Ten of the Best UK Glamping Sites

Here are 10 of our favourite glamping sites across the UK.

THE YURT RETREAT
Crewkerne, Somerset



The Yurt Retreat is part of an organic working dairy farm nestling at the foot of an ancient hill fort in the Somerset countryside. There are four luxury yurts, each styled differently with vintage and hand made furniture. Mains electricity powers bedside lights while a wood burner gives a warming focal point to the yurt. A stove and an out door fire pit provide cooking options. Behind your yurt is a personal bathroom with flushing toilet and sink; housed in a cedar clad building and you also get a key to your own shower housed in the communal Lodge building. A TV and DVD player are also available in the Lodge’s lounge.

www.theyurtretreat.co.uk

ECOPOD BOUTIQUE RETREAT
Loch Linnhe, Argyll and Bute



These light-filled, space-age domes sit on a wooden deck amid rhododendrons and birch trees and provide spectacular views of Loch Linnhe, the mountains of Mull and the Kingairloch coastline. The luxurious interior combines classic soft furnishings, with high-end audio-visual equipment. The geodesic structure leaves no permanent footprint on the land and apparently maximizes heat retention. Appliances were carefully selected to keep power usage to an absolute minimum and wood pellet biomass stoves are used to heat the pods.

www.domesweetdome.co.uk

CAMP KATUR
Bedale, Yorkshire



Camp Katur occupies part of the Camp Hill estate, near Masham. Set in a large wooded and grassy area of the estate, it has a variety of accommodation, including tipis, bell tents, Hobbit pods and safari tents. Toilets, showers and cooking facilities are available in a communal area, with only the safari tents enjoying private facilities. There’s no electricity in any of the accommodation so lanterns and torches are essential – you’re provided with one lamp but you’d be advised to bring your own extras, especially if you’re out on the site at night.

www.campkatur.com

CUCKOO DOWN FARM
Ottery St Mary, Devon



The Sheaves family has lived at Cuckoo Down Farm since 1959 and John and Becky have been running a campsite on the farm for three years. There are three yurts in a six-acre meadow and they are all furnished with a double bed, two double sofa beds, carpets, rugs, cushions and a wood burning stove. The gypsy caravan has a king-sized double bed and space to sleep up to two small children. Each kitchen has a bottled gas stove (two rings and a grill), crockery, glassware and cutlery.

www.luxurydevonyurts.co.uk

REALLY GREEN HOLIDAY COMPANY
Freshwater Bay, Isle of Wight



As the name would suggest, there is a real green theme to this site. The owners believe they have come up with ethical, family friendly holidays that are especially environmentally friendly – but not at the expense of comfort and convenience. As well using local produce and suppliers wherever possible, they even offer a free pick up service from the local Isle of Wight ferry port so you can leave your car at home.

www.thereallygreenholidaycompany.com

ECO RETREATS
Machynlleth, Powys



One of the glamping pioneers, Eco Retreats have been offering relaxing holidays in tipis and yurts for eight years. Advertised as a chance to reconnect with the “rhythms of the environment” it offers the chance to experience the tranquility of the natural world without giving up on creature comforts. Each tipi or yurt is furnished with a log fire, sheep skin rugs, and a double bed. You can also enjoy holistic therapy and a visit to the Centre for Alternative Technology.

www.ecoretreats.co.uk

JOLLYDAYS
Scrayingham, North Yorkshire



Combining the best of camping and chic hotels, Jollydays is owned and run by the Van Outersteps - trained fashion designer  Carolyn and landscape architect Christian – and they have used their own personal experiences to shape what they offer. Christian loved camping while Carolyn hated it, so it was essential to be comfortable for “non campers”. They have four young children but noticed that most holidays are designed for families of four, so they created a tent for up to six. Ten per cent of net profits are given to environmental and educational causes.

www.jollydaysluxurycamping.co.uk

ALDE GARDEN
Sweffling, Suffolk



Alde Garden is a small, tranquil, low-impact campsite in the heart of the Suffolk countryside featuring yurt, tipi and gypsy caravan accommodation plus a bell tent and ordinary tent pitches. In a secluded setting among trees and wildflowers, Alde Garden is aimed at individuals, couples or small families looking for a holiday close to nature. The site has a range of quirky facilities, including a jungle shower and pizza oven. Also onsite is a cosy holiday cottage and a traditional real ale pub.


www.aldegarden.co.uk

BIG SKY TIPI HOLIDAYS
East Sussex



The site contains eight Sioux-style tipis, each hand painted with traditional Native American designs, inside and out. For added cosiness, the floor is scattered with cushions, bean bags and faux fur rugs. The tipis sleep between four and six people on futons and airbeds and all cutlery, glasses, pots and pans are provided. This is all about enjoying the outdoors and – weather permitting – you’ll want to spend as much time outside as possible, taking advantage of the barbecue, gas stove and picnic table at meal times. There’s no children’s playpark but 23-acres of pasture for youngsters to run free on, it’s not really necessary. They can also explore the surrounding ancient woodland – real back to basics adventure stuff.
 
www.bigskytipiholidays.co.uk

PINEWOOD HOLIDAY PARK
Scarborough, Yorkshire



Pinewood Holiday Park is a small, family run site, around two miles from the bustling seaside resort of Scarborough. As well as caravan and tent fields, there is a Western themed camping area. This includes a mix of authentic Indian tipis, modern tipis, bell tents and cowboy camping cabins.

www.pinewood-holiday-park.co.uk