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Kate Newton

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FLight board information at Changi Airport, Singapore

Indoor Glamping! Surely Not?

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Glamping is all about celebrating the great outdoors in style, so the idea of glamping indoors was a new one to us.  Changi Airport in Singapore recently offered guests the chance to glamp inside the airport, with yurts available to rent in the Jewel Shiseido Forest Valley, an indoor forest set over five storeys, or the Cloud9 Piazza on the top floor.  Each yurt sleeps four, with queen size beds, toiletries and a welcome basket on offer for those who tried out this unusual experience.

Jewel is the retail complex attached to Changi Airport, and it boasts the largest indoor waterfall in the world, alongside top brands and eating experiences.  As Singapore is a popular choice for stopovers on the way to Australia and New Zealand it’s the perfect location for an indoor glamping experience, allowing travellers to add some fun to an overnight layover rather than trying to catch a couple of hours of shut-eye on an airport bench.

Those who didn’t have time for an overnight stay could hire a yurt for a picnic experience instead, with all the luxurious touches you’d expect from a unique offering like this.  The indoor glamping experience ran until early January, but we expect they will repeat the idea later in the year to cater for people looking for a little extra touch in their travel experience.

Indoor glamping parties have been increasing in popularity over the past few years, as an option for birthday parties and sleepovers with a difference.  The great thing about glamping indoors is that you don’t need a closed tent to keep the weather and the bugs out, so A-frame style tents are used to give each guest their own space while keeping everyone connected.  During the pandemic this really took off as a way to have a small scale kid’s party due to the limits on indoor guests.  You’d need a decent sized room to accommodate all the tents, décor and soft furnishings but it’s a party experience quite unlike anything else.  You might not have an indoor forest and waterfall like in Changi Airport, but you can really go to town on the extra touches and decoration to create a magical party.

Another glamping inspired product that brings the experience indoors is the pop up bed tent, designed to fit over any bed to instantly turn it into a more private space.  This is great for children who share a bedroom but who want their privacy, or for adding a bit of privacy in an open-plan home.  These are also great for light sleepers who need to keep the light out and for people who feel calmed by being in a small space.

The pop up bed tent can also be used to add personal touches to a student bedroom or rental property where you can’t decorate or attach anything to the walls.  Using fabric and battery powered LED lights, you can create a truly magical sleeping environment without needing to make any holes in the walls or risk damaging the wallpaper or paint with sticky tape.  Those who crave familiarity can take their bed tent with them on holiday or to sleepovers so they can have their own space away from home.

The bed tent is available in a range of sizes, so if your furry friends love sleeping in small spaces you can get them their own bed tent.  If you have a problem with midges and mosquitoes the bug protection options provide a sleeping space that will stay bug-free while still allowing you to see all around you.  This is a great idea for those nights when it’s warm enough to sleep under the stars, but far too hot for a full-on tent; you’ll get the authentic outdoor experience without waking up covered in bites.

If you’re looking for a way to bring the outside in, these indoor glamping experiences will inspire you to try something new.

A glampsite full of bell tents at sunset

Glampsite Plans Prove Controversial

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Plans for a glamping site near the edge of Newport, on the Isle of Wight have been revised after planning permission was denied.  The original plans, which were recommended for approval by the planning officers, were for 28 glamping tents on the semi-rural site.  Councillors rejected the plans on the basis that the tents would look like “a shanty town” which they didn’t feel was in keeping with the area and would negatively affect the surrounding landscape.

Other issues with the plans included the impact of glamping on the residents nearby, including the smells of outdoor cooking as the tents did not have a kitchen area.  Now, the plans have been revised and are for 13 glamping pods instead of tents, which will have a less noticeable visual impact and are more in keeping with the surroundings.

The wood-clad glamping pods will be a mixture of 1, 2 and 3 bed options, with a kitchen area inside to reduce the cooking and barbecue smells for local residents.  There will also be a communal barbecue area for guests to use.  It is hoped that by using these sustainable glamping pods instead of tents that the ecological impact will be mitigated and that the quality of the accommodation is more in keeping with the general plans for the area.

This is great news for glampers wanting to visit the Isle of Wight, as the rise of domestic holidays this year means more space will be available for people wanting a holiday without the risk of quarantine.  We don’t know whether the site will be finished in time for the 2021 summer season.  The big advantage of using pods instead of tents is that they offer suitable accommodation all year round as they are insulated and weather-proof.

