The best glamping sites in the UK: 18 we are in love with!

Posted on 3rd Jun 2020. In , , ,

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From cosy couples’ retreats and hot tub heavens, to cool log cabins and the unique and usual, glamping in the UK is here to stay. Traditional campers may scoff at it, but not even a global pandemic will keep glamping down forever or new glamping sites from popping up.

We love glamping weekends here at Weekend Candy, not only because you get a chance to stay somewhere unique but you also get the chance to discover often off-the-radar locations in the UK. 

Top of our glamping gold list are this little lot: 18 of the best glamping sites in the UK, ready to rock and roll your world in 2022. All of them have been picked by yours truly for their originality, personality, thoughtful touches, and, stunning location.

So, set your Siri reminder and schedule a well-deserved UK glamping weekend away. Winning at life, you so are.


 

 

 

Best Glamping Sites in the UK | No. 1

 Mad Dogs and Vintage Vans, Forest of Dean | Sleeps 2 – 5

4 off-grid retro caravans that take you back to a Golden Age

The Surroundings: A secluded patch of leafy Herefordshire in the Forest of Deanwith the pretty town of Ross on Wye just a 30-min walk away. This UK glamping site is small, secluded, and set in the beautiful grounds of a Grade-II Georgrian rectory. 

It overlooks the Black Mountains to the west, with endless sky views and incredible sunrises and sunsets, and the glade around each van is swimming in shoulder-high cow parsley, so you always feel shielded from any other guests.

Nearby, the River Wye snakes its way through the countryside. It’s the ideal spot for outdoor adventures including canoeing, walking, and cycling (we love Inspire2Adventure in Monmouth for outdoors adventure). On-site, there’s a tennis court that’s open to guests and a make-shift shop selling kindling and local produce.

Sleep: In one of 4 vintage caravans dating from the 1930s – 1960s: Monty, Sybil, Gertie, Elsie – sleeping between 2 and 5 people. Alternatively, grab a group of friends and hire the lot for a whole-site stay!

Each van is furnished with comfy beds, feather duvets and quilts, and woodburners to keep the chill off. And each comes full of individual character, keeping the vintage charms of its birth decade alive. Think ditsy-print fabrics, crocheted throws, coronation-style bunting, and gas lights. 

Off-grid is the spirit here, so electricity isn’t provided – although you can recharge phones up by the shop should you need to. The shared wooden facilities are modest and eco-friendly, with local sustainable products, yet entirely comfortable and pretty with meadow flowers, a pink sink and stain-glass window. 

Eat: The Mad Dog team can bring asty home-cooked meals straight to your van if you book 24 hours in advance For larger parties they’ll even rustle you up hangover brunch on request.  Al fresco cooking is also catered for with your own campfire to the side of your van, and the freezer section of the Mad Dogs’ onsite deli will be stocked with glamping essentials like sausages, bacon, milk, butter, and ice cream.

You’ll love: The ease and whimsy of an age that has been captured by the gorgeous owners, Sacha and Jo, and gifted for us all to enjoy. Nothing at this UK glamping site is overdone: the vans retain their original charms, with a lick of paint to keep them fresh, whilst the site is simple and modest, yet thoughtfully arranged. The result? You feel properly hidden from the 21st-century. Also, the site is perfect for group bookings of up to 16 people, so if you’ve a birthday or celebration approaching, this is a wonderful option.

Cost:  3-night weekend stay for the whole site (4 vans) is £1390 low season and £1650 high season (July/August). A 2-night mid-week stay at Mad Dogs and Vintage Vans costs from £180.


 

Best Glamping Sites in the UK | No. 2

 Downash Wood Treehouses, East Sussex | Sleeps 2 – 4

Live the high life in leafy luxury with only birds and deer for neighbours

The Surroundings: Five acres of unspoilt private woodland (Downash Wood), sitting in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that touches the Kent border, just an hour outside of London. 

Beyond the wood, rolls 33-acres of Sussex countryside, at the heart of which is a destination gem: Bewl Water Reservoir country park where you can walk, cycle, kayak and swim. Whilst over the road is Bedgebury Pineatun boasting 320 acres of forest.

Branch out further afield in the car and you’ll reach Royal Tunbridge Wells and the seaside towns of Hastings, Rye and Camber Sands. Ditch the car completely and you can walk to the nearby village of Ticehurst in 15 minutes.

Sleep: In one of two stunning thick-set oak-framed treehouses: Tinkers (sleeps 2) and The Oakey Koakey Treehouse (sleeps 4). Or stay grounded in Coddiwomple Cabin, Hidey-hole Cabin or the Hobbit-style wooden cabin, Willow The Wisp (all of which sleep 2), which completes this UK glampsite’s royal flush. 

Nestle in the treetops and you’ve five-star comforts at your disposal, including a fully-fitted kitchen, bathroom, living space – so an isolation staycation is perfectly possible. 

Both treehouses are furnished for year-round comfort with wood burners, chunky sofas, woollen throws, fluffy rugs, fire bowls and wrap-round wooden decks. So even if lockdown only abates in the autumn, you can still come to this glamping site and enjoy a cosy non-seasonal break.  

Book Willow The Wisp instead and burrow down below the trees. A beautifully-furnished cabin for 2, it opens onto a double bed/living space, with a shower and loo room at the back, and an electric hob, kettle, toaster and sink for easy self-catering. The recently added Coddiewomple Cabin offers superior interior style and is nestled in its own woodland, complete with an extra-deep hot tub. Hidey-hole will keep you connected to nature with it bifolding doors and this luxe glamping cabin even boasts a movie projector and popcorn maker.

