7 Top Glamping Tips
Camping is an ever-increasingly popular choice for UK family holidays – but not everyone’s convinced bot the joy of sleeping on the ground under canvas with limited access to running hot water and power outlets. Glamping is the best alternative for many – it’s camping, but with a touch of the luxuries that prove you are actually on holiday after all. It’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors with your family, but with all the creature comforts of home. You each get your own bed, you have a kitchen in which to cook your own food and your tent has a flushing toilet and warm shower. There’s absolutely no need to do a mad dash to shared facilities in the middle of the night!
Specialist glamping company Lantern & Larks has produced the Ultimate Guide to Glamping with all the tips and information they need to make the most out of their next glamping trip, whether you’re a new or pro camper!
Lantern & Larks Kittisford Barton glamping site in Somerset
1) Choose a great location
When it comes to holidays, location is everything. You want to make sure you’re staying somewhere picturesque with plenty to do nearby. For example, you could head to sunny Somerset, which boasts the beautiful historical city of Bath and some great countryside walks.
Further north is the stunning Lancashire – kids will love Blackpool Pleasure Beach while you are bound to enjoy the many quaint villages and incredible country parks within the region. The location you choose will really depend on what sort of things you want to get up to on your holiday.
2) Know what to bring
In terms of essentials, there are a few things you should always remember to take glamping with you and these include: toiletries, mobile phone, electronic chargers, pet food (if you’re bring your pooch with you), a spare toilet roll and any paperwork you might need. Guide books and local maps will come in handy too.
However, you should also bring along some additional items to keep you and the kids entertained, such as a few good books and magazines, indoor and outdoor toys, and of course the all-important s’mores making kit.
3) …and what to wear
As we all know, the British climate is somewhat changeable. Therefore, it’s vital to bring clothes suitable for all possible outcomes. Make sure you have clothes that will keep you dry just in case it rains, a decent pair of walking boots, sun hats and glasses, at the very least.
4) Know what to expect
If you’ve never been camping, let alone glamping, then you might not know what to expect. One thing you might find quite odd is the noises you will hear at night. You’re surrounded by nature, so be prepared to hear some sounds you might not be used to! The chirping crickets and owl hoots certainly make a lovely change from police sirens and screeching tyres.
Toasting Marshmallows image courtesy of Shutterstock
5) Cook lots of campfire meals
While toasting marshmallows is a lot of fun, there are lots of other great snacks and meals you make over a campfire, from tasty tacos to homely macaroni cheese. Start planning your menu now!
That’s not to say you can’t treat the family to odd meal out, but there’s something special about cooking around a fire. Everyone eats together and there’s nothing to distract you.
6) Scrapbook your memories
Kids love taking pictures and writing about their holidays, so why not ask them to create a scrapbook of your glamping trip? They can collect any pretty leaves they find, hang onto the tickets and leaflets of the places you visited and write a little note about what they did each day. Once you get home, they can stick in any photos you took too – I wrote about how to create an oh-so-easy holiday scrapbook over on LittleStuff. Do be careful – it’s really addictive!.
That way, you all have a reminder of that special family trip.
7) Bring the dog
Glamping is one of the easiest holidays that lets your pet come too! Your dog will love being a part of all your activities, especially the trips to the dog-friendly beach and the long walks through the forest. Just check your site accepts dogs, and abide by the site rules in terms of poo zones and lead control.
