Food, glorious food…

Delicious, relaxed dining – nothing brings people together quite like something truly scrumptious to eat, and we at Hotel Bell Tent are firm believers that the British summer and fantastic food should go hand in hand.

We are always looking to bring an exceptional experience to our guests, which is why this year at Silverstone Formula 1 and CarFests North and South we will be providing menu options designed and cooked by chef Eamon Fullalove, former head chef of Jamie Oliver’s flagship restaurant Thirteen and outdoor fine dining expert.

Every morning, each guest will wake up to a complimentary breakfast buffet that caters for every taste. From a cooked breakfast, made with the best-sourced ingredients, to a range of cereals, fruit, juices and tea and coffee, there is something to tempt everyone. Served from 7am-10am in our wonderful dining tents (excepting Fun Run days at CarFest, when times may vary), there is no better start to the day.

Throughout the day and into the evening, those looking for something quick, delicious and freshly cooked can pick from a menu of snacks and light bites, from fresh salads with a choice of toppings, to juicy burgers, to wholesome pasta made with the best durum wheat.

Daytime Menu - Click to view PDF

As evening falls in the beautiful Hotel Bell Tent hospitality area at Silverstone Woodlands, guests can look forward to soaking up the atmosphere each night while enjoying a mouthwatering feast from a different part of the world. From incredible Indian curries to the best barbeque America has to offer, and a classic British summer feast to vibrant Mexican flavours, this is al fresco buffet dining to remember.

Feasts Offerings - Click to view PDF

To top it off, all of the above can be enjoyed in Hotel Bell Tent’s beautiful, exclusive hospitality area, complete with indoor and outdoor seating, cocktail bar, and evening fire pits…

EXCITEMENT CONTINUES TO BUILD FOR THE F1 AT HOTEL BELL TENT...

It’s been a week of dramatic developments in the world of Formula One, with spectators left dumbstruck as they witnessed the unexpected win of 18-year-old Max Verstappen in the Spanish Grand Prix, after Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg of Mercedes spectacularly knocked themselves out of the race in just the first lap, making him the youngest F1 winner in history and indicating him as a future world-champion!

As excitement continues to build for the F1 season – with the notorious Monaco Grand Prix taking place in just two weeks – we’ve been checking out all that Silverstone Woodlands, the official campsite of the Silverstone track at heart of the UK’s F1 scene, has to offer. Just 150 metres away from the world famous Stowe Corner, and with track and shuttle buses running throughout the day from 7am to 7pm to the outer peripheries of the site, Silverstone Woodlands will be going all out to ensure F1 fans and their families have a wonderful experience in a relaxing environment, complete with first-class facilities and extraordinary entertainment for all the family.

Year after year, Woodlands campers are spoilt for choice when it comes to post-match entertainment. Guests can choose to chill out with a crisp pint watching F1 highlights in front of one of the many big screens set up for guests’ viewing pleasure, take the little ones for a spin the Dodgems in the fully functioning funfair, or enjoy one of the many live music shows on offer. From acoustic guitarists in on-site pub the Petrol Head to lively DJ sets in the Big Top, there really is something for everyone. And if comedy is more your bag, Silverstone Woodlands are building on the rip-roaring success of the comedy acts of previous years by scheduling two nights with a stellar line up on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

Beer enthusiasts will be able to pay a visit to the onsite craft beer village which will be showcasing the work of world famous breweries such as Brooklyn Lager and Erdinger, all just a stones’ throw away from all the mouth-watering munch, including incredible artisan street food options, as well as traditional pies and perfectly cooked burgers, and more.

F1 aficionados staying with us at Hotel Bell Tent will be able to make the very most of their weekend as we will be providing top-tier services, with a beautiful indoor bar and hospitality area, cosy night time fire pit circles, premium quality showers and toilets, a movie den, deluxe pampering areas complete with Hollywood mirrors and more. We will once again be teaming up with chef Eamon Fullalove, former head chef at Jamie Oliver’s restaurant Thirteen. As well as a truly delicious buffet breakfast, encompassing cooked and continental options, guests will also be able to enjoy snacks throughout the day and then indulge their inner gastronome with a relaxed feast each evening, as diners explore a different regional cuisine each evening.

When it comes to accommodation, it’s important to make sure your choice will be comfortable and, most importantly, hassle free. From En Suite Huts and Airstream Trailers complete with private bathrooms, to lovely yurts and bell tents to suit every budget, Hotel Bell Tent has an option that works for every group, whether you’re arriving with a group of friends, the family, or looking for something special for you and your other half.

To explore how Hotel Bell Tent at Silverstone Woodlands can help make your weekend of Formula 1 even more unforgettable, take a closer look at all that is on offer on the booking page.

THE MAGIC OF STANDON CALLING: A FESTIVAL WITH SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!

Since its inception in 2005, the story of Standon Calling festival has been somewhat of an adventure.

Founder Alex Trenchard described the event’s history for the Hotel Bell Tent blog, explaining how it grew out of a simple birthday barbeque, saying: “[In our second year] we built our own stage out of wood and invited the very first bands. That first stage blew over while the headline act was playing. Thankfully we've learnt a lot since those days, which is why in 2016 we've been able to book the likes of Suede, Jess Glynne, Kelis, The Hives and Everything Everything.”