Eat: Cook in kitchenettes or over an open fire at the base of your treehouse or cabin, with the stars for company. Or stroll into Ticehurst where the local award-winning pubs, The Bell Inn and The Cherry Tree, will hopefully be serving hearty country fare once again, when the restrictions ease. 

You’ll love: The treehouses on this glamping site place you amongst nature whilst also lifting you above it so you can watch the coming and goings of the wild world, without disturbing its rhythm and pace. You’ll also fall for the cabin’s Hikki outdoor hot tub. Fired by freshly-chopped wood and powered by laughter, it’s the way Saturday nights were meant to start.  

Cost: A 2-night stay at Downash Wood costs from £370.


 

 

Best Glamping Sites in the UK | No. 3

 Trelan Farm, North Wales | Sleeps 2

A stylishly refurbished shipping container  and wagon in the beautiful Welsh hills

The Surroundings: A quiet corner of a working 150-acre beef and sheep farm in Cilcain, North Wales, which sits at the foothills of the popular peak Moel Famau, loved by hikers and walkers. 

Around you wildflowers sway, sheep bleat, birds and insects buzz, and cows wander up to say ‘hello’. All set against stunning views of a designated AONB that stretch on for miles.

Within easy reach of the Trelan Farm glamping site are the wonders of the majestic Snowdonia National Park – home to the brilliant Adventure Parc Snowdonia – and Offa’s Dyke, as well as the local market towns of Ruthin and Mold and the ancient city of Chester.

Sleep: In the brightly-decorated comforts of a refurbished shipping container, modestly called the Cargo Cabin. This unique farm stay is the epitome of simplicity and proof that with a little imagination even characterless utilitarian items can become something special. 

Clad beautifully with wood and set on a decked terrace, Cargo Cabin has a palpable romance that appeals to couples: the double glass doors open into a cosy kitchen and living area, transforming neatly into your bed for the night with a few quick adjustments. The glamping cabin also has its own sparkling wet room, flushing toilet, heating (with easy to control thermostat), bluetooth speakers and Wifi.

Trelan Farm has recently added another accommodation option to its offering in the form of their new Wonder Wagon. Created from a wagon trailer, Wonder Wagon has been converted in collaboration with West Elm and the result is a chic countryside escape complete with a cosy bedroom, contemporary kitchen/diner and even its own en suite with shower!

Eat: Cook up something nice inside the cabin or on the BBQ outside. Just a mile away, delicious Welsh pub grub waits in the form of the White Horse Inn, where cabin guests get 10% off their bill. For drinks, a bottle of bubbly will be chilling in your fridge, courtesy of Catherine and Wynne, the owners, and there are local teas and coffees ready for your first morning. 

Love: It’s impossible not to fall for the glampsite’s outdoor bathtubs. Perfectly placed to the side of the cabin and wagon, under the endless Welsh skies. Fill it with bubbles and pour a glass of your own, then sink in for a soak under the stars.

Cost: Two night stays start from £250.


 

 

Best Glamping Sites in the UK | No. 4

 West Coast Hideaways, Scotland | Sleeps 2 – 6

Sleep like a shepherd under the Northern Lights with a loch at your feet

The Surroundings: Tucked into the small hamlet of Nedd (which means ‘the nest’ in Gaelic) and overlooking a sea loch of the same name on Scotland’s stunning North Coast 500 route.

The views here are truly mesmerising; they rush across the waters of Loch Nedd to Lower Badcall, Scourie, Handa island and all the way up to the distant mountain peaks of Fionaven, Arkle, and Ben Stack. Nearby, there’s the remote, but not isolated, village of Drumbeg as well as the stunning beaches of Achmelvich, Clashnessie and Clachtoll. 

For wildlife lovers, West Coast Hideaways is a dream come true: seals play in the loch waters, sea eagles and golden eagles have been seen in the area, and wild deer come visiting the glampsite daily.  

But what makes this one of the best glamping sites in the UK? The fact that, if you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the Northern lights from your bed.

Sleep: In the peaceful seclusion of one of three luxury shepherd’s huts: Iris, Handa, or Rowan. All three huts have a personality of their own and comfortably sleep 2 people. 

Inside, they’re beautifully furnished and neatly kitted out with rainfall shower ensuites, log-burning stoves, fully-fitted oak-dressed kitchens, king size beds and large picture windows which spill magnificent sea and mountain views into your mornings and evenings. 

Outside each hut, there’s a private wooden deck where you’ll find a wood-burning hot tub, dining furniture and a BBQ. If they’re all booked up, you could try Eriskay in Aviemore at the foot of Craigellachie Hill in the Cairgorms National Park. 

Eat: Some of the freshest seafood in Scotland, delivered most Wednesdays in Nedd by the local fishermen. Take your fresh clutch back to your van and cook up a BBQ watched by the mountains. Fancy something a bit more formal? There are plenty of restaurants and pop-up cafes within 20 miles, open during the season.

Cost: Stays start from £125 per night in low season with a minimum two night stay..


 

Best Glamping Sites in the UK | No. 5

 Drover’s Rest, Wales | Sleeps 2 – 4

Award-winning safari glamping and hands-on fun at the heart of a working farm

The Surroundings: a gently reclining 10-acre meadow to the left of a beautiful 16th-century shepherd’s (‘drovers’) farmhouse, tucked into Welsh hills on the border of Herefordshire and Wales – in the stunning Wye Valley

The world-famous book town of Hay-on-Wye is less than 10 mins away by car (home to the famous Hay on Wye Literature Festival) and the Brecon Beacons are reachable in under an hour; the site itself is wonderfully ‘off the beaten track’ so pay close attention to directions on your way there. 

