Glamping in a bell tent
Part of the charm of glamping is spending time in the fresh air, bonding with family or friends around a campfire and enjoying rural peace. So how about doing all that – camping under canvas – but without having to pitch a tent and with some of life’s little luxuries added in? By renting a pre-erected bell tent, you can start your glamping holiday from the moment you arrive at the site, and get down to the serious business of enjoying yourselves straight away.
Bell tents are spacious, and their amenities will depend on individual campsites – but broadly speaking, they offer beds, simple furniture for storage, cooking equipment and some sort of heating to keep everyone cosy in the fickle British weather. Other details, such as rugs, seating and bunting are often used to make the tents feel like your home from home.
See the 10 top bell tent sites on Pitchup
Why go bell tent glamping?
Glamping in a bell tent is a great way to experience sleeping under traditional canvas without sacrificing home comforts – and it’s often more affordable than other forms of glamping like geodesic domes or yurts.
Then there’s the sheer convenience of staying in a well-equipped, pre-erected bell tent – particularly useful if you are travelling with small children who need occupying and entertaining, or travelling light without a car.
Who are bell tents suitable for?
Spacious, stylish bell tents are suitable for everyone, from couples looking for a romantic countryside break to families wanting quality time together or friends after a fun-filled break in the open air. They are particularly handy for anyone looking for a short glamping break, travelling by public transport, or hiking and biking on long-distance routes, as you won’t need to bring much luggage with you.
Many sites offering rental bell tents also welcome well-behaved dogs – some even provide designated exercise areas. Others allow larger groups looking to glamp together: in both cases, just check the rules in your chosen site’s details before you book.
What facilities can I expect if I go bell tent glamping?
With various sizes available, bell tents can comfortably accommodate several people, and they have plenty of headroom too. At the very least, you can expect proper beds, some basic cooking facilities and showers on site.
At the very top of the luxury range, pre-erected bell tents offer all sorts of extras to make your camping holiday a wonderful experience – from saunas and hot tubs to activities like yoga sessions or craft workshops – and are decorated with bunting, fairy lights and flowers in the tent. Bell tents often come with outside dining facilities (barbecue and firepits, for example) on furnished private decking.
Each site has its own take on bell tent glamping, so you’ll need to check the list of what’s provided before you book, just to be sure you have everything you need for your holiday to be a fun-filled success.
See all the bell tent options on Pitchup
10 of the best glamping sites with bell tents in the UK
Not sure which bell tent glamping site is right for, or confused by what’s on offer? To help you find your ideal spot, Pitchup has picked 10 of the UK’s favourite sites offering pre-erected bell tent rental – all recommended by real customers.
Central England
Oak Tree Holiday Park and Fishery
Graizelound, Haxey
Doncaster, South Yorkshire
DN9 2NQ
Why here? Life at this adults-only site is designed to be very peaceful, so the bell tents are best suited to couples’ retreats – this is not a spot for party animals.
Each tent at Oak Tree Holiday Park and Fishery is prettily decorated with bunting and furnished with double air beds, cosy rugs and wicker baskets for storing clothes. There’s an electric connection with lamps and charging points, plus a firepit on the private patio for cooking up barbecues. You’ll need to bring towels, bed linen, duvets and pillows and food, but toasters and kettles come as part of the deal.
Key facilities: Showers, fishing on site, firepit provided, shop, food order service, dogs welcome
One last thing… The park has two coarse fishing lakes stocked with carp and roach. Night fishing is not allowed, and anglers must show a valid licence before they’re allowed to access the pegs.
Book Oak Tree Holiday Park and Fishery
Rosedale
Lymn Bank, Skegness
Lincolnshire
PE24 4PJ
Why here: Set among trees, Rosedale's rental bell tents come with heaters to deal with any cool East Yorkshire days. Amenities are quite simple, so bring your own bedding, food and basic
cooking utensils.
