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Kate Newton

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Two people sat outside of a medieval tent.

Glamping by Royal Appointment?

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Anyone wanting a glamping holiday fit for a King ought to head to the Sandringham Estate Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite.  The site currently has 138 pitches and is open to non-members, so you can hire a camper van (if you don’t have your own) and head to the site in the heart of the Royal estate in Norfolk.  There are built in barbecue areas, electric hook-ups, a play area and woodland for all to enjoy.  Around 11 of these pitches are already reserved for glamping, being kitted out with everything you need for a self-catering stay aside from your bed linen.

Next season there will also be 15 safari tents, a further 28 caravan/motorhome pitches and 12 tent pitches for campers and DIY glampers.  There will also be two accessible pitches for people with mobility difficulties, making this a truly inclusive site.  Improvements to toilet facilities and an extended shop are also part of the plans for the site.

The safari tents will sit in a dedicated woodland area of the site and have a range of accommodation options, with some sleeping up to six people.  These tents typically have their own cooking area, veranda, and washing/toilet facilities, so although we don’t know the exact models King Charles is planning to install, we can take a good educated guess.  The units are intended to sit within existing woodland, set around established trees to create the feeling that they have always been there. 

Safari tents offer a really good balance between the night-under-canvas appeal of camping, with that close connection to nature, and the comfort of glamping accommodations like cabins, pods and wagons.  It’s also a good opportunity to try out this type of tent if you’re thinking about taking a safari holiday, or going to a desert retreat, as these types of holiday usually use the same sort of portable, well-equipped safari tent.

If you fancy stepping back a couple of hundred years for a Royal Court experience, the Knight’s Village at Warwick Castle offers six King glamping tents and 31 smaller tents, all constructed in the style of the era.  You’ll find twin-pole tents with flags atop, and fabric drapery in the larger options, plus comfortable but authentically styled beds – the King’s tents have a curtained four-poster bed inside with a stained glass window effect headboard.  Solid wood furniture, wooden floors and other medieval inspired décor touches finish the look.

Guests staying at the Knight’s Village can get into the spirit of the era with entry to Warwick Castle and enjoy the immersive banqueting hall experience in the restaurant, which is exclusively open to overnight glampers.  This is ideal for children who are in that phase of learning medieval history, and those who have found the appeal of the era to be enduring.  There’s also themed entertainment in the evenings, giving parents a little break while the kids are enthralled by knights.

If you love this period of history and want something a little more private then the two Tower Suites are worth checking out.  While they’re definitely not glamping, they are quirky and unique and who could pass up the chance to actually stay in a historic castle like this?  A luxury four-poster bed, en-suite, champagne on arrival and private tour of the castle are just a few of the touches this experience offers.  This would be ideal for a romantic weekend away for a proposal, a honeymoon or an engagement.

These glamping options book up quickly, so if you want to be on safari in Sandringham, or kicking back in the Knight’s Village in 2025 pick your dates now.

A bell tent against a night sky.

Love Glamping – Buy a Bell Tent!

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If you love to glamp, or you’re thinking of setting up your own glampsite (perhaps as an additional offering to an existing campsite) then a bell tent is a must-have.  Bell tents are the classic glamping accommodation, and they have this status for a good reason.

The classic bell tent has a central pole, rather than several elastic-linked poles like a traditional tent, and has enough head room for adults to stand up, making getting changed a lot easier than the typical camping experience of wrangling jeans on while you lie on an air bed!  Bell tents have a larger door aperture so you can enter and exit without having to crawl, and they generally come in a maximum size that will sleep eight adults, but which are much more luxurious when set up for two, or a family, with chairs, tables and rugs inside for comfort.  Most manufacturers have a range of size options.

There are some bell tents on the market now which are actually more like dome tents, and some which are inflatable (or use air beam technology), and these don’t have the central pole. This allows the space inside to be configured in many more ways, and also allows maximum mobility around the tent at the tallest part.  If you’re a tall couple, family, or group, you’ll appreciate this feature!

