10 of Britain’s best glamping sites
Where to go for a touch of luxury in the great outdoors
1. Derwentwater Ready Camp, Cumbria
Just bring sleeping bags!| Doherty Photography Ltd
New from the Camping and Caravanning Club, this is home to two-bedroom canvas retreats and aimed at would-be campers who lack the gear. Everything is here, from full-size beds to mugs and clothes hangers – you just need to bring sleeping gear. The campsite is well-placed for trying out watersports or hiking and biking around the beautiful Lake District, though the camping accommodation is so luxurious we’d be just as tempted to laze on the sofa and play a round of Trivial Pursuit. Breaks from £165 (sleeps six).
2. Graig Wen, Gwynedd
Well-placed for adventuring in Snowdonia National Park, Graig Wen has yurts, bell tents and a Caban (wooden pavilion) on offer. The yurts and Caban are decked out with sheepskins, gas cookers and woodburning stoves, while the Bell tent is more basic. There’s an eco loo and shower, or you can use the main campsite facilities. From £65pp (sleeps 2-5).
3. Lower Rodhuish Farm, Somerset
Camp on an organic farm | Featherdown.co.uk
Set in 850 acres, this is a working farm with sheep, pigs, chickens and turkeys. It’s also home to five canvas lodges, each kitted out with comfy beds, fire stoves, running water and flushing loos. The farm is in Exmoor National Park, so there’s plenty to explore nearby; the beach is just a 10-minute drive away. You can also take the kids to meet and groom ponies, or hire a guinea pig or rabbit to pet. Breaks from £295 (sleeps 5-6).
4. Wriggles Brook, Herefordshire
Here’s your chance to stay in an authentic Gypsy Wagon, albeit one updated with electricity, satin bedding and radiators. Outside there’s campfires (toasted marshmallows, anyone?) outdoor seating and a two-man hammock, with hot showers and a fridge in a nearby cabin. Set in the Wye Valley, this is a good springboard for canoeing, hiking and cycling. From £100 per night (sleeps 2-4).
5. Mill Farm Glamping, Wiltshire
This organically-run farm doubles as a glampsite, complete with canvas lodges that feature three rooms, a veranda, a flushing toilet and a hot shower, along with an eco-friendly woodburning stove. Surrounded by the organic pastures, babbling streams and ancient oak trees that make up the farm, children are allowed to take part in feeding times, and you can help yourself to freshly-laid eggs. Breaks from £420 (sleeps six).
6. Lantern and Larks at Exton Park, Rutland
Exton Park — a perfect setting for a luxury camping trip | lanternsandlarks.co.uk
Situated on a large, rural estate just a few miles from the wildlife-filled shores of Rutland Water, this glampsite combines luxury with countryside charm (pictured above). The canvas tents have three fully furnished bedrooms, with decked floors throughout, a kitchen with butane hob, log-burning stove, flushing toilet and gas-powered shower. Actually, the only home comfort you’ll miss (or not!) is electricity. Breaks from £450 (sleeps six).
7. Aviemore Glamping, Inverness-shire
These eco-pods come complete with double beds and ensuite wetrooms, with a communal cooking shed nearby and a firepit outside. Cairngorms National Park is on the doorstep, meaning mile after mile of paths suitable for hikers, cyclists and horse riders. And skiers take note; CairnGorm Mountain, home of the UK’s highest funicular, is just a 20-minute drive away. From £60 (sleeps 2).
8. Wyresdale Park, Lancashire
With a lake onsite for boating, swimming and fishing fun, this glampsite is perfect for families, and that’s before you take into account the nearby petting zoo, play barn and Forest of Bowland. Each canvas lodge (pictured below) is well furnished, with a private gas-powered shower and wood-powered outdoor hot tub. There’s no electricity, so evenings are all about sitting by the campfire and relaxing with the family. Breaks from £469 (sleeps 5-6).
9. Meon Springs, Hampshire
Meon Springs is home to a yurt village with woodburning stoves, made-up beds and electricity. Cook on the electric hob, or use the Yurtery – a communal kitchen with a fridge for each yurt (also home to toilets and hot showers). The glampsite has its own fly fishery, plus clay shooting lessons and bike hire. It’s a fantastic base for exploring the South Downs. Breaks from £245 (sleeps 4-6).
10. Deepdale, Norfolk
Chose between authentic Mongolian yurts, Native American style teepees and locally made shepherds huts, all kitted out with comfortable furniture, stoves and outside BBQs. The North Norfolk coast is just a few miles away, home to nature reserves, beaches, historic buildings and endless walking and biking. From £40 (sleeps 1-8).
