Glamping in UK
Glamping not camping is quickly growing in popularity in the UK and Ireland, some say that in these austere times people are avoiding going abroad to save money but the reality is that people are simply becoming more aware of the beauty of the British Isles and taking time to discover what there is.
Glamping itself has also been a catalyst of course, letting you get close to the most beautiful spots while still having the luxury you would expect in a hotel; where traditional camping may have held British tourism back glamping certainly thrusts it forwards.
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Best glamping spots in the UK
Dog friendly glamping in the UK
Family glamping in the UK
Glamping in winter in the UK
Glamping in Scotland
Glamping in Devon
Glamping in Ireland
Glamping in Cornwall
Glamping in Wales
Glamping in Yorkshire
Best glamping spots in the UK
Cornwall, UK – Source
You can go glamping almost anywhere in the UK or Ireland but holiday areas such as North Wales, Devon, Cornwall and Yorkshire are among the most popular with many people jumping in their car after work on a Friday and getting away for the weekend without the fuss of packing up camping gear or having to go to the airport or across the channel on a ferry or train.
While hotels are generally in towns and cities, apart from very expensive country house hotels and little B&Bs, glamping can be done almost anywhere and glamping sites are often farms or on spots with fantastic views, with those spots on the hills of North Wales and Devon some of the most idyllic.
Many glampers want to just walk, maybe cycle and often go fishing of course but many sites have interesting towns and cities nearby that can offer good day trips too.
Dog friendly glamping in the UK
Dog – Source
Many glamping sites are dog friendly and some are even less fussy being generally pet friendly. You need to check ahead though especially as some glamping sites are on farms with livestock nearby or even grazing around the tents.
Being able to take your dog with you, especially on a walking holiday, is a major reason why many people choose glamping over hotels or even B&Bs and some glamping sites even provide dog beds upon request.
Family glamping in the UK
St Agnes Beach – Cornwall – Source
While for couples glamping is great as a weekend getaway for longer summer holidays glamping is great for a holiday with children. Being close to a beach or major town may give you more to do and South Devon and Cornwall are great for sandy beaches while York and Harrogate are just two of Yorkshire’s fascinating towns and cities.
On larger glamping sites you also often have adventure playgrounds, swimming pools and games rooms to keep children busy. Even within your tent there is often a lot more for children to do on a rainy day than there would be in a hotel, many tents include a selection of board games and other extras to keep kids busy.
On sunny days though glamping with children really comes into its own where parents can relax and read or just sunbathe while the children play nearby and probably make friends with other young glampers.
Glamping in winter in the UK
Glamping in Winter – Source
Winter generally puts an end to camping where with your own tent it would just be too cold. Almost all glamping sites though have tents with heating, often under floor as well as log burning stoves. This means you can stay perfectly warm, also while modern tents are designed to be thin and lightweight the tents used for glamping are made of thick canvas often with a felt lining that is incredibly good at keeping heat in during the winter but which stays cool in summer. At the same time however if you are glamping in winter a tent with its own toilet and hot shower might be advantageous rather than a separate block that you would have to trek across to in the middle of the night.
Wild Luxury at Hunstanton, Norfolk
This glamping site has canvas lodges, massive tents that sleep six, these are an ideal place to stay in winter as each lodge has a range to keep the whole place nice and toasty and there is also a hot shower to jump into when you get back. Autumn and spring are popular times here as a huge range of migatory bids make their way along the Norfolk coast and there are good nature reserves with bird watching hides nearby with Thornham Bay two miles away. Also nearby is the village of Hunstanton with a good restaurant and a pizza place too though the range means you can eat on site with no problems.
Glamping in Scotland
Loch Ness – Scottish Highlands – Source
Loch Ness Glamping, Scottish Highlands
In Armadillas rather than tents meaning the often changeable and usually wet Scottish weather has no chance of creeping in. The setting is beautiful come rain or shine though in the glen and you are not far from the Loch. You get an en-suite, under floor heating and little extras such as a DVD player and a Barbeque area top it off.
Galloway Glamping, Dumfries and Galloway
Bell tents on luxury sites that include everything you’d expect at a good hotel including a pool, restaurant, and outdoor play areas making this an ideal place for children and a good place for a week or two week long family holiday.
Logie Glamping yurts, Aberdeenshire
In the grounds of Logie Country House these 19 foot yurts are placed in a beautiful wildflower meadow. Perfect for those wanting to spend time walking. The estate itself has extensive tracks and paths and there are major footpaths and trails nearby.
The yurts are genuine Tibeten yurts and each has a double bed and a double sofa bed, each with plenty of down duvets and pillows so you can stay cozy on cold nights. The log stove will keep you warm as well as gives the yurts a wonderful homely feel; showers are in a separate shower tent and toilets in a timber built block.
Glamping in Devon
Summerhill Farm
Yurts on this Organic farm, everything is eco-friendly here and you can learn more about the farm itself while staying here. Most facilities are in a barn including cooking facilities while your yurt has plenty of space for sleeping and a living room area too. There are also bell tents, a little smaller but still with comfy beds to sleep four and with your own firepit and barbeque outside.
