Canvasdale

Bell tent

By the Canvasdale team · Last checked

A bell tent is a tent with a single central pole and a round, cone-shaped body, usually made of canvas or polycotton. The centre pole gives headroom in the middle, while the walls slope down to the ground.

Where you'll see it

Bell tents appear on glamping listings, tent category pages and campsite booking pages, where they may be called "bell" or "canvas". The name tells you the design and often the material, but not the size. Check the maker's spec for the listed berth and headroom, and the campsite page for the pitch details it gives.

What to check

  • The berth the maker lists, and whether it allows room for beds or only sleeping mats.
  • The fabric the maker names, such as canvas or polycotton, and its care instructions.
  • The headroom the maker gives at the centre and at the walls, which affects where you can stand.
  • Whether the maker says what kind of base or plate the centre pole needs on hard ground.
  • Whether a groundsheet is included, or whether you need to buy one.
  • Dome tent: a freestanding design with a different shape and pole layout.
  • Porch: the covered area at the door, which some bell tents have.
  • Berth: the number of people a tent is rated to sleep, as the maker lists it.

Read more: bell tent buying guide and, if one fits, the bell tent size calculator.