Tipis

A collection of articles on tipis: their upkeep, the people who make and pitch them, and what it is like to live under canvas through the seasons.

Hearthworks Yurt Maintenance Guide

Published 21 January 2025

A practical guide to looking after a Hearthworks yurt so that it gives good service for many years. Carrying out maintenance on a regular schedule helps protect the structure from wind, rain and sun, and keeps the fabric and framework in sound condition. The guide covers the checks worth making and the tasks that are best done before the weather turns.

Behind the Scenes with Rico Aalst, Manufacturing Manager

Published 7 November 2023

Rico joined Hearthworks in 2007, working on the team that set up the Tipi Village at Glastonbury Festival. That was the first year tipis were offered for hire at the festival, and at the time few people had come across them. This profile looks at how he moved from pitching tents on site to overseeing manufacturing, and at the skills and knowledge gathered along the way.

Living in nature grounds us in simplicity

Published 16 August 2021

Nichole, the office manager at Hearthworks, has worked with the company for more than fifteen years. She grew up in Canada and moved to England almost thirty years ago, marrying her late husband Mick, who also worked with the business. In this piece she reflects on what life in nature teaches, and on the simplicity it brings.