Eco pod holidays
Looking for a glamping break and keen to minimise your carbon footprint? It’s time to think about an eco pod holiday. Eco pods are watertight glamping accommodation fashioned from sustainable materials and well-insulated to keep everyone warm all year round – and if you’d prefer to have electricity in the unit, many pods are powered by solar panels. Because they are compact, pods can be set up in woodland, in fields with mountain views, by beaches or overlooking rivers – making them a fabulous choice for sustainable back-to-nature holidays for couples, families and groups of friends.
See Pitchup’s top five sites offering eco pod holidays
What is an eco pod?
An eco pod is a compact, cosy and environmentally friendly accommodation unit that's self-contained and sustainably crafted (often of upcycled wood or metal) and built for downsized but comfortable living. Originally these structures were built for storage purposes or for kids to play in, but gradually they’ve been adapted for use as glamping pods.
Why choose an eco pod?
Eco pods are fast becoming a very popular way of enjoying a glamping holiday. Here’s why.
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Like any glamping option, eco pods are ready and waiting, so you don’t have to spend time putting up a tent – and your holiday can start the minute you arrive on site.
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Eco pods are warm and cosy, and stay that way all year round. They are designed and insulated to hold heat in winter, and often have double-glazed doors or French windows for extra comfort. That means you can book an eco pod holiday at any time of year.
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Eco pods are weatherproof so there’s no need to worry about rain or wind getting through into your tent.
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Eco pod doors are often lockable, so you can go on day trips knowing your belongings are secure.
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Many eco pods are off grid but may be set up with solar power for electric sockets, USB points and lighting inside the pod.
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There’s plenty of headroom in an eco pod, and they come in all shapes and sizes, happily accommodating families and often with enough room for the dog and his bed too.
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Eco pods at the higher price levels offer a choice of glamping luxuries, from exclusive-use showers and toilets to private kitchens and decking areas. Hot tubs are the ultimate touch.
How can I book an eco pod holiday?
Eco pods are becoming ever-more popular as holiday options in the UK as awareness grows about the need for sustainability. Look for all the glampsites offering eco pod holidays on Pitchup by heading to our glamping page and choosing the 'camping pods' filter under 'Camping' – there are hundreds of different options in locations from lakeside to beachside, and in national parks or woodland.
Five of Pitchup’s best glamping eco pod holidays
Not sure what eco pods offer, and fancy finding some more inspiration from Pitchup? We’ve made the job of choosing your eco pod holiday easy for you by highlighting five of our favourite – and well-reviewed by our customers – eco pod glamping sites.
New Farm Holidays
Folly Lane, Stickney
Boston, Lincolnshire
PE22 8BN 
Why here? New Farm Holidays is a family-run site that covers 30 acres of woodland on an organic farm, with plenty of walks and wild corners for kids to run around, build dens and have good old-fashioned fun. The eco pods are located on the edge of the woods around a wildlife pond.
There’s solar-powered electricity on site to provide lighting, heating and charging points in the pods, but outside and around the site, there’s a definite back-to-nature vibe – guests can sit on their decking to enjoy a night under the stars without light pollution, and you’ll need a torch to find your way around after dark.
Key facilities: Showers, kitchen facilities, firepits provided, dogs welcome in the pods without bathrooms, dedicated campfire area
One other thing… To keep the peace, cars are not permitted on this rural retreat. The car park is 100 yards from the site, and the farm team has a large cart available for guests to shift their gear.
Wrekin Forest Events Camping
Crudgington Moor Lane, Crudgington
Shropshire, TF6 6EE 
Why here? This is off-grid glamping in woodland, and most definitely on the simpler side – you'll be staying in the unusual setting of an upcycled pig arc with a corrugated iron roof, providing a dry and cosy space for up to two people. There’s not much standing room but what there is in abundance at Wrekin Forest Events Camping is birdsong all around.