Once you arrive, there’s almost no reason to leave again for the entirety of your stay. The family’s farm becomes yours for a rustic hands-on extension of your escape, with a range of activities perfect for kids, including feeding the farm animals, crafting workshops, guided walks or nature watching hunkered down in the site’s wildlife hide. Kesri and Paul who created Drover’s Rest even offer the chance to press your own cider, once you’ve plucked apples from their orchard.

Sleep: Under African-style canvas in a luxury safari tent – there are six on this glamping site, each sleeping up to four. Every one is as handsome as Tom Hardy in a safari suit and with muscular proportions, to boot: a large wooden porch with outdoor sofa, extensive lounge with obligatory log burner and a kitchenette with all the mod-cons. 

At the back of the tent you’ll find two good-sized double bedrooms divided from the living space with an inner canvas lining and dressed with wrought-iron single beds, warmed with locally-spun Welsh-wool blankets and cushions.

Best of all, the individual safari tents come with their own private ensuite (hello monsoon shower, underfloor heating and flushing loo) in the form of a contemporary stable block, two minutes from your glamping tent. 

If you prefer solid walls, as opposed to canvas ones, Drover’s Rest glamping site also boasts three pet-friendly traditional Welsh cottages, sleeping 2 – 4:  Drover’s Cottage, The Shepherd’s Shack, and The Carthouse and the team are also in the process of installing a luxury cabin on the site too. 

Eat: This is one glampsite that revolves as much around food as it does luxury. There are various foodie nights on offer four times a week, as well as sharing platter roast dinners on Sunday (in pandemic-free times). All the food is organic, home-grown or foraged – and, weather permitting, cooked over an open fire, then served in the no expense spare, stunning chill out barn. 

You’ll Love: The communal barn, The Hayloft, is a masterstroke that glamping families with bored teens or children. Converted from the original farm hayloft, it has free WiFi, Sky TV, a games console, books, games and a farm shop with a small café and bar (just the thing for corona-free glamping cocktail – yes, they serve cocktails onsite, too). 

Cost: A three-night break at Drover’s Rest in a safari tent costs from £240. Luxury Cottages Breaks from £420 for three nights.. If they’re all booked up, you’ll find By the Wye nearyby – 3 safari tents on the banks of the River Wye, ideal for Wye Valley glamping.


 

Best Glamping Sites in the UK | No. 6

Happy Days Retro Vacations, Suffolk | Sleeps 2 – 5

Uber-cool vintage airstream caravans 5 miles from the Suffolk coast

The Surroundings: Miles of Suffolk farmland wrapped around a neat little tree-lined glamping site that shines as bright as a pin in the English sun. 

Nearby, you’ve the Suffolk heritage coast (five miles away) with the coastal splendour of Aldeburgh, Southwold and Thorpeness to keep you busy, as well as the pleasant market town of Saxmundham (with direct train links to London). 

Once you’ve arrived, kick off any modern pretensions because this UK glamping site thrums to a retro beat. From the site’s playful centrepiece, a 1950s French army truck, to the bubble-gum coloured bunting and furniture, the owners’ imaginations have run wild to ensure Happy Days are had by all – especially for the young at heart. 

The site is car-free so kids can play safely either in the open air on the swings, slide or giant trampoline, or inside the ingeniously converted polytunnel: complete with giant Connect Four and table football.

Sleep: In authentic 1950s’ kitsch thanks to the glamp site’s seven retro caravans: 6 American Airstreams and an American Avion Trailer and one British Cheltenham Sable. You’ll love the vans’ individual personalities; as you might expect, each one has a name and a unique vintage furnishing theme of her own.  

Wanda is straight out of 60s Ohio with her pink and turquoise charms; Betsy flaunts lipstick-red good looks and hails from Pennsylvania; Gloria is a 1960s Californian girl who continues to turn heads; Peggy’s cool 70s blues just add to her ‘origins unknown’ mysteriousness; Annie’s West Virginia heritage is captivating (even John Denver agreed);  Dee Dee is a 1950s Southern Belle who wears florals and gingham very well and, finally, Netty – a Motown diva with an uber-cool 70′ vibe.

Each van on this UK glamping site has a private firepit right outside, plus there’s a modern toilet, shower and washing-up block just 50 yards from your front door.

Eat: Each van is kitted out for self-catering with a hob and small oven. If you fancy a BBQ, you’re encouraged to bring your own and you can always toast marshmallows on the outdoor firepit.

You’ll Love: The cleverly converted ‘red shed’ – an onsite vintage cinema room showing classic family movies twice a week, during the school holidays and at weekends (pre-pandemic).

Better still, Happy Days has two ingenious escape rooms housed onsite in wartime Nissen huts. Play Air Raid or Superbugs as a pair or as a group of up to 8. You’ve an hour to crack the codes and complete the mission. 

Cost: Two-night breaks at Happy Days glamping start from £240.


 

Best Glamping Sites in the UK | No. 7

Green Cart Farm, Cornwall | Sleeps 2 – 3

A gin holiday in a magical Cornish treehouse, shepherd’s hut or cabin 

The Surroundings: This rural escape sits in 7-acres of beautiful Cornish farmland in Lostwithiel. Within 10 minutes of Poldark’s Harbour Charlestown, Eden Project, Fowey, Lantic Bay, Poldark’s Bodmin Moor, gorgeous beaches and the Saints Way.

