I saw someone camping in a bell tent last weekend and was quite taken with it. It seemed to have space, looked cosy but in last weekends scorching heat they had little mesh windows to let in air.

What size have you got? How does it stand up to British weather? Is it a pain to dry out?

My searches so far have told me they are quite expensive – are they worth it?

Currently have a cheapish 4 man tent that is big enough to stand up in but it is a bit battered after little use.

Mate of mine bought this,

http://www.belltent.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=3

Is that the sort of thing you're talking about?

Yes, thats the kind of thing.

Ok. Weighs a ton, takes a while to put up (I helped him pitch it). Seemed to hold up ok to the "British Summer" and had acres of space inside. Dunno about drying out, I can ask.