Eco-friendly amenities include a well-equipped shared kitchen (although there's no fridge or freezer due to everything being off grid) and showers. A double airbed is provided, but you’ll need to bring towels, bed linen, duvets and pillows. Other handy essentials include fairy lights and festoon lamps to lit the site after dark, a barbecue and firepit.
Key facilities: Showers, shared kitchen, composting loos, play area, outdoor games for hire, dogs welcome
One other thing… This spot is ideal for kids, with a playing field, football net, badminton and table tennis. Families can also join forest-craft and wildlife identification sessions at the neighbouring Wrekin Forest School.
Book Wrekin Forest Events Camping
The Hen’s Dens
Gabwell Hill, Stokeinteignhead
Newton Abbot, Devon
TQ12 4QP 
Why here? Eco-credentials are high at The Hen's Dens. The sturdy, weatherproof timber eco pods have been upcycled from the 60-acre organic farm’s original chicken roosts and are set among cobnut trees adjoining an orchard of organic dessert-apple trees.
Each pod has space for up to five (bring your sleeping bags and pillows, or hire beds etc from the site owners) and has heating and electricity as well as double-glazed windows for further insulation. Exclusive-use lockable amenities (so you can leave all your possessions in there) a short walk away provide a toilet, shower and basin, plus a kitchenette with basics for sorting simple meals – organic free-range eggs are available for breakfast fry-ups.
Key facilities: Private bathroom, kitchenette, launderette, parent-and-baby room, games room, play area, dogs welcome
One other thing… This place makes a handy overnighting spot for long-distance walkers as the South West Coast Path is a mile away and the hiking trails of Dartmoor National Park are within 35 minutes’ drive.
King’s Lynn Caravan and Camping Park
New Road, North Runcton
King’s Lynn, Norfolk
PE33 0RA 
Why here? The cosy, insulated wooden eco pods at King's Lynn Caravan and Camping Park are suitable for up to four adults who love being outdoors but don’t want to sacrifice home comforts. Each is decked out with curtains, blinds, lights, sockets to keep devices charged and an electric heater and double glazing to keep you comfortable. Luxuries include a double bed and sofa bed, a TV, fridge, microwave and kettle. Bring your own bedding and cooking equipment.
Outside there’s a picnic bench and brick-built barbecue for each pod, and they are located on a secluded and neatly mown corner of the site, close to the main facility block.
Key facilities: Showers, barbecue provided, mini kitchen, parent-and-baby room, launderette, food shop
One other thing… Guests can pick up the basics from the small shop in the reception area, and the site is well-served for local amenities: there’s a big 24-hour supermarket five minutes’ drive away.
Book King’s Lynn Caravan and Camping Park
Scotland
Bonnybridge Eco Camping and Glamping
Hammer Lane, Heathfield
East Sussex
TN21 9HE
Why here? The eco pod at Bonnybridge Eco Camping and Glamping is made of recycled metal and is off-grid. A stay here is thoroughly sustainable for eco-conscious guests – but you can still charge up your phones, listen to music on the iPod dock and stay warm on chilly nights thanks to the power sourced from solar panels and wind turbines. There’s rainwater harvesting for hot showers, flushing loos and washing up.
As the site is located on a family smallholding, you will see horses grazing in the paddocks and chickens roaming about too. The site owners will reduce your carbon footprint further as they are happy to collect you from public transport if you're not driving.
Key facilities: Showers, electricity supply, parent-and-baby washroom, pick-up from public transport
One other thing… The site is completely off-grid with a minimal carbon footprint, and eco-credentials including solar panels and wind turbines, plus rainwater harvesting for showers and washing up.
Book Bonnybridge Eco Camping and Glamping
Glamping holidays in the UK
Not yet found the perfect spot for your eco-friendly pod holiday? Pitchup’s website has hundreds of pod holidays on offer to suit all budgets and individual styles – click on the links below to find eco pod holidays recommended by our loyal repeat customers.
Book eco pod holidays in England
Book eco pod holidays in Wales
Book eco pod holidays in Scotland
Book eco pod holidays in Northern Ireland