While bell tents can be fitted with log burners and stay warm overnight even in colder weather, this can be off-putting for some people; so the insulation and extra facilities offered by glamping pods means this is a viable business whatever the weather.  For glampsite owners, maximising the amount of time that your glamping accommodation can be used makes sound financial sense.  There may be more of an initial investment, but the ability to rent out the pods through the spring and autumn months (even over the winter) means the returns can flow in steadily.

The other advantage of using semi-permanent glamping pods is that maintenance and cleaning is much easier.  There is no concern over whether damp canvas will start growing mould, or that rips in the fabric could render the whole tent unusable.  Cleaning up after guests is more efficient too, as there are hard surfaces to wipe making a big difference in the Covid era.  The self-contained units with kitchen areas and en-suite bathroom facilities are also Covid secure, as guests don’t have to share these areas with other families.

Anyone thinking of setting up their own glampsite should take note of this development, as even when planning officers recommend that something is approved, there may still be many potential hurdles to overcome.  Always think carefully about the surrounding area and what else is nearby as well as who can see, and even smell, the glampsite. 

We think that high-end glamping experiences will continue to be popular as more people opt for a holiday at home and discover the magic of glamping.  This means that the demand for luxury options will keep growing, so there has never been a better time to set up a glampsite.

A bell tent in a field with a blue sky

Get More Space Glamping with a Bell Tent

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The 2021 holiday season in the UK looks set to be a good one, with many people opting for a holiday at home rather than abroad due to travel restrictions.  This means that availability is at an all-time low as more and more people book camping, glamping and other self-catering holidays they can be sure won’t involve costly and lengthy quarantine periods.  For larger groups and big families this could be a problem, as there may not be the availability they are used to, so they may have to get creative with their accommodation options. 

At the time of writing, one popular holiday cottage booking site reported that 80% of their options are booked up for the foreseeable future, with a huge glut of bookings being made for the first two weeks that households can holiday in self-contained accommodation.  Feather Down, which runs safari tent glamping options across the UK has also reported that they are nearly sold out for this initial period, with summer bookings double the numbers of last year.

Over the peak summer period it is expected that most restrictions will be relaxed and indoor socialising between families will have the go-ahead, meaning a big family holiday is a possibility.  One really great way around this issue is to combine glamping with a holiday cottage that has a large enough garden to take a bell tent.  Bell tents can be hired from many companies around the UK and most will even set it up and take it down for you, making it a really low-effort way of having a glamping break.  Some families may have intended to book a couple of pitches next to each other, or a large self-catering place that can accommodate every branch of the family, but availability is very limited so this may not be possible. 

The option of having a bell tent erected in the garden of a holiday rental instantly adds bedrooms and a sense of fun – you might find squabbles break out over who gets to sleep in the tent!  This extra accommodation allows two groups to maintain some social distancing, and can be a fantastic way to solve the problem of what to do on a rainy day.  Move the beds and luggage to one side of the tent and turn it into a temporary games room or a quiet space for reading – you can tailor it to the needs of your group.  Having the tent door open allows for ventilation, which is an essential aspect of being Covid-safe. 

It’s also a great way to dip your toes in the glamping experience if it’s something new for you; running water and a flushing toilet are available in the main house, as are proper cooking and bathing facilities.  For the reluctant glamper this is a lovely way of trying out the experience without committing to a full-on glamping holiday.   These reluctant glampers will probably be converted, and become fans of the glamping lifestyle so that next year you can try something a little wilder; the glamping market has such a wide variety that there are options which are really like staying in a boutique hotel, but you can go as wild as you dare.

A vector image of a hand putting a reserved sign out

Are the Glamping Sites Fully Booked? Don’t Despair!

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Camping and glamping breaks are perfectly suited to pandemic holidaying – with uncertainty around overseas travel, and the possibility that your destination will be re-classified while you’re away, meaning you have might also have to factor in a quarantine period, domestic holidays are the safest option.  Last year glampsites, although they could only open from July, were packed out with holidaymakers desperate for a short break, and this year will be no exception.

Over the 2020 summer period there were over 200 pop-up glampsites to choose from, expanding the capacity to cope with the extra demand.  This year, a relaxation of the rules, allowing landowners to run a pop-up for 56 days (rather than the standard 28) without planning permission, means that temporary sites can be open all through the summer holidays.  There are over 500 pop-up sites planned for 2021, and this extra capacity is great news for those who missed out on the chance to book at their favourite site.  When there is more news about how foreign travel restrictions could affect holiday plans, we may see even more pop-up sites being created to take advantage of the astronomical demand for glamping holidays.

