Whether you’re looking for a family holiday with a difference, a short break with your other half, or just a fun getaway with friends, then glamping could be for you. With a range of different accommodation types offering quirky stays throughout the UK, glamping is a real adventure in the great outdoors without having to go without your home comforts.
We have glamping sites in some of the most incredible areas of England and Wales, including the Lake District, Cornwall and Pembrokeshire. For cosy accommodation and views to die for, read on to find out more about some of our best glamp sites in the UK.
What is luxury glamping?
Glamping combines “glamorous” and “camping” to do exactly what it says on the tin. It provides all the fun of camping without any of the unwanted stresses. There’s no need to put up or pack away your own tent in the rain or cram your car full of everything but the kitchen sink. All the hard work has been done for you.
You can also choose from various types of accommodation, including bell tents, tipis, and Landpods, each offering different features. No matter which type of glamping accommodation you pick, all the bedding is included (and at YHA we pride ourselves on our cosy warm duvets), so you can leave your sleeping bags and pillows at home.
At our glamping sites, you also have the added benefit of using the hostel’s facilities. Which means you can cook up a storm in our self-catering kitchens, play board games with the kids, hang out in the lounges, and make free use of the toilets and showers. Many of our hostels also have on-site cafes and bars so you can relax with a chilled drink and take a night off from cooking dinner.
Don’t forget your four-legged friends either. Pretty much all of the glamping accommodation is dog-friendly, and you can bring your pooch for just £5 per night.
Where can I go luxury glamping in the UK?
We have glamping sites at our locations across England and Wales, in some of the best areas for holidays. Choose from rolling countryside, dramatic coastline, or picturesque towns for a short stay to remember. Although luxury glamping is more expensive than bringing your own tent, we’ve worked hard to keep our prices low here at YHA, offering excellent value glamping breaks in the UK.
Here are nine of the best glamp sites in the UK…
1. Bell tents at YHA Stratford-upon-Avon
For a quintessentially English cultural break, why not visit the home of William Shakespeare in Stratford-upon-Avon? YHA Stratford-upon-Avon is home to premium bell tents. These spacious canvas tents can sleep up to five people and are perfect for family holidays or breaks away with friends. What’s more, the bell tents here have a log burner inside for keeping cosy during the cooler months plus a fire pit outside where you can toast marshmallows and tell stories around the fire. There are also comfy bean bags inside where you can chill out before bedtime.
Just a two-mile walk away from the hostel is the town of Stratford-upon-Avon, famous for being the birthplace of English playwright William Shakespeare. Visit his family home, have a picnic on the banks of the River Avon, or browse the independent shops in the town centre.
2. Tipis at YHA Grasmere Butharlyp Howe
Glamping at YHA Grasmere Butharlyp Howe is perfect if you’re looking for an activity break in the Lake District. Here you’ll find our colourful and quirky tipis. Tipis sleep up to four people in one double and two single futon beds and are perfect for going away with your pals or taking the kids on holiday.
With a stay at this YHA, you’ve got incredible walks right from your doorstep. Head up to Silver Howe, one of the Lake District Wainwrights, for incredible views across the village and the fells beyond. Pick up some of the famous gingerbread from the village on your way home and enjoy it with a cuppa prepared on your log burner back at the tipi.
3. Bell tents and Landpods at YHA New Forest
YHA New Forest has bell tents and Landpods set in extensive grounds in the New Forest National Park. Landpods are perfect for a quirky stay in the great outdoors. Set up off the ground, they have plenty of storage space for bikes and gear, a rack outside for muddy walking boots, and a firepit outside. There’s also a canopy roof that you can raise up to enjoy balmy summer evenings and stargaze once the sun goes down.
Animal lovers will enjoy wandering around the national park and meeting the locals. There are around 5,000 New Forest ponies roaming freely in the park, and you can easily spot them grazing on the moorland, often in small groups. Back at the hostel, the kids can run off any leftover energy in the hostel grounds while parents enjoy a drink from the bar. A snack menu is also available alongside stone-baked pizzas- the perfect way to refuel after your adventures.
