Love camping but need a little luxury when you travel? Seeking a dog friendly bank holiday break or an outdoorsy summer camping trip with the kids? Whatever your staycation must-haves, there’s a spot in England to meet your needs. So whether it’s clambering to top of mountains or lounging outside bell tents with a cup of tea and a classic book, check out our guide to the top ten glamping destinations in England…
1. Lake District
Where to camp
There’s nowhere better to take advantage of our glamping facilities than the Lakes. YHA Hawkshead offers kitted out tipis, bell tents and camping pods while YHA Windermere supplies stunning lake views and the option to snuggle down in a unique Landpod.
2. Peak District
If you love the great outdoors but can’t resist a few frills, the Peak District is your place. With long walks and scenic climbs, like Kinder Scout, to tackle, the Peaks demand sturdy boots. However, days out to Chatsworth House and Bakewell provide opportunities to experience history, indulgent food and shopping.
A camping trip to the Peaks also provides the perfect opportunity to try out that new hobby you’ve always fancied. Caving or hang gliding, fell running or riding, pottery or weaving, whatever captures your imagination, the Peak District delivers.
Where to camp
The Peak District is bursting with great campsites but few combine practicality, comfort and beautiful surroundings like YHA Hartington Hall. In the grounds of this 17th century manor house glamping visitors can enjoy the great outdoors in cosy Landpods or family friendly bell tents.
3. Cornwall
Cornwall is now one of England’s favourite glamping spots, offering luxe camping, incredible food and unforgettable sights.
From artistic St. Ives to the South West’s foodie capital, Padstow, the almost tropical blue waters of Kynance Cove and surfer’s paradise Fistral Beach, Cornwall has something for everyone. And with so much to offer it could change the mind of even the most ardent anti-camper.
Where to camp
Offering Landpods and bell tents, YHA Treyaron Bay is in easy reach of Padstow, overlooking the sandy Treyaron Bay. For a wilder experience, YHA Lands End, with its timber camping pods, is just a short meander from crashing waves and coastal caves.
5. Welsh boarders
Often overlooked, the stunning countryside bordering Wales is some of England’s most bucolic. Ideal for family holidays, the Wye Valley AONB is close to Puzzlewood and the Forest of Dean. Moving north, the towns of Hereford, Hay-on-Wye, Ludlow, Shrewsbury and Chester offer the ideal combination of history, beauty and delicious food. A hop over the border takes you to sights such as Pontcysyllte aqueduct, Powis Castle and the Brecon Beacons.
Where to camp
With so much open countryside in the corridor adjoining England and Cymru there’s plenty of choice out there for campers. Glamping at YHA Wye Valley gives you the convenience of Landpod or bell tent, while YHA Clun Mill’s pitch up camping is an affordable alternative.
5. Yorkshire
With two national parks and a spectacular coastline, in addition to the cities of York, Leeds and Sheffield, it’s little wonder that Yorkshire is gaining in popularity with the glamping crew.
Whether it’s a bank holiday break by the sea or a walking holiday in the moors, Yorkshire does it all. The beaches of the Flamborough Headland are a must-visit in the summer months and a pint of mild in a traditional Yorkshire Dales pub makes long hikes well worth the effort at any time of year.
Where to camp
Pitching up? Create your own glamping experience at YHA Helmsley, located in a picturesque market town bursting with restaurants, cafes and galleries. Alternatively, YHA Grinton Lodge saves you the bother of bringing your own gear with the option to glamp in Landpods or camping pods.
6. South Downs
Nestled between London and Brighton, it’s no surprise that the South Downs are a haven for trendy glampers. Stretching from Eastbourne to Winchester, the rolling Downs offers over 100 miles of walking routes as well as plenty of charming villages.
Inspiring the likes of Kipling, Tennyson and Wolfe, it was here in ‘England’s pleasant pastures’ that Blake wrote the famed lyrics to Jerusalem. Hipper now than ever before, book festivals and literary trails have made the Downs a pilgrimage for creatives.
