Here at Tribe, we admittedly aren’t huge fans of camping, as one long weekend in our teens without access to hot water and trying to cook tinned ravioli over a campfire taught us. Glamping, however, we can totally get on board with. Seriously, as soon as you add a proper mattress and bedding, some form of heating and decent shower facilities into the mix, we can totally embrace a slightly more outdoorsy holiday.
These days, there are more glamping options out there than you might suspect, and some of them are seriously cool. From tree houses in Sussex to herbal retreats in Slovenia, you can score quirky holiday accommodation that could easily pass for a super trendy (and pricey) boutique hotel at a fraction of the cost while reconnecting with nature and embracing a simpler and less stressful lifestyle. Check out the amazing holiday sites below and you’ll be one happy camper!
Swinton Bivouac, Masham, North Yorkshire
This luxury site in the Yorkshire Dales offers glamping with a hipster vibe. Made from upcycled materials, the woodland and hillside lodges and yurts offer non-stop Instagram opportunities thanks to the quirky decorations and beautiful finishes. Kitted out with wood-burning stoves, rocking chairs and cosy nooks and crannies, the ‘hygge’ spirit is alive and well at Swinton Bivouac. An outdoor hot tub and meals delivered directly to the door ramp up the luxury factor even further. The onsite cafe is not only super cute and offers the opportunity to enjoy delicious meals and drinks in the evening, it also boasts a family den underneath that leads to a walled garden. Local attractions include the ‘miniature Stonehenge’ druids temple, while the nearby Swinton Park Estate wows with miles of picturesque moorland, rivers and dales.
Blackberry Wood, Ditchling, East Sussex
Just eight miles outside of Brighton you can indulge your childhood fantasies of staying in a quirky tree house in the magical surroundings of Blackberry Wood. Complete with a shower room in its wonky turret, cosy bunk beds and a wood-burning stove add to the homely feel. The tree house is just one of many awesome glamping options on the site; you could also bed down in a converted double decker bus, RAF helicopter or gypsy caravan. Campfires are encouraged, you can hire bikes onsite to explore the local South Downs National Park and there are plenty of countryside pubs on your doorstep.
Apple Camping, Redberth, Wales
Embrace that private plane high life and hunker down in a 20m-long Jet Star on a Welsh Farm. The vintage aircraft still has its original bar and is kitted out with ambient lighting, an exquisitely converted captain’s cabin with a double bed and another single bed behind the cockpit. Play pilot in style using the Xbox provided, which comes readied with flight-simulator games. Picture-postcard pubs and the ‘best beach of Wales’, Barafundle Bay, are on your doorstep, while nearby Tenby also makes a cute spot for an outing. Movie buffs should explore Freshwater West, where scenes for both Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood were filmed.
Eco Camping Cabin, Isle of Mull, Scotland
This Scandinavian-style wooden log cabin is the epitome of ‘hygge’ and even comes with its own sauna and plunge pool. Surrounded by a smattering of woods before the landscape opens out into rolling fields, the mountains appearing on the horizon, guests will feel like they are starring in a romantic Wild West movie. If they are lucky enough, guests can even spot the Northern Lights appearing in the dark, starry skies. Without electricity and running water, this back-to-basics retreat will encourage visitors to reconnect with themselves and nature whilst enjoying outdoor adventures such as horse-riding, fishing, cycling, climbing, sailing and wildlife watching. Escape the eco warrior existence for a little while with a trip to the nearby restaurant and indoor swimming pool.
Herbal Glamping Resort, Ljubno ob Savinji, Slovenia
Nestled in a picturesque green mountain valley, the luxury safari tent holiday site really puts the ‘glam’ into ‘glamping’. Based around the principles of herbalism – the use of plants for medicinal purposes – it features fresh, local plants and produce throughout its wellness facilities, which include an outdoor pool, a hot tub, massage area and herbal pharmacy. The tents are arranged around the communal fire pit and are kitted out with cosy beds, wooden flooring and their own private saunas. Scented herbal pillows and fluffy bathrobes are provided, while breakfast is included in the price.
Glisten Camping, Col D’Ibardin, France
We never need an excuse to escape to beautiful France, but at this otherworldly campsite you can stay in a futuristic space-age dome structure. The stylish pods come complete with partitioned bedrooms, king-size beds and proper mattresses, hanging beds for little ones and ultra-comfy Fatboy beanbags. There’s also a cool yet functional ‘plancha’ gas cooker and a spacious covered al fresco dining area for those long, lazy, holiday meals. Even better, you have access to a swimming pool, tennis and basketball courts and an onsite bar and restaurant if you are too laze to cook. The campsite is located close to both the mountain ranges of the Pyrenees as well as several beaches, giving you the best of both worlds. San Sebastián, the city with the most Michelin stars per square foot in the world, is also easily accessible.
