Family run · Dorset based
Pitched by handsince 1944.
Traditional English pole & canvas marquees — handmade in our own workshop, raised on timber poles and guy ropes, and pitched by hand.
What we stand for
“We combine the highest professional standards with traditional values of courtesy, consideration and reliability.”
How we work- 01Traditional pole & canvas marqueesHandmade by our own tentmakers. Wooden poles, guy ropes and pure white — or yellow & white — canvas.
- 02Linings, lighting & flooringChampagne and Indian block-printed linings, chandeliers to festoons, coconut matting to carpet — and heating.
- 03Furniture & event hireTrestles, banqueting chairs, table linen and vintage china — and trusted local suppliers for the rest.
- 04Tent making & repairNew canvas goods, period and re-enactment tentage, and repairs from patching to splicing new ropes.
Our speciality
The traditional English ‘Pole & Canvas’ marquee.
Timber king poles, a long straight ridge and canvas held taut by guy ropes — a character no other kind of tent can match.
Every one is handmade by our tentmakers and kept in top condition in our own workshop. From small gathering tents to 200ft+ festival tents, we cater for any requirement.
- Made
- By hand, in Dorset
- Raised on
- Timber poles & guy ropes
- Sizes
- Small tents to 200ft+
- Canvas
- White, or yellow & white
Also availableNeed a modern structure? We supply aluminium frame ‘clearspan’ marquees too.Find out more
Also available in
Yellow & White.
Our traditional marquees come in classic stripes too — the colours of village fêtes, summer parties and English garden celebrations.
See the galleryDressed for the occasion
Something for every taste & budget.
Linings
Champagne lining to hand-made Indian block printed lining.
Lighting
From uplighters and festoons to chandeliers and starlit ceilings.
Flooring & furniture
Coconut matting to carpets; rustic trestles to banqueting chairs.
Heating
Comfort whatever the weather — we are open all year round.
The workshop
Made the way tents have always been made.
We handmake tents today the way they have been made for decades, to the highest standards of skill and craftsmanship.
Our constant manufacturing means the finest quality tentage available for hire — and the same hands that make our marquees can repair yours, or recreate period tents for re-enactments and film.
Tentmaking & repair- Established
- 1944
- Festival tents
- 200ft+
- Hire-line support
- 24/7
- Local site visits
- Free
Google reviews
In our customers’ own words.
Ernest G Hart transformed a humble field into a perfect wedding venue and the final tent was a beautiful place to celebrate with our family and friends.
Daniel MacDonaldWedding Jon and James are the ultimate in customer service. Nothing left to chance, happy to answer endless daft questions and cope with my changes of plan with absolute charm.
Carolyn Thomson Easter
Dorset Opera Festival has used Ernest G Hart to provide our large hospitality marquee, and other smaller ones, for many years. The customer service and quality of the marquees could not be better.
Susannah HubertDorset Opera Festival The sewing was quite simply the best I have ever seen, demonstrating their high standards and skill.
Mark RetallackCanvas repair Beautiful handmade tents, a friendly team and meticulous planning made our event a truly special occasion.
George Kingston
Beautiful marquee, amazing ballroom-flat dance floor, great lighting, hotel standard toilets, super quiet generator, beautiful vintage tables and chairs, all delivered to our farm field location.
Robin SmaleWedding 
Fantastic team led by Jon and James providing a totally professional and thorough service, from start to finish. The lovely yellow and white striped marquee looked fantastic…
Peter Tindall
Where we work
Based in the heart of Dorset.
We operate all over the South West, and regularly serve customers across the whole of southern England and the Home Counties.
- Dorset
- Somerset
- Wiltshire
- Devon
- Hampshire
- Southern England
- Home Counties