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Many people rate Bell Tent UK and they have an offer on ebay at the moment so prices are good. Our 4m bell tent is a 'lesser' brand which many slatted but I've had no big issues with it (it kept us dry over the Jubilee weekend).

We are a family of 5 and have managed with the Wilkos sofa bed which allows a little room during the day and once folded out as a bed very little spare space, if money was no object I would go for a 5m but the 4m is fine for short breaks. Remember with a bell tent you will probably need an utility tent to cook/eat in especially with our wonderful weather , Jubilee weekend it was just me and the children and we used a gazebo with windbreak for cooking & eating under which was adequate but not 100% sheltered so I have since bought an enclosed utility which gets tested next week.

Alternatives...

http://www.tent-tents.com/overzichtpagina2.asp?id=18&cat=1&pagina=1

or even...

http://www.obelink.co.uk/tents/pyramid-tents/palamos-6.html?category_params=category_id%3D4151http://www.tent-tents.com/overzichtpagina2.asp?id=18&cat=1&pagina=1

My understanding is that for the tents that they don't ship to UK, but they do accept it if you arrange your own courier for pickup from Obelink.

I have a 5M bell for son and I and dog and we often bring son's little friends camping also - loads of room for us.  Its a lovely bedroom/living area ... however because of its structure, you can't cook in it, and so I ended up getting a utility tent too ... So if getting a utility tent, then you need to factor in the extra purchase for a utility and also factor in the extra "gear"and time to pack / unpack / pitch / etc.  Yes I do love the bell, but this set up isn't ideal ... last week it rained for 8 days solid and I kept having to go back and forth between bell tent and utility tent for cooking / getting drinks / etc. ... so I kept getting rained upon.  After 8 days of that, I went home and swopped tents (and chose a tent that was a tunnel tent in which my kitchen set up was inside the main tent - it worked out well for us).  All this gear (two tents, all the accompanying gear might mean you might need to consider a trailer also ... and that cost).

I bought my 5M from Soulpad in Jan 2012 - its a hybrid genie model, so I can also put in a wood burning stove if I want.

Have you considered a pyrimid?  This is a very nice alternative to a bell - it has the extra benefit of one straight wall which is great for storage and cooking in.  Take a look at the Hypercamp Appreciation thread and you will get a good idea about those tents.  Perhaps a Hypercamp Palomos 6 might be good for you or a a Superior or one of the others.  They are canvas tents, very good quality and great prices.

One other thing about the bell tent .... the Soulpad has no mesh door (it just has mesh tiny windows at ankle level, it has no windows for looking out of.  So I found last week when it rained for a full week that I missed having windows to look out of, I felt a bit caged in.  Also despite the rain, it was warm ... so the tent got stuffy because the door had to be zipped up to keep the rain out.

When I bought the tent I think I had rosy tinted glasses on and didn't think of any downsides of a bell. I am just highlighting some aspects of it that you may not have considered (no windows, no mesh on door, storage and cooking difficulties) .. so that you can make your own decision on the purchase of a bell knowing the good and bad points. After saying all that, the bell is lovely to be inside and the tranquil atmosphere can't be beaten.

I have a small pyrimid (Hypercamp Rosas) also, and I have now got it kitted out so it resembles the bell (I have a chandelier hanging off the centre pole, and have it just looking really nice) - but I really do enjoy having hte windows in my pyrimid and a straight wall for storage.

Good luck in your search!

  Hi Mellow Mummie,

  It depends which model you get (if you purchase from soulpad) I have the 5 metre ease which is a sewn in groundsheet and this does have an inner mesh door, unlike Humbird's model.

  However as stated, look at one first and decide what you want from your tent before buying.

  Best wishes Sam