Glamping in England
Hills and dales, wolds and moors, the odd mountain and of course the utterly gorgeous coastline – there are so many excellent things to explore while glamping in England. There’s something to see pretty much whatever direction you look in across this green and pleasant land, whether you’re planning a family holiday or just looking for a last-minute weekend away close to home.
And of course, there’s rather more to it than that – glampsites in England also make a fab choice if you’re looking for a low-cost luxury break: many of these cosy little corners go the extra mile to put the ‘glam’ in glamping with top-notch bedding, swish bathrooms and even hot tubs where you can bubble away out in the open air (top marks for decadence if you pick up an English sparkling wine to accompany this activity…)
Sound promising? Here’s what you might be able to expect from a glamping trip in England.
Glamping in England: stylish stays and low-key options
Even when you’re in the middle of one of the country’s biggest cities, you’re never all that far from some splendid countryside in England. Book a little break in the Lake District, a bit of downtime in Devon or nip down towards the Kent coast – glampsites are popping up all over England.
And what kind of place might you stay in? Take your pick – cosy shepherd’s huts and classic gypsy caravans are fine picks for a couple’s weekend away; bigger bell tents and yurts mean that family glamping is certainly an option too. If you want to up the bragging rights even further, how about a stay in a treehouse or a weekend in a wigwam? And yes, four-legged pals can join in with dog-friendly glamping holidays (walkies + comfy sleep = their ideal day, after all).
Keen to keep costs down? You can still keep a roof over your head – browse bargain camping pods in England and get yourself a cosy place to bed down for the night between walks, bike rides or whatever other outdoorsy activities you may have in mind (yes, sitting outside a pub is absolutely an acceptable activity). You’ll not get quite all the mod cons of the fancier places, but crucially, you can cut down on the kit and keep warm overnight.
What you can expect from glampsites in England
Every one of our listings is a little different in what it provides, but a key element of each glampsite in England is the idea of a stress-free stay. Forget wrangling with guy ropes or trying to locate the missing bags of tent pegs – your digs will be already set up when you arrive, leaving you free just to focus on the fun stuff (the walking boots, the sausages for the barbie, perhaps a beer or few…) All our listings tell you exactly what kind of facilities you’ll find at the place you’ve booked so make sure to check the finer details before making your escape.
Keeping warm through the night shouldn’t be a concern; plenty of places are kitted out with underfloor heating or classic woodburning stoves to keep things toasty, and top-notch bedding and blankets to cosy up with. Add in smart ensuites, well-equipped kitchens, firepits… seriously, who needs a hotel?
Looking for somewhere to celebrate a special occasion (a birthday, an anniversary, surviving another week at work…)? Pick a place where you can go glamping in England with a hot tub – what could be finer than settling into your own private hot tub after a day hiking across the Yorkshire Dales or strolling on the Cornwall coast path?
Where to stay while glamping in England
North, south, east, west – there are fab spots wherever you look in this lovely land. The coast’s a good place to start, of course: there’s nearly 20,000 miles of it to explore, after all. Head for a coast stay in Cornwall or Devon, find somewhere near the pearly-white cliffs of Kent or seek out a Scarborough seaside break for traditional family antics.
England’s national parks are excellent choices too: try the Lake District or Norfolk Broads for watery landscapes, take scenic walks in the Peak District or Dartmoor, or try a New Forest holiday for wildlife and rural rambles. Fancy a bit more space to yourself? Try out one of the country’s less well-known destinations: perhaps the Lincolnshire Wolds, the North Pennines or the Shropshire Hills (they’re all pretty enough to have won the accolade of Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, after all…)
City dwellers seeking a quick escape may well also be chuffed to hear that it’s easy to go glamping near London – there are plenty of places to get your fix of comfy country life within a couple of hours’ journey from the capital. On the flip side, it’s also possible to find glamping stays near London (try the Surrey Hills or the Chilterns) and even within the M25.
Must-see sightseeing spots when glamping in England
Eying up a glamping holiday to Devon or Cornwall? There are beaches galore to pick from all around this stunning part of the world – from the surf hotspots of Newquay and Bude to the more genteel pleasures of Sidmouth, Dawlish and Budleigh Salterton on the south Devon coast. The Eden Project is usually a winner for all ages too, as are the many family attractions around Minehead… and surely you’ll want to make it all the way west to Land’s End?
Over in the east, top spots might include the history-packed city of Canterbury, the gorgeous Suffolk seaside towns of Aldeburgh and Southwold and the cracking North York Moors National Park, which stretches all the way over to the coast at Whitby (certainly worth a visit for its ancient association with Dracula…)
Urban outings on the agenda too? Maybe go glamping near Oxford, York or Bath – all have plenty of attractions for family days or couple’s weekends. Or maybe you’ll fancy a trip to Warwick Castle or Leeds Castle, thrillseeking at Alton Towers or Thorpe Park, boat trips on Windermere, learning about maritime history in Portsmouth… yep, there’s always an excuse for another weekend away in England…
Of course if you manage to exhaust all the options, or fancy something different, you can always, check out our glampsites in Wales and Scotland too…
