Laavu, Bell tent or Yurt

[Dannytsg]

I have recently put down a deposit on my own land with the intention of having it as a family retreat.

It is my intention to site one of the above for us to use for a maximum of 28 days a year without the need for planning but I am having trouble deciding which abd would like some input from people with experience with the above.

Ideally I want something that is very robust, weather proof and that can comfortably sleep 6-8. I also need it to be easily moveable for it to fit within the definition of a temporary structure and would like it to take a woodburner.

Budget wise isn't a problem but my initial research shows tipi and bell tent's to be cheaper than yurts.

Help and advice welcomed on pros and cons of the above

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[greensurfingbear]

Congrats on getting your own land. Living the dream eh

If it was me I'd go with the yurt. They are pricey but definitely sturdy and can be made super comfy. Plus they look sweet.



Orric

 

[Clouston98]

If it was me I'd go with the yurt. They are pricey but definitely sturdy and can be made comfy. Plus they look sweet.


Orric

What he said .

I have a soft spot for yurts .

 

[greensurfingbear]

What he said .

I have a soft spot for yurts .

Sorry was editing post when you quoted me lol


Orric

 

[Dannytsg]

I do like yurts however the cost is somewhat off putting when you compare them to a tipi or bell tent. The other aspect I need to consider is that this isnt going to be used for more than 28 days in a year so I need to balance that out also.

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[Clouston98]

I'd say get a bell tent over a tipi though, I've got a tentipi and its great ut for longer term pitching you're probably better of with a bell tent? I'm no expert mind .

Good luck .

 

[Shewie]

I'd go for the yurt or Bell tent, lavvu's are good but I think you get more usable space with a walled tent.

For 6-8 I'd go for a 5m Bell with a decent stove for all year use.

 

[crucible]

Yurt if it's going to be semi-permanent- there are scores of yurts here in the Pacific Northwest and they take rain and snow loads well, are easily modified to take a wood stove, flooring, and windows, and are warm and cozy.

Bell tent would be my second choice, and a teepee last.

 

[Dannytsg]

I'd go for the yurt or Bell tent, lavvu's are good but I think you get more usable space with a walled tent.

For 6-8 I'd go for a 5m Bell with a decent stove for all year use.

I would prefer the yurt stability over a bell tent but again a 5m bell tent will set me back £500-700 wheres the yurt is £3000+

How well do canvas bell tent's and yurts take rain etc? Do they need a lot of maintenance??

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[789987]

are you planning on leaving it up while youre not there? i seem to remember a video on here of people building their own yurt with timber, which qualifies as a temporary structure, this would offer slightly more security and could probably be made at a similar cost if you're the handy type.

 

[789987]

http://www.woodlandyurts.co.uk/Yurt_Facts/walls.html

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29229&highlight=home+made+yurt

 

[Toddy]

How about a geodesic dome ?
All the useable space of a yurt but it packs down to two kit bag sized packages. It doesn't take hours and hours to put up, or storage space that needs the length of the roof poles either. For 28 days a year, I'd pack it away most of the time. I've seen some very damp and smelly yurts and bells tents; they're fine if they have heat in them on an very regular basis, but otherwise in our climate the mildew takes hold

I hope your woodland is a very great pleasure to you and your family

cheers,
M

 

[dwardo]

There is a lot of materials and weight in a Yurt but it will offer more usable space due to the wall height. I have a good friend who makes them and I have spent time in them.
I also own a 5 meter deluxe belltent which we use for family camping and for canoeing in the colder months. Frontier stove.
A yurt will easily take up a large trailer where as a Belltent will take up about a third or a good sized car boot.

Unless regularly heated and used I would not leave either up for any extended time. All canvas rots as it tries to make its way back to nature.

So far as sleeping people. My 5 meter bell tent will sleep four adults comfortably or six toe to toe. The yurt more so but if depends on how personal you want to get

 

[Dannytsg]

How about a geodesic dome ?
All the useable space of a yurt but it packs down to two kit bag sized packages. It doesn't take hours and hours to put up, or storage space that needs the length of the roof poles either. For 28 days a year, I'd pack it away most of the time. I've seen some very damp and smelly yurts and bells tents; they're fine if they have heat in them on an very regular basis, but otherwise in our climate the mildew takes hold

I hope your woodland is a very great pleasure to you and your family

cheers,
M

I have briefly seen these but didn't really give them much thought and j wouldn't know where to find one. Probably worth looking into I guess

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[Toddy]

I know a man in Scotland who makes them, and he's easy to talk with too.

Geoff Forest; he's a greenwoodworker, does a lot of willow work, and he lives near Loch Doon. He has a couple of domes that he made that he hires out (or he did, I can check ? ) and he said at the time that I used one (it was brilliant ) that he was happy to run a course where he would not only teach someone(s) how make the dome, but they would actually go away with one at the end.

I was so, so tempted.

http://www.willowcraftdesigns.co.uk/folder-5-about-us

There's surely someone nearer to you though ? I do know I'm still tempted to organise a course and have a meet up at the same time

cheers,
M

 

[crosslandkelly]

If it's going to remain there year round, how about converting a cheap shed into a cabin or lodge. being a temporary structure it should get around planning regs, and be more durable.

 

[Dannytsg]

If it's going to remain there year round, how about converting a cheap shed into a cabin or lodge. being a temporary structure it should get around planning regs, and be more durable.

I was thinking about a camping cabin type structure but wasn't sure how this would be looked upon with regards to planning.

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[Toddy]

I know that a 'tool storage' small building is often permitted, but could you not maybe use that as the foundation to something that opened up like the trailer tents do ? with pull out/add on awnings, etc.,

cheers,
M

 

[789987]

nothing says camping like a 20ft container! - you could paint it green!

 

[Robbi]

i have a 5m bell tent with a 3m square gazebo "porch" making the footprint 5m x 8m ....the ultimate in comfort with moveability thrown in

gimme a shout if you need photos