If you’re looking at having bell tents as a semi-permanent fixture on a glampsite, or even in a back garden as a summer space for the family, look for one with a zipped in groundsheet.  This keeps night-time visitors out, so you won’t be woken by a hedgehog snuffling at 3am, or find that a stray cat has got in while the tent was unoccupied.  Bell tents with windows (for ventilation) are ideal if the spot gets sunny, while there are some which allow you to roll up the sides for extra airflow on really hot days.

Bell tent glamping needn’t be for just the summer, however, because you can get stoves to fit in bell tents.  Some models come with the stove outlet pre-fitted, while most stoves you can buy to retrofit will have the outlet materials provided.  If you want a structure in your garden for social time, a home business idea, or just as a reading/chill out space then a bell tent with wood burning stove can be a budget friendly and portable option.  On a glampsite the ability to get some heat in the evenings can extend the season (and your income) by several weeks.

Structures which will be left in place for months at a time should be capable of withstanding any weather, from torrential rain to high winds and everything in between.  Check the waterproof factor of the models you like, and see whether extra treatments are available for the fabric to protect it against mould, sun damage and rot.  It is also worth raising the structure on a low deck to enable good airflow underneath the bell tent, thereby protecting the groundsheet against mould and stopping any carpeting inside getting damp.  Being raised also helps insulate the structure from freezing ground conditions in the winter.

When buying a bell tent, measure any furniture or internal elements you already have so you can be sure they will fit inside, especially for models with a central pole, or low sides.  The last thing you want is for your super-duper luxury camping bed (or even a standard bed) not to fit the bell tent you’ve bought, so measure twice and cut buyer remorse for good.  Don’t forget the (solar powered) fairy lights, and enjoy the possibilities that bell tents bring for glampsite owners and keen glampers.

Hiking Boots

Your Glamping Wardrobe Sorted

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Knowing what to pack for a glamping holiday can be tricky for first timers, and it’s not always going to be the same list every time you go.  The seasons, the accommodation layout, and your planned activities will make a difference to what you need to pack.

Footwear

If you’re planning on long walks then walking boots or sturdy shoes are a must, but if it’s wet or muddy you may also want wellingtons.  If you are planning on having a beach day or a stroll around a town, flip flops or sandals are in order.  Trainers are a good middle ground for most things.

Slip-on footwear can be useful for glamping accommodation where the shower and/or toilet are not en-suite.  You don’t want to be fiddling around with boot laces for a midnight trip to the loo, and if you have to walk back across an outdoor area from a separate shower facility, flip flops are the ideal thing to wear on your feet.

Outerwear

A waterproof jacket or cagoule is a must for any UK based holiday, but one common oversight of first-time glampers is not bringing a couple of jumpers.  If you were in a holiday cottage you may not need warm layers, but if you’re glamping and enjoying a campfire it’s worth having a jumper to keep the chill off.

We recommend taking two jumpers (at least) so that you can have one smelling of campfire and another one for evening excursions away from the accommodation.  If you’re like us and you love the smell of wood smoke you may be happy just to have one jumper, but remember to factor in the possibility of one getting drenched in the rain!

Outfits

If you’re travelling by car then luggage space is more flexible than if you’re cycling or going by train, however, it is wise to remember that at most glampsites your car won’t be parked just outside and you will have to carry bags to and from your yurt, shepherd’s hut or tree house.

Pack things that can be worn a couple of times without needing a full wash – avoid white if you’ll be indulging in some campfire fun, and try to pick clothes that don’t need ironing, and that won’t crease.  A white linen summer dress or trousers might be stylish and cool, but will it look good when you’ve hauled it out of a bag and smudged soot on it?

Other clothing

Don’t forget to take pyjamas!  This must be the most common thing to forget, especially if you don’t usually wear much to bed.  If you have shared toilet and shower facilities you will want something to wear for night time loo trips.  You may also want to bring a bathrobe so you can change after a shower in the comfort of your glamping accommodation, or just for spending a morning lounging around.

