About Yurts

Basically a wooden-framed, circular tent – have been used by nomadic tribes over centuries throughout the near and far east as robust dwellings that could be taken down and put up again whenever they moved on. 

Originally, they were constructed from a latticework of wood covered with animal skins, and today the design and structure remains remarkably similar although more modern materials have replaced the skins.

Our Yurts

Our design is a contemporary adaptation of a Mongolian Yurt (Mongol or Kalmuk ger), offering a comfortable and inspiring living and working space manufactured using the proven techniques and practice of hundreds of years of British tent-making.

Many yurts that are manufactured abroad tend to suit dry, cold climates – not something we can really boast of in good old Blighty! So, here at The Really Interesting Tent Company we’ve engineered the traditional design to suit the UK climate.

Built to last

We hand-build each yurt in Yorkshire using FSC-certified wood to create a sturdy frame, and heavyweight waterproof canvas fabric sourced from another British company which is proofed for water, rot and flame retardancy. 

Quality is the name of the game and painstaking care is taken with every single aspect of the process, so we can be sure of our claim that our yurts are indeed built to last, whatever the weather.

Unlimited uses

These days the uses of yurts are limited only by your imagination! From practical spaces such as bedrooms, offices and workshops, to exhibitions, weddings and classrooms, they can be used for a multitude of purposes as both a mobile or static outdoor room. 

It is also possible to construct them with allowance for a woodburning stove to create an extra bit of warmth through the winter months if desired

Bespoke design

Our standard yurt design can be constructed in sizes ranging from 10ft to 44ft diameter with the lead time being typically three to four weeks from order to delivery. The smaller yurts can be erected by one person in about an hour, and will fit onto the roof rack of a small family car.

All our yurts share a number of important characteristics – they are functional, strong and portable, they have a minimal impact on the environment, and they are built using wood from sustainable sources. There is no standard yurt design, everything we build is customised to our customer’s specification, including:

  • Size of yurt
  • The size, location, and number of windows
  • Entrance door options including the number of doors whether double, single, or stable
  • Canvas colours for walls, roof and star
  • Complete woodburning stove packages and installation
  • Floor structures
  • Groundsheets
  • Accessories such as: porches, winter covers, wool fleece liners, wheelchair access ramps

It’s always worth giving us a call if you have something specific in mind and we can advise on how we can bring your vison to life. Equally, if you’re not sure on the detail we can help guide you through the options and come up with a few creative suggestions for you to consider. To contact us, ring 07802 456196 or email info@thereallyinterestingtentcompany.co.uk
THE BUILD

Yurt construction

Strong, functional and portable

Beautiful inside and out

Our yurts are constructed from clear treated redwood timber which is hand-selected, shaped and assembled into a remarkably strong structure. This is visible inside the yurt and forms a beautiful and functional frame. The height of a yurt increases relative to the diameter chosen, and in all cases the design creates a large usable floor space with plenty of height (ranging from 170cm upwards).

British weatherproof!

The outer covering is custom made using British heavy duty polycotton canvas, which is rot proofed, fire retardant, and waterproofed to a hydrostatic head of 60cm. This is engineered to withstand European weather conditions to the very best and the material is breathable, which greatly reduces the chance of condensation forming inside the yurt.


The canvas is available in a wide range of colours – the lighter the colour, the lighter the interior and also the cooler it will be in warm weather. All yurt covers need weathering, which means the stitching holes need to seal up in the first couple of rains, but after that they will be drip-free. We can supply 100 per cent wool felt insulation for anyone requiring extra insulation for use in cold winters or hot summers. There are a number of options you can consider if you wish to ensure your yurt is suitable for use all year round. For example, as well as insulating the canvas cover we can design your yurt to accommodate a woodburning stove and an insulated floor.

The glue that holds it together

The centre ring is the most integral part of the yurt, on which its structural form and strength depends. We construct our centre ring using marine ply sheet and wood blocks to create a strong, heavy duty wheel that does not require supporting poles on yurts up to 32ft in diameter.

High quality engineering

The roof poles extend outward from the roof centre ring down to the top of the wall trellis – like rays of sunlight from the sun, it is one of the most recognised and beautiful aspects of a yurt.


The tips of the roof pole are tapered to fit snugly into the pockets on the centre ring. The trellis wall end of the roof poles are secured to the top of the wall with a purpose-designed bracket. The edges are rounded and all poles are treated with preservative.

Strong and rigid in all weather

The yurt trellis wall comes in two or more sections that are bolted together. The wall sections look like lattice screens, similar to garden fencing, except these are not fixed and can concertina together for easier transportation.


The amazing strength of the wall comes from the many individual slats that crisscross each other and are bolted at the intersections. The combined strength of all the slats creates a surprisingly rigid and strong structure.

Keeping it together

To keep roof poles in place and to stop the trellis wall sections expanding, a tension band is bolted to each side of the door frame linked around the top of the trellis wall to keep the diameter correct and the whole structure stable.


The tension band keeps the wall at the correct circumference and provides force in the opposite direction, pushing the roof poles securely into the roof centre ring. Our tension bands are made from heavy duty 50mm webbing.

Welcome home!

The door frame comprises two uprights joined and glued to a threshold and header member. It is incredibly strong and ties the two wall sections together, creating the entrance. Different sizes of single and double doors are available.

Stream the light in

The star, or centre cover, has three functions – first is to assist in anchoring the yurt to the ground via the guy ropes or webbing bands; secondly to position the clear PVC window over the centre ring providing additional light during the day and a view of the stars at night; lastly it provides an aesthetic contrast to the roof canvas if a different colour is chosen.

Take a look at some projects