There are no paved walkways (wellies are a must) and your nearest neighbours are the sheep, cows, ponies, geese, and ducks of the off-grid botanical farm at the other end of the field. In the summer, you’ll find a cast-away boat on the nearby lake for you to use, a rope bridge to trundle across, as well as a hammock to sway happily in – gin in hand. 

The farm is also home to a tea room and farm shop, as well as the site’s distillery: the largest essential oil distillery in Cornwall with 2200 litres of still capacity for various types of specialist distillation, including rum and Green Cart Farm’s own brand of gin – made from herbs grown less than 50 metres away.

Sleep: In one of the site’s three quirky options. The Treehouse perches at the top of an 18 foot ladder, in a prime sunrise and sunset spot on ancient oaks. It’s a small, cosy space with a double bed for two, a cast iron wood-fired stove and is filled with rustic, curious objet d’art. 

The Tiny Tin House – or Star Gazer – sits on wheels overlooking the farm’s lake. Oozing character, its charms include an original chapel door, windows and oak architrave; a small, simple kitchen with a bijou Belfast sink; a sofa and a pillowy double bed (Star Gazer can sleep three). 

Lastly, the glampsite’s Cornish shepherd’s hut is as ‘real’ as they come. This is not luxury glamping; it’s an authentic, working hut with an upcycled and recycled finish. Includes a traditional wood pot-belly stove, indoor caravan toilet, a full-size tin bath, double bed and outdoor Dutch oven. Your private hot shower and toilet are a few paces away from all three glamping options.

Eat: Wake to a delicious breakfast delivered to your door (if you’re staying in the treehouse, it’s placed in a wicker basket attached to a pulley system for you to lever up). Before the pandemic, Green Cart Farm also ran tapas evenings in the treehouse, bbq dinners for guests in the Tiny Tin Hut as well as steak evenings, cooked by Ben. Finger’s crossed they can again soon.

You’ll Love: The gin two-hour gin masterclass run by Shonna (pre-corona). She guides you through the distillation process, from picking your own botanicals, to distilling the gin in their traditional copper distilling pots. As well as B&B gin masterclasses, Green Cart Farm also offer moonshine holidays, candle making experiences and rum distilling. No surprise that it’s one of the best glamping sites in the UK!

Cost: A one-night stay for two cost from £198.


 

 

Best Glamping Sites in the UK | No. 8

Boutique Farm Bothies, Aberdeenshire | Sleeps 2 – 4

A remote Scottish agritourism escape amongst fields of barley

The Surroundings: Rural Aberdeenshire rolls our before you; barley sways in the fields and the sheep call out to see if you’re listening. Welcome to Newton of Begshill Farm, a remote family farm where husband and wife team, Jane and James, cultivate strawberries, grow barley (for malting whiskey) and rear sheep. 

This is true rustic living; you’ll need a car to get to this best UK glamping site. Find it near Drumblade, on the Burn of Forgue in the Strathbogie district of Aberdeenshire. Four miles away, you’ll find the historic town of Huntly with the impressive Huntly Castle and the Cairngorms National Park is 25 miles away. 

Sleep: Like lambs tucked up in the remote bucolic luxury of one of three unique glamping choices: The Barley Bothy (sleeps 4), The Sheep Shed (sleeps 2) and The Dirt at Denend (sleeps 4). The Barley Bothy is a traditional corrugated tin bothy, with a veranda running its length. The entire building has been beautifully upcycled – the cladding is from an old chicken shed – so there’s heritage and character in every nook and cranny. Includes two king-size box beds, Jotul log burner, immersion heater, stargazing window, vintage flushing toilet and roll-top slipper bath. And exclusive use wood fired hot tub.

The Sheep Shed lives in a hidden copse all of its own; a tin wonder with a ground floor and mezzanine, thrown almost open to the elements thanks to an impressive floor-to-ceiling window. Includes salvaged kitchen units and floral print drapes, a fabulous tin water trough for a bath and your own exclusive-use wood-fired hot tub. 

The Dairy at Denend is a unique little dwelling based on the shape of a mobile milking parlour. The interiors are colourful and captivating and boast two bedrooms, one with a king-size bed and another with a set of bunk beds. Everything has been thought of in this cute bothy and it’s been kitted out with luxe finishing touches such as a hot tub, cocktail cabinet and reproduction Dansette record player with Bluetooth connection!

Eat: A welcome hamper awaits your arrival, filled with Scottish treats, Jane’s home grown strawberries and homemade bread. For dinner try out the wood-fired grill or venture out to one of the nearby farmer’s markets for some local produce.

Cost: Two night stays start from £300.


 

Best Glamping Sites in the UK | No. 9

Blackberry Wood, Sussex | Sleeps 2 – 4

A remarkable glamping menagerie jazzing up the peaceful sussex countryside 

The Surroundings: Nestled at the foot of the South Downs National Park in Sussex, is a secluded glade almost lost among the native woodland. Footpaths and bridleways criss-cross nearby and the pretty red-bricked village of Ditchling is just a 45-minute walk with two fabulous village pubs to lure you in (once restrictions ease). 

London Victoria is an hour by train, Lewes is just 5 miles away and 30-minutes south of Blackberry Wood, Brighton’s vibrance sparkles loud and clear by the sea. Not that you’d know it from the peace and quiet onsite. 

