Camping pods - luxury cabins without the luxury price
A pod, you say? Don’t mind if we do. Not only does it sound fantastically sci-fi, but a camping pod or holiday cabin is waterproof, cosy, can sleep up to five and is available all around the country, with more pod parks sprouting up all the time.
Here are five of our most popular camping pod parks:
The Quiet Site, Penrith, Cumbria: Ideally positioned for the North and South Lakes and open all year, with walking among the stunning fells overlooking Lake Ullswater. Pods sleep two adults and two children and start from £35 a night.
Bryn Dwr, Wrexham, North Wales: These pods are only 50 metres from Offa's Dyke path and have their own deckand are dog-friendly. Pods start from £40 a night, sleeping up to four.
Two Hoots Campsite, Hampshire: Adult-only pods in a bluebell grove, with the New Forest, South Downs and a heritage railway on the doorstep. Two Hoots is open all year round and has heated pods with king-size beds from £60 a night.
Wootton Park, Warwickshire: Everything from bedding to bathrobes is supplied in these pods, with breakfast available in the old farmhouse. Open all year apart from New Year's Day, with pods from £65.
Lee Wick Farm Cottages and Camping: Small Essex farm, mega glamping pod. The mega pod at Lee Wick comes with a kitchen area, its own shower and an iPod/iPhone Dock with DAB radio. It sleeps up to four and starts from £45 a night: dogs are welcome too.
For those scratching their head about what exactly a camping pod is, scratch no more. A step up from the traditional bothy, a camping pod is one of the more affordable glamping experiences and can be had all year round. A pod is probably best described as a wooden tent, simple enough in structure but able to be made into anything you want, whether you fancy transforming it into a luxury boudoir for the weekend or keeping it austere for a ‘get away from it all’ break. Whatever the time of year, your camping pod will be properly toasty and cosy against the outside weather, normally with double glazing for the windows and sheep’s wool insulation for the walls.
It'll depend on the individual campsite owner what’s available in your pod and what you need to bring – some will have beds or mattresses and for others you’ll have to bring your own bed roll. Electricity is also dependent on the different sites – if you have a hookup you’ll probably find a heater and a cool box already inside the pod, but check with the owners exactly what’s there and what you need to bring.
If you’re driving, you can assemble a pod kit and travel around the country checking camping pod sites for rent nationwide - with the added attraction that no-one will be able to find you if you're smart enough not to leave a trail on Facebook.
Camping pods have been becoming more and more popular in the past couple of years, with pods available in all parts of the country and on all different types of campsites and parks, from family-friendly to pod sites where campfires are allowed. To find your ideal camping pod park, use the filters to the left of the search page to find a park according to rules, theme, leisure on site or nearby, price, availability and more. And when you've had your pod hol, don't forget to leave a review to be in with the chance of winning a £250 Amazon voucher. Happy podding!
