Like many people around the world I’m currently staying at home for who knows how long in an attempt to help fight the spread of COVID-19.
And like many people I’m dreaming of the day when it’s safe to travel again.
When we’re told to stay inside we realise just how much we love those great outdoors, and so today I’m sharing some beautiful places to get back to nature in the UK when the travel bans are lifted.
It may be too soon to tell when that will be, but if you take advantage of free cancellation options you can still book those dream getaways now and then change your plans if you’re either unable to go or don’t feel ready to travel again. Just make sure you set a reminder in your calendar before the cancellation free period runs out so you don’t forget.
Ready to start dreaming and planning? Let’s get into the glamping Yorkshire vibe, and digitally travel to that stunning part of northern England where they have moody moors, lush green dales, a dramatic coastline, and some top-notch places to get your glamp on.
Camp Katur
You can’t wait to get away from it all? At Camp Katur you’ll not only be staying in style you’ll be off the grid. That’s right, it’s bye-bye Wi-Fi* in this glamping village where the only electricity comes from the solar panels used to light the toilet and shower blocks and tea lanterns are used around the rest of the village.
This 250-acre glamping space in North Yorkshire includes safari tents, tipis, bell tents, hobbit pods, geodomes, unidomes and a cosy cabin, and I have to tell you I’m finding it really hard to pick a favourite.
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On the one hand the geodomes and unidomes would be incredible to watch the stars from, but the Luna Stella yurt has a fireplace and a freestanding bathtub that’s calling my name. And yes, they have hot water thanks to gas-powered boilers so no need to shiver in the shower or the tub.
At Camp Katur you can choose to BYO sleeping bags, pillows and blankets, but they also have glamping add on options including bedding and hampers, some complete with champagne. And if your dog isn’t sick of the sight of you after all of that staying in, they can also join for an extra £15.00 per pooch.
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This year Camp Katur has unveiled a new Woodland Wellness Dome that can fit up to 120 people for an event. Unfortunately the coronavirus means we’ll have to wait to use it, but when we can share a dome in the woods again it can be used for yoga or pilates for 20-30 people at a time and also has space for 100 seated guests for weddings or other gatherings. For a quote or more information email info@campkatur.com
* Freaking out about the no Wi-Fi? You can log on near their office area but that’s more for emergencies than checking how many likes your last post got.
The Private Hill
On the edge of the North Yorkshire Wolds you can look out across the Vale of York while snuggling with your honey in The Private Hill’s luxury geodesic domes.
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Each of the domes have a wood burning stove, heating and a dehumidifier and they’re all set up with polar insulation to keep you cosy when the temperatures drop. I also rather like the fact that they’re all named after the farm’s pedigree Aberdeen Angus cattle.
The domes all have their own en suites and small kitchenettes with Nespresso coffee machines, Miele microwave ovens and Sonos streamed music, and the king or queen beds are made up with luxury sheets and duvets.
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You’re only 25 minutes away from the city of York if you want to go wandering down its medieval streets, or you can explore the charming old market towns Helmsley, Pickering and Polkington. Back in your glamping zone there’s a fully licensed café and bar where you can enjoy a few drinks in the evening and coffees and teas in the morning.
My Happy Place
Just one and a half miles from Richmond, My Happy Place is rocking its own combination of vintage and festival vibes with their collection of Yorkshire glamping tents.
The five metre bell tents sleep up to four people with a double bed and two singles, each with sprung mattresses made up with fresh hotel linen.
The tents, including the She Sells Seashells glamping tent and the Hippie Hippie Shake bell tent have their own personalities, but all come with a log stove to keep you warm and an outdoor BBQ where you can cook up a feast. Or just a sausage to put in a bun. Your choice.
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Then again it’s only half a mile to the village of Hudswell where you’ll find The George & Dragon pub. CAMRA’s Yorkshire Pub of the Year for the last four years in a row serves homemade pies, including a vegan option, along with battered haddock with mushy peas, lamb hot pot and other tempting mains and sharing plates.
They also do take away food, wine and beer if you happen to find yourself caught short on your getaway.
York Holiday & Cycle Stop
When it opened in 2015, the York Holiday & Cycle Stop was focused on creating a great place for cyclists to stay after completing the cross-country Way of the Roses Cycle Route, but it didn’t take long for word to get out to other visitors too.
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These glamping pods in landscaped gardens are just four miles outside York city centre, providing budget accommodation with a twist. All of the pods have two single beds that can be converted into a king, and you can either BYO bedding or hire on site.
If you’re in the mood to whip up your own meal you can choose between the cooking facilities in the amenity block or the BBQ area.
There’s free Wi-Fi, parking, and a bicycle locker for those who have arrived on two wheels. And while they don’t rent out bikes themselves, the team at Cycle Heaven do if you fancy hitting some of those trails.
High Oaks Grange
A short, eight mile, drive from Dalby Forest on the southern slopes of the North York Moors National Park, High Oaks Grange features custom built pods for self catered stays.