Where to camp
The last word in glamping style, a safari tent combines convenience and comfort with Out of Africa chic. YHA Truleigh Hall gives you the option to accommodate up to six in a chic safari-style tent and at a lower price than many other local glamping facilities.
7. Devon and Somerset
Usually overlooked in favour of Cornwall, Devon and Somerset are just as special as the South West’s most famous county. Each with its own distinct landscape and personality, these picturesque counties are both unforgettable glamping destinations.
While the dramatic cliffs of Exmoor’s coast makes for wild and interesting walks, the gentle waves and sandy beaches of South Devon are perfect for family beach staycations. And with sights including Cheddar Gorge, Exmoor Zoo and Exeter to explore there’s plenty to do if beaches aren’t your thing.
Where to camp
With miles of coastline and countryside, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to glamping in Devon and Somerset. Budget beachcombers will love YHA Beer where bell tents nestle up against the Jurassic Coast. Or visit Cheddar Gorge with a stay in a camping pod at YHA Street.
8. New Forest
Famed for its ponies and ancient woodlands, the New Forest is an unmissable family glamping destination. Close to the coast, where you can paddle, sail and even try out crabbing, this lovely area also provides plenty to do with kids of all ages, from ropes courses to nature spotting. There’s also the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu for historians and petrol heads.
Just 90 minutes from the capital, the New Forest is a whole new world of idyllic countryside, relaxed dining and cliff top walks, an ideal setting for a special glamping experience.
Where to camp
Peaceful and remote yet within easy reach of the New Forest’s best sights and sounds, YHA New Forest makes glamping both easy and affordable. As well as bell tents, this kitted-out hostel also provides Landpods and camping pods suitable for families of four.
9. Stratford-upon-Avon
Home to the bard himself, Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town with a big history. A great family destination and ideal for upmarket camping, this corner of Warwickshire gives you access to a wealth of Shakespeare sights, including the Shakespeare Birthplace Museum, as well as thrilling Warwick Castle and the thriving city of Birmingham with its shopping and museums. This makes Stratford a great place for a fun camping trip with an educational twist.
Where to camp
There aren’t many places more convenient than YHA Stratford-upon-Avon. Just a 45 minute stroll into the centre, it’s the perfect hub for exploring this very special town. Here deluxe camping pods complete with ensuite bathroom facilities really put the glam in glamping.
10. Kent
The Garden of England is long beloved of holidaymakers, combining quirky seaside destinations with the splendid countryside that earned the county its nickname.
Increasingly fashionable thanks to Margate’s Turner Contemporary, bleakly beautiful Dungeness and hip Whitstable, Kent is a real favourite of the glamping community. No matter whether it’s a coastal camping trip or pitching tent in the rolling Kent Downs AONB, you’re guaranteed a uniquely English experience.
Where to camp
While there are more than enough campsites to choose from out in Kent’s pretty countryside, being close to the amenities of a large town makes glamping simple, with the option to eat out and sightsee right on your doorstep. YHA Canterbury offers all this and more, with deluxe cabins providing a secure, dry place to stay.
YHA glamping in the UK
We know that glamping can be expensive, but staying with us not only will you benefit from competitive pricing, you’ll also have access to a wide selection of camping settings to suit your budget, your group size and your preferred comfort level. And in addition to accommodation in some of England’s most stunning settings you’ll be able to use all of our handy amenities. We’re talking bike storage and drying rooms, laundry facilities and self-catering kitchens as well as lounges, bars and restaurants.
Find a glamping destination for your next trip.
Discover more about YHA.
Photo credit: Jamie / Adrian / MNStudio / travelwitness / tomopitman / JamesB / acceleratorhams / Julian Gazzard / Helen Hotson/ jefflandphoto / marcin jucha/ PhotoFires / Adobe Stock