4. Landpods and bell tents at YHA Truleigh Hill
Head to the fabulous South Downs and base yourself in one of the Landpods, safari tents or bell tents at YHA Truleigh Hill. This hostel is in a great spot for exploring the coastline, with Shoreham, Brighton, Hove, and Worthing all nearby.
There are also lots of brilliant walks in the stunning South Downs countryside straight from the doorstep. For a short stroll, try Edburton Hill, where you’ll get beautiful views without climbing a mountain. Or if you fancy something more challenging, Devil’s Dyke is a moderate route, over seven miles long, which gives you fantastic views out to sea.
Back at the hostel, relax in the pleasant garden when the weather is fine and take in the sunset views.
5. Bell tents and Landpods at YHA Manorbier
For a Welsh seaside holiday, try a stay in a Landpod or bell tent at YHA Manorbier. The Pembrokeshire Coastal Path runs straight past the hostel door, so it’s a fabulous place to stay for walking holidays with pals.
Enjoy dramatic coastal views over limestone cliffs and stunning beaches as you explore miles of paths. Walks are available to download from our website during your stay, so you don’t even need to plan your own route – we’ve done all the hard work for you. Glamping guests can make the most of the recently refurbished hostel facilities. The reception and foyer are looking better than ever, and there’s also a restaurant and licensed bar where you can chill out in the evenings.
6. Landpods at YHA Grinton Lodge
For glamping holidays in North Yorkshire, YHA Grinton Lodge offers quirky accommodation in one of our Landpods. Each Landpod sleeps up to four people in two double beds and provides a stay with all the excitement of camping but a few added luxury extras like solar powered LED lighting and USB ports, storage areas and a cosy seating area.
Enjoy exploring the beautiful Yorkshire Dales on foot or on two wheels, with paths straight from the hostel’s front door. If you prefer pottering round a town, there are plenty of those nearby, too. The vibrant market town of Richmond is close by, home to historic buildings, an iconic castle, and riverside wanders. There are also lots of pubs to cosy up in with a pint (or two!).
7. Landpods at YHA Broad Haven
The second of our Wales hostels to make our list of top UK glamping sites is YHA Broad Haven. It’s all about location, location, location here, as the hostel is right beside a beautiful Blue Flag beach. You don’t have to get the kids back in the car to go anywhere. Just grab the buckets and spades and head down to the beach. You can spend hours here enjoying paddling in the clear waters, and playing ball games, or building sandcastles on the beach.
On the way back, pop into the on-site café for refreshments. Take your pick from light bites or hearty classics, or just grab a hot drink to warm up.
Glamping stays here are in our quirky Landpods, which offer an incredible adventure in the great outdoors. Raise up the canopy roof to enjoy a night of sleeping under the stars. With everything here, you don’t have to go far to have a fantastic time.
8. Tipis and Landpods at YHA Coniston Holly How
Sometimes you just need to get away from it all, and YHA Coniston Holly How is the perfect place to do just that. Glamp with a backdrop of stunning mountain scenery in one of the Landpods or tipis here.
Make the most of the Lake District’s incredible natural features and spend your days exploring the fells and lakes that make this area famous. Coniston Water is close by, and you can take parts in water sports such as paddle boarding or kayaking here. Or, if you’re feeling brave, jump in for a wild swim.
Back at the hostel, cosy up in the lounge and grab a drink from the bar. Challenge your family or the new friends you’ve made in the hostel to a board game tournament or just unwind with a good book.
9. Bell tents at YHA Penzance
YHA Penzance is a Georgian mansion with bell tents in a peaceful part of the town. Penzance is a fantastic base for exploring some of Cornwall’s best attractions.
Visit the Minack Theatre, a magical outdoor theatre with performances throughout the summer and absolutely stunning views over the surrounding bays. There are so many beautiful beaches nearby too, with St Ives not far away. Grab your swimming costume and take a refreshing dip, or book a surfing lesson and learn how to ride the waves. In gorgeous Cornwall, there are so many exciting ways to spend a day in the fresh air.
Back at the hostel, enjoy a lovely warm shower, then head back to your bell tent and warm up in front of the log burner as you plan the next day’s activities.
