Nat and I have had a touch of the green eyed monster since Lu got her bell tent last year and we decided it was time to purchase our own for Camp Bestival. I did a lot of research and I decided the best fit for our family was a 4m SoulPad 4000 lite – this is a bell tent with a pegged in groundsheet. Nat came to the same conclusion! I had visions of hot sunny days with the side rolled up and my bell appearing to float, but, in reality, we were way too busy enjoying the festival to be hanging around the tent and when we visited Cornwall we hit the tail end of a hurricane, so those sides were firmly pegged down the whole time. More of that in a moment.
The SoulPad 4000 lite has a lightweight, waterproof groundsheet which is loose and detached from the canvas. However, the groundsheet and mudguard can be pegged together. There are four zipped windows on this SoulPad and three vents at the top of the bell, all with mosquito mesh fitted. It’s really easy to put up. I watched Phil do it once and was fine putting it up myself. And when Nat arrived with hers, I sounded like a right pro instructing them how to put theirs up as I sipped my G&T!
Cornwall.The weather was horrendous. Lots of rain and really windy. I was a little panicked about whether the bell would do the job, but did the job it did. No leaks and the wind wasn’t a problem. We kept an eye on the guy ropes and made sure they were taut, but that’s it. The space inside a bell lends itself beautifully for kids. We had a double airbed, a single airbed and Finn was on a LittleLife Penguin Snuggle Pod travel bed, (see Lu’s review about that here) and there was still room to play.
Pros: It looks brilliant. Honestly. I don’t think I can ever go back to a ‘normal’ tent. Fantastic quality, very strong and durable. Spacious. Can be beautifully decorated. (I am getting a little obsessed about bell tent decorating). Easy to put up and bring back down. Doesn’t get hot and sticky like other tents. There’s something romantic about it.
Cons:Â It’s heavy. Guy ropes require quite a bit of space and there are a lot of them. The groundsheet can be a little fiddly when first putting together but gets easier with each use.
All in all, a big thumbs up from us all and I’m delighted with it. Even the husband who just didn’t see the need for it (as we already have a big nylon tent) has been converted. So if you’re looking for a bell tent, do pop over to SoulPad.
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