Some people absolutely love going back to the basics, spending a night out under the stars, and being so close to nature that they wind up sharing their pillow with a small family of ants. Others of us, really, really, don’t. There is a fine line between being a nature lover and an avid camper, but the line certainly exists.
Luckily, recent years have brought a solution to those of us who love the great outdoors, but also love running hot water: ‘glamping’. A portmanteau of ‘glamour’ with ‘camping’, glamping makes the outdoors more comfortable and accessible. From pods and cabins to yurts and tepees, the parameters of glamping are not clearly established, but it can be vaguely understood as any escape to the outdoors which involves more amenities than your standard camping experience.
Glamping originated in the UK, and has taken the West Midlands by storm. Below, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best glamping spots near Birmingham for those who are seeking to reconnect with mother nature, without sacrificing a good night’s sleep!
Riverside Park, Stratford-upon-Avon
You’d be forgiven for mistaking these glamping pobs for Hobbit houses – the gorgeous little huts are located in the beautiful Warwickshire countryside, on the banks of the River Avon, but are not a far cry from The Shire. As The Shire was based on Tolkien’s birthplace in the West Midlands, it seems only fitting that those looking for an adventure would visit the Riverside Park.
The glamping park is family and dog friendly, and the pods sleep up to four people. Each pod is equipped with wifi, a sofa bed and bunkbeds, a small fridge, a heater, USB ports and electric. On sunny days, the small patio in front of each pod is decked with a table and chairs for your use, and when the weather is less appealing, the pods are insulated with double glazed windows and doors, for comfort and security.
There is an allocated parking space for each pod, and the use of a private shower block and washing-up facilities, so you certainly won’t be slumming it! You need to bring your own bedding, towels and camping equipment, or you can hire a camping pack with a disposable BBQ, toaster torch, saucepan set and camping stove etc, for just £25. The price of the pods per night begins at £80, so the glamping site is a cost-effective mini-break destination.
There are lots of great attractions nearby, including Shakespeare’s birthplace, Warwick Castle, Tudor World and the Stratford Race Course, so if you’re not planning on spending the visit entirely at one with nature, there is a lot to keep you occupied.
Check out their website here for more information.
Riverside Park, Tiddington Road, Stratford Upon Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 7AB
Cotswold Woodland Glamping, Broadway
If you’re looking to book a trip for a slightly larger party, look no further than Broadway. In this acre of woodland in the Cotswolds, there are facilities for up to 25 Adults (or a family group of 30), in a site exclusive to your party. There are ten fully insulated and double glazed pods, with lighting and heating for the colder months. In the communal area, there is a Swedish BBQ house which seats thirty people, kitted out with mood lighting.
If that isn’t outdoorsy enough, there is also an outdoor firepit and picnic tables. The pods host futon beds, which can be folded into sofas and chairs, and which can accommodate flexible sleeping arrangements. There is a covered jacuzzi, a shower block, toilets and a kitchen area, so no expenses have been spared to make your stay comfortable.
The woodland is home to a great deal of wildlife to spot, including red deer and birds of prey. The site also offers clay pigeon shooting at The Cotswold Shooting Ground, if you’re looking for an afternoon of entertainment. There are stunning walks through the farm land and alongside the River Isbourne, and the site is only a few minutes drive into the charming village of Broadway, which is packed with shops and eateries.
If all the beds are filled, the glamping site costs no more than £40 per person, per night (with a minimum 2-3 nights booking, and minimum pod limit required). Perfect for weddings, stag/hen parties, large family groups or work events, the Cotswold Woodland Glamping sites are a brilliant introduction to glamping.
Check out their website for more information.
Wooton Park Pods, Warwickshire
At Wooton Park, there are a range of glamping pods available, but by far the most unique are the TreePods, delightfully titled ‘Heavens Above’ and ‘Over the Moon’. Eleven feet up in the air, the TreePods give you a chance to relive your childhood by climbing a tree (no ladder or upper body strength required, just 20 steps!) and spending a night under the stars, with your very own private hot tub and outdoor decking area.
