Tag: Stanley Villa Farm Camping

6 Cosy Glamping Experiences

Well, although spring is supposed to be coming, it still feels decidedly cold and gloomy out there! With this in mind, perhaps you’re not yet ready for all-out camping just yet and still want that feeling of cosiness with a few home comforts? If so, why not try the luxury of glamping? We have found 6 gorgeously cosy glamping sites, where you can get your fix of outdoor living whilst relaxing in comfort by a log burner or even in a hot tub before retiring to a comfortable, fully prepared bed (and even have a hot water bottle!)

1. Beavers Retreat

Situated in the beautiful Welsh countryside in the heart of the Pembrokeshire Coast National park, all your worries will drift away at this truly luxurious glamping site where every detail is tended to with the customary care of Beaver’s Retreat.

All family-sized, you can choose from beautifully furnished bell tents or the cosy Geodomes with wood-fired hot tubs! Both options come equipped with a comfortable double bed with crisp cotton bedding for a good night’s sleep as well as sofa beds, tables and chairs. The floors are carpeted adding to the homeliness and each unit has a private sheltered kitchen, full cooking facilities, cutlery, crockery and a fire pit to warm up around. The luxury Geodomes have the added bonus of an indoor wood burning stove so you are guaranteed to stay warm and cosy.

2. Marthrown of Mabie

Within the spectacular Scottish countryside of Dumfries and Galloway, you will find the hidden forest gem that is Marthrown of Mabie. All furnished with wood-burning stoves for a truly cosy glamping experience, you can choose from luxuriously furnished yurts, a Native American style tipi or even a Celtic Iron Age Roundhouse! There is a covered BBQ cooking area, usable in all weather conditions and complete with tables and chairs and electricity for lighting and music. And if you get chilly, why not try the authentic Finnish sauna or a wood-fired hot tub whilst gazing at the stunning dark skies?

3. Yurtcamp Devon

Set in forty acres of beautiful Devon woodland, you can choose from twenty-two contemporary yurts of different sizes and locations from secluded to “village” style at Yurtcamp Devon. All the yurts are fully equipped and luxuriously furnished for cooking, sleeping and relaxing in. Each has access to an outdoor fire pit, for campfires and barbecues and you can be sure of staying warm and cosy next to the log burner, even when it is cold outside.

4. Kiss Wood Cabins

On a family farm in Cheshire, surrounded by breathtaking countryside in the Peak District National Park, you will find luxurious and cosy glamping accommodation at Kiss Wood Cabins suitable for all seasons. Each pods is furnished with a comfortable double bed, sofa bed, en suite bathroom, kitchenette, T.V. and heating so there is no chance of getting cold! Outside, you can cook up a feast on the BBQ provided or simply enjoy the beautiful views from the hot tub with a glass of prosecco in hand!

5. Stanley Villa Farm Camping

Situated in the lush countryside of Lancashire, Stanley Villa Farm Camping offers a total of 24 cosy camping pods. These are all well-insulated with wool and come with 2 good quality single beds and mattresses for a comfortable night’s sleep. The beds can be pushed together to make a double and a further airbed can fit in for the kids. Each pod comes with its own firepit for nights around the campfire and you can hire free hot water bottles for that extra cosy feel.

6. Wye Glamping

Wye Glamping, Powys is set in a simply stunning part of Wales offering a true retreat with mountain views and nature all around. A small family run site with only 5 pitches including a locally built yurt, a beautifully handcrafted cabin and 3 spacious bell tents, every detail is catered for so that all you need to bring are your clothes and food. Each come with a fully made-up king-sized bed, futons and a wood burning stove for cosy evenings in. Outside, there is the firepit and plenty of rugs, cushions, blankets to wrap up in and watch the sun go down over the spectacular views.

6 cosy glamping experiences:

Beaver’s Retreat, Pembrokeshire

Marthrown of Mabie, Dumfries and Galloway

Yurtcamp Devon, Devon

Kiss Wood Cabins, Cheshire

Stanley Villa Farm Camping, Lancashire

Wye Glamping, Powys

Taking Your Dog Camping

For some people, taking your dog camping with you is the most natural thing in the world – after all, they are part of the family, so it makes perfect sense. Others might break out into a cold sweat at the idea of coping with another “person’s” needs on top of everyone else’s.

