Some people enjoy the authentic camping experience of being outdoors, in the cold and covered in mud. Others…not so much.
If camping outside in a small tent out in the wilderness isn’t your idea of a perfect weekend then we might have something just for you.
You might have been curious as to what the camping life might be like but you also enjoy the extra security and comfort that comes from spending the night at a cosy hotel.
If this sounds like you, maybe you should spend the night glamping!
Key Takeaways
- Glamping tents combine the comfort of a hotel with the ruggedness of traditional camping.
- Glamping tents come equipped with amenities such as beds, heaters, electricity and private bathrooms.
- Glamping is more expensive than traditional camping.
- The best locations for glamping in the UK are the Lake District, Scottish Highlands, and Cornwall.
- Glamping tents come in unique forms such as treehouses, geometric bubbles and Mongolian yurts.
What is a glamping tent?
Glamping is a combination of the words ‘Glamourous’ and ‘camping’ and is a form of camping that combines comfort and luxury with the rugged natural beauty of the outdoors. Glamping provides guests with a glamorous camping experience.
Many of these alternative glamping tents are usually prepared outside by a company at a glamping campsite and aim to provide you with the highest level of comfort and relaxation. The great thing about glamping in a tent is that you don’t have to go through the hassle of carrying heavy equipment and setting up your tent whilst getting yourself cold, wet and dirty.
You can just enter right in and enjoy your evening in peace. If you don’t mind paying a higher price, this could be the perfect experience for you.
The ever-growing popularity of glamping tents
In recent years, the popularity has been rising with more and more people wanting to try their hand at camping and trying their hand at a more natural style of living. Camping might seem like a hardcore activity, but glamping offers a smooth gateway for people getting into the camping lifestyle.
What is the difference between camping and glamping?
Camping and glamping both offer the experience of spending time outdoors, however, there are some significant differences between the two in terms of the style of accommodation, the included amenities and much more.
Accommodation
Traditional camping tents are designed usually for one thing and one thing only….sleeping. Glamping tents on the other hand are designed with comfort in mind, typically created larger and more spacious than their counterparts. Sometimes they feature real furniture such as a table and chairs and are even decked out with beds and stylish decor.
More expensive glamping tents tend to split the tent into a bedroom and a separate living space and kitchen. They are usually built with an electricity supply, which gives guests the ability to charge their mobile devices and even connect up appliances such as fans, lamps and even heaters to stay nice and cosy.
Bathrooms
One of the more larger differences between camping and glamping is the availability of a bathroom. Usually, camping is done on a campsite where public toilets and showers are shared among other campers, whereas glamping usually has a private bathroom for the guests offering a significant upgrade from traditional camping.
These private bathrooms often come with toilets, showers and sinks that are designed to be as luxurious as the rest of the tent. They also sometimes include toiletries in the package to help guests feel as comfortable as possible, just in the same way a hotel would provide.
Sleeping
As previously mentioned, the sleeping arrangements between traditional camping and glamping can be quite varied. Traditional camping is usually just a sleeping bag on the cold tent floor and perhaps a camping pillow for comfort. More experienced campers tend to use a mat underneath their camping tent to keep themselves elevated from the ground, provide insulation and reduce heat loss.
Glamping tents, on the other hand, tend to feature comfortable beds and soft bedding to try and ensure that guests will receive a good night’s sleep. Perfect for families, a group of friends or even couples looking for a romantic getaway.
Heating
Glamping tents normally have heaters inbuilt in them which create a warm and cosy atmosphere even in more colder seasons. This is often a strong reason why people new to camping may opt to Glamp, as the cold night can be challenging when camping traditionally.
Cooking
With traditional camping, meals are usually made over a portable stove or even done on an open fire. This is different to glamping tents, which usually come prepared with kitchenettes or fully equipped kitchens that may include a fridge, stove, sink, toaster and even a kettle to make some tea. The aim is to mimic what might typically be used at home.
Who is glamping for?
Glamping is perfect for individuals that love the outdoors but don’t want to sacrifice the comfort and luxury of being indoors. It is perfect for couples and friends that want to spend time together and try a new experience to remember.
How much does glamping cost?
The average cost of glamping, according to Barnutopia, can run up to £130 a night. It should be noted that the actual price differs widely depending on the location, what the glamping tent offers, whether it is a luxury tent and also the time of the year that you choose to book.
What are the best places to go glamping in the UK?
In recent years, Glamping has become increasingly popular, with new, unique and luxurious accommodations popping up around the county. Some of the best places to go glamping in the UK are the Lake District, Scottish Highlands and Cornwall. Let’s dive deeper into these places and what makes them so good for glamping.
Lake District, England
The Lake District is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts that are looking to experience the natural beauty of the lake, without needing to sacrifice any comfort. There are many types of glamping experience dotted around the Lake District, including bell tents, luxury pods and even shepherd’s huts!
Scottish Highlands, Scotland
Some of the most breath-taking views in the UK can be found in the Scottish highlands. There are many excellent glamping spots located around the highlands, which offer a range of accommodation such as mongolian yurts, treehouses and even geodesic domes.
Cornwall, England
The popular English summer destination of Cornwall is also a great location for glamping due to its stunning coastline and nearby countryside. Glamping locations available at Cornwall include bell tents, treehouses and yurts.
The top 3 features of a glamping tent
You can find glamping tents that come in all shapes and sizes but there are usually a set few features that make them instantly recognisable when compared to more traditional camping tents and accommodations. Here are the top 3 features of a glamping tent:
Comfortable Environment
Glamping tents are designed with guest comfort in mind, including quality amenities such as comfortable beds, electricity, heating and also tend to feature private bathrooms and showers on site.