Cool nights mean a warm hat is in order for enjoying the campfire fun to the fullest, while a beanie can also be good in light rain to keep you dry.  In the summer, make sure you pack a sun hat – there are plenty of foldable and roll-able ones on the market to save on space.

Linens

Most glamping accommodation provides bed linen and towels but it pays to check carefully before you go.

If you’re planning on beach days, water parks or paddle boarding trips it’s a good idea to take your own towels for leisure, and keep the ones provided dry and clean for showers.  A bathrobe may come in handy here too.

Toiletries, food and leisure equipment make up the rest of your packing lists, and our top tip is to pack tweezers in your first aid kit to deal with any firewood-related splinters.  They don’t take up much space but when you need them you’ll be glad you remembered them!

Silo Glamping Pods lit up at night

Clever Grain Silo Glamping Conversions

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We’re constantly amazed by the innovative ways people create glamping accommodation out of unused vehicles and structures, giving new life to materials that would otherwise be scrapped.  This time we’re looking at a farm staple – the grain silo.

Grain silos are large round structures often made from (or clad with) corrugated iron which are used to store grains in bulk for animal feed.  They’re found in different sizes on most farms, depending on the size and purpose of the farm, making it relatively easy to get planning permission for the conversions.  Because the external structures already exist and are in keeping with the landscape and environment there’s little objection to their new use.

One of the most picturesque grain silo glamping options we found was at Tuffon Hall Vineyard in Essex.  Here, a converted grain silo stands in the vineyard itself, giving beautiful views and privacy in a setting many people don’t get to stay in.  There’s a flushing toilet and shower inside, along with a living room area and kitchenette.  A mezzanine level with double bed provides a cosy sleeping area and outside there’s a wood-fired hot tub and fire pit for enjoying a lazy evening whatever the weather.

There are several other single-silo options dotted around the UK; one in Ceredigion uses an extension to house a full kitchen while the upper floor hosts a large bedroom with en-suite wet room.  From here you can see the sea and the beautiful countryside, making this location ideal for a holiday that takes in both hills and coastal walks – one dog is welcome here with guests.  Similar sites can be found in Sussex, North Yorkshire, Powys and Suffolk. 

In Framlingham, Suffolk, The Silos is another unique silo based offering which uses two silos, connected with a corrugated iron-clad hallway to blend the structures together.  Here, the full height creates a real sense of space, as one silo hosts the bedroom and bathroom (complete with spacious shower and super-king size bed with gorgeous views out over the countryside) and the other is the living space and kitchen.  You can cook a full meal here with a double oven and hob plus plenty of space in the kitchen down one side of the space.  A log burner and sofas provide a comfortable seating area ideal for relaxing after a scenic walk.

Rutland is home to a three-silo conversion that featured on George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces.  Rocket Lodge joins three silos and four shepherd’s huts to create a holiday home that sleeps 6 people in the shepherd’s hut bedrooms – two doubles and one twin.  One silo is the modern kitchen and dining area, another hosts the living space complete with suspended fire pit, while the third is given over entirely to a luxurious bathroom with freestanding copper roll top bath (there’s even a disco ball!).   There is a second bathroom in a shepherd’s hut, so guests can soak away in the tub without being disturbed by the rest of the family.  Outside a deck and hot tub provide the ideal place for another soak and a relaxing evening.

These clever conversion projects may inspire more farmers looking to diversify their income into creating their own glamping accommodation from silos, this could be the new shepherd’s hut!  The sites in Ceredigion and Rutland show how several structures can be merged together for more space, or how silos can have auxiliary structures to provide space for a large kitchen, bathroom, or even another bedroom.

A beach at sunset.

2024 – The Year of the Calmcation

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Ever since the pandemic, glamping has been a popular choice, really taking off in the brief periods of respite between full lockdowns when it was an option that was compatible with social distancing and outdoor leisure and then really taking off as we moved back to normalcy.  This boon in popularity in the thick of the pandemic has garnered it many fans, some of whom have become dedicated glampers.

