Unlike Cornwall’s headline destinations – St Ives,
Penzance, Falmouth – this site offers a back-to-nature, no-WiFi,
few-crowds kind of getaway (small wonder Alice Temperley spent her
honeymoon here). Hugging a spring-fed lake, 20 acres of thick
woodland invites guests to pitch up where they desire – whether
that’s a secluded clearing or a more sociable open meadow. As
you’ve likely guessed, ready-built, North American-style tipis are
available too. Tramp through ferns that tumble down escarpments to
the lake; fishing, canoeing and wild swimming are popular.
Stargazing by the totem pole is optional, but highly
recommended.

Reopening: 12 April

Nestled among flourishing woodland in High Weald, these nine
bell tents (pre-erected; no fiddling with pegs here) are within
easy reach of London and the South Coast – though you’d never guess
civilisation was just a short journey away. Venture out to spot
birds, deer and rabbits before circling back for dinner around the
campfire – each tent comes with a bag of firewood as well as
eco-toilets, bucket showers and proper beds. Just don’t forget to
wave to the passing steam trains of the Bluebell Railway. Like
this? Visit sister site Beech
Estate.

Reopening: 12 April

This is a campsite for those who don’t like sagging air beds and
flimsy tents – or are dragging someone of that persuasion along.
Trade in sleeping bags for these adults-only huts, which snagged
Campsites’ 2019 Best Glamping Site award. Interiors
vibe somewhere between Scandi and #vanlife, while the lakeside
sauna and hot tub melt away city stresses. Location-wise, you’re in
a great spot for exploring Somerset, Devon or Dorset – we like to
stay here as part of a trip along the Jurassic Coast. If you like
this, you’ll probably be sold on no-luxuries-barred glamping site
Brownscombe
Farm near Torquay.

Reopening: 12 April

Unlike the rest of the UK, Scotland allows wild camping, meaning that if you’re in
the market for going off the beaten path, this is your place to do
it. For those less than au fait with damp roll mats and tent poles,
try the bohemian gypsy-style caravans of Roulotte Retreat in the
wildflower-strewn Eildon Hills. If you’re not busy seeking out eggs
from the roaming hens (we jest, produce can be ordered in too),
on-site yoga classes, massage treatments, horse riding, painting
and a writing studio are there to keep your mind away from
work.

Reopening: 12 April

Built around 1120, this Norman castle could be straight out of a
Grimm tale, with time-worn gargoyles and creeping ivy decorating an
imposing tower that gazes over Usk to the Black Mountains beyond.
Live out medieval fantasies from one of its striped pavilions (each
sleeping four to six, with beds) or tent pitches. The ruins are
free to explore, while archery and bicycle jousting are among the
activities on offer, though we’ll probably stick to the woodcraft
sculpture trail. There’s a shower block with hot water and a
fully-equipped kitchen.

Reopening: 17 May

It’s no surprise that the Lake District is peppered with great campsites,
glampsites, caravan parks and the like. New to the area? Pitch up
at Low Wray; you’ll be within ambling distance of Lake Windermere,
but not overwhelmed with crowds that often gather in peak seasons.
There are traditional pitches, safari tents and hammock camping,
but you’ll find us in one of its two spherical tents suspended from
the trees. For something more under the radar, head to this Ravenglass campsite on the west coast.

Reopening: 17 May

These eco-friendly geodesic domes make for a green getaway in
every sense of the phrase; set on a hillside of the North Yorkshire
Wolds, its views stretch 100km across the vale. The site is part of
a farm, though this isn’t the kind of place you need to put your
wellies on – however, we do recommend saying “hi” to the resident
alpacas. Each pod offers many of the creature comforts you’d expect
to find in a hotel, including a pillow menu, Sonos speakers, a
flushing toilet, wood-burning stove and small kitchenette. Guests
also have access to a communal chill-out dome with newspapers and a
café, as well as a shop selling local products – including the
farm’s own steaks and cakes. York is a half an hour drive away.

Reopening: 12 April

Gearing up to be a go-to getaway for Londoners – the site is
just half-hours drive from the city – its panoramic views of the
South Downs, all stretches of sun-dappled vibes, give us serious
South of France vibes. Four fabulously sized bell tents are angled
on a south-facing slope allowing for a sun-drenched stay, helped by
the taste testing on offer in the neighbouring vineyards. FYI, the
sparkling whites are knockout. Come evening you’ll want to snag a
spot around the campfire and toast s’mores, then wobble back to the
warmth of your bubble.