Well, there are a number of things you can do to ensure you will all have a great time and there are lots of wonderful camp and glamping sites out there that will cater to Fido’s every need.

Will My Doggy Cope? (And Will I?!)

A lot of people think of dogs as hard work. And let’s face it, some can be! A lot depends on breed, age, living arrangements at home, etc and behaviour can therefore be variable.

We have always been fans of terriers (or terrorists, depending on which way you look at them!) and have found them to be great characters, very personable and almost human in some cases. Also, being petite is handy for fitting in around the small mountain that you need to take with you and manoeuvring around in the more “cosy” dimensions of your living quarters.

Taking your dog camping
Taking in the views

Having said that, we have friends with much bigger dogs and they all cope well and enjoy the company of each other. This is an important factor to consider when taking you dog camping with you – Does your dog socialise with other dogs regularly? If they don’t, going away and mixing with strange dogs will be stressful for you and them so try to integrate opportunities for this at home before embarking on a trip with them.

Most dogs do really enjoy going camping because they are with their best buddies (you) and of course, spending lots of time outside.

Taking your Dog Camping at Haw Wood Farm
Dog Walking Field at Haw Wood Farm

Campsite

It sounds obvious, but make sure your destination is dog friendly when booking. Some sites don’t allow dogs, or they do but have a gigantic list of rules suggesting that they are not that keen on them and will keep you under close surveillance for the duration of your “relaxing” holiday!

So, check out what is available at your campsite: A big designated dog walking area, doggy wash points or even doggy showers are all good signs that the campsite understand the needs of dogs and their parents.

Most campsites, whatever their take on dogs, will require that dogs are tied up whilst on site. This is an obvious health and safety precaution because of feral children on the loose, other animals on site, etc. So do make sure you take an extra long lead or perhaps even set up a zipline, so they do not feel over-restricted.

Taking your dog camping to Red Shoot Camping Park
Relaxing at Red Shoot Camping Park

Entertainment

When taking your dog camping, do make regular use of the “dog walk” areas and take the opportunity to explore the area around you with your faithful friend. Involve your children as well – many won’t need asking as they love to play with their best pal, but take toys and balls and play fetch for as long as you can manage. Of course, the more purposeful exercise you do with them, the quieter and happier they are likely to be at camp (this applies to children as well as dogs!)

Taking your dog Camping
Fun with friends

You may have some family days out planned away from the campsite. Always check that where you are going is dog friendly be it the beach, nature walks or particular family entertainment spots such as theme parks, castles, museums, etc.  For some of these it is highly likely that dogs would not be permitted so prior to your trip, it would be worth checking if your campsite is able to help or if they know of local, reputable “dog-sitting” services to save someone missing out on the trip.

I know it sounds obvious, but don’t leave dogs in the car for day trips such as this – they can cope for short periods, but longer ones make them miserable and, in the summer, the temperature quickly rises inside cars.

Taking your dog camping - Doggy friendly beach essential
Doggy friendly beach essential!

Packing

Dogs are simpler to pack for than children as they need far less clothes (lapdogs an exception), but this will still need some thought to ensure your trip is stress-free.

It is worth having a designated doggy bag with their stuff in so it’s easy to find and after all, they are a family member. The obvious inclusions are bed, lead, toys, food and bowl. Make sure you also take a bottle and bowl when you are mobile, so they have regular access to water when you are out and about. A good stash of old towels is useful after walks, beach trips, submerging in swamps, etc as you want to keep your tent as clean as possible. You might consider having a designated “wet area” in the tent if you all come in from the rain so that you can keep sleeping/living quarters clean and dry.

Oh, and poo bags. In every pocket. Of everything you own.

Selection of Lovely Camp and Glamping Sites that welcome dogs:

Stanley Villa Farm Camping, Lancashire

Herding Hill Farm, Northumberland

Point Farm, Pembrokeshire

Deepdale Backpackers and Camping, Norfolk

Haw Wood Farm, Suffolk

Greenway Touring and Glamping Park, Shropshire

Petruth Paddocks, Somerset

Stowford Meadows, Devon

Forest Glade Holiday Park, Devon

Red Shoot Camping Park, Hampshire