Meals can be prepped at the sheltered cooking area (the site is small, so there’s never a queue for the facilities) or grilled on the barbecue on your private wooden decking, which has a wooden table and bench seating. Either way, there’s a handy washing-up area so you can keep everything shipshape back at your bell tent.
Key facilities: Communal dining area, communal kitchen, cooking area, dogs welcome
One last thing… As well as a sandy beach, Skegness (10 minutes’ drive) has an aquarium, seal sanctuary and a pier, plus stock-car racing at Skegness Raceway (15 minutes) – handy for keeping kids entertained.
Springfield Farm Campsite
120 North Road, Gedney Hill
Spalding, Lincolnshire
PE12 0NS
Why here? Luxuriously appointed bell tents at Springfield Farm Campsite come with stylish decor and all linens on proper double beds, as well as an outside dining area with an all-weather parasol
and quality wooden furniture. And for a real taste of luxury, there’s a six-person hot tub available for hire, so you and your friends and family can relax and soak any stress away.
Communal facilities include the showers, toilets and a camping kitchen containing a fridge, freezer, microwave, kettle and toaster plus a supply of tea and coffee for everyone to use – all you need to bring are your own towels, food, drink and cooking equipment.
Key facilities: Showers, camping kitchen, pizza to order, honesty shop, games room, hot tub for hire
One other thing… It’s easy to keep everyone happy on site, as there’s play equipment, table tennis, football and basketball for the family, cuddly animals to pet, and a designated field for dog walks.
Book bell tents at Springfield Farm Campsite
Midlands
High Ashes Haven
Highashes Lane, Chesterfield
Derbyshire
S45 0LH
Why here? With a lovely rural setting and equally lovely views, the bell tents at High Ashes Haven are warm and brightly decorated spaces with a cosy bed. All bed linen and towels are
provided, along with a comfortable goose feather and down duvet. Right next door is an individually designed bathroom with a hot shower, loo and bespoke sink.
You can conjure up a barbecue feast (logs are supplied on site) in the well-equipped kitchen area, or heat up a pizza in the communal woodfired oven. Close by is a covered social area for meeting up with fellow campers.
Key facilities: Private bathrooms, farm animals on site, pondside picnic spots, pizza oven, communal fridges
One other thing… This site is close to the Peak District National Park for Chatsworth House (20 minutes’ drive), Pennine Way hikes or days with the kids at Alton Towers theme park (55 minutes).
South East
Warbleton Farms Camping
Hammer Lane, Heathfield
East Sussex
TN21 9HE
Why here? Each spacious bell tent pitch at peaceful Warbleton Farms Camping comes with a splendid background of peaceful woodland. Private facilities include benches/tables for alfresco
barbecues cooked on the firepit provided. Basic utensils, crockery, cutlery and an oven are provided in a wooden camping kitchen, and there’s a private toilet close by.
With simple furnishings including beds in the tents, this is as close to wild camping as you can get while still enjoying some of the comforts of home. Bedding is not provided, and you’ll need to bring torches to find your way around after dark.
Key facilities: Firepit provided, camping kitchen, private toilet
One last thing… With no cars allowed near the pitches and acres of woodland to explore, this site really is a base where kids can roam safely – but will they find the ancient tree?
Check out Warbleton Farms Camping
Woodland Farm Glamping
Hastings Road, Pembury,
Tunbridge Wells
TN2 4BL
Why here? The bell tents on this rural site are scattered around a large field, so there’s plenty of space between pitches. Each tent at Woodland Farm Glamping comes equipped with a double bed
(extra single airbeds are available on request), and all your bedding is provided, along with storage space, cosy rugs and seating. A campers’ kitchen kit includes a stove, gas canisters, crockery, cutlery, cooking utensils and equipment so you don’t need to bring gear from home.
Outside there’s a roomy decking area with tables and chairs for alfresco barbecues while basking in the warmth of your firepit – and there are fairy lights to pretty up your nights.