Sleep: In a midsummer night’s dream thanks to the 7 unique glamping options created by owners Tim and [name]. Choose from a 1960s’ Holiday Bus (sleeps 4); a converted 1965 Wessex Search and Rescue helicopter (sleeps 4); a curvy modern wood-clad cabin (sleeps 4); a perfectly-preserved 1930s’ bow-top gypsy caravan (sleeps 2); Angus the fire engine (sleeps up to 4); or one of the glampsite’s two enchanting treehouses, Higgledy and Piggledy (each sleeping 4).

Traditionalists can choose to camp instead of glamp in a selection of woodland glades – there’s space for just 20 tents, so it’s peaceful and private. And all guests have access to onsite handcrafted toilets and hot showers (check if any Covid-19 restrictions are in place).

Eat: Each option comes with private cooking facilities with all the equipment you need for great meals in. Or eat al fresco over a campfire in the designated firepits. 

You’ll Love: With so many unique glamping options available, you can return again and again to Blackberry Wood for an entirely different experience every single time. 

Cost: Please enquire direct for individual prices on the different styles of accommodation. And if you have no luck at Blackberry Wood, try The Hyde in Cuckfield (a shepherd’s hut for 2 by a private lake).


 

Best Glamping Sites in the UK | No. 10

By the Wye, Hay-on-Wye | Sleeps 2-5

Treetop glamping in the wonderfully lush Welsh borders

The Surroundings: Settled on the banks of the River Wye on the border between Wales and Herefordshire, By The Wye glamping site enjoys an enviable location with both fabulous countryside and a thriving market town within easy reach. Brecon Beacons National Park offers plenty of outdoor adventure and the Wye Valley Walk and Offa’s Dyke trails are perfect if you fancy really getting to grips with this gorgeous part of the world on foot. Alternatively, hire your own canoe and get to know the Wye up close and personal!

Hay-on-Wye is also brimming with things to do, including the famous Hay Festival, truly a book-lover’s dream, excellent independent shops and boutiques (including over 40 bookshops!) and the weekly Thursday Market with its assortment of produce, crafts and vintage finds.

Sleep: Treetop safari tent is not a phrase you often hear but By The Wye is home to five of them! Resting on stilts that lift you off the forest floor and into the canopy, each of the tents sleeps up to five, except for Cwtch which is a cosy two-person bolthole.

The tents are beautifully designed with rustic yet elegant interiors and feature a double bed and a twin bedroom (other than Cwtch, which has a king bed) as well as a kitchen area and cosy sitting area complete with a wood-burning stove. These gorgeous glamping tents are off grid and run through solar power and generators to ensure they are sustainably managed but they still provide plenty of luxury extras such as hot water, USB charging points, a power shower and a flushing loo – ideal for even the most camping averse!

Each of the tents also has an outdoor deck from which you can soak in the surroundings or fire up the fire pit or BBQ. An extra tent can even be pitched on the deck if you are in need of more sleeping space.

Eat: The kitchen areas of the tents are kitted out with gas hobs, cool boxes and utensils as well as BBQs or firepits on the decking area. The By The Wye team can even arrange a hamper of the best goodies from the surrounding area to keep you fed during your stay. Choose from options such as Chilled Out Chilli which includes all the ingredients for a Mexican-inspired feast and the Full Welsh Breakfast.

You’ll Love: The location is a real showstopper and if you want to lose yourself in a magical woodland experience, but keep the luxurious trappings and town amenities within touching distance, this might be the glamping trip for you.

Cost: Stays are priced from £700 for three nights.


 

Best Glamping Sites in the UK | No. 11

Peake’s Retreats, Staffordshire | Sleeps 2-6

 Traditional yurts that take glamping to a whole new level

The Surroundings: Nestled 12 miles from the Peak District in the heart of rural Staffordshire, the Peake’s Retreats yurts are set in a quiet field on a working family farm. This Peak District glamp site is perfectly positioned for walkers and cyclists with some excellent routes close by. The Tissington Trail begins in the nearby town of Ashington and runs for 13 miles while the Tatenhill Silver Circuit walk offers a picturesque 8-mile loop.

Burton upon Trent, considered by some to be the brewing capital of the UK, is just four miles from the site and offers an array of family-friendly attractions, eateries and amenities if you want to stock up on any goodies for your trip.

Sleep: Peake’s Retreats is home to three beautiful yurts, Potter’s Lodge, Beaumont’s Hideaway and Milne’s Corner. These striking and sizeable structures each sleep up to six and are beautifully decorated in quintessentially English country style with gorgeous furnishings, tasteful pops of colour and cosy wood-burning stoves. Each yurt has a super comfy king-size bed as well as sofa beds for additional guests and cots can be added for younger children.When it comes to the facilities, each yurt has its own shower room and toilet which are located in the nearby bathroom block.

Outside, Milne’s Corner and Beaumont’s Hideaway also have their own private wood-burning hot tubs so you can soak away under the stars. The yurts offer an ‘off-grid’ experience so don’t have electricity but there are lockers available for phone charging.

Eat: The kitchen areas in the yurts include a wood-burning stove and gas hob and plenty of pots and utensils for simple cooking, however those with grander culinary plans can make use of the site’s shared cooking cabin and the Finnish BBQ hut, which can seat up to 24. Order a BBQ hamper of goodies such as beef kofta kebabs, minted lamb ribs and gourmet sausages so you can grill up a gourmet feast.

You’ll Love: As well as boasting a brilliant location, Peake’s Retreats has some excellent bonus features for those travelling with children. As well as an on-site play area with a play-house and swings, there is a shed full of outdoor toys to be enjoyed to ensure the whole family has a magical break to remember.