This has been supported by the rise in people building garden structures that served as a home office or retreat during lockdowns and which now provides an income stream as an AirBnB, as well as the increase in people swapping the bricks and mortar life for van life.  The live-in van is a glamping-on-wheels option that people are also turning to for holidays where they can connect with nature on campsites but have the trappings of modern life like hot running water and a proper bed.

An opposing trend (dubbed “revenge travel”) saw people going on list-ticking sprees, keen to maximise their holiday time by seeing and doing as many things as possible.  While we can see the appeal of catching up on lost time, many people have found that being constantly on the go and fitting in as many experiences and sights as they can actually ruins their time off.  Feeling disconnected from their destinations and despondent about the quality of their leisure time, lots of people are now turning to the “calm-cation”.

A calm-cation is a getaway where the aim is to maximise the time spent in repose, relaxing among nature with the must-see lists torn up and thrown away.  Think lie-ins, long reads and authentic connections to the natural world.

The things that make a calm-cation destination appealing, according to research carried out by Campspot, are waterfront locations, stunning views and decent internet connections.  We’d argue that actually for many calm-cationers the third option can be a negative point if the desire is to disconnect from the busyness of everyday life and restore a sense of balance.  With that said, we know how much people love to send holiday photos to family and friends or post on social media so there is a call for wifi even in the wild.

The connection with the natural world is also an important aspect of a calm-cation, and being barefoot outdoors (known as “earthing”) is said to reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure and even help with insomnia and mood disorders.  It’s all well and good having beautiful scenery from a hotel bedroom window where there’s super-fast broadband and room service on tap, but it’s another thing to be immersed in, and physically connected to those surroundings.

Waterfront locations are popular because of the calming effect of being around large bodies of water.  It could be the seafront, a lake or a slow flowing river but the simple presence of water helps calm our nervous systems – a lot of research has been conducted into the physiological effects of water and it’s a combination of the colour, the noise of gently lapping waves and the immersive effect on every sense that makes water so grounding.

Glamping seems to go from strength to strength and that’s because it is a sustainable, flexible style of holidaying that can cater for a range of needs.  No two glampsites are the same so whether you’re up for a week of white water rafting while sleeping in a tipi, or a long weekend in a safari tent reading your way through a stack of novels in your hot tub, there is something to suit everyone.

A view across a lake.

Keeping the Neighbours Happy

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Running a glamping business seems like a great idea; working from home for yourself, able to enjoy a sunny afternoon when the weather plays ball and the added social aspect of meeting new people are all attractive things about the industry.  Anyone who’s seen Carry On Glamping, the reality series following comedian Johnny Vegas as he makes his ideal glamping site a reality, will know that the journey there is far from easy.

The first series followed the Field of Dreams project from inception to realisation at its first site near Harrogate.  It all started with the late night, alcohol inspired purchase of a retro Maltese bus named Patricia and turned into a very ambitious project beset with hurdles, which made great viewing.  Series 2 aired earlier this year and covered the conversions and restorations of new glamping options including a boat and a helicopter, with the whole site relocating to Derbyshire.

It was sensible to move to a site with a lake; as we know from Campspot’s research last year, 64% of glampers are looking for a waterfront location, or close proximity to natural water sources.  The serenity of bodies of water creates a “calm-cation”, the hot trend for 2024.  There were other reasons behind the move, however, with the weather being partly responsible.  The high winds and heavy rains on the original exposed site played havoc with the waterproofing of some of the vintage vehicles; water may be calming, but not when it’s coming in from the outside!

The former site was also in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) where the number of accommodation options was limited to five, which restricted any plans for expansion in order to keep the neighbours happy.  This aspect of running a glamping business is very important, and if not properly adhered to, it can spell the end of the venture.

One small glampsite owner, Liz Feay, found this out the hard way when she applied for retrospective planning permission for two glamping tents she’d set up in her garden in the New Forest.  Dubbed Secret Garden Glamping, the Lymington site was in a semi-residential area backing on to other gardens, and caused noise problems for the neighbours.

