Tree-mendous glamping gems
Forget leaky tents and mud, says Wendy Gomersall. Modern camping is all about style and luxury – with everything from en suite bathrooms to pizza ovens
GLAMOROUS camping, or glamping, is all the rage. Such holidays promise all the excitement and adventure of sleeping in the great outdoors without the discomfort of bedding down under damp canvas with only a bucket for a bathroom.
Jonathan Knight, founder of new website glampingly.co.uk, says the popularity of such breaks has rocketed partly because there has been a much greater appreciation of the outdoors over the past decade – perhaps as a reaction to all the technology around us. ‘Glamping is also easier and more comfortable than regular camping and appeals to more people,’ he says.
‘There’s no need to own or store camping gear, so even city-dwellers can enjoy the lifestyle perks of camping – the fires, the sunsets, the countryside. That makes glamping perfect for shorter breaks, too – you turn up and relax from the minute you arrive.’
Greater demand has resulted in the creation of many more glamping venues all over the country, many in fantastically picturesque, away-from-it-all locations.
More competition has led to greater innovation, too, so you can stay in everything from horseboxes and giant beehives, to a double-decker bus, a treehouse and even a full-size helicopter.
Some aren’t cheap, but they may include luxuries such as hot tubs, fire pits and open-air showers. Others have fewer facilities and are short on space, but they represent great value and fun for families, and are close to open countryside and attractions.
Here are some of the best glamping ideas. It’s best to check exactly what is provided before you book, and prices quoted are per night unless otherwise stated.
BEST FOR BEE LOVERS
Where: Honey Pod Farm, near Upton upon Severn, Worcestershire.
What makes it special: These cute, handcrafted, beehive-shaped pods sleep up to six on a family-run, eco-friendly organic farm. Each pod has a glass skylight for stargazing, a double bed, two bunk beds and two Z-beds, and private outdoor fire pits; other cooking and bathroom facilities are shared. There’s an on-site 17th Century inn serving food, too.
Children welcome? Yes, with the chance to meet and feed the farm’s pigs. Canoeing, cycling, fishing and horse-riding are available nearby.
How glamporous? 8/10 Cost: From £70 for four (pitchup. com).
BEST FOR HIGH-FLYERS
Where: Blackberry Wood, Streat, East Sussex.
What makes it special: The Holicopter is a full-size, heated helicopter tucked away in the South Downs National Park, with a double bed and two singles (bring your own bedding and towels) and an adjoining outdoor kitchen.
Children welcome? Yes, there’s room for a family of four, with extensive grounds and campfires on which to toast marshmallows. Brighton is eight miles away.
How glamporous? 7/10 Cost: From £60 (glampingly.com).
BEST FOR THE HORSEY SET
Where: Brooks Country House, near Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire.
What makes it special: Choose from two stylish mahogany-clad vintage Bedford horseboxes, sleeping up to four, for all the fun of glamping plus the use of hotel facilities. Each horsebox has its own private glasssided terrace, as well as tiled wet room and flatscreen TV.
Children welcome? Yes, perfect for mum, dad and a couple of five to 12-years-olds – but not enough room for older kids. The hotel has a huge chess set and swimming pool, plus lots of space for youngsters to run around in.
How glamporous? 9/10 Cost: Between £79 and £139 including breakfast (brookscountry house.com).
BEST FOR WATER BABIES
Where: Dragonfly Camping, Pembrokeshire.
What makes it special: Kingfisher is a lakeside floating cabin with a wraparound terrace in the heart of a 300-acre organic dairy farm within walking distance of the Daugeleddau Estuary. The cabin sleeps four – one king-size bed and a sofa bed in the lounge.
Children welcome? Yes, but overeights only because of the water. The ancient woodlands nearby are great for walks, and there are blue flag beaches within easy reach.
How glamporous? 8/10 Cost: Three nights from £360 (glampingly.com).
BEST FOR COOL CAMPERS
Where: Ty Cefn Tregib, Ffairfach, Carmarthenshire.
What makes it special: This 31ft, 1976 Airstream caravan has a bedroom with king-size bed at one end, a stylish lounge/dining area with TV and iPod dock at the other, and kitchen and shower room in the middle. Hidden away in the Welsh countryside, the Brecon Beacons are just 15 minutes away and nearby Llandeilo has a number of great delis and places to eat.
Children welcome? There’s only room for two non-smoking adults.
How glamporous? 8/10 Cost: From £250 for a four-night, midweek stay (tregib.co.uk).
BEST FOR TREE-HUGGERS
Where: Crafty Camping, Yonder Hill, Holditch, West Dorset.
What makes it special: The ultimate in hideaways, this ultra-cool, luxurious, handcrafted treehouse for two isn’t cheap but it comes with a double-ended copper bath, open-air shower, spiral staircase leading to a spa deck with hot tub and sauna, and even a pizza oven.
Children welcome? No, it’s adultsonly. There’s only room for two in the treehouse, but other accommodation on this site includes three bell tents, two yurts, a tepee and a shepherd’s hut. How glamporous? 10/10 Cost: From £390 (coolcamping. com).
BEST FOR VINTAGE FUN
Where: Pigeon Door Glamping, near Shrewsbury.
What makes it special: Betsy Blue, a converted 1981 Leyland Atlantean double-decker bus with all mod cons and views across the Stretton Hills. She sleeps five in three bedrooms on the top deck (a double, bunk beds and a single). Downstairs there’s a fully equipped kitchen and seating area. There’s a hot tub too. Children welcome? Suitable for those aged over five – there are pet pigs on-site which are partial to a belly rub. How glamporous? 9/10 Cost: From £135 per night, based on two sharing; additional £10 per child (under 16), so £165 for a family of five (coolcamping.com).
BEST FOR GYPSY SOULS
Where: Wildcat Gypsy Caravans at Invernahavon Caravan Park, near Newtonmore, Highlands.
What makes it special: Set within the Cairngorms National Park, each of these two pretty 6ft by 14ft caravans sleeps two in a double bed. Each has a kitchen with fridge, heating, CD player and patio; toilets and showers are nearby.
Children welcome? Not in the gypsy caravans but the site does have a shepherd’s hut for four.
How glamporous? 8/10 Cost: From £45 (pitchup.com).
BEST FOR WILDLIFE WATCHERS
Where: Catchpenny Safari Lodges, Ardross, near Elie, Fife.
What makes it special: Sitting on a beautiful curve of coast, each of the eight tented lodges sleeps six and comes with king-size beds, well-equipped kitchens, en suite bathrooms and great views – watch out for dolphins and seals.
Children welcome? Yes, there’s a lodge suitable for kids of all ages.
How glamporous? 9/10 Cost: From £138 (canopyandstars. co.uk).
BEST FOR IGLOO AFICIONADOS
Where: Hideaway Camping, near Okehampton, Devon.
What makes it special: The solarpowered 14ft 9in by 14ft 9in Iglulu Camping Pod sleeps four on a double bed and twin beds, and has an outdoor fire pit, and bean bags to lounge on. Bathrooms and kitchen facilities are shared with other campers; bring your own towels.
Children welcome? Yes, the site’s Little Melbury communal cabin has books, toys and puzzles.
How glamporous? 7/10 Cost: From £80 (pitchup.com).