Reopening: 12 April

A ferry ride from Oban, this off-grid campsite is for those who
aren’t afraid of embracing nature’s rougher edges – for this,
you’ll be rewarded with white sands and clear waters that wouldn’t
look out of place in the Caribbean. Fidden Farm backs onto sheltered
coves, so you’ll wake to the symphony of waves. From here, days are
best spent spotting dolphins and sea eagles on the coast, cycling
along traffic-free roads or hopping over to the neighbouring
islands of Iona, Staffa or Erraid. The site has portacabin toilets
and basic showers.

Reopening: TBC

Ever wondered what Glastonbury’s Healing Fields would look like
if they were reincarnated in Narnia? This ethereal campsite is a solid guess,
thanks to its family of yurts, tipis and bell tents decked out with
gnarled oak double beds and serviced by a safari-style kitchen,
woodland showers, a craft library and a sauna. Owner Guy Mallinson
is an expert carpenter; to see his work at its best, check in to
the RIBA-award-winning Woodsman’s Treehouse.

Reopening: 12 April

Ten acres of lush Surrey Hills greenery invites guests to snooze
in one of its ten surprisingly large canvases, each furnished to
Pinterest perfection – think lots of brightly coloured bunting,
fairy-lights and faux-floral displays. Food-focused travellers will
feel right at home here, with the giant tipi housing a banquet
table designed for communal feasting. Like this? Check out Kymani’s
other glamping locations here.

Reopening: June

This delightfully quirky site lets you bed down in a
Bollywood-themed VW, a thatch-roofed shack or a converted Falklands
Rescue helicopter. There are various other huts, Hobbit houses and
electric grass pitches too. Set in the Isle of Wight’s Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty, there’s plenty to do and see on your
doorstep – but we recommend heading back here in the evening when
Big Bertha (the pizza oven) fires up and SiloFlix cinema is in full
swing. Other amenities include a laundrette, a bus converted into a
kitchenette, a Showershack and Pigglett’s Superstore honesty shop.
The loo situ will delight fans of puns and Dr Who. Chickens wander
about the site – pick up their eggs for breakfast.

Reopening: 12 April

Bundle your gang into the car and head down to the seaside. This
year, as staycation fever reaches dizzying heights, The Pop-Up
Hotel is set to plonk fifty swanky tents in the heart of the
historic Cadland Estate in Hampshire. Each tent is nestled amongst
a dramatic wildflower meadow, while copious amounts of crisp sea
air and sunlight stream through your bubble and help you rise sans
alarm. Impressive vistas across the Solent to the Isle of Wight
make the early wake up call worth it.

Reopening: 5 July – 5 September 2021

Back in 2015, founders Sarah and Will ditched their city jobs
and took a leap (of faith) into the Cambrian Mountains. As idyllic
as it sounds, it wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. After overcoming
several bumps in the road – including a rare soil disease that had
spread into the surrounding trees – the pair’s perseverance and
resilience has birthed a campsite filled with luxe log cabins,
belle tents boasting valley views and a pimped out cottage brimming
with top-drawer amenities (read: wood-fired hot tub). Championing
sustainability, each log cabin has been felled and milled
on-premise meaning its carbon footprint is as low as possible.
Every detail has been designed with an eco-conscious mindset at the
fore, from reclaimed king-sized, four-poster bunk beds, to a
fossil-fuel-free water system. Spend your stay hiking the hills,
and swimming the lakes, then retreat for an evening of
stargazing.

Reopening: 12 April

Hidden behind the chocolate-box village of Wickhambreaux lies
the quintessential Qualves Estate. Once famed as the home of
Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie, today it houses twenty spacious,
design-driven bell tents. Think bespoke headboards fringed by
ornate illustrations, lanterns for light and freshly cut flowers
for that hard-to-bottle room scent. You may notice the striking
resemblance to Bridget Jones’ luxury yurt at Glasto (you’re not the
only one that’s watched it fifty times over). Well, if it’s good
enough for Bridget…

Reopening: 12 April