Residents whose properties overlooked Secret Garden Glamping were disturbed all summer long by late night music, singing, chatting and adult activities.  For families with children this caused no end of problems with them having to close windows on hot summer nights, due to the noises coming from the glampsite.  Karaoke, lewd conversations and general noise disturbance were considered to be at harmful levels by planning officers, and the complaints meant that Feay had to close the site and remove the tents.

Similar concerns are also levied at many prospective glampsites, with locals unwilling to put up with a whole summer of partying, as well as the impact on small rural roads from the extra traffic, or the impact on the look of the countryside.  For this reason it is a great idea to test the water with the permitted 60 day development rule, that allows would-be glampsite owners to run a trial period to assess the impact that a permanent glampsite might have.

If you’re thinking about starting a glamping business, it’s wise to keep the neighbours happy and not least because their visitors may well become your customers!

A cabin at night

Glamping – Prefab or Conversion?

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If you’re looking to get in on the glamping action with your own site, or even just a single structure in a spacious garden that you could rent out on AirBnB, then the big question facing you is: prefab or conversion?

The answer depends largely on your budget and what skills you have in-house.  Access to materials and the location of the site also play a part in the decision.

 

Prefabs

There are many benefits to prefabricated structures, not least because there are a number of options, in terms of shape, size and style.  This means you can confidently choose a structure that meets the requirements of planning regulations in your area.

Prefabricated buildings mean very little disruption on site, in terms of construction.  There may be groundwork to create a suitable base or to connect utilities, like sewerage and water, but the actual build phase is very quick.  The component parts of prefab buildings can vary in size: with some able to be brought through a normal gate and others requiring more space, or even a crane to put the structure in position.  Check what access you have before making a decision on which prefab to buy.

With a prefab all the plumbing and wiring is in and ready to go, so you don’t need to worry about finding separate tradespeople to do these jobs as you might if you undertook a conversion project on your own.  There’s also a warranty in most cases, so the cost of repairs is one less thing to worry about when you’re setting up your glamping business.

The downside to a prefab is that they can lack the unique character you get with a conversion project, but this can actually be an upside.  Prefabs tend to blend in quite well in large gardens in more built up areas, while creating a whole site of prefabs creates a uniform look that can be more appealing than a mishmash of different conversions – it’s a matter of personal taste.

 

Conversions

A conversion project can be a great option for those who are handy with the power tools – keeping labour costs down means you can create something magical without breaking the bank.  Doing the project yourself does mean making quite a commitment in terms of time, so if you’re planning on this being a side project at weekends, be prepared for it to take several months. 

Conversions can be done by professionals too – there are companies out there converting vans, horseboxes and all sorts into glamping accommodation or campers, so a conversion doesn’t necessarily mean you have to DIY.

Conversions are also perfect for people who have a suitable old vehicle, shepherds hut or even a grain silo (see our previous piece for ideas there).  If the structure or vehicle is in situ already then there’s no issue about getting it into place – no cranes needed.

If the structure is on wheels, you still need to get planning permission if it is going to be rented out.  The common wisdom is that a structure on wheels isn’t considered to be a permanent structure so it doesn’t need planning permission, being considered to be a caravan rather than a dwelling.  This is true if it’s used as an extension of the house (a workshop, home office or similar), but not if it’s going on AirBnB.

A conversion project can have more charm and character than a prefab, and this can be a selling point if there’s a lot of competition in your area for unique glamping experiences.

As we can see, prefab and conversion projects both have their pros and cons, but we hope this discussion has helped you in your decision making process whether you’re looking at one unit, or a whole glampsite.

An underwater room at the Manta Resort

Glamping Gets Everywhere

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If you have looked at booking a festival, a sporting event or even one of the UK’s more arcane local celebrations the chances are you will have been given the choice of glamping as one of the potential styles of accommodation on offer.  You might expect to see a glamping field at Glastonbury and in fact there are several glampsites attached to the festival, offering a range of experiences from bell tents to multi-room safari tents with private showers and toilets.