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On the other side of their circular doors these Yorkshire glamping pods have private bathrooms with showers, lounges with flat screen TVs and kitchen areas with a fridge, stovetop, toaster and kettle.
After waking up to views of the vale, you can choose to spend the day out in nature, or possibly on a Peter Rabbit Adventure or the rides at Flamingo Land Resort.
Swinton Bivouac
On the 20,000 acre Swinton Estate outside of Masham in the Yorkshire Dales, Swinton Bivouac offers a change to escape to the countryside in a meadow, a forest or a farmhouse.
In the meadow, their yurts can sleep up to five people and have wood burning stoves, en-suite toilets, kitchenette areas, wooden verandas with valley views, and access to a communal hot tub.
In the forest, their tree lodges can sleep up to seven and while guests can cook and heat their water with gas, there’s no electricity so prepare to embrace the rustic experience. Guests in both the yurts and the lodges are invited to use the meadow tipi where they can gather around a fire pit and swap tales.
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Those who want to enjoy the countryside but still want to be able to plug into a power source can choose The Loft and the Snug, which can house ten people between them on the first floor of the farmhouse.
Just 200m from the property guests can visit a druid’s temple that dates back to the 1800s. There’s also falconry, horse riding and bike hire nearby, or if you feel like a bit of pampering you can also head to the local country club and spa.
Skipbridge Farm
At Skipbridge Farm the glamping Yorkshire options include bell tents and pods made from 100% recycled wood, and alpacas, goats, donkeys and horses are among your four legged friends.
Their four-metre bell tents are best for two people, with a possible additional bed for a child, and are decked out with fairy lights, rugs and cushions, while their five-metre family tent can sleep up to four in a double and two singles and has board games to keep big and small kids occupied.
Glamping pods also come in two sizes. Both have double beds but the larger pod also has a wood burning stove for extra cozy points.
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If you want to stretch your legs, the nearby Brimham Rocks has unusual rock formations, moorland and woodland to explore, while a 6.5 mile circular walk from Knaresborough, near Harrogate in North Yorkshire includes a chance to swim in the River Nidd.
There are also guided tours of local vineyards on offer, if that’s more your glamping speed.
As you’re travelling down these country roads it’s always good to remember to take it slow if you don’t know the area well, and to make sure you’ve got the right road side assistance and insurance for your trip. You can compare cheap van insurance quotes online if you’re cruising around in a van, or find the right deal for any kind of car or bike before you go.
Yurtshire Fountains
On the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is home to windswept moors, rolling hills and sky so dark you can see the Milky Way.
It’s also where you’ll find Yurtshire Fountains where six handcrafted yurts are spread out far enough for you to have your own privacy while still feeling part of this glamping Yorkshire camp.
Each yurt has a private wood-fired hot tub, and a double bed with double and single futons to sleep up to five. There’s a log burning store, and a kitchen area with a gas camping stove, cool box, crockery and cutlery.
They also have their own toilets and gas powered showers so the only reason to go out inside in the middle of the night is to gaze up at those stars.
Sedgewell Barn Wigwams
Heated towel rails and private hot tubs are among life’s little luxuries when you stay with Swedgwell Barn Wigwam Holidays.
All of their cabins sleep up to four, plus an infant in a cot-bed, are fully heated and include showers, a kitchen area with a fridge, electric hob, kettle, toaster and microwave, TVs and DVD players.
Four of the ten also have a private hot tub and USB chargers.
One touch I love is that they also have an honesty shop, where you can pick up fresh eggs and marshmallows for toasting. For the kids out there who don’t know what that means, it’s when you’re trusted to simply put the right money into a box when you take something.
A chance to get out in the fresh air and back to the good old days of honesty boxes sounds pretty sweet to me.
Little Hide
While some of the glamping options above can whip out a child’s cot if you need one, that’s not the case at Little Hide where you don’t have to worry about sharing your getaway with someone else’s children.
These adults only Yorkshire glamping pods are built for two, but if you’re travelling with a group of friends you can book some close together.
There’s also a yurt that can sleep three thanks to a sofa bed, and you can book a special Dog Pod if you want to bring a furry friend, but keep in mind dogs can only go into the pods and not into the yurt.
If you fancy a bit of fishing they have ponds you can use, and there’s a farm shop and café when you get hungry, as well as nearby pubs in Clifton Moor which is only half a mile away.
And just like that you now have ten glamping Yorkshire choices to choose from. I can’t wait for the day I’m able to try them for myself.
This post contains some affiliate links, so if you click on a link and book something I will receive a small commission but don’t worry, it’s no extra cost to you.
This is amazing! Who would ever have guessed there would be so many different glamping options in Yorkshire? I’ve got my eye on the carnival tents near Richmond, especially with the prospect of a good feed not far away at the George and Dragon pub. My husband is a Yorkshireman, so this is our favourite English county to visit. Thanks for these great ideas!
So glad you’re feeling inspired to get up there when we can travel again too. And sounds like you already have the perfect date to take! There may be a few new ways to stay since you were last up that way, but things like a great feed at the George and Dragon pub remain the same 🙂