The festival is now practically legendary for its party status and its setting in the picturesque Hertfordshire countryside. Nestled in the Rib Valley, its location is genuinely breath taking and partygoers can bask in beautiful greenery without having to drop off the end of the earth – revellers travelling from London and Cambridgeshire can actually be there in less than an hour!

Standon Calling holds a unique position in the festival calendar as it expertly balances the needs of those looking for a laidback but lively party, as well as families in search of something fresh and exciting. This year, some of the amazing children’s activities on offer include campfire story telling, trapeze lessons, costume parades and readings from famous children’s authors Alice Hemming and Tamsyn Murray, while a beguiling line up of electronic acts including Detroit House master Theo Parrish and world-famous Metalheadz head-honcho Goldie will appeal to the grownups. “It really is a festival for everyone,” says Alex. “We want families to have an amazing time in the day, and by night we can't wait to see everyone partying until 5am in The Cowshed nightclub. Our annual dog show on Sunday is pretty unique and eccentric too. Not to be missed!”

Music is always the centre of the show, with the festival organisers passionate about booking cutting edge acts and giving emerging talent a platform to shine. Some of the UK’s most successful stars including Florence and the Machine, Bastille and London Grammar made their debut there. Describing his musical highlight of last year, Alex says: “Basement Jaxx closing the main stage on Sunday was so exciting. So colourful and so memorable. A fabulous performance from them and a Standon Calling audience so ready to party – as always! This year I'm really excited about The Hives, Suede and Blossoms.”

Standon Calling is truly a feast for the eyes. With the festival built around a different story each year, the set design and theatrical element makes for an other-worldly space. “For 2016, we're telling the tale of the Legend of the Lost Seas. Expect truly impressive set design, immersive theatre elements, as well as an entirely unique Saturday night spectacle. Prepare to immerse yourself in the post apocalyptic pirate town that we will build. And don't forget to plan your costume for Saturday.”

For those of you hoping for some insider knowledge, when asked what tips Alex can give to make sure our guests get the very best out of their event, he told us: “Be curious. Try and seek out all the experiences Standon Calling Festival has to offer and talk to people. I like to think that Standon Calling is the friendliest festival there is.”

PARENTS OF CARFEST, RELAX!

Hotel Bell Tent & Up All Hours babysitters have got it covered!

Do you love the idea of enjoying a festival with your kids – but also get excited at the prospect of having some time for the grown ups to explore and relax, without the little ones? New Hotel Bell Tent partners ‘Up All Hours’ have got it covered with a babysitting service that is convenient and – most importantly – safe.

Up All Hours was established by a team of professionals with a background in security services who have put their skills to use providing family friendly facilities at events across the UK, with the sole aim of making parents’ lives easier!  In 2015 they created hubs of activity and much-needed R&R for parents and kids alike, as well as operating the Lost Child facilities at the Big Feastival.

At CarFest North and CarFest South 2016, Up All Hours are offering a service that gives parents complete assurance and the chance to grab some ‘us’ time and make the most of all of that fabulous entertainment that CarFest has to offer, including Bryan Adams, Billy Ocean and The Corrs.

Parents at Hotel Bell Tent will have the opportunity to pre-book up to thirty DSB-checked babysitters (each night) to sit in their pre-booked accommodation on any, or all, of the three evenings of the festival.  Each booking will be based on a 7pm to 12pm time slot.  And for real peace of mind, Up All Hours is developing a track able wristband that parents will be able to purchase for their child allowing the Up All Hours Team to secure the perimeter of the boutique camping area and monitor the whereabouts of the child.

There will also be the option to select one of twenty slots in the cosy, sleep-filled Up All Hours crèche tent, where children can nestle down with a bedtime story, then get into their own sleeping bag and go to sleep for the evening under the watchful eye of the Up All Hours team.  Older children can also be dropped off to watch a film in a separate area of the tent before being taken back to their own accommodation to sleep or if parents prefer, they could put their little ones to sleep in their own accommodation and install an Up All Hours video monitor that will then be monitored by the Up All Hours team between the hours of 7pm and 11pm. As above, there is also the option of a track able wristband.

The finishing touches of the Up All Hours booking system are currently being finalised.  Interested parents are able to register their interest here, and will then be contacted when the pre-bookable slots are released.

Up All Hours will also be providing a babysitting service at Hotel Bell Tent at Camp Bestival.  More details to be confirmed soon.

WE ARE NOW OFFICIALLY ON SALE AT GLASTONBURY HOSPITALITY

From a humble 30 tent site in 2008, it is with great pride that we enter our eighth year with almost triple the amount of tents at the world’s favourite festival; an event very close to our hearts…

This will be one of the concluding launches for our line-up of fantastic events we’ll be at this year; and what a launch it's been! A manic week of converting deposits into bookings for our lucky Hospitality ticket holders and ploughing through a flurry of new requests.

This week also marks the beginning of a new stage for us in the Hotel Bell Tent offices. With this year's production team filling desk spaces by the day and the imminent arrival of our amazing Project Managers (and the sun shining a bit more consistently!), excitement about the 2016 season has definitely gone up a few gears.

If you would like to book into our one of our fabulous bell tents in the Glastonbury Hospitality area, please note that you must be in possession of a Hospitality camping ticket. Check out all packages and availability by visiting the booking page.