Even sporting events now come with associated glampsites, so if you want to spend the weekend flitting between a woodland glampsite and the British Grand Prix you can!  The Isle of Man TT is one of the best known motorsport events and one which has a long history of camping, and of course now you can book a luxury bell tent with all the mod cons to rest your head after a long day of spectating.

You can even glamp when you’re on a layover on a long haul flight.  Changi Airport in Singapore offers glamping alongside the usual array of hotels for travellers needing stopover accommodation.  Private pilots can avail themselves of the fly-in glampsite at the Hinton-Alderson Airport in West Virginia, where you can land your plane and taxi right up to your safari tent that can accommodate six people.

If you live in the countryside the chances are there’s a glampsite within a few miles of your home.  Planning permission rules were recently relaxed to allow farmers to host pop-up glamping for up to 60 days without having to go through lengthy applications.  This means that a two-month glamping offering over the summer months with bell tents, yurts and tipis is a viable income stream for rural landowners, one which also benefits the local economy as visitors spend money in the area.  It’s a way of testing the water to see whether running a full-time site is viable, so some temporary glampsites may go on to become permanent fixtures if planning permission is granted.

If you live in a town or city there’s probably a glamping option near you too – with a rise in back garden office/cabin conversion projects, triggered by lockdowns and now serving as an additional income stream on sites like AirBnB you might even live next door to a solo glamping cabin.  Vehicle conversions, shepherd’s huts and even bespoke glamping pod builds have all been seen in back gardens in the past few years and their popularity shows no signs of waning.

Perhaps stretching the definition of glamping is the Underwater Room at the Manta Resort in Tanzania.  This floating cabin has an underwater bedroom and is anchored in a private lagoon offering guests complete isolation with a sub-sea experience you won’t get anywhere else.  The accommodation has a rooftop tanning deck, a sea level lounge and bathroom and then below decks is the double bedroom with windows looking directly into the ocean.

The last example might well be considered more of a boutique hotel than authentic glamping, but it does at least fulfil the requirements of seclusion in nature and the absence of a brick and mortar structure. 

Glamping really does get everywhere. You can spend the night glamping at festivals, sporting events, airport stopovers, up in the treetops and even underwater.  We think the last place that glamping has to conquer is a cliff face – but there are already options for portaledge camping available if you’re feeling brave enough!

A log cabin viewed through a flurry of snow.

Baby, It’s Cold Outside

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Winter glamping is an experience that can’t be beaten when it comes to atmosphere and connecting with nature.  There’s something primal about the bare trees, crisp weather and feeling of exposure you get outdoors in the winter, and it’s also cheaper than during the high season!  If you’re planning a winter glamping trip with your partner than be sure to bookmark these rewritten lyrics to the Christmas oldie Baby It’s Cold Outside reworked for the theme of glamping.

 

If you’re going group glamping in the colder months this version of the festive favourite is a great one to bring out round a campfire – pair up the people with the best voices for a duet, or split the group in half and take a perspective each for a cheerful campfire sing-song.

 

I’m glad we’re away…

Baby it’s cold outside

Such a crisp winter day…

Baby it’s cold outside

This trip out has been…

A sight to be seen

So very nice…

I’ll hold your hands, they’re just like ice

 

We’d better start laying a fire…

A perfect way for you to inspire

Get logs stacked up and ready to burn…

We’ll keep it going by taking turns

So really I’d better prepare…

We’ve got plenty of kindling spare

Marshmallow toasting; ooh that’s a must…

I didn’t forget, in that you can trust

 

Shall I make some drinks…

Baby it’s cold out there

Hot chocolate methinks…

That sounds like a great idea

It’s warming me up…

And me, my hands round the cup

I’ll make some more…

Yes maybe two, three or four?

 

Let’s get the blankets; wrap ourselves up…

Perfect! We’ll be warm while we sup

It’s beautiful but cold here outside…

The wildlife has nowhere to hide

We might see a deer…

Maybe right here?

