Top 10 winter camping and glamping breaks

in the UK

A winter pod, Great Langdale, Lake District. Photograph: Rose Lord

Great Langdale, Cumbria

Winner of the Great Outdoors accommodation of the year award 2014, this
campsite at the head of a valley is a beautiful spot for winter walks. But while
hiking should keep you warm by day, a selection of cosy hideaways will keep you
snug at night. Visitors can choose from double-glazed wooden camping pods,
which include heating and lighting or, for those who want a more boutique
outdoors experience, luxury yurts furnished with Moroccan-style rugs and
throws, fairy lights, lanterns and a wood-burning stove. And with the Sticklebarn
pub known for its real ales and good local grub nearby, you should be able to
slip into a pretty comfortable routine in no time.
Standard pods from 35 a night (two adults, one child), 01539
432733,nationaltrust.org.uk

Vanellus, Elmley national nature reserve, Isle of

Sheppey, Kent

Photograph: Robert Canis

In the stunning surroundings of the Isle of Sheppey nature reserve, Vanellus is a
large shepherds hut. From the comfort of your abode (which is hooked up to
electricity), you can gaze out through floor-to-ceiling windows as the sun rises
and sets, watching birds of prey and other wildlife. The reserve can be explored
on foot, or you can book a 4WD tour of the area. The farm has a lounge in a
converted barn, where you can hang out or eat communally, but if you really
cant bear to step into the cold, you can have meals including hot bacon rolls
for breakfast delivered to your door.
From 180 for a two-night stay (sleeps two), 0117 204
7830,canopyandstars.co.uk

Inshriach shepherds hut, Inshriach House,

Aviemore, the Cairngorms, Scotland

Another shepherds hut, this time in the Highlands, where it really does get chilly
come winter. Thanks to a Alles stove and a slate hearth, however, you should be
able to keep toasty all year round. No expense has been spared on its interior,
which has a mahogany table and a raised oak bed. The hand-built Swedish-style
hut may be well insulated, but if you feel yourself in need of a deeper warmth,
the wood-fired sauna made from a converted horsebox down on the riverside
should do the trick. And if theres snow, you may even be able to partake in a
spot of ski touring, with the help of the estates owners.
From 150 for a two-night stay (sleeps two), 0117 204
7830,canopyandstars.co.uk

The Cabin at Nant yr Onnen, near Llandovery,

Wales

The Cabin is an unusual octagonal wood structure, built by local craftsmen keen
to make an eco-friendly home. The electricity supply, for example, is powered by
the nearby stream. From the sheltered veranda you can enjoy views across the
hills, and the surrounding countryside is perfect for walking all year round.
Inside the cosy hut is a wood-burning stove, and you can also warm up in a
recently built spring-fed hot tub.
From 85 a night throughout December (sleeps two), mulled wine available
15 Dec-4 Jan, 0117 204 7830, canopyandstars.co.uk

Guilden Gate Glamping, Hertfordshire

Campervan comforts though the hammock may suit summer months better
Just 35 minutes by train from London, the Guilden Gate campsite is ideal for an
easy rural family escape from the capital. Set in a woodland glade, a campervan
is your main bedroom,and a bell tent can act as another bedroom, or a lounge.
Theres also a huge wok-shaped hot tub, big enough for six adults. The site is
close to Cambridge (20 minutes drive), so you can explore the city by day if
the icy countryside gets too much.
From 65 a night (sleeps four, minimum two-night stay), 01763
243960,goglamping.net

Baby Moon, Dunsdale, North Yorkshire

If the magic herb garden doesnt tempt you, maybe the chance to meet a
chicken named Lady Gaga will be enough to get you booking. Just 10 minutes
drive from the coast, the bohemian site offers its visitors a host of creative
activities, including classes from knitting to yoga and therapies including reiki
and Indian head massage. Theres also a wide choice of richly decorated, cosy
and very groovy places to sleep, including yurts inspired by Mexican divas, fairy
tales and the intriguingly named hippy hippy shake tent.
95 a night (sleeps four/five), 07764 928487, babymooncamp.com

Circus wagon, near Llangrannog, Ceredigion, Wales

A colourful, romantic and unique place to stay, this restored circus wagon is one
of just three identical carts built in 1946. The opportunity to bed down in what
was the home of a troupe of acrobats, and later a clairvoyant, is difficult to pass
up and the two-person carriage provides a warm, snug place to stay during the
winter. Inside is a fully kitted-out kitchen and next door is a shepherds hut that
has been converted into a shower room. An electric heating system will keep you
warm inside the oak-panelled bedroom, which boasts a full-size double bed.
From 179 a night (sleeps two), 0844 5005 101, underthethatch.co.uk

Wowo campsite, Wapsbourne, Sussex

Surrounded by woodland and a brook, Wowo offers year-round camping as

well as a wide range of impeccably decked out yurts, shepherds huts, tipis and
bell tents for anyone wanting some rustic comfort. The site itself has a festival
atmosphere: there are regular workshops and acoustic music performances and
campers are encouraged to make their own campfires to keep warm and cook
their dinner on. For an extra-special stay, book into one of the yurts on the tipi
trail, a secluded section of the campsite in woodland, where you can enjoy the
soothing sound of running water.
Prices vary according to accommodation. Bell tents start at 156 for two
nights midweek (sleeps family of four). The Gypsy wagon starts at 124 for two
nights stay midweek (sleeps two adults and one child), 01825
723414, wowo.co.uk

Heather Hut, Hesleyside Huts, Bellingham,

Northumberland

The rustic wood exterior of this shepherds hut (one of two on the estate)
transforms into a world of cosiness once you step through the door. Inside are all
the luxuries youd hope for, especially on a cold winters night: a wood-fired oven
and hotplate, en suite shower, wood-burner and electric lighting. The king-size
bed is tucked into the far end of the tastefully decorated hut and theres a folddown bunk suitable for children. Entertainment in this neck of the woods takes
the form of campfires in the fire pit outside and stargazing; telescopes are
provided.
From 150 for a two-night stay (sleeps two adults and one child), 0117 204
7830,canopyandstars.co.uk

The Roundhouse, Somerset

Its probably pushing the limits of what you can even class as glamping but we
realise that for some, winter really is not the time to shirk on home comforts.
This hand-crafted wooden roundhouse, in the grounds of an organic farm near
Bath, is a palatial hidey-hole with a grand four-poster bed as the centrepiece.
And thats not all, the en suite cabin also contains a classic roll-top bath, a 1940s
Rayburn stove, a well-equipped kitchen and a couple of sofas. Still, the
countryside is right outside your door, with the 40-acre farm and nearby
woodlands to explore. Home produce, including veggie and pork sausages are
also available to guests.