can find the right option. The extra tall door makes entry and exit easy and there are plenty of air vents and windows to make the space inviting - even in climbing temperatures.
It would make a fun garden room for kids with room to host sleepovers, birthday parties and movie nights. There is also a plain beige option available.
Buy now £246.00, Decathlon
Hi-Gear 5 Metre Family Bell Tent
- Dimensions: L500 x W500 x H300cm
- Weight: 29kg
Invest in family camping trips for years to come with this impressive bell tent. The 8-berth design is full of features to help create a home-from-home feel, with hooks for hanging lanterns, apertures for cooking stoves and the ability to fully unzip the lower skirt to create a 'floating canopy' look to encourage maximum airflow while still being sheltered by the roof.
Once you've kitted out the polycotton mix canvas design with an outdoor rug, comfy bedding and fairy lights, you may find you never want to leave.
Buy now £599.00, Millets
Boutique Camping Luna Bell Tent - Canvas 285
- Berth: 4
- Weight: 33kg
Self-proclaimed as a 'canvas castle', this whimsical tent is the perfect way to persuade non-campers to come over to the green side. The all-seasons design is all about luxe, from the spacious interiors that are large enough to welcome big groups and mesh windows to keep things nice and cool. The shell is made from a mix of Oxford cotton, polycotton and a fire-retardant finish, with extra treatments to protect against the sun, mould and rot.
Inside further features are all geared towards comfort and convenience. Think pockets to stash essentials, loops for hanging lights or a camping lantern and a zippered groundsheet to keep small creatures from entering your new inner sanctum.
Buy now £823.00, Decathlon
Inflatable Glamping Tent Canvas Bell Tent
- Dimensions: 3.05L x 2.11W x 2.01H metres
- Weight: 21kg
This adorable tent looks like a child's drawing comes to life, and indeed, kids and grown-ups will love the adventures it will invite. Offering excellent floor space and headroom, this tent comes with windows but no central pole.
In fact, it is an inflatable design making it much easier to put up. Simply peg down the four corners first, then start pumping into the air vents to get it standing up and ready for action. The Oxford cloth design is waterproof and windproof, but best not left out in heavy rain for prolonged periods. Windows by the door and on the side allow light in but can be curtained for privacy.
Buy now £429.99, Amazon
Robens Klondike Tent
- Dimensions: H270 x L400 x W400cm
- Weight: 16.7kg
Suitable for wet and warm weather camping, this palatial tent has enough space to sleep up to eight people. The vertical door offers quick and easy access to the one-room design, which has eaves to protect the door and walls from inclement weather. You can even pull back the ground sheet to avoid water rolling in and have somewhere to keep muddy hiking boots. It's easy to set up and pack away, rolling down to an 80 x 27cm pack size.
The tent is fitted with mesh panels and windows, including a mosquito net to keep bugs out. There's even a chimney outlet to allow you to cook safely inside.
Sold with a three-year warranty.
Buy now £833.00, Cotswold Outdoor
Nova Air Dome – Canvas Lite 200 – three-metre version
Best for: airbeam tent for glamping fans and romantics
There’s a little bit of indefinable magic and romance that happens when you sleep under a classic canvas tent such as a bell tent or yurt and the Nova Air Dome brings all the fun of that fair to the market at an affordable price point.
Sitting alongside the larger four-metre and five-metre versions, this smaller member of the Nova Air Dome family is indeed a little piece of loveliness that fully reflects the Boutique Camping moniker of its manufacturer. Launched back in Covid-curtailed 2021 the range has gathered momentum since, capitalising on the UK’s seemingly unsatiable demand for glamping.
Aside from its classic canvas looks the three-metre version features two metres of head height and a nice big door which, along with the three nicely sized windows, features mesh screens to keep out bugs. Plus, said windows are shielded by external flaps to channel away any downpours. As it doesn’t have an annoying central pole you can easily fit a nice and cosy double mattress in the open-plan internal living space.
All that’s left is to conjure up some soft lighting, a chilled bottle of something salubrious and a Spotify soundtrack of some chirping crickets or somesuch before letting Mother Nature take care of the rest.
Buy now £1019.00, B&Q