At the time of writing, camping and glamping sites in Cornwall were already at 85% of capacity, while Devon was at 70%, leaving very few spaces left for the crowds of people that will want a summer break.  Farmers, racecourse owners and landowners will be looking at ways they can turn unused land into a glamping pop-up site, so do keep an eye on the developments in your local area and further afield so you don’t miss out on these new offerings.  Remember that the fields farmers will use might look like they’re in use now, but could be used for growing hay or winter feed for livestock.   By the time June comes around these crops will have been harvested and that land turned over to glamping.

Most pop-up sites will be advertised on existing glamping and camping booking sites but it pays to be aware on social media too, as this is often the first place you’ll see news of temporary glampsites.  If you’re desperate for a glamping break, but you can only find sites with bare pitches for your own tents, then you can still make it a glamping holiday by hiring or buying a bell tent or motorhome and using that for your accommodation.  Tent hire is reasonably cheap, and by bringing your own bedding and a good quality airbed you can make it as luxurious as you like.  Solar and battery powered lights help create the right atmosphere, and you can bring bunting, rugs and blankets to add those special touches. 

If you’ve missed the boat on your favourite site take it as the opportunity to try somewhere new.  What starts out as a pop-up this year could become a permanent fixture, when farmers and landowners see how much extra income they can make from allowing camping and glamping.  This year, with the relaxation around planning permission for pop-ups, many of these sites will be a trial run for a more permanent offering.  Advice in The Farmers Guardian encourages farmers to go straight for glamping options, as these can then be used year-round if they have heating and command a higher price than a simple tent pitch.  By using these pop-up sites and proving that glamping is an excellent way to diversity a farm business we could see a lot more choice in the years to come, and more glamping sites can only be a good thing in our opinion!

A close-up of rain clouds

Know a Reluctant Glamper? Part 2

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Welcome back to our troubleshooting guide to dealing with reluctant glampers.  A lot of people who have never been glamping think it’s the same as camping, and if they have had a bad experience, or they’ve heard horror stories from a friend that can put them off entirely.  We’re here with solutions to these obstacles that will ensure you have a happy glamping trip this summer.

 

  • It’ll be dirty, I don’t like the countryside, there’s mud everywhere!

            Glamping isn’t the same as camping, that’s why it has a different name.  In the summer the mud is well and truly dried out and you won’t have to sit on the ground.  Nearly every glamping pod or tent comes with chairs to sit in, and everywhere is fully cleaned in between guests, so you won’t be turning up to a Glastonbury style mud bath.  Wellies are optional, but during the spring and summer all you’ll need is a decent pair of trainers or low-heeled boots for the wetter days.

 

  • I don’t want to be eating hot dogs all weekend, and that’s what you do when you’re camping.

            Well, part of the fun of glamping (and camping) is cooking your own food on a fire or barbecue, but there are lots of glampsites with fully equipped kitchens so you can make whatever you fancy.  Takeaways and meals out are also an option, so if you really don’t want to be cooking then eat out instead.  Making a sandwich lunch or picnic is a doddle while you’re glamping, or you can buy pre-made sandwiches and picnic foods from a shop.

 

  • I’ll stink of campfire and I hate the smell.

            Not all glamping sites allow open fires, so if it’s a big issue then find a site that doesn’t permit fires.  Just because a site does allow fires, that doesn’t mean you have to light one, and when you’re out in the fresh air the smell will blow away quickly anyway.

 

  • It’ll rain all the time and we’ll be really bored and wet.

            OK, we can’t do anything about the weather and having a domestic holiday always means being aware of the weather, even if you’re staying in a hotel.  Glampsites often have awnings on your tent or hut, so you can still sit outside if it’s raining.  The big difference between camping and glamping is the space, and while you might not want to sit in a 2-man tent all day if it’s raining, if you’re staying in a yurt or a tepee you’ll have bags of space to use inside if the weather is bad.

            Take games, books and a laptop with you so you can entertain yourself on those wet days, and embrace the opportunity to get back to basics – it’s a holiday not a whole lifestyle change.

 

  • The kids will just argue all the time without loads of activities to keep them busy.

            Kids are going to argue wherever you are – you could be staying in the Presidential suite at The Ritz and siblings would still find something to bicker about.  You might be pleasantly surprised at how much the sense of freedom changes their behaviour and we have yet to meet a kid who didn’t like playing.  Those who don’t enjoy getting dirty and playing in the woods can bring toys and games to play with, just as they would if you were staying in a hotel or self-catering cottage.

