A beginner's guide to glamping – including where to enjoy the best UK holidays

Yurts with a view, cabins in the woods, even treehouses – the options are many and varied when it comes to glamping (that’s ‘glamorous camping’ for the uninitiated). With our inconsistent summer weather, not to mention the risks of travelling further afield at the moment, a glamping adventure is a great way to escape from it all without straying too far from home.

Camping ain’t what it used to be. Nowadays, it can come with a whole menu of home comforts and luxuries, such as wood-burning stoves, running water, kitchens and comfy beds. Sometimes, glamping spots even have Wi-Fi (though don't forget you’re supposed to be getting away from it all!). 

Whether you want unusual accommodation in a really special place, or an affordable holiday that doesn’t mean roughing it, there’s a range of glamping breaks to suit your needs and budget.

• Read our advice on having a safe and happy holiday in the UK

Cabins

Enjoy a UK break in the Loose Reins shepherd's hut.

Cabins come in all sizes and styles, from contemporary units with all the mod cons, to more basic, rustic affairs. They usually have their own kitchen, as well as a toilet and shower so there's no need to traipse about in the night to find the loos. 

For a relaxing, authentically American cabin experience, opt for one of Loose Reins' handbuilt shepherd’s huts, located in the glorious Dorset countryside. With a network of horse-riding, walking and cycling trails in the vicinity, you can explore this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty completely at your own pace. 

Pods

Glamping at Whitemead gives you access to the park's leisure facilities.

Want the camping experience but with some home comforts thrown in? Then a glamping pod could be for you. 

Whitemead Forest Park in the Forest of Dean offers a range of wood-built pod accommodation. There are two-person Bed & Breakfast Glamping Pods, which comprise a double bed, a TV, coffee and tea-making facilities, plus an outdoor picnic table, with breakfast being provided by the on-site restaurant. 

The four-person Mega Pods come with a double bed and a sofa bed, a toilet and washbasin, a small kitchen and underfloor heating, while the slightly larger Mega Pod XLs offer everything the Mega Pods do, but also include a shower. 

Boundless members can get a 20% discount on holidays at Whitemead. Click here to find out more.

Caravans with a difference

The charming Pen y Bont gypsy caravan at Bala Lake is like taking a trip back to the past.

For a dose of nostalgia, opt for a stay in a refurbished gypsy caravan or a retro 1950s caravan. They often have a log burner and other treats like a kettle, making them great for year-round stays. 

Cooking is al fresco with gypsy wagons, so you’ll get to know your way around a campfire if you haven't already. However, a lot of sites offer BBQs, firepits and picnic benches. Wake up in picturesque surroundings on the shores of Bala Lake in Snowdonia National Park, or choose one of seven traditional but opulent Romany-style caravans at Roulotte Retreat on the Scottish borders.

Boundless members can enjoy generous discounts when they book a motorhome with our partner Swift Go. Click here to find out more.

Yurts

The Cotna Eco Retreat yurt on the Roseland Peninsula in Cornwall is about as luxurious as tents can get.

More than a glorified tent, yurts offer extra space and comfort – and as an added benefit, you don't have to put them up or take them down yourself. You can choose your level of luxury, from basic options offering little more than a bed, to fancier yurts with wood-burning stoves, cosy furnishings and power outlets, so you can charge your phone. 

For a family-friendly self-catering holiday with an adventurous spirit, and walking and wild swimming on your doorstep, head to the Orkney Yurt. South of the border, there’s Cotna Eco Retreat in Cornwall, where you can roam the orchards before settling down in a spacious yurt complete with a double bed, cooking and living space, plus a wood burner for the ultimate cosy retreat.

Airstream trailers

The Happy Days airstream trailers are on a park only 10 minutes from the Suffolk coast.

Nobody’s sure when we’ll be able to enjoy an all-American road trip again. But in the meantime, you can enjoy part of the experience without leaving the UK by checking into an airstream trailer. Shiny and sleek on the outside, cosy and retro on the inside, they offer a range of luxuries that can even include a TV and a hot shower. Try the vintage airstream experience at Happy Days Retro Vacations in Suffolk.

Treehouses

Escape for a short break in a luxury treehouse.

Fancy spending the night in the trees and then sliding back down to earth the next morning? Treehouses offer a holiday experience the family won’t forget in a hurry, with amazing views from your position high up in the branches, quirky features, not to mention a log burner to heat your woodland home. Gwdy Hw in Powys boasts a range of treehouses located in a secluded valley in the Welsh mountains – the perfect place to escape the stresses of everyday life.

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