Spacious interiors
Glamping tents are usually much larger and more spacious than their traditional counterparts, which offers more room to allow guests to relax comfortably and enjoy their surroundings. They may also offer a separate living space to the bedroom so that guests can enjoy privacy during the day.
Luxury amenities
A major differentiator between glamping tents and traditional camping tents are luxury amenities. Whilst these are not present in all glamping tents and vary widely depending on how much you pay, some may feature amenities such as private decking, jacuzzis and even fully equipped kitchens.
There are some sites that even have on-site restaurants and bars which allow guests to enjoy a classy meal and evening of drinks without even needing to leave the site.
4 popular types of glamping tents
Glamping tents can come in a variety of shapes and sizes, each offering their own benefits to guests staying in them. Here are 4 of the most popular types of glamping tents that are available:
Mongolian yurts
Mongolian yurts are circular tents by design that are constructed with a wooden frame and then wrapped in a felt covering. They are quite large and can house up to 6 guests, often coming furnished with traditional mongolian decor and furniture.
Treehouses
We’ve all had childhood dreams of staying up in a treehouse, but there are actually glamping accommodations that are built in the treetops. These offer a unique experience that come with stunning views and may also feature amenities such as hot tubs and also electricity.
Safari tents
Safari tents are another type of large glamping tent that are usually used on safari trips in Africa. They tend to feature comfortable beds, private bathrooms and are often furnished with sofas and other local decor.
Geodesic domes
Geodesic domes tend to stray quite far away from the typical tent design, and are futuristic-looking bubble tents built with a series of interlocking triangles. These tents can sometimes come equipped with modern amenities such as full kitchens, private bathrooms and hot tubs.
What are the benefits of glamping tents?
There are many benefits that glamping can provide that traditional camping is not able to provide you. Here are some of the top advantages to choose a glamping retreat over a traditional camping experience:
Increased Comfort
It is no secret that glamping tents offer a higher level of comfort than traditional camping tents. With glamping tents, you don’t need to worry about things like insects, poor weather or having to sleep on that cold hard ground. Instead, you can sink yourself into memory foam mattresses, cosy duvets and warm heating set to the perfect temperature for you to doze off in the night.
Enjoy a Unique Eco Holiday Experience
Glamping provides you with the ability to immerse yourself in nature whilst enjoying a comfortable and luxurious stay. You are able to experience breathtaking sceneries, wildlife and participate in outdoor activities bringing you close to nature.
Connection with Nature
Glamping grants you the ability to connect with nature in a new way that traditional camping may not be able to. There are many glamping experiences that would not be possible with traditional camping such as treetop glamping, yurts or glamping in an igloo that allow you to experience life like the locals do.
Spend Time with Family or Friends
Glamping is an excellent choice if you are looking to spend more quality time with family or friends. Whether that be spending time roasting marshmallows by the fire pit, exploring the woods or even taking a dip in the lake, glamping can help you build unique experiences that you won’t be able to find in traditional camping.
How to Choose the Perfect Glamping Tent
When you are looking for the right glamping tent to stay at, it is important that you take a few factors into consideration. Here are some of the things that you need to keep in mind:
Location – Where would you like to go?
The location is incredibly important and will define the type of glamping experience you end up having. Are you looking to be close to the beach, up in the mountains, or at a national park?
Are you wanting a more secluded getaway or a bustling glamping resort?
These are important questions that you should ask yourself before making the leap into your first glamping experience.
Budget – How much do you want to spend?
With all the additional amenities, glamping will be more expensive than traditional camping so you should set a budget for yourself to help you better pick your glamping tent. Some glamping tents are more luxurious than others, and will come with a much higher price tag.
Amenities – What Comforts Do You Need to Have a Great Experience?
Another huge defining factor is the type of amenities that you are looking for in your glamping tent. These can be the type of bathroom setup, if you are wanting a fully equipped kitchen or just a simple kitchenette or if you want a nice hot tub out in your private deck. Some glamping tents will come ready with these amenities while others will not.
Unique Experiences – Anything You Would Like to Experience?
Glamping can be a great way to experience more than just a new environment. Consider what else you might want to do on your trip.
Do you want to stargaze from your bed, sleep high up in a treehouse, or take a hot air balloon ride on the weekend? These are all things that you can do, so make sure to factor experiences in your journey.
Start Your Journey into Glamping Today
With so many benefits that glamping can bring you, there’s no reason to hesitate. Plan your next glamping trip and experience nature in comfort and style today!
FAQs about glamping tents
Glamping tents usually come equipped with various amenities to help ensure that guests have a comfortable and enjoyable stay. Some of the more common features that you can expect to find in a glamping tent include comfortable furniture, heating, electricity and sometimes they even have en-suite bathrooms and kitchens.
Many glamping tents offer en-suite bathrooms but this really depends on how much you pay. There are some that instead have shared bathroom facilities or communal shower blocks so it’s always best to check before booking so you can get the experience that you are looking for.
Glamping is an excellent option for families with children, and can offer a unique and adventurous experience whilst still providing the comfort of a family home. There are many glamping sites that offer family-friendly activities such as nature walks, farm visits, and even outdoor games that can be enjoyed by both parents and children.
There are some glamping sites that are pet-friendly and are welcoming to well-behaved pets, some that charge an additional fee or limit the number of pets you can bring when booking, and there are others that have a strict no pet rule. It’s always best to check with the glamping site beforehand to ensure that you can bring your four-legged friend with you.
Some of the things that you should bring with you when staying in a glamping tent include appropriate clothing for the weather and activities you plan to do, comfortable footwear for walking, toiletries and hygiene items, food and drink if the glamping site doesn’t offer meals or if you prefer to cook your own food, a torch or lantern for navigating the site at night, and any other additional entertainment items such as books, board games or devices that you want to use.