Cost: Check directly with the Peake’s Retreats team for up to date pricing.


 

Best Glamping Sites in the UK | No. 12

The Roost, Gloucestershire | Sleeps 2

 Two adorable cosy cabins set in the majestic Forest of Dean

The Surroundings: The Roost lies within two and half acres of meadow in rural Gloucestershire with the majestic Forest of Dean providing a dramatic yet inviting backdrop. The surrounding area is a Special Area for Conservation owing to its wild residents, including the endangered horseshoe bat. Other neighbours include dragonflies, deer and badgers so nature lovers can settle down on the veranda and observe the locals in their natural habitat. There are also plenty of walking routes to be found directly off-site so there’s no need to pack up the car every time you fancy a stroll – grab one of the cabin’s OS maps and stretch your legs.

Close to The Roost is the village of Mitcheldean where you can stock up on supplies or investigate some of the local areas of interest such as St Anthony’s Well, which is said to have magical healing powers, and the beautiful River Wye.

Sleep: The Roost is home to two secluded little cabins named The Nook and The Nest, each of which sleeps two, making them perfect for couples looking to escape the hustle and bustle – while retaining the convenience of fast WiFi. Crafted out of cedar wood, each cabin consists of a single beautifully appointed room with a king-sized bed dressed in Egyptian cotton linens, a chic living area with a woodburner and floor-to-ceiling windows and a kitchen area. The bathrooms are also top notch with power showers and luxury local toiletries.

Outside you can enjoy the stillness and beauty of the surroundings on your very own veranda and, best of all, plunge into the warmth of the Japanese soak tub – the only way to truly relax and enjoy that spectacular sky.

Eat: The kitchen area of the cabins includes an induction hob, mini oven, fridge, dishwasher and some store cupboard basics for prepping your own forest feasts while outside each cabin there is a firepit with a griddle and BBQ tools – lumpwood charcoal is available to buy on-site.

To take the hassle out of organising meals it’s also possible to pre-order a barbecue box (stocked by local Plump Hill Farm), a cooked or continental breakfast box or even a birthday cake and bottle of English sparkling wine!

You’ll Love: Dog owners rejoice because these cabins are complete with everything you’ll need for your four-legged friends to join you on your trip. Each cabin has space for two dogs and boasts a pull-out doggy truckle bed, pup treats, poo bags and even a wash station for cleansing muddy paws.

Cost: Stays starts from £399 for three nights.


 

Best Glamping Sites in the UK | No. 13

Exe Valley Glamping, Devon | Sleeps 2-6

 Stylish safari tents in the heart of stunning
Mid-Devon

The Surroundings: Exe Valley Glamp Site lies on 150-acres of peaceful farmland on the banks of the beautiful River Exe in Mid-Devon. The site sits within walking distance of Bickleigh, a breath-takingly pretty village with thatched cottages and a 14th century bridge that just begs to be Instagrammed. For those who really want to get to grips with the area, try a trip along the Exe Estuary trail on bike or foot. This flat trail runs for 26-miles and offers stunning views and the chance to spot some local wildlife.

While there is certainly plenty to enjoy on your doorstep at Exe Valley, the stunning North Devon coast is only around an hour’s drive away so you may wish to schedule a beach day or two into your plans.

Sleep: Each of the eco-conscious canvas lodges, Foxes Earth, Badger Sett, Otter Holt and Heronry, offer all the comforts of home and are well appointed with three bedrooms; a king, a twin and a cute little cabin bed with a double mattress.

The  open-plan living and dining space has a rustic yet elegant feel with chunky furnishings and comfortable sofas for lounging in front of the wood-burning stove. The tents also have a shower and toilet so that you won’t have to worry about traversing the site by torchlight!

Eat: The kitchen is set within the living area and is well-equipped with a gas burner and a small fridge while outside lies a fire pit. The Exe Valley team will even set you up with a lush breakfast hamper packed with local goodies. The Exe Valley Farm Shop is also close by so you can stock your kitchen with fresh produce for your trip.

There is no shortage of high quality eateries in Devon and the nearby Bickleigh Mill serves food throughout the day, including that famous Devon cream tea – when in Rome…

You’ll Love: This UK glamping spot truly offers something for everyone. Whether you fancy a romantic break with your significant other with stunning skies and a crackling stove to keep you cosy or a wilderness adventure with the family, Exe Valley can deliver. From the collection of board games in each tent to the abundance of wildlife waiting to be discovered, this is a trip will appeal to all.

Cost: Stays starts from £550 for two people.


 

Best Glamping Sites in the UK | No. 14

The Box BNB, Malton | Sleeps 2-4

 Chic converted shipping containers by the North York Moors

The Surroundings: Set outside the village of Thornton-Le-Dale close to the market town of Malton (a true foodie delight), a trip to Box BNB’s container cabins puts you within reach of gorgeous countryside and gastronomic delights. Dalby Forest lies around six miles from the glamping site and offers over 8000 acres of woodland to explore by bike or on foot.

There are plenty of family days out in the vicinity of the cabins too including Flamingo Land in Malton, the stately Castle Howard and the North Yorkshire Moor Railway which is considered to be the world’s greatest heritage railway. Whitby and Scarborough with their famous coastlines and thriving centres are also within driving distance so don’t forget to pack your swimmers!

Sleep: These cool and quirky cabins are created out of shipping containers and offer stylish accommodation with an urban twist while making the most of the rural setting. The three cabins (Pig BOX, Rabbit BOX and Duck BOX) have been designed with floor-to-ceiling windows to offer stunning views over the surrounding landscape.