 

  • I’ve been camping before and I hated it. Why would I want to go again?

            Aha, you’ve been camping, not glamping.  They’re not the same thing, and if your camping experience was at a festival, or a really basic campsite with poor facilities then no wonder you hated it.  Glamping takes all the grit out of camping and elevates it to a much more enjoyable, luxurious experience.  You may have hated your first camping trip, but that doesn’t mean this glamping trip will be anything like that.

 

  • There’ll be spiders and flies and insects, I don’t want to wake up covered in bugs!

            Yes, there will be insects, but no more than you’d experience if you spent the afternoon in a pub garden.  There might even be fewer wasps than in a beer garden, so don’t let that put you off.  Insect repellent and citronella candles can help keep bugs away, and you can always shake out your bedding to check for cheeky spiders before you turn in for the night. 

We hope this has helped you convince the reluctant glamper in your life, and that you have an enjoyable break in 2021.

A close up of a luxury bed in a bell tent

Know a Reluctant Glamper? Part One

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We love glamping so much that we sometimes forget that some people have never experienced it, and when faced with the prospect of glamping for a holiday they often have lots of objections.  With glamping firmly on the cards for 2021, we know there will be many of you out there who are trying to convince your bubble-friend or family to go glamping, but not getting very far.  We’re here to help with some objections, with answers to satisfy everyone.

 

  • But it’ll be cold and damp, I don’t want to go!

It’s not the same as hunkering down in a sleeping bag on a roll mat.  Glamping means having a raised bed, so you’re not near the floor.  Many accommodations options have heating, either with a log burner or electric heating, and if there’s electricity you can take an electric blanket.  If not, hot water bottles and an extra blanket are all you need to get nice and toasty.  If the cold is a really big issue, such as for people with health conditions which are exacerbated by the cold go in the height of summer for maximum warmth.

  • I need a proper bed because my back can’t take sleeping on an air mattress.

While some glampsites offer full sized airbeds (not the ones where you’re close to the ground, but the double height ones which are around the same height as a standard bed) there are many which have proper beds and mattresses.  These do tend to be at the pricier end of the market, but if having a decent sleep surface is important there’s no need to compromise.  Shepherd’s huts are usually equipped with a proper mattress on a sturdy, built in base so you can be sure of a good night’s sleep with this option.

  • I need my home comforts; I don’t want to use a compost toilet.                                                                                                         

There are lots of sites with flushing toilets and running (hot) water.  At the more luxury end of the glamping market are options with private en-suite facilities; so if a proper flushing loo and a hot shower are make-or-break points there are plenty of places to choose from. 

  • I tried camping. It took ages to put the tent up and it collapsed on me in the middle of the night.  I’m not doing that again!

That’s why we’re going glamping!  All that set up stuff is done for you, so there’s no need to struggle with a tent, realise you’ve forgotten the mallet or wake up with a face full of wet nylon.  There are so many glamping options out there that you don’t even need to sleep in a tent.  A tree house, yurt or shepherd’s hut are much more robust structures and some are so well kitted out that you’ll forget you’re glamping and get involved in the adventure.

  • There won’t be anywhere to plug in my hairdryer or straighteners!

Lots of glamping sites have electricity – places with yurts and shepherd’s huts often have mains electricity direct to the accommodation, so you can bring your hairdryer, straighteners, curling tongs or whatever else you need to feel at home.

There are many more objections people have to going glamping, so if the issue you’re facing isn’t covered here, check back for part 2 where we’ll answer some more of the usual objections people have.

Outdoor table setting at wedding reception

Have You Thought About Booking a Glamping Wedding?

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So many weddings have been postponed in the last year, and those which are taking place this year may have to be scaled back to comply with restrictions – although we’re looking at a complete relaxation of the rules by late June; there are many weddings and other family events planned for the months before that, and we can’t guarantee that we can have a big wedding even after June.

What can be done about this?  Well, we may not have the power to overturn the regulations for the sake of a wedding, but if the wedding and reception is a glamping style event then you can maintain some social distancing while you enjoy the great outdoors.  Of course, the weather can be unreliable so it’s best to have covered spaces for guests to mingle if it rains, and a site with several bell tents for your guests to stay in, plus a larger space for the main event, is ideal.

Glamping weddings have been increasing in popularity over the years with younger couples who may have met at a festival, or who were drawn together by their love of festivals.  Having a glamping wedding brings that aspect into the celebration so it’s especially popular with creative and arty types who love the whole Glastonbury atmosphere.  They’re also often kinder on the budget than a hotel or some other wedding venue, and you have more of a sense of freedom too.

