With evenings getting lighter and an optimism that this summer might match the last, the experts at Glampingly have compiled a collection of new glamping escapes in both the UK and France, still with availability during the popular school holiday period, between July to September.
From a family-sized Scandi eco-lodge built on stilts near Falmouth and great value pods in the middle of an orchard near Glastonbury, to shabby-chic shepherd’s huts in West Wales and cool treehouses in France where friendly donkeys deliver breakfast to guests each morning, there’s something to suit every traveller this Summer.
Pods Amongst Apple Trees at Orchard Farm – Glastonbury, Somerset
Orchard Farm, a well-loved camping spot beneath the iconic Glastonbury Tor, has launched a cluster of new glamping pods, sleeping 2-4 people, amidst organic Somerset apple trees. Each pod boasts an en-suite bathroom, double bed, sofa bed and space to cook and dine inside or out. Glastonbury itself just four miles away and there are several good pubs within walking distance, whilst Wookey Hole, Cheddar Gorge and Wells are brilliant local places to visit with open cider farms aplenty. The Mendip Hills and Somerset Levels are worth a visit too, as are the coastal resorts of Weston-Super-Mare and Burnham-on-Sea, all under an hour’s drive.
There’s plenty of availability during Summer. For example: a three-night break from 26-29 July is priced from £330 per family (just £82.50pp) based on up to four sharing on an accommodation-only basis.
Shepherd’s Huts and Seal-Spotting at Thistledown Glamping – Llandysul, West Wales
Based in a quiet corner of West Wales, the pretty new shepherd’s huts at Thistledown Glamping are tucked away in a pretty thistle-scattered meadow, yet just 20 minutes from dolphin spotting trips in Cardigan Bay. Both huts are handmade and boast shabby-chic interiors and WIFI as well as cosy fire pits and BBQs. There’s even a wood-fired hot tub near the smaller hut, and the owners are building a waterwheel in the stream to provide extra power. Head to New Quay’s pretty harbour for dolphin or seal-spotting tours (it’s also the place to go to for fish & chips) or visit the shingle beach at Cwmtydu known as a regular place for spotting seal pups.
There’s plenty of availability during Summer. For example: a three-night break from 9-12 August is priced from £345 per family (£86pp) based on up to four sharing ‘Finch’ on an accommodation-only basis.
Lakeside Eco-Lodge at Trecombe Lakes – Falmouth, Cornwall
This family-sized lakeside lodge by award-winning architects EcoSpace is tucked away in a woodland setting near Falmouth, raised on long legs to protect the wetland floor. Birch-clad and topped with a hairy grass roof, the modern structure blends into the trees, which reflect off the four sliding doors that lead onto a balcony. There, alongside a firepit and deck chairs, a Swedish hot bath awaits- fitting given the Scandi décor inside. A mezzanine and a large sofa bed allow the lodge to accommodate up to six people, though the master bedroom, with views of the lake, is undoubtedly the prime spot. The Cornish coast is three miles away, with Maenporth Beach a 10-minute drive.
There’s some availability during Summer. For example: a three-night break from 12-15 July is priced from £825 per family (£138pp) based on six sharing on an accommodation-only basis.
Magical Treehouses at Les Cabanes de Labrousse – Ardeche, France
This collection of nine treehouses within the Monts d’Ardèche Natural Park sleep up to five, making them perfect for adventurous families. It helps to have a head for heights, with some as high as 10m (requiring helmets and harnesses to reach) but the views are beautiful. The lower structures work well for younger families and have staircases rather than ladders, mezzanine bedrooms and bespoke furniture. What’s more, Filou the friendly donkey delivers breakfast baskets to the treehouses each morning, winched up by pulley system. The area is renowned for its wild swimming spots (including the River Ardèche) and the nearby Dolce Via cycleway provides a pleasant family activity.
There’s some availability during Summer. For example: a seven-night break from 20-27 July is priced from €1,197 per family (€239pp) based on five sharing on a B&B basis. This equates to £1,023 per family (€204pp)
Plush ‘Roundhouse’ for Couples at East Thorne Glamping – Cornwall
One for couples, the Roundhouse is an impressive new structure at East Thorne Glamping, based just ten minutes from the coast at Bude. This is high-end luxury, think industrial chic, sumptuous fabrics, cosy wood burners, underfloor heating and an en-suite bathroom. Outside there’s a private garden with wood-fired hot tub and modern fire bowl as well as access to East Thorne’s outdoor pizza oven and communal camp fire. The structure is even covered in an insulating eco grass roof with a central sky port hole, perfect for stargazing. If families fall in love, they can use it in conjunction with yurts also available on site.
There’s plenty of availability during Summer. For example: a three-night break from 19-22 July is priced from £494 per couple (or £247pp) based on two sharing on an accommodation-only basis. Yurts are priced from £380 based on four sharing.
For more information, head to glampingly.co.uk.
