With the FOC currently advising against all but essential international travel, holidaying overseas may be off-limits this year, but there are still plenty of opportunities to sojourn closer to home. Come through staycations, you silver lining you!
Come through staycations, you silver lining you! Enjoying a Summer retreat without boarding a flight certainly has its pluses. Jumping straight in your VW for a road trip or hopping on a train without the suitcase weigh-in rigmarole makes hot-footing it on your holibobs a breeze.
We’re kicking off our staycation series with the best of British camping – and its bougier sister, glamping! Because who doesn’t love huddling round a campfire and gorging on sticky s’mores?
Plush Tents Glamping
Location: Chichester
Nestled in the picturesque South Downs, the Plush Tents Yurt Village provides the perfect off-grid woodland sanctuary to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life. Recline in a hammock or unwind in the wood-fired hot tub and don’t forget to pack a bag of marshmallows for toasting.
Blackberry Wood
Location: Ditchling, East Sussex
Located in the South Downs National Park just 10 minutes north of Brighton, Blackberry Wood is a truly unique camping experience. Glamping options include a converted double-decker bus, a Wessex helicopter, a fire engine, a higgledy-piggledy treehouse or a gypsy caravan. Needless to say, it’ll be an unforgettable stay.
Ty’r Chanter
Location: Powys, Wales (also available in Dorset, Sussex & Cornwall)
Live your best outdoorsy life in these charming bell tents. For one Summer only, Canopy and Stars have temporarily rehomed the bell tents that are missing out on the festival action and set up exclusive spaces in nature.
Canoe the Wye, explore the Black Mountains or swim in the waterfalls of Talybont before coming back to base and soaking up the stunning views of the valley and a complimentary hamper of gin. Cheers to that!
Fidden Farm
Location: Scotland (no bookings, just turn up)
Perfect for seasoned campers, this is one of the UK’s most scenic campsites just a stone’s throw away from white sand beaches and crystal clear waters. Expect no-frills camping with no formal pitches, just drive in and park up. Spend your days watching for dolphins and eagles and don’t forget to bring your swimmers. Who needs the Caribbean, eh?
Kudhva
Location: Tintagel, Cornwall
For the eco-minded traveller, these unique architectural cabins have been specially designed for the quarry rich environment they inhabit. The wooden hide-outs offer unadulterated coastal views, while providing the ultimate off-grid experience. Top marks, 10/10, or should we say, zen out of zen.
Shepherd’s Huts
Location: Kent
Situated on the magical Elmley Nature Reserve just one hour and a world away from London, these wonderfully cosy handcrafted shepherd’s huts offer the perfect antidote to modern life. Get back to nature and enjoy the digital detox as you stargaze with a glass of fizz or bird watch at sunrise from your bed.
Guests can enjoy long peaceful walks across the rugged countryside, go cycling through the historic local villages, spot the boxing hares on a wildlife safari tour across the reserve, or retire to the communal barn for a soothing cuppa, freshly baked cakes and board games. You won’t even miss the wifi.
West Stow Pods
Location: Suffolk
A family-run glamping site in the heart of Suffolk’s scenic countryside. Reconnect with nature in this bucolic glade made up of 4 self-contained MegaPods, 2 woodland lodges and the star attraction: Pod Hallow, a halfling-inspired subterranean dwelling built into the side of a grassy knoll. Wander down to the lush Fuller’s Mill Garden or head down to Lackford Lakes for a bit of otter spotting and enjoy life in the slow lane for a while. Bliss.
Loveland Farm
Location: Devon
Located one mile from Devon’s beautiful coastline, this award-winning eco-retreat is staycation gold. With a handmade double bed, cosy wood burner, your own kitchenette, shower and eco loo on the doorstep plus Wi-Fi access as and when you need it, you can retreat from the hectic pace of life but still enjoy the comforts of modern living in a truly unique and exclusive environment. For bigger groups, The Loveland pod sleeps up to six and comes with a view overlooking the stream as well as its own projector. Movie nights just got better!
Ten Acres
Location: Devon
This peaceful and spacious one-acre campsite just so happens to back onto a vineyard. How convenient. Stagger back to your pitch after your winery tour or pick up a bottle from the on-site wine shack, along with locally sourced kindling, free-rang e eggs and local ales. Happy campers indeed.
Camp Hox
Location: Oxfordshire
Newly launched this August, Camp Hox combines all the best bits of The Hoxton right in the countryside for a camping experience like no other. Think camping but without any of the compromise and all the comfort and style of a city stay at The Hoxton, that’s exactly what you can expect from a sleepover at Camp Hox.
As well as a comfy tent, a Hoxton breakfast bag every morning, hot water, a private shower and toilet and a fridge stocked with goodies, guests also get a complimentary night’s stay at any London Hoxton hotel.
Have you got any exciting staycation plans to look forward to this year?