A great option for a glamping wedding is to book out a whole site for the weekend, or a couple of days in the week.  That way, you have the privacy you need for an intimate celebration, without the fear of gate-crashers from elsewhere on the site.  You don’t need to accommodate every guest, but it can be nice to have your wedding party on site with you to help get ready before the ceremony, and celebrate with you into the small hours.  If you book a whole site you also don’t need to worry about disturbing other campers, so you can let loose and really make it a wedding to remember.

If you do want a big wedding with a huge party then glamping is perfect, as you can always ask the site whether extra guests can camp in their own tents.  This means you can have a massive reception without worrying about ferrying guests to and from their accommodation and spending lots on hotel rooms for everyone.  It also gives your guests on a budget the option to stay overnight without breaking the bank, so for young couples with a young friendship group this could make a big difference to the scale and success of the event.

However you decide to celebrate, make sure your wedding day is one to remember, and if you love glamping then why not make it part of your wedding?

People sitting round a campfire

Make The Most of Your Fire

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A blazing campfire is a simple pleasure, but it’s one of the big features of a glamping holiday.  You really can’t beat the atmosphere around the fire after a lovely day out, and it’s a great way to socialise outdoors once restrictions allow.  Sales of fire pits and outdoor heating devices rose dramatically last year, with many makes selling out fast.  John Lewis reported an 82% increase compared to the same period last year.  We have some tips to help you get the most out of your campfire or fire at home to ensure some great memories are made and treasured.

If you’re glamping with a group of friends and acquaintances the campfire is the best place to get to know each other.  Ice breaking games, such as “two truths and a lie” are a fun activity that helps you get to know surprising facts about each other.  Everyone has to say two true statements about themselves, and one lie.  The rest of the group have to guess which one is the lie, and you can add an element of competition by assigning points to the number of incorrect guesses made – the person whose lie is the hardest to guess wins.

An adult/drinking game called “never have I ever” is a fun, sometimes risqué, game to play.  Each person takes it in turns to say something they have never done, and anyone who has done that thing takes a drink.  You might start tame with things like “never have I ever pulled a sickie” and as the alcohol flows the game gets progressively more revealing.

If you have enough light to play by, Cards Against Humanity is a fun campfire activity, as is the game where everyone is randomly assigned a famous person and has to guess who they are using only yes or no questions.  Post-it notes or cigarette papers can be used to stick the name of the famous person on everyone’s foreheads, so they can’t see the name, but everyone else can.  All these games pair well with some mulled wine or cider made over your campfire – it’s not just for Christmas!

When the sun goes down it’s time to get the marshmallows out for toasting, or to make chocolate banana splits by slicing a banana almost in half down the middle, popping some chocolate squares inside and wrapping the whole thing in foil and placing it on the embers so that the chocolate melts.  You can do similar things with apples and berries.

Stargazing is the perfect activity for a clear night round the fire.  In the city we don’t often get a clear view of the night sky, but out in the countryside there is less light pollution and we are able to see the stars more clearly.  Some constellations, like Orion, are easy to spot, but others take a little more effort to see.  There are several stargazing apps you can use, including ones which use GPS to work out your location and show you exactly what’s above you, and what’s visible on the other side of the planet.  If you’re already pretty good on astronomy, you could point stars and constellations out to the group, or set a challenge to find a particular star.  You can also track the International Space Station and watch for it as it passes overhead.

We can’t wait to try out some of these ideas on our next glamping trip, but why wait until then?  Many of these games can be played over Zoom (except the name guessing one), and when we are allowed to have visitors in the garden, a campfire with games is a perfect evening together.

A view of a vale with couple's feet in the foreground.

Unconventional Glamping for 2021

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Glamping and camping were the most popular holiday options in 2020 because they are generally Covid secure, outdoors and self-contained.  With no need to quarantine on your return, domestic glamping holidays were the mainstay of the summer and this trend is set to continue through 2021 as well.  While we may be able to travel abroad with more ease this year, there’s still no guarantee that a foreign holiday will be plain sailing, so the safest option is to stay in the UK and make the most of what the beautiful and diverse landscapes of this country have to offer.

This is great news for the industry, and many pop-up glamping sites are on the cards for this summer, as well as expansion at existing sites to accommodate as many holidaymakers as possible.  For those wishing to go glamping this means that pitches are at a premium and sites are being booked up quickly, leaving little availability in the more popular destinations.  There is a way round this problem, and we’ve looked to Scotland for a solution.