The accommodation is ensuite and self-catering, and comes with a hob, microwave, fridge and gas BBQ. The pods also have WiFi and a television, and underfloor heating for the colder seasons. Towels, bathrobes and bedding are provided, and countryside views are promised, so you can relax in style. The pods are on stilts, affording both safety and privacy.
If you’re not one for heights, fear not – the site also offers MegaPods, an affordable ground-floor cabin for two, with an ensuite, BBQ facilities and a private hot tub. The Super Pods are a further step up (metaphorically, still firmly on the ground!) with two bedrooms and a hammock for relaxing in.
Woodland pods are available for groups of up to eight people in four pods, with a communal shower and WC pod, and a GastroPod complete with a kitchen, sofas, a log burner, TV and a large hot tub, perfect for group or family outings. The average starting price for a pod containing two adults is £120 per night, but head over to their website to make a booking or an enquiry.
Wootton Park, Wootton Wawen, Henley in Arden, B95 6HJ
Hidden Valley Camping, Worcestershire
Located in the beautiful Teme Valley, Hidden Valley is a family-run glamping site with only two bell tents and a handful of tent pitches scattered across a nine-acre orchard. Guaranteed privacy and solitude, you can switch off and enjoy the gorgeous scenery. Do not fear, you’re not going entirely off-grid at Hidden Valley. The bell pod tents contain a small freezer, and there are compost toilets and a gas shower. Nearby, there is an honesty shop selling logs, charcoal and kindling, and occasionally some locally sourced meats and produce.
The two bell tents are fully furnished, and camp beds are available for two children if required. The outdoor fire bowl (tyre rim) is a great spot to sit out under the stars, keeping the cold at bay. The site has a low-impact, sustainable and eco-friendly ethos, and is therefore located on a quiet and peaceful farm.
The site is a car-free zone, but you can borrow a wheelbarrow to move your luggage, and if the owners are around, they may offer you a lift on their quadbike! If you’re looking for low-key glamping and to really reconnect with the outdoors, this is your spot – there is no electricity on the campsite, so it is perfect to switch off and unwind. The cost of the bell tents is approximately £180 per night.
Check out their website for more information or to make a booking.
(https://www.campsites.co.uk/search/glamping-in-worcestershire/tenbury-wells/hidden-valley-camping)
Bine Farm, Eastham, Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire, WR15 8PA
‘A Little Bit of Rough’, Rutland
A little bit further afield, but certainly worth the drive, is ‘A Little Bit of Rough’. A series of unique woodland retreats across 20 acres of private woodland, these glamping venues are anything but ‘rough’! The location itself is concealed from the website, as the owners prefer it to be a bit of a secret – but fear not, you’ll be provided with a full map and directions upon booking! The retreat is located in ‘Spindleberry Woods’, in a secret Rutland location, not far from Uppingham, a bustling market town.
Another sustainable glamping sit, ‘A Little Bit of Rough’ treats wastewater on site, and provides extensive recycling facilities for visitors. The canvas lodges do not have power oitlets, but there are solar powered facilities for charging phones and tablets. Again, you’re not entirely cut off from the grid, as a large fridge with a small freezer is provided in each canvas lodge. The Rocket Lodge does have power outlets and electricity.
Each canvas lodge sleeps up to six guests, with a mximum of four adults. They also contain an en-suite bathroom with a bath and wash basin, and a separate toilet room. A wood burning stove keeps campers warm and allows for cooking, but a BBQ area and small gas ring are also provided. The kitchen facility is fully equipped, and there is a set up dining area and lounge area with a sofa and stunning view. With a decked out area outside the lodge with tables and recliners, there is plenty of space to sit back and admire the stars.
Prices are around £400 for a whole cabin for two nights, but these may vary, so head to their website for more information.
Mystery Location, Spindleberry Woods, Rutland
With all these options to choose from, if you haven’t caught the glamping bug yet, then glamping probably isn’t for you! With some fairly stripped back options on this list, and others with full hot tub luxury, you will certainly be able to maintain whatever lifestyle you’re accustomed to on a West Midlands mini break.
