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I have a lovely new 4m bell tent & intend to camp solo (mostly).  What I am wondering is, whether it would be a good idea to get a small cooking/utility tent to store my cooking stuff & cook in.  Do people think this is unnecessary?  I do have a small porch with the bell tent, plus a cotton tarp & windbreak which I bought with the thought that with these I could probably cook in most conditions, but having seen those lovely photos of valbarley's bell tent am wondering if it would be better to get a small utility to dump all the practical stuff in & leave my bell tent clutter free.  Cannot decide & cotton utility tent on Outdoor Revolution is currently half price so feel pressure to make decision now before price goes up again & I regret not buying it.  Help!

Tricia

I hear what you say people, probably is overkill, especially for weekends, and there is always the car & I am trying to keep things to a minimum.

Tina,  sorry to hear the tent still hasnt turned up.  Got mine from C&C end of March (but ordered last year) & only managed couple of nights in my Mum's garden so far, but it was fab & looking forward to spending lot longer in it soon.

Tricia

Yes I saw the post about fabric sticking & ripping the fabric when trying to thread the poles in.  I have decided for time being not to buy - will see how I go first.

Tina, I decided to get the canvas & cast cos it was heavier canvas & thought this would keep me warmer when its chilly & it has the rope & wooden sliders which I have to say feel nice & substantial.  When it was up it felt really solid - felt like I could live in it permanently & the light is lovely.  In the end after much reading on this site felt a non sig/zip would be fine.  The groundsheet is nice & thick & I also bought the luxury groundsheet last year half price on ebay from C&C  so effectively I now have a footprint & a carpet, if you see what I mean. I know what you mean about the porch & it is quite small, so I agree the canopy would be better.   

Tricia

The  cream canvas O R  utility matches well, but the fabric is sticky and the material a bit flimsy (saying that the monty awning material is easy to rip as well, think i have got too used to polycotton)  It feels nothing like canvas even though it is described as cotton, just feels like a sticky polyester

I will probably take the outwell alabama utility next time, but yes I will put up a utility even if it's just me - somewhere to cook and throw the crap in

There were some fabulous bell tents on the site we were on this last week.....some with bedrooms in, some without ( had to look you understand).

Got OH to agree we could have one when the kids don`t come with us anymore.......shame little un is only 7

Quote: Originally posted by u400jb9 on 06/6/2010

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There were some fabulous bell tents on the site we were on this last week.....some with bedrooms in, some without ( had to look you understand).

Got OH to agree we could have one when the kids don`t come with us anymore.......shame little un is only 7

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only another 10 years then!