
How Fast Can You See ROI from a Bell Tent?
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How Fast Can You See ROI from a Bell Tent?
One of the main reasons bell tents are ideal for new glamping businesses is how quickly they pay for themselves. With low upfront costs and high earning potential during peak seasons, your return on investment can be surprisingly quick — often within the first season.
Here’s how:
1. Low Start-Up Costs
A good-quality bell tent (4–5 metre) will cost you between £515–£1,000, depending on features like canvas thickness, fire retardancy and any additional features (stove holes etc).
Add essential furnishings — a bed frame, mattress, rugs, lighting, small furniture, and decor — and your total cost per unit is around £1,500–£2,500 for a stylish, comfortable setup.
That’s far less than a shepherd’s hut, pod, or yurt, which can range from £8,000 to £30,000+ per unit.
2. High Nightly Rates for Minimal Overhead
During peak UK glamping season (May to September), bell tents can easily rent out for £100–£200 per night, depending on your location, amenities, and styling.
Let’s run the numbers:
Metric | Conservative Estimate |
---|---|
Cost per tent (fully fitted) | £2,000 |
Nightly rate | £100 |
Nights booked per month (avg) | 20 |
Monthly income (May–Sept) | £2,000 |
5-month income total | £10,000 |
So even at 50–70% occupancy, your initial investment can be paid back in 1–2 months, and everything after that is profit (minus your overheads like changeover and laundry)
3. Additional Income Potential
You can increase your ROI even faster by offering optional extras, such as:
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Breakfast/Picnic hampers
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Firewood/stove hire
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Bike hire or guided walks
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Group bookings or events
These extras not only improve your guests’ experience but also boost your revenue per stay — without adding much to your costs.
4. Flexibility = Faster ROI
With bell tents being so easy to set up and move, you can:
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Start with one or two units to test demand
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Run temporary “pop-up” sites at festivals or events
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Trial multiple pitch locations before committing
All of this means less wasted capital and a faster path to profitability.
✅ ROI Summary For a Bell Tent Shop Ultimate 5m Bell Tent:
Factor | Result |
---|---|
Initial investment | £625 per tent plus £750 on furnishings |
Potential income | £7,000–£10,000+ per season |
ROI timeline | 4–8 weeks at moderate occupancy |
Break-even point | Within first 5–10 bookings |
Final Thoughts:
If you're starting a glamping business and want low risk, fast payback, and the ability to scale, a bell tent is arguably the best investment you can make.
Not only can you recoup your costs within the same season, but you'll also build up customer reviews, cash flow, and confidence to expand — whether that's with more tents or higher-end structures down the line.
Check out our Ultimate Bell Tent Range and get in touch with your questions :)