What’s so special about bell tents?

Have you read our handy guide to buying a bell tent?

A bell tent is a circular canvas tent with a single 2-3-metre supporting pole in the centre. Its bell-like shape is created with tension from guy ropes around its circumference. Similar to the famous Sibley tent invented by US army officer Henry Hopkins Sibley in 1856, the bell tent was primarily used in the 19th century by explorers. The bell tent’s sound structure, ease of assembly and ability to accommodate many people make it a popular camping tent. In modern times, bell tents have found a new devotion of campers who recognise their major advantages. Modern bell tents still use the same basic shape, but vary widely in terms of features and quality.

Why are bell tents so popular?

Different folks have different reasons. Many people love the aesthetically-pleasing, sleek look and simple design of bell tents. Others find the ease of set-up and pack-down a massive advantage. The fact that you can stand up in a bell tent and walk around is another major draw. No more lying down to put on your jeans! Some people just love the feeling of sleeping under canvas.
Bell tents are a popular choice for camping at music festivals, for ‘glamping’ accommodation and increasingly favoured by families and couples as a comfortable structure to base outdoors adventures from. They are an excellent tent for a car camping in more adventurous locations – a comfortable, sturdy and reliable tent for camping out in the wilds.

Bell Tents all look similar online but there is a huge difference in quality and features. Sadly these days, there are a lot of low-quality tents out there. Our advice is to buy the best quality you can afford – ultimately it will save you money and disappointment further down the track

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