What Are the Different Types of Tents?

With many people looking to escape their busy lives and enjoy more rural retreats, camping has become more popular than ever in the UK. There are so many opportunities to enjoy camping, from music festivals to family weekends away. However, this wide range of choices makes it difficult to pick just one tent and you might wonder which is best for you.

In this blog, we’ll cover some of the most common types of tents used for camping and glamping and when to use each one. 

Are you looking for a luxurious camping experience? Opt for one of our brilliant bell tents at Boutique Camping and unwind on your trip in a tent full of glamour and space.

Yurt Tents

A yurt tent is a modern take on the traditional yurt that’s all about maximising space for campers. These types of tents are designed in a dome shape using a durable canvas that helps to ventilate the large interior space, keeping you cool in the summer and retaining heat in the winter. 

Yurt tents like those in our Luna range are specially designed with stoop-free walls and high ceilings that allow ample standing space and plenty of floor space for all your glamping furnishings and gear. These tents are perfect for larger, more social groups looking to hang out in comfort or dance the night away without crouching, stooping or feeling crowded inside. 

Inflatable Tents

If you want to cut the fuss when setting up, an inflatable tent is the way to go. These tents are a more convenient alternative to traditional tents and are a brilliant option for families or larger groups in a hurry to set up. Designed to inflate with a pump, these tents don’t need any extra poles or frames to get that perfect dome shape. Our Nova Air Dome tents are the prime example of pitching made simple. An electric pump allows complete full set-up and inflation in a matter of minutes. Once inflated you’ll have a sturdy tent that offers a spacious interior and strong wind resistance. 

To see just how quick and easy inflatable tents are to pitch, check out our video below. 

Tunnel Tents

A tunnel tent is a long half-cylinder-shaped tent that offers a lengthy amount of space. These types of tents keep their structure thanks to a number of poles running throughout the tent. A tunnel tent is a popular choice for families or large camping groups as there’s lots of horizontal space for sleeping and storing gear.

These tents come in a range of sizes but the downside is that the smaller 1 or 2-man options are often fairly low to the ground and lack the headroom you might need to stand up and stretch. This means that they are suitable for laying down at night but you might want to opt for a different style if you’re looking for a social hangout.

Pop-Up Tents

A very common style tent, a pop-up tent is designed to instantly unfold and be ready for pitching as soon as it is unpacked. These types of tents are a popular option for people who want quick and easy set-up and are great for those who have minimal experience pitching traditional tents.

A pop-up tent is generally considered a budget or beginner-level tent for a quick place to sleep. These sorts of tents are ideal if you’re camping for a short time or need somewhere basic to sleep when you’re spending most of your time outside like at festivals. 

These tents will do the basics like keep you shielded from wind and rain which makes them suitable for short trips. They are often however usually made of lower-quality materials like polyester and miss a lot of the features that make for a more comfortable camping experience like windows and additional ground sheets. They’re also a source of controversy, with over 250,000 polymer-based nylon or polyester tents being abandoned each year, as they are seen as single-use, replaceable tents.

Bell Tents

The pride and joy of Boutique Camping, the bell tent is by far our favourite and most loved tent for the ultimate glamping experience. These types of tents are inspired by the classic Sibley tent and feature a tee-pee shape with a circular bottom. 

Unlike many other types of tents, a bell tent is supported by a singular central pole in the middle of the tent, with extra support from guy ropes. 

A bell tent is made from a thicker and higher quality material compared to that of standard tents. A pop-up or basic tent is usually made from nylon or polyester, but our bell tents are made from cotton or polycotton which allows for the perfect amount of insulation, light and breathability.

The biggest selling point for bell tents is the amount of space they offer due to the circular shape and single support pole. You can kit out your tent with a range of luxurious bell tent accessories from furniture to essential camping gear. This makes them the perfect option for families and friends who want some extra comfort and style on a glamping trip.

Hot Tents

Specially designed for use alongside tent stoves, hot tents are one of the only types of tent that allow you to safely cook or heat your living area. When using a hot tent, you first need to create a hole at the top of your tent that your stove chimney can fit through. 

This can be done using a flashing kit and will create a ventilation system that safely removes smoke or fumes from your tent. You can also purchase fire-retardant tents for hot tenting which are made from a thicker material and come with a pre-made chimney hole.

A hot tent is a brilliant option for camping in colder climates and allows you to not only stay warm and enjoy the outdoors all year round but lets you cook fresh and homemade meals from the comfort of your tent. 

If you want to know more about hot tenting, we’ve got a dedicated blog for you to check out!

Multidoor Tents

A multidoor tent is exactly what it sounds like, a tent with multiple doors for entry and exit. These types of tents are ideal if you’re sharing your tent with friends or family doing different activities and you want to minimise disruption when coming and going.

Having multiple doors also allows for better airflow and ventilation which can be important if you’re camping in the summer sun or you’ve got a lot of people in one tent.

Our multidoor bell tents are perfect for festivalgoers or family trips and not only keep you cool and fresh but also separate areas of your tent to allow dedicated access. 

Multiroom Tents

A multiroom tent is a larger-sized tent with individual rooms separated by doors or compartments. A tent with multiple rooms not only allows for privacy but creates dedicated areas in your tent like sleeping, living and storage spaces. 

If you’re on a trip with friends, you might want to hang out in a communal area, but it’s important to have your own privacy and security when you sleep. 

If you want to create your own personal space inside a tent, you can use inner tents to create rooms of your own size. 

How to Choose the Right Tent for You?

With so many types of tents to choose from, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you. When deciding which tent to go for, here’s what you should take into consideration:

Size

How many people are you planning to go on trips with? If you’re a solo traveller you’ll be able to comfortably fit into a 3m bell tent with ample room for all your important items like clothing and cooking supplies. If you plan on camping with a few friends but want extra space to enjoy an authentic glamping experience then you’ll want to opt for a tent larger than the number of people you have. For example, if there are four of you, consider a 5m tent. This will give you plenty of room for proper beds and bedding as well as a space for lounging and dining.

Weather and Camping Location

If you want to enjoy rural areas in off seasons or you’re an avid mountaineer then you’ll likely be camping in cold or harsh conditions. This means you’ll need a more heavy-duty tent or a hot tent that allows you to heat the interior. If you’re heading off to summer festivals or beach retreats, you’ll want to choose a lightweight tent with plenty of ventilation options, like a multidoor tent. 

Budget

If you’re embarking on a one-off trip or need a simple and easy place to sleep at night for a few days then it's safe to invest in a cheaper or more traditional-style camping tent. If however, you’re looking for a high-quality, long-term camping solution that lets you explore in comfort then you’ll want to choose a glamping tent like one of our bell tents.

The Best Tents by Far at Boutique Camping

With all the different types of tents out there, we have to say that our range at Boutique Camping is by far the best if you’re looking to enjoy a classy and comfortable camping experience. 

Each one of our models from our classic bell tents to our exclusive Star bell tents have all been designed by our experts with the needs of campers in mind. Whether you’re setting off on a quiet weekend trip for two or you want to live it up at a festival with your friends, we’ve got the perfect size and style tent for you. 

If you’re still not sure which tent type is the right one for you, you can take our handy tent selector quiz or you can contact our team and one of our experts will be on hand to point you to the ideal model for all your adventures!