The Glamppod, Helston
A one off at Helston not far from Plymouth: where there is plenty to do such as visiting the National Marine Aquarium and historic Barbican, from which the Mayflower headed to America and the Hoe where Drake played bowls while waiting for the Spanish. The Glamppod is extraordinarily luxurious with better beds than you’d find in almost any hotel and beautiful furniture and linen furnishings: it feels rustic but you have every creature comfort too.
Eco Tipi, Holsworthy
Eco here means no energy guzzling under floor heating but tipis are designed to keep in heat and they stay warm. Eco also means that there’s a compost loo but it isn’t as bad as you might think nor is the outdoor shower. The 16ft tipee is very comfy and cozy though is certainly one for the summer and maybe late spring.
Wild Comfort Ltd, Totnes
Dartmoor – Source
Often missing out on tourism to Dartmoor and Exmoor the South Hams area of Devon is beautiful with some of the country’s best sandy beaches. Wild Comfort provides tipis on small sites with everything you need; this includes food for your stay if you ask in advance, you could turn up with a suitcase full of clothes and a couple of good books and need nothing more. Locations are across the South Hams area and change every few weeks: meaning no damage to the land and environment.
Glamping in Ireland
Cheire Haven, Co. Cork
Island of Cape Clear – Source
At Ireland’s southernmost point the island of Cape Clear takes around 45 minutes to reach by ferry, if you are coming from Britain or elsewhere in Europe it’s a long trip but well worth it to truly get away from it all and enjoy complete tranquility. The rocky island is covered with meadows of wild flowers and there is plenty of scenery to take in as you walk around the island and relax on the small beaches amongst rocky coves.
Winter in Ireland – Source
You can bring your own tent and equipment and do a ‘do it yourself’ glamping trip but there are also yurts or tipis. The yurts offer the most space and luxury with full double beds, wood burning stoves and sofa beds if needed plus hard standing wooden floors.
Boutique Camping, Co. Westmeath
A site with 9 yurts in the Irish midlands it is a great area for horse riding, cycling, hiking and fishing on the site’s lake. The yurts are all a good size with a double and single bed and with beautiful rugs on the wooden floor to make it feel warm even in winter, though the log burning stove also helps.
The things that make this site unique though are firstly the children’s tree house stocked up with art equipment and a great way to let your kids be creative on holiday. For adults though there is the sauna and meditation hut: feel the stress and angst melt away allowing you to truly relax and enjoy your holiday straight off.
Glamping in Cornwall
East Thorne, Bude
Ten luxury yurts, felt lined to keep the heat in, log burning stoves to make the heat to begin with. There is a separate shower block but it is luxurious and with a games room, central camp fire and adventure playground this is a great place for families. There is potential for a few families coming together but also there is potential to meet other families on the site.
Luxury Cornish Yurts, Bodmin Moor
Cornwall Yurt – Source
Great for couples or families these large yurts each have a private shower room and comfortable furnishings as well as enough storage to keep your belongings organized. Set a good distance apart each yurt has a private deck outside to relax and enjoy the sun or have a few drinks in the evening. Your kitchen isn’t in the yurt itself but in a converted cow barn with one kitchen for each yurt with places to keep your food too. There is also a fire-pit area though so if you fancy a barbeque you can have one a safe distance from your yurt.
Glamping in Wales
North Wales – Source
Hot Tub Safari, North Wales
A key site in making glamping so popular and still one of the most luxurious sites. The safari style tents are within the grounds of a five star hotel, whose facilities you can use too. The safari style tents are very spacious and full standing height throughout, they have full bathrooms too with a bath and wet rooms. You also get full heating including under floor heating and outside you get a private terrace with its own hot-tub: pure bliss.
A Seventh Heaven, North West Wales
Only three bell tents but with 8 acres of farmland to accommodate them in this area of outstanding natural beauty. Nearby you have Snowdonia and the Caernarfon Bay in the other direction; it is a short distance to some great beaches and national walking trails. The area has great fishing a well including for brown trout in the site’s private pond. The bell tents have a full double bed and two futons so are ideal for couples or families. The futons also make it ideal for relaxing in the evenings with the wood burning stove glowing in the background. Cooking and dining facilities are in a separate barn and a few essentials, including a bottle of wine to get your break started, are included.
Away from it all, North Wales
Rather than the standard bell tents, tipis and yurts this glamping site has Geodesic domes, they are very spacious though and appointed neatly with everything you need. You can get involved on the farm too if you like and can collect your own eggs each morning.
Glamping in Yorkshire
Jolly Days
Huge tents in the woods including showers, cooking facilities and pretty much everything you would expect from a hotel suite: with even more space. Sleep in four poster beds and relax in the evenings either outside or if it gets a little chilly on sofas by the fire inside.
The tents are totally unique to this site but sleep 6 each so are ideal for two or three couples sharing or for a family. Each tent has a dining area too and so you could have a little weekend party with friends here in what is more like a lodge but with no permanent structures meaning no harm to the beautiful woodland.
Where with traditional camping in the British Isles if you were told ‘try it what’s the worst that could happen?’ you might answer ‘we could end up cold, wet and miserable’ that simply isn’t an issue with glamping where even in winter tents and yurts with solid floors, heating and hot showers mean you will always be able to stay warm and cozy.
