Glamping, born amid the new-age hedonism of music festivals, natured on the back-to-nature ideals and then propelled in to the public psyche by Kate Moss, colourful Hunter wellies and Cath Kidston trappings and a few fur throws.
Whatever your definition is, glamping is a means of enjoying the outdoor, natural, 'something a little different' benefits of camping, while still enjoying a degree of comfort or even luxury. But above all, it should meet your expectations and, quite simply, be fun.
A brief history
While the term 'glamping' was first coined in the UK in 2005, the concept has been around for centuries, since the days of Kublai Khan's nomadic Xanadu, the first really famous glamper's paradise. His lavish but mobile dwellings featured luxury trappings (though Kath Kidston adornments weren't his thing as far as we know).
Glamping tent at sunset
Fast forward to the Edwardian era and we find they too saw the appeal of the great outdoors, but with a certain comfort guaranteed. One Edwardian household was renowned for elaborate camping excursions, with piles of equipment and even a large harmonium as essential kit. Like modern glampers, they aimed to make themselves comfortable but without losing the essential appeal of the outdoor, 'in touch with nature' experience. As an old camping sage of the times observed "we do not go into the woods to rough it, we go to smooth it".
Perhaps the most glamourous of glamping examples in history has to be the Field of the Cloth of Gold, a summit held near Calais, France (then part of England) to improve the relationship between King Henry VIII of England and King Francis I of France following the Anglo-French treaty of 1514. In a game of one-upmanship the kings both put on lavish feasts and jousting tournaments, they provided music and exceptional accommodation in the form of luxurious gold cloth tents. Henry even constructed a temporary palace of cloth and timber, painted to look like brick, with exceptional furnishings of pure gold and fountains of red wine.
Field of the Cloth of Gold
So, while you can't expect golden canvas tents and red wine on tap like King Henry VIII, the fundamental appeal of modern camping has remained constant since the days of the early Edwardian 'gentleman' travellers: the enjoyment of the open air and the great outdoors; the chance to get up close and personal to nature and the desire to explore beautiful surroundings. Also, frankly, the opportunity to break with the usual routines and just do something a little different from everyday life - simple premises that are just as relevant today as they were over 100 years ago.
A brief guide to glamping
Of course by their nature these forms of accommodation are immensely varied and individual. Part of their appeal is their lack of consistency - so don't assume that what you get with one yurt applies to all yurts.
Yurts
Perhaps the epitome of glamping, these substantial structures provide the feel, but not the whiff, of the Mongolian nomad.
Teepees
The iconic silhouette as dusks falls puts kids of all ages under the spell of a little Native Indian magic.
Safari tents
Large family tents, with separate canvas compartment 'rooms', and equipped with all the usual domestic paraphenalia. Usually on a raised platform deck and with a covered porch from where you can recline and survey the passers-by.
Canadian tent
Very similar to the safari tent, but decidely retro in style and with a 'frontier' feel about them.
Cahuttes
Relatively new on the glamping scene, these combine the sturdy timber structure of a cabin with the novelty and romance of a canvas roof, allowing bedtime star gazing on balmy nights. They come with a wood burning stove and trapdoor to the stairs.
Roulottes
Based on the traditional Romany-style horse-drawn caravans of yester-year, these offer similar levels of comfort to a modern mobile home but with a large feature window that opens out on to a raised terrace on the end.
Wooden cabins
Similar in concept to certain gites, these are made of timber and come equipped with all mod-cons. Wood burning stoves and dishwashers are not uncommon, and some even have mezzanine levels too.
Treehouses
Great fun and a real novelty, these are usually single-roomed, with wooden steps up to the canopy. On some campsites, breakfast is brought to your treehouse and you haul it up in a wicker basket on a long rope. Made of timber and most definitely evoking a Tarzan lifestyle, they are, obviously, not for the infirm.
Camping pods
Uniquely shaped, and sensibly constructed, these are generally fairly spartan in terms of fittings. Electricity is usually provided but you are likely to need bedding and other camping equipment.
Airstream caravans
The iconic silver bullet-shaped caravans, steeped in rootsy road trips of vintage Americana, are occasionally found available to hire on European campsites.
Built on flat ground around a 17th-century mill, this friendly, family run site is proving to be very popular especially for visiting the prehistoric cave paintings in Lascaux and the picturesque town of Montignac. It is separated from the banks of the Vézère river by a quiet road. Located in the Pérgord Noir, it is a five minute walk into the town. There are 83 level pitches (66 for touring) which are marked and divided by mature hedges, all with electricity and most with some shade from mature trees. Pitches tend to be on the smaller size (80 sq.m) and not suitable for large outfits. There is a sizeable river bank for fishing. This is an ideal base from which to visit a fascinating and beautiful area.