Each of the cabins has a cosy double bedroom and an open-plan living room/kitchen/dining area. The living space is chic and comfortable and comes with a log-burner and a projector for the ultimate movie night experience. The sofa can also be folded into a bed for an additional adult or two small children while the en-suite bathroom is of hotel quality with its power shower, printed tiles and brass finishings.

Eat: The cabins’ kitchens feature a Nespresso machine for that morning caffeine kick, a kettle, toaster, induction hob and a fridge/freezer and the team will even leave you some cooking essentials such as herbs and oil. However, as Yorkshire’s food capital, there is no shortage of top notch eateries in Malton so you may want to give cooking a break during your stay. The town is overflowing artisanal treats and local produce so dive in and sample everything! The second Saturday of the month is Malton’s Monthly Food Market with a plethora of bakers, brewers and producers offering their wares – not to be missed!

You’ll Love: Fancy getting to know the North York Moors on horseback? BOX BNB offers stabling on request so you can even bring your four-legged friend on your weekend break.

Cost: Stays starts from £300 for two people for two nights.


 

Best Glamping Sites in the UK | No. 15

Swallowtail Hill, East Sussex | Sleeps 2-4

Fairytale cottages on wheels set in wildflower meadows

The Surroundings: Swallowtail Hill glamp site is located close to the coastal town of Rye on a gorgeous 40-acre farm. The farm is run purely for conservation and is made up of wildflower meadows, ancient woodland, hedgerows and ponds to encourage biodiversity and preserve the natural landscape. The result is a beautiful spot that encourages you to pause, take a breath and appreciate the natural splendour of the area.

Rye is around six miles from the site and is packed with historic sites including Lamb House, the former home of author Henry James, and Batemans, where Rudyard Kipling once lived. There are also several must-see gardens in the vicinity of the farm, including Great Dixter House and Gardens and Pashley Manor with its fabulous floral displays.

Sleep: Swallowtail Hill is home to several different accommodation options including two fairytale dwellings known as Meadow Keeper’s Cottage and Woodcutters Cottage.

Meadow Keeper’s Cottage is an adorably crooked little cottage on wheels which sits serenely between two wildflower strewn meadows. Inside is a single room with a double bed and two days beds that can be used to sleep two children as well as a kitchen area and a log-burner for chilly nights. Meadow Keeper’s Cottage offers a real-chance to get back to nature and has now electricity or running water inside but there’s a sink and washing up area outside with hot water and a gas-fired shower

Straight out of a Grimm’s story, Woodcutter’s Cottage is tucked among the trees and has a few more mod cons than Meadow Keeper’s with electric lighting and a USB charging point. This custom-made cottage contains a single room that can sleep two adults and two children and is heated by a wood-burning stove. Outside there is a newly added wood-fired hot tub which you can hire for an additional £30.

Eat: Meadowkeeper’s Cottage has a neat indoor cooking are with a gas hob with a grill and a cool box while Woodcutter’s Cottage has the added bonuses of a mini fridge and microwave. Both cottages are also equipped with fire pits and cooking kits and its possible to order breakfast boxes or BBQ hampers to make your self-catering stay that little bit smoother.

Swallowtail Hill also has its very own glampsite chef who can rustle you up some truly delicious glamspite grub. Whether you fancy a cosy campfire supper to reheat in your cottage, a luxurious picnic hamper or even an afternoon tea, the team can cater to your needs if you place your order in advance.

You’ll Love: With its stunning woodland and fields overflowing with flowers, this wonderful setting is second to none. Swallowtail Hill is also home to some incredible wildlife and you may just be lucky enough to spot kingfishers, badgers and foxes.

Cost: Stays in Meadow Keeper’s Cottage start from £272 for two nights and from £310 in Woodcutter’s Cottage.


 

Best Glamping Sites in the UK | No. 16

The Meadow Glamping, Hampshire | Sleeps 2

Grown-up glamping with a fabulous festival edge

The Surroundings: The Meadow’s three glamping options are set within two acres of willow tree-studded land close the idyllic village of Broughton in Hampshire. The glamp site is set around a picturesque lake, which you can explore in the resident row boat, while the Wallop Brook runs along the perimeter of the Meadow and offers a gorgeous spot to set up with a good book or sit back and watch the trout and ducklings go about their business.

If you fancy exploring the surrounding towns and villages you won’t be disappointed. The town of Stockbridge is less than five miles away and is both pretty and well-stocked with shops and attractions – the high street was even once named Best Foodie Street. Other nearby attractions include the unmissable Stone Henge and the Bombay Sapphire Distillerywhere you can enjoy a tour or masterclass on the iconic gin.

Sleep: Meadow Glamping is home to three anything-but-ordinary glamping options; Wild Billy, an 1890s showman’s wagon, Mary’s Place, two quirky cabins, and The Magic Rat, a converted narrow boat.

Wild Billy’s life began on a fairground but this wagon has been transformed into a boho paradise with a cosy bed for two and a wood-burning stove. Outside is an under-cover sofa which offers the perfect spot to unwind of an evening.

Mary’s Place is made up of two vividly painted cabins, the first is a converted trailer which is now kitted out with a wrought iron double bed and glazed doors that can be thrown open to the beauty of the landscape.Overlooking the lake is a bold and beautiful summerhouse where you can enjoy a meal , curl up with a book or watch the local kingfisher dip and dive.