Key facilities: Games area, covered dining area, firepit provided, horses on site, public transport nearby
One last thing… The site is in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, an hour from London, so it’s a clever choice for a quick glamping getaway from the city.
South West
Coutts Glamping
Edmonton, Wadebridge,
Cornwall
PL27 7JA
Why here? Neatly trimmed with bunting for that festival effect, each bell tent at Coutts Glamping is kitted out with a double bed and offers the choice of bringing your own bedding or using the
site linen for a small extra charge.
For your comfort, there's also a woodburner, plusa chest of drawers, bedside tables, a towel rail and a shoe rack so everything stays tidy. The private outdoor area has a patio with tables and chairs and lit by solar lanterns, and there's a kitchen annex behind each tent (fully kitted out with all you might need; just bring your own food and drink).
Key facilities: Designated toilets, firewood for sale, kitchen facilities, social cabin
One last thing… This rural site is surrounded by fields with grazing sheep and horses, and there are fabulous views out over the surrounding countryside to the peaks of Bodmin Moor.
Dewflock Farm
Winterborne Monkton
Dorchester, Dorset
DT2 8NP
Why here? The Bell Tent Village at Dewflock Farm is set in farmland with views over the Wessex Ridgeway Trail, and you have a choice of fully equipped (nothing to bring with you) or
basic rentals with no furnishings (bring bedding and food). Whatever option you choose, guests have access to a fully equipped field kitchen, and every bell tent comes with its own firepit for barbecues and hay bales for seating.
There’s wifi, TV and a jukebox in the converted pig barn and plenty of seating for family and friends. The Pig Shed Café is open for coffee and breakfast rolls daily, and you can order pizza on Wednesday and Saturday.
Key facilities: Café, social barn, field kitchen, pizza nights, showers
One last thing… It’s just a short hop to the Jurassic Coast, with fabulous beaches like Swanage (45 minutes’ drive) as well as top fossil-hunting spots at Charmouth (40 minutes) and Kimmeridge Bay (45 minutes).
Pilsdon View Camping
Broadoak, Bridport
Dorset
DT6 5NR
Why here? A small number of pitches set over four acres at Pilsdon View Camping means loads of space for family ball games, kids’ toys and rope swings at this scenic spot alongside the river
Char.
The pre-erected bell tents are set in a wildflower meadow and come unfurnished, so you’ll need to bring all camping equipment, including linen, sleeping bags, pillows, cooking equipment and all your food. The shared shower facilities have loads of hot water and are constructed from upcycled materials, as are the eco-friendly toilets, and there’s a communal washing-up area near the pitches as well as a supply of running water.
Key facilities: Showers, eco toilets, washing-up area, kids' games, dogs welcome
One last thing… Please note that this is very much a family site, and guests are expected to be quiet after dark. No amplified music or other noise will be allowed.
Trigon Farm
Wareham
Dorset
BH20 7PD
Why here? With a rather grand setting in the grounds of a vast mansion, the bell tents at Trigon Farm have a suitably stylish, soothing design, with proper wooden beds (extra air beds are
available), chests of drawers for storage and bedside tables. Solar-powered hurricane lamps and fairy lights light up the pitch at night.
Each unit comes with basic kitchen utensils and thoughtful extras like supplies of tea, coffee and sugar. Designated toilets and wooden shower blocks are provided a short stroll away from the pitches, along with a washing-up area. It’s a family-friendly sort of place, so you should be sure of no noise between 10pm and 7am.
Key facilities: Kitchen kit, games area for kids, dogs welcome, pop-up ice-cream van
One last thing… This is a fabulous site for families: it's hidden away from traffic, with stacks of space for running around and scope for mini nature-hunters to spot deer, buzzards and woodpeckers.
Booking on Pitchup
Still looking for the ideal bell tent to rent? Pitchup has hundreds of other options across the UK – simply click on the links below to book them.
See all bell tents to rent in England
See all bell tents to rent in Scotland