In Scotland the “right to roam” allows anyone to pitch up anywhere, as long as it is not private land or being used for farming.  Etiquette dictates that you shouldn’t pitch up anywhere visible from main roads and settlements, and that you should leave no trace of your visit, which means no campfires.  In England the rules are different, and you can’t just set up camp wherever you like.  We know that people who have done this have been given short shrift by landowners and farmers, but if you get permission from the farmer or landowner then things are different.

If you have your own bell tent, large family tent or campervan, then you can still create a glamping holiday off the beaten track by securing permission from the landowner or farmer.  With many farmers operating on tight margins they may be glad of the extra income they can make from allowing ad hoc camping in fields that aren’t being used for growing crops or grazing livestock.

Getting permission means going back to basics and getting on the phone to farms and estates in the area you want to go glamping.  While some may give you a flat-out no, there will be some farmers who are more than happy for you to spend a couple of nights on their land provided you are respectful of the environment and you leave the place as you find it.  Explaining that you’re seasoned glampers and that you will bring everything you need with you will help, as will the price you’re willing to pay for the privilege of a private glamping pitch.  You may find some farmers who have been considering allowing camping but are unsure, and your offer might help them decide.

You will need to be entirely self-sufficient and this includes making your own toilet arrangements – no farmer wants human waste left on their land and from a bio-security point of view it is vital that the land is not contaminated.  If you have a campervan with a toilet you’re good to go, but camping toilets can be purchased at a reasonable price, along with pop-up shelters to put them in.  If you love the idea of glamping off the beaten track, and being totally self-sufficient, then this is a good investment as you can use it for many years to come.

Yes, you’ll have to take a toilet, but the privacy that comes with glamping this way can’t be beaten.  We think this is a small price to pay for a unique experience that you won’t get on any glamping site.  The tranquillity and wildlife spotting you’ll experience with glamping this way will be the perfect restorative holiday, one you’ll want to have again and again.

Man sitting in a homemade tent

Den Building – Not Just for Kids!

If we think back to our school days and the long, carefree summers we used to enjoy there’s one activity absolutely every child loved to do, and that’s building a den.  It’s the sort of activity that can keep kids (and big kids) entertained for a whole day and longer because there’s all the excitement of building the structure, and then the fun of what to do in your new hideaway.  Den building doesn’t have to be strictly an outdoor activity – building a den indoors with chairs, sheets, blankets and other furniture is a fun way to pass a rainy weekend.

A lockdown birthday isn’t much fun for kids, but letting them build a den and sleep in it overnight can be a real treat that makes up for not having all their friends around.  If parents get involved in building the den then so much the better; being taller grown-ups can hang sheets much higher than the children, and if it’s big enough to fit the whole family inside then a movie night can be elevated to a memory the whole group will treasure for years.

When the weather is better and the ground has dried out, den building really becomes a special thing to do.  It’s often high up on the agenda for kids’ bush craft classes as the ability to create shelter in the wilderness is an essential survival skill.  We’re not trying to shelter ourselves from inclement weather with our den building, but we can still learn and practice these skills for fun.

There are many different types of dens and shelters you can build, but the most simple is the single pole structure made using branches.  One long branch is propped against a tree, or supported in a forked stick in the ground, to create an upright pole against which smaller branches are placed to create a small shelter.  Branches with leaves and pieces of evergreen foliage can be laid on top to help keep the rain out and there you have it – an easy den that can provide hours of fun and games.

Sheets and tarpaulins can be used to make dens too, some rope tied between two trees can act as a support over which a tarpaulin or sheets is laid, then either pegged out or weighed down with stones to create an inverted V shape, like an old canvas tent.  If you want a more open den, use a tarpaulin or sheets pegged on one edge to a rope tied between trees, with the opposite edge staked out to the ground for more of a lean-to style.  These are great ones to build near campfires as they trap the heat, keep the rain off, and don’t collect smoke.  Be careful when leaving your den in the rain as water can collect in the tarpaulin and accidentally soak anyone nearby when it drops.

Once your den is built, why not read stories, have some snacks and play some games inside it?  During the day and evening you can use your den for all sorts of fun and games.  If you’re glamping with children, then the adults can cosy up in their den when the kids are asleep and have a nightcap.  Make sure you take photos so you can look back and remember the fun you had building and playing in your den.

If you don’t have kids, don’t let that stop you building a den indoors or outdoors, to capture the magic of childhood and reconnect with your inner child.

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