Stonehenge Campsite & Glamping Pods is a small, very attractive family run park tucked away in the beautiful Wiltshire countryside, yet with easy access to the A303 and Stonehenge. There are 15 pitches (11 for touring) laid out in three separate areas. The 13 nearest reception, in a garden setting, are for caravans and motorhomes, all with 16A electricity and ten on hardstandings. The 20 pitches for tents and small motorhomes are around the edge of two large open meadows, 12 have 16A electricity. There is plenty of room in the meadows for children and adults to play games. Those with caravans and motorhomes should phone ahead for availability.
Moulin de la Jarousse is in the Périgord Vert Regional Park covering 15 hectares of hilly forest, ponds and meadows. The accommodation includes the Gîtes de Clément, a restored farmhouse with its own private swimming pool and meadow, attractive log cabins located in the forest overlooking the lake and yurts in an open meadow. Scattered around the site are some tree houses accessed via scramble nets or rope bridges. Most of these have few facilities and are a long way from the toilet blocks. Please note that there are no touring pitches here. The site is unsuitable for campers with walking difficulties and torches are essential.
Camping Resort Sangulí Salou is a superb site boasting excellent pools and entertainment. Owned, developed and managed by a local Spanish family, it has something for all the family with everything open when the site is open. There are 976 pitches of varying sizes (75-120 sq.m) all with electricity (7.5-10A). Mobile homes occupy 58 pitches and there are fully equipped bungalows on 147. A wonderful selection of trees, palms and shrubs provide natural shade and an ideal space for children to play. The good sandy beach is little more than 50 metres across the coast road and a small railway crossing. Although large, Sangulí has a pleasant, open feel and maintains a quality family atmosphere due to the efforts of the very keen and efficient staff.
This impressive site in the grounds of the Château des Ormes is in the northeast part of Brittany, in an estate of wooded parkland and lakes. With many facilities and a wide range of accommodations such as treehouses, floating cabins, wooden chalets, etc. Of the 696 pitches, 136 are for tourers (most with 6A electricity, some with 16A and their own water and wastewater). They are of varying sizes (80-150 sq.m), and there is a choice of terrain – flat or gently sloping, wooded, walled or open. The rest are occupied by tour operators (560) and mobile homes (120 to rent).
The Belrepayre Airstream and Retro Campsite only has 12 touring pitches. It is situated south of Toulouse between Carcassonne and Foix, near Mirepoix in the foothills of the Pyrenees and at the heart of the famous Cathar region. The owners are enthusiastic Airstream fans, and only allow Airstreams or vans over 30 years old to stay on the site – strictly by reservation only. There are 11 original Airstream caravans from the ’40s to the ’70s available to rent. These are fully equipped for self-catering and are ideal for anybody wanting a real retro camping experience.
Set in Bude on the north Cornish coast, just a mile or so from a handful of beautiful sandy surfing beaches and rugged coastline sits Atlantic Camping and Surf Pods. This delightful small and friendly family site attracts repeat visitors year after year! The site is made up of 32 pitches (an addtional 30 grass pitches are available in the summer season) and a separate secluded enclave of well equipped eco-pods and a treehouse. The 15 glamping eco-pods are livable, spacious capsules, insulated to the highest degree for comfort all year round. They sit nestled amongst the lush and undulating landscaped lawns, each with its individual decked area, gas barbecue and outdoor furniture, as well as a private external wet room.
Plitvice Holiday Resort is a charming campsite situated just a short distance from Croatia's Plitvice Lakes National Park, one of the most spectacular natural wonders. This campsite offers an array of opportunities for relaxation and exploration within the stunning Croatian landscape. There are 99 pitches for touring and are of average size and are on grass or hard ground, with many slightly sloping (levelling blocks useful). Some have partial or full shade, and all have 16A electricity. One of this resort's standout features is its diverse accommodation options. Whether you're an avid camper, an adventure seeker interested in modern treehouse stays, or someone looking for comfort in mobile homes or cosy lake houses, Plitvice Holiday Resort has the perfect accommodation to suit your needs and preferences.
Camping Diever is just outside the quiet, rural village of Diever and close to the Drents-Friese Wold nature reserve. The campsite has 210 touring pitches, all with 10A electricity, and 11 camping pods arranged informally around the site, located between trees and separated by natural greenery. Some of the ground is sandy with some grass areas found, off the sandy access roads.
Ben deals with all things design, working on the visual design of our annual guides, Destinations magazine, information leaflets, social media and email campaigns, and much more across the Alan Rogers, Rallies and Worldwide brands. He also produces written content for our blogs alongside our other contributors.
