Five of the best glamping spots in the UK

The gingerbread house

The Quiet Site

“What is a Gingerbread House?” our eldest daughter asks as we begin the four-hour journey from Oxford to the Lake District. I haven’t been able to work it out myself, but I do know that the Gingerbread Houses at the award-winning glamping site, The Quiet Site, are some of the newer accommodation offerings (there are also cabins, pods, and glamping burrows).

An ever-growing interest in ecotourism mirrors a larger societal movement towards sustainability and environmental awareness, and these charming, eco-friendly Gingerbread Houses are designed to be carbon positive (which is a step beyond carbon-neutral and basically means their existence helps the environment), fitted out with PV-panelled roofs, triple insulation, and ground source heating.

Inside it is basic, but although it’s one of our lesser luxurious glamping experiences, that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable. In fact, it’s fun because it feels like we’re on a real adventure. We sleep all together on a 3×2 metre ledge, snug in sleeping bags and playing card games late into the night. And although there is a simple kitchen inside, we use the camper’s kitchen to cook, or buy off-grid, zero-waste, wood-fired pizzas from the onsite cafe.

The Quiet Site feels like a destination in itself, and after days exploring the picturesque Lake District, it’s always a delight coming back. The kids become friends with the other camper kids and run off to play in mud, and it feels wholesome and the way a holiday should be – a proper adventure.
Ullswater, Penrith, Cumbria. Camping pods from £45 ($88) a night; Gingerbread houses from £120 ($233) a night. See thequietsite.co.uk

The hobbit-style house

Oastbrook Estate Vineyard

The popularity of JRR Tolkien’s works has sparked a fascination with the idea of living like hobbits, and I figure staying in a burrow-like structure could feel a little magical for the kids. It is – magical, that is, and it’s the most luxurious glamping accommodation I’ve ever stayed in.

Located in Oastbrook Estate in Sussex, a short walk from the 14th-century Bodiam Castle, Vineyard Hollow is a sizeable burrow-like structure that seems to have leaped straight out of a fairytale. The house’s charming, turf-covered roof blends seamlessly with the rolling landscape, evoking the magic and coziness of Tolkien’s Shire. Inside, the open-plan living area and kitchen are larger than most living areas of Sydney apartments, and the two en suite bedrooms at either end are fitted with king-size beds. My favourite place, however, is outside in the hot tub, with a glass of Oastbrook Estate Vineyard pinot gris in hand.

Whoever thought of glamping in a vineyard should be awarded a medal for brilliance — the convenience of having a diverse choice of drops right at your doorstep adds another level to the luxury experience. The estate is also home to luxury camping bell tents, and a Scandinavian-style waterside lodge for those who just can’t do without creature comforts.

Beyond the estate, 1066 County (named after the famous Battle of Hastings) has an extensive coastline and beautiful countryside to explore.
Junction Rd, Bodiam, Robertsbridge, East Sussex. Glamping from £145 ($281) a night. Vineyard Hollow from £250 ($485) a night. See oastbrook.com

The bell tent

Bluebird Coppice

When you think of glamping, bell tents probably come to mind. Are bell tents the original glamping creation? I can’t say that we solve this, but we have a great stay in one while exploring 1066 County, knowing that we are partaking in a tradition that has evolved into a luxury experience.

Nestled in the serenity that is the aptly named Bluebird Coppice, these bell tents are propped on wooden bases and surrounded by the bloom of the bluebells from late April into May. The sight of these vibrant blue-purple flowers carpeting the forest floor is mesmerising, and we go for many little strolls to admire the wildflowers.

The bell tents are spacious, with comfortable beds and a decor that blends rustic charm with modern comforts. At night, the gentle glow of fairy lights adds to the magical atmosphere, while the kids running around wearing head torches take that magic away. It’s like camping should be – a blend of calm and chaos.
Firewood Ln, Battle. Camping from £50 ($97) a night; Bell Tents from £180 ($350) a night; Cabins from £200 ($388) a night (minimum two-night stay). See bluebellcoppice.com

The landpod

The Eden Project

While this pod is not as luxurious as our other glamping experiences, it is situated in the lone campground inside The Eden Project, and we welcome the proximity to this internationally renowned garden.

The Eden Project, in a reclaimed clay pit near St Austell in Cornwall, is a vast, otherworldly landscape where two enormous biomes resembling giant soap bubbles, rise majestically from the ground. These architectural marvels house a diverse array of plants from around the globe, creating immersive ecosystems that transport visitors to distant lands.

We spend our evenings toasting marshmallows over the barbecue fire pits before retiring to our cosy pod, which is fitted out with two small double beds on raised platforms. But we’re here for the Eden Project, and spend two days there, dedicating our first to the Rainforest Biome – the largest indoor rainforest in the world – home to towering trees, cascading waterfalls and exotic flora. On our second day, we explore the Mediterranean Biome, where fragrant herbs and olive groves take me back to holidays in southern Europe.

The Landpod is very much a place just to sleep given its small size, but in a way that reminds us that camping (and glamping to an extent) were initially concepts for those who love to spend time outdoors.

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The YHA campsite also features a few Airstreams, and we strike up a friendship with a family staying in one, cheekily inviting ourselves in for a tour. If we were to stay again, these would be my top choice, both for the quirky factor and the comfort level.

We enjoy our little cocoon, nonetheless. With no rainfall during our stay, midnight toilet sojourns and nappy changes are easy enough to manage, and we even make the most of the unusually clear English skies, rolling back the safari tent-style roof to stargaze as we drift off to sleep.
Bodelva Rd, Bodelva, Cornwall. Camping from £15 ($29) a night, a person; Landpods from £60 ($116) a night; Airstreams from £80 ($155) a night. See edenproject.com

The writer was a guest of the glamping sites featured.