Moored on the lake is the latest addition to the site, The Magic Rat. Accessed by its own bridge, The Magic Rat offers a sense of peaceful seclusion while inside tattoo-inspired interiors and playful prints give the space a rocker edge. A cosy double bed, stove and kitchen area are fitted neatly into the space while on the adjacent island an additional covered area where you can enjoy a meal and an outdoor sofa where you can relax in front of the fire.

The site is adult’s only and off-grid with solar power and battery alternatives to allow you the chance to truly unplug and unwind.

Eat: Each of the accommodations has cooking facilities, Wild Billy and Mary’s Place have their own outdoor fire pits as well as gas rings and outdoor food prep areas – you can even pick you own veg from the site’s kitchen garden. The Magic Rat comes with a gas BBQ and has a kitchen area on-board.

Alternatively, pub grub is available within five minutes of the site or you can go all out with a delicious delivery from Italian deli Prego or caterers McCrimmon & Reid.

You’ll Love: This super cool UK glamp site offers an alternative to quaint interiors and country styling with its bold colours and tattoo-inspired motifs. There is a definite rock ‘n roll quality to The Meadow so embrace your inner festival goer and immerse yourself in this bohemian bolthole.

Cost: Stays start from £105 per night with a two-night minimum stay.


 

Best Glamping Sites in the UK | No. 17

The Artisan Bakehouse, West Sussex | Sleeps 2

A gorgeous oak shepherd’s hut with some utterly delicious amenities

The Surroundings: What could be better than a stay in a beautiful little shepherd’s hut? A stay in a beautiful shepherd’s hut with access to an artisan bakery!

The Artisan Bakehouse is a country retreat with a bread-making school, two idyllic holiday cottages and a luxury shepherd’s hut (baker’s hut) where you can pass a few days in gorgeous surroundings. The hut is within a private five-acre glade in Ashhurst, West Sussex, close to the South Downs National Park where there is a plethora of walking and cycling routes to enjoy. There are also plenty of beautiful beaches and coastlines to explore within a short drive of the site, including Brighton and Hove which is less than 15 miles away.

If you fancy something physical you’ll find canoe hire within walking distance of your accommodation at The Kayak Coach – the perfect way to explore the River Adur.

Sleep: The Baker’s Hut is a hand-crafted oak shepherd’s hut with everything you could possibly want for a relaxing break for two. This elegant hideaway is the epitome of country cottage chic and is bedecked with plenty of home comforts.

As well as a king-size bed with luxurious bedding, the hut is furnished with a flatscreen TV, sofa, woodburner and an en-suite shower room. Outside you can relax on the terrace and take in the unspoilt landscapes and stunning starry skies with a glass of something fizzy.

Eat: The hut’s bespoke-built kitchen has a fridge/freezer, oven/microwave, hob, kettle and toaster while outside is a BBQ and fire pit – everything you need to rustle up a cosy meals for two. The team will even get you started with a breakfast hamper of bread (made on site of course), granola, jam, cookies, fruit, freshly-laid eggs, milk and butter.

The site is also home to the award-winning Bakehouse which is fully licensed and offers plenty of mouth-water lunch options, afternoon teas and cakes with an emphasis on seasonal eating and local suppliers.

You’ll Love: The Bakehouse runs a variety of different cook schools and masterclasses so you may want to get in on the action and pick up a new skill on your weekend break. From beginner bread making to an artisanal chocolate making masterclass, these new talents could make you very popular indeed!

Cost: Stays start from £325 for two nights..


 

 

Best Glamping Sites in the UK | No. 18

Daisy Park, Cornwall | Sleeps 2

A luxury shepherd’s hut close to the fishing port of Looe

The Surroundings: Parked up on a Cornish working farm overlooking a pond teeming with wildlife, this shepherd’s hut’s location implores you to leave the stresses and strains of the real world behind you.

However, if you do wish to venture into civilisation on your stay, the fishing harbour of Looe is only around 10 minutes from the glamping site. Looe has plenty to offer including bars, restaurants, independent shops and a wide sandy beach where you can enjoy a picnic or take a dip. Two further beaches, Seaton and Millendreath, are also around a 10-minute drive from Daisy Park making it ideally located for those looking to aquint themselves with the Cornish Coast. The Eden Proejct is also within easy reach by car while the famous town of Padstow is around 40 miles away.

Sleep: The shepherd’s hut 22 feet long and has been carefully designed to offer a boutique hotel styling in the tranquillity of the Cornish countryside. The hut is imbued with coastal charm with a timeless blue and white palette, a sumptuously upholstered sofa and a king-sized bed that will ensure your break offers plenty of well-earned rest.

The space also accommodates a farmhouse-style kitchen area, a woodburner (which supplements the underfloor heating) and a chic subway-tiled en-suite with a rainfall shower and loo. Outside, a wood-burning hot tub is perfectly positioned to take in the views of the surrounding countryside and star-studded sky.

Eat: In the neat but well-equipped kitchen you will find a compact fridge, a gas cooker and hob as well as some essentials to get you started such as eggs, bread, milk and homemade jam.

The nearby town of Looe is home to some great eateries boasting freshly-caught seafood, local produce and those famous pasties. Try eating in or out at The Cornish Bakery with their plethora of pasty options (steak and stilton, anyone?) or enjoy some fresh fish with a view at The Sea Kitchen.

You’ll Love: The interiors of this beautiful shepherd’s hut perfectly straddle comfort and style and the result is a super chic space that is every bit as inviting as it is elegant. Prepare to have itchy Instagram trigger fingers during your stay!

Cost: Stays start from £175.


 

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Claire Robinson Founder of Weekend Candy
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