Baby its cold outside

 

It’s getting so dark…

Baby it’s cold outside

We could do with a spark…

But baby, it’s cold outside

We need a lantern or two…

I guess that is my cue

To light our way…

We’ve got a few in our chalet

 

My bed will be so warm and cosy…

The log burner’s going, it’s rosy

The pillows feel just perfect to sink…

Nearly bedtime, that’s what I think

My head will be so snug and rested…

The feather bed is tried and tested

But maybe just a little while more…

Just wake me up if I start to snore

 

Tomorrow will bring…

I’m looking forward to brunch

Another song we can sing…

Or maybe a nice pub lunch

It’s really been grand…

See how much cold we can stand

But don’t you see…

We’ll explore round this icy land

 

So let’s turn in, get us some sleep…

I don’t think I’ll need to count sheep

This glamping lark works all year round…

It’s great, this little place that you found

I really must say…

Though it’s warm in there

Baby it’s cold

Baby it’s cold outside

 

We hope you have fun singing this on your winter glamping trips.  If you’re not going glamping until the weather warms up why not have a few bonfires with friends and keep the glamping spirit going all year round?

Now is the perfect time to book a glamping getaway for the spring or summer before your favourite destinations, or the ones at the top of your wish list, get booked up.

Merry Christmas from all of us at The Glamping Warehouse.

A green shepherd's hut by a forest.

City Glamping Ideas

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When a friend talked about enjoying city break weekends in various UK and European towns and cities, we just kept thinking about preferring glamping.  We love the proximity to nature, and the chance to stay somewhere with more character than a centrally located chain hotel.  Sure, there’s lots of culture and amazing sights to see in cities, but we’d miss the quirkiness of glamping, the self-sufficiency aspect, not to mention the peace you don’t get in a hotel.

Is there a happy medium here?  Is there a way of combining a city break with a glamping getaway?  Well, we think there’s a compromise that allows you to have the appeal of glamping accommodation with the convenience of an urban location, which is especially useful for non-drivers or those that don’t have a car.

It’s partly down to the pandemic that there is a growing choice of  urban glamping-style accommodation options; people converted sheds into home offices or built a structure from scratch to provide an extra space for work, leisure or relaxation.  These spaces are now increasingly being turned into glamping-style accommodation, with cabins, glamping pods and even shepherd’s huts at the bottom of a garden available for a long weekend.

You’re less likely to find a tipi or yurt inside a city, instead more permanent structures are the norm and that’s mainly due to the pandemic effect.  We’ve found several cool glamping options inside cities, some of which have plumbing but others are more off-grid with composting toilets and wood burners for heating.  If it’s this aspect of glamping that appeals to you then you can find several good options within, or very close to urban areas giving you the best of both worlds.

Shepherd’s huts seem to be quite popular, but cabins and tiny homes are more prolific in urban areas and many of these are situated in gardens and screened off from the main house.  You get the privacy you would expect from glamping with a more workable location to boot. 

If you want to be more rural for your accommodation, but spend time soaking up the culture of a town (perhaps you’ve booked tickets for a show, or there’s a restaurant you want to try) look at the public transport options around the area before seeking accommodation.  Knowing which options are on the bus or train routes means you can find the right one more quickly, and avoid the disappointment of finding a lovely cabin, only to find it’s way off the beaten track.

This allows you to leave the car at home, not have to worry about parking or foregoing a glass of wine with your meal.  If you’re cycling then you have a great deal more freedom in terms of the location of your evening accommodation, not being bound by transport limitations.

City glamping is a good way to introduce a reluctant glamper to the world of glamping; the accommodation is very much like what they’d experience in the countryside, but the convenience of being in an urban location with shops nearby keeps things within a comfort zone.  Some people find the nighttime noise of wildlife a bit frightening and while we can’t guarantee that urban foxes won’t breach the peace, you’re less likely to be disturbed by owls, deer and hedgehogs in a city glamping location.

It looks like the idea of a city break combined with a glamping getaway isn’t that far-fetched, and perhaps it will be the on-trend holiday option for 2024?

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