Quirky Glamping Options for the Adventurous
There’s such a wide range of glamping options to choose from that it can be hard to know what to go for. People who are new to glamping might want to choose a traditional bell tent or yurt with luxury touches to experience glamping in its purest essence, or they may choose one of the more permanent structures, such as tree houses, cabins and wagons. The same applies to seasoned glampers; tired of the same options over and over again it’s tempting to try something completely different. We’ve scoured the web for some truly unique glamping accommodation that will ensure you have a holiday to remember.
The Humble Bee near Okehampton, Devon, is a very quirky beehive shaped cabin with three floors and a bath carved out of the natural stone that sits behind the structure. There is also a hot tub shared with the other two equally eccentric accommodations on the site but the private outdoor bath is an experience you’ll never forget. Tucked away in a private corner beside the beehive it’s perfect for sitting in with a glass of something cold and fizzy, even if it’s raining. Inside, the three floors provide a kitchen and shower room on the bottom floor, a space for relaxing by the log burner and a flushing toilet on the middle floor and a cosy king size bed enclosed in wooden walls on the top floor.
Dragon Cruck near Powys, Wales, is a unique hand built wooden structure with all the wood coming from the forest in which it sits. The main building, named after the style of roof joint used, has a large bed and log burner with feature windows to let in lots of light. An open-air (covered) kitchen with a pizza oven and a gorgeous hand-carved wooden sink provides cooking facilities, while a compost loo is sited nearby with a shower facility also close to hand. There is a deck outside to sit and enjoy the views, plus a portable fire pit you can enjoy under the shelter of the kitchen if it is raining, and outside on the deck when it’s dry. Hiking trails for all abilities are just a stone’s throw away, as is the village of Meifod with a shop and pub.
On the same site is The Sleepout, a cosier alternative with a raised bed that is accessed by a unique hand-carved ladder made from a tree trunk. The Sleepout also has a log burner and outdoor kitchen with pizza oven and a fire pit, so if you’re too late to book Dragon Cruck why not try The Sleepout for the same beautiful surroundings? Inside, patterned brickwork creates a feature wall to enjoy in conjunction with the stunning views through the bespoke windows.
Lilla Stugan (Swedish for “little cottage”) is a gorgeous Scandinavian inspired roundhouse in Warwickshire. The red and blue walls instantly conjure up the feeling of being in the fjords while the orchard setting provides colour and interest in every season. There is a shower and loo in a separate structure, complete with ABBA records as decoration and cooking facilities inside the cottage, in the nearby al fresco kitchen and in the woodland fire pit where you can sit around playing the guitar, listening to the bubbling of the stream or watching your stew cook over the open fire. If you want to indulge in some serious relaxation a wood-fired hot tub offers privacy and luxury in the stunning surroundings. Fans of The Moomins will enjoy perusing the themed library.
Have you found a hidden glamping gem on your travels? We’d love to hear from you about your experiences and recommendations.
