by Glamping? In winter? Don’t get discouraged yet. A summer glamping holiday often involves sitting in snaking traffic on the way to a packed campsite, which is no less important than a feeling of disappointment if the weather doesn’t cooperate once you get there.
But a getaway in the colder months can offer something completely different, if you’re willing to put aside your hopes of a holiday in the sun: the peace and quiet of winter mornings, sparkling landscapes covered in frost or fog, Cozy evenings around your own fire pit.
Plus, it’s actually off-season, meaning you’re likely to find a glamorous cabin or luxury yurt for much less than you would in July or August. Here is our selection of the best hiding places.
Starry Stays in Carmarthenshire
The long winter nights are ideal for stargazing. And Hafan and Derwen – two off-grid cabins tucked away on a small, remote, conservation-focused Welsh property – are just the places to go, as there’s little light pollution here in the Tywi Valley. There’s plenty of wildlife too – look and listen for deer, owls and red kites.
The cabins feature wood-burning stoves (and a free supply of firewood), mini-kitchens, and foul-weather entertainment, including a guitar, books, and games. Outside there is a covered porch, fire pit and composting toilet, plus views of the praised dark skies of the Brecon Beacons.
Cabins (sleeps four) from £150 for two nights.
Rural Retreats in Kent
Snuggle up on the Kent Downs in a former shepherd’s hut at Greenhill Glamping, home to two beautifully restored 19th-century cottages on a family farm in the Alkham Valley. Insulated with sheep’s wool and equipped with wood stoves, electric heaters and king-size beds with goose down duvets, you certainly won’t feel the cold.
Plus, you can walk right out the door to get your blood flowing: stroll to Alkham’s 200-year-old pub or take the 15-minute drive to Dover’s White Cliffs for a walk and shake off the cobwebs.
Shepherd’s Huts (sleeps two) from £155 per night.
Camping without the crowds on the Isle of Skye
Winter may be a little chilly on Skye, but the reward is empty roads, guaranteed natural drama and, who knows, maybe even the Northern Lights. Plus, the stylish log cabins at the Cowshed Boutique Bunkhouse, located in Uig on the northern Trotternish Peninsula, remain cozy all year round.
They are small but perfectly designed, with adequate beds, kitchenettes, heating and private showers, as well as beautiful views of the wide bay. Walk to nearby Fairy Glen and then grab a drink at Isle of Skye Brewing Company, just down the road.
Pods (for two or four people) from £95 per night.
A new hideaway in Herefordshire
The White House Hideaway is perfect for winter. With solar power and a wood stove, it’s off-grid, warm, and totally private. The simple wooden interior has a compact kitchen and bathroom, while the double bed is next to a wall-sized window, so you can fall asleep and wake up to views of the Wye Valley.
Alternatively, get out and about – SUP on site, hit the trails, head to the pub (the excellent Crown Inn at Woolhope is five miles away) or soak under the stars in the outdoor bath.
Cabin (sleeps two) from £258 for two nights.
The best fortress in Powys
Oaken Fort really adds “glamour” to “glamping”; It’s no surprise that this fairytale wood-clad bastion is one of my favorite Canopy & Stars Instagram posts. Located on the Anglo-Welsh border, this unique cottage looks out over rolling hills and woodland, wild in location but with five star style.
All the fixtures, from the eco-friendly wood beams to the high-end kitchen, are immaculate. And you can enjoy the views whatever the weather: inside, from the copper bathtub, looking through the large windows, or outside, from the electric jacuzzi on the terrace.
Cabin (sleeps four) from £245 per night.
Hygienic paradises in Northumberland
Trees at Tughall offers a dash of Scandinavian style in the Northumbrian wilderness. Here are three contemporary cabins, each hidden from the others. Ash is embraced by ancient trees; Hawthorn sits next to the bubbling Tughall fire, overlooking the Cheviot Hills; Willow has her own private clearing next to the creek.
They are all extremely well insulated, with wood stoves and heaters hidden beneath the large window seats. Stargaze from the covered terrace, snuggle up around the fire pit or head to the cafes and coastline of Beadnell Bay, just a 30-minute walk away.
Cabins (sleeps two) from £310 for two nights.
Extravagant cottages in Worcestershire
On a crisp winter’s day, you won’t find a more beautiful place than the Cotswolds. The absolutely English character of these hills is magical under a flash of frost, just as the snowdrops begin to appear in the local woods.
Bluebell, near the village of Broadway, is a quirky base for exploring the north of the region; It is built from two shipping containers, one creatively converted into a bedroom with bathroom and the other into a comfortable living room-kitchen. They are connected by an open but covered terrace, so you can enjoy the bucolic views no matter the weather.
Cabin (sleeps two or three) from £95 per night.
A ski sanctuary in the Cairngorms
Choose a piste-side pod for a cozy ski break in Britain. The shepherd huts, cabins, spacious cabin and converted off-grid railway carriages at Glenshee Glamping are close to the Glenshee Snowsports Centre.
You can spend a day hitting Scotland’s longest and most extensive ski slopes and return to the site to curl up in your heated retreat; most have wood stoves and all have good views. Hot tubs can also be reserved to soothe sore limbs from skiing.
Pods and cabins (sleeps two or five) from £95 per night.
Fantastic tents in Devon
If you want to sleep comfortably under the tarp this winter, opt for HARTA. The unique tents at this secluded spot on the outskirts of Exmoor offer the romance of camping without any of the hassle. Each consists of two joined double-wall tipis, complete with king-size beds, shaggy rugs, wood-burning stoves and underfloor heating.
There’s also a private bathroom (with a clawfoot bathtub) and a private outdoor shower if you prefer something more stimulating. Cook up a feast in your outdoor kitchen or order a homemade curry delivered to the door of your tipi.
Tipi (sleeps two) from £140 per night.
A silent sanctuary in Shropshire
Simple luxury done right: that’s the goal of Rest + Wild. Their four cottages in Shropshire are elegantly built from natural and reclaimed materials and beautifully designed with brown leather, dark paint and copper detