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, from Skye to St Austell. 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, with double glazing for the windows and sheep’s wool insulation for the walls.

It will 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 even assemble a pod kit and travel around the country checking cabins for rent nationwide.

Wherever you want to stay, there should be a pod available not too far away, with more and more being added all over the country every year. Plans are underway to establish a ‘Pod Network’, so you can stay in a pod anywhere in the area any time of the year. Pitchup.com already has many pod sites available to book, with several open all year round.

Here are our picks of some of the best pods and luxury cabins around:

• 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.
• Bryn Dwr, Wrexham, North Wales: Only 50 metres from Offa's Dyke path and open all year. Two pods are available sleeping up to two adults and two children.
• Two Hoots Campsite, Hampshire: Adult-only pods in a bluebell grove, with the New Forest and South Downs on your doorstep.

Pods start at £30 per night, and if that’s between you and a few friends, it’s a very cheap way to camp. It’s also easy – no putting up tents in a gale force wind or packing a damp tent away the next morning. They’re luxury cabins without the luxury price – grab your sleeping bag and away you go.