How Much Does a Bell Tent Cost in the UK? (2026 Price Guide)

If you've started researching bell tents, you'll have noticed the prices vary wildly from a few hundred pounds to well over a thousand. It's confusing, and it's one of the questions we get asked most often at Bell Tent Sussex.

So here's a straight answer: a quality bell tent in the UK costs between £350 and £1,200, depending on size, canvas type and whether it includes a stove hole. We'll break down exactly what you're paying for at each price point and where it makes sense to spend more.

Quick Price Summary: Bell Tent UK 2026

These are prices for the tent only, including pegs, poles, guy ropes and carry bags. Stoves and accessories are separate.

What Affects the Price?

1. Size

This is the biggest driver of cost. A 3m tent can sleep a couple; a 7m tent can sleep ten. Every extra metre of diameter adds significant canvas area and significant weight and cost. If you're buying for a family, 5m is the sweet spot It's our bestseller for good reason. Big enough for five or six people comfortably, without crossing into the higher price bracket of the 6m and 7m.

2. Canvas Type

Canvas type is where most people get caught out. There are three main options:

Polycotton (polyester/cotton blend) is lighter, more water-resistant straight away, and cheaper. It's a great choice for festivals, weekend trips, and buyers on a budget. Expect to pay £80–£150 less than equivalent cotton for the same size.

100% Cotton Canvas is heavier, more breathable, and naturally insulating. It regulates temperature better in both summer and winter, lasts significantly longer, and in our honest opinion is worth the extra cost if you're planning to use the tent regularly for more than a season or two. It requires initial weathering (getting it wet once to seal the fibres), but after that it's fully waterproof.

Fireproof Cotton (BS7837-rated) is required for commercial glamping sites, public events, and many festival venues. It meets fire safety regulations and is the only canvas type suitable for professional use. It costs roughly £150–£200 more than standard cotton at any given size.

3. Canvas Weight (GSM)

GSM stands for grams per square metre; it's how canvas thickness is measured. Most bell tents fall between 285gsm and 360gsm. Higher GSM means heavier, more durable, better insulating canvas. For UK weather, 285–320gsm is the practical minimum for a tent you'll use year-round.

4. Included Features

The price can vary depending on whether the tent includes:

• Stove hole flap — essential if you want to use a wood burning stove; adds £20–£50 if not standard

• Inner tent / bedroom divider — useful for families, usually sold separately (£80–£150)

• Awning — extends covered space outside the door; separate purchase (£120–£200)

• Sewn-in versus zip-in groundsheet — zip-in is more versatile and easier to dry

Is a Cheap Bell Tent Worth It?

You'll find bell tents on Amazon and eBay from £150–£250. Our honest answer: they're not worth it.

At that price point, you're typically getting thin polycotton (often under 200gsm), lightweight poles that flex badly in wind, and groundsheets that leak or tear within a season. The seams are usually glued rather than stitched and taped. More importantly, cheaper tents don't hold their shape under tension and a bell tent that isn't properly taut is a bell tent that pools water and leaks.

A quality bell tent bought once will last 10–15 years. A cheap one bought twice costs the same and gives you none of the experience. It's one of those purchases where buying right the first time actually saves money.

What's the Best Value Bell Tent in the UK?

For most buyers, families, festival-goers, weekend glampers the 5m polycotton bell tent at around £550–£700 hits the value sweet spot. It sleeps five or six people, handles UK weather well, and is light enough to transport without a van.

If you're planning to use the tent year-round, camp in winter, or run a glamping site, stepping up to 5m or 6m 100% cotton at £650–£850 is worth every extra pound. The difference in comfort between summer and winter camping in cotton versus polycotton is significant.

For commercial glamping sites or public events, fireproof canvas is not optional; it's a legal and insurance requirement. Budget accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a bell tent in the UK?
A quality bell tent in the UK costs between £350 for a 3m polycotton model and £1,200+ for a large 7m fireproof canvas tent. The 5m polycotton is the most popular size and typically costs £550–£700.

Is a bell tent a good investment?
Yes a quality canvas bell tent lasts 10–15 years with proper care. Compared to the annual cost of hiring glamping accommodation or booking hotel stays, buying your own tent pays for itself quickly.

What is the cheapest bell tent worth buying?
We'd recommend spending at least £450–£500 for a tent you'll use more than once or twice. Below this price point, canvas quality, pole strength and groundsheet durability tend to drop noticeably.

Do bell tent prices include a stove?
No stoves are almost always sold separately. Budget an additional £180–£350 for a quality bell tent stove.Sleeping bags (per person)

A fully equipped 5m bell tent setup tent, stove, matting, lighting and sleeping gear typically costs £900–£1,400 all in for a first time buyer. That sounds like a lot until you compare it to the cost of a week in a static caravan or hotel.

Our Bell Tent Range at Bell Tent Sussex

At Bell Tent Sussex, we stock the full range from 3m to 7m, in polycotton, 100% cotton, and fireproof canvas. Every tent comes with poles, pegs, guy ropes and a carry bag and we're based in Newhaven, East Sussex, so if you want to see the tents in person before you buy, give us a call.

We also supply stoves, accessories, inner tents, and everything you need to kit out a complete glamping setup whether you're buying for personal use or setting up a commercial glamping site.

Call us on 01323 401400 or browse our full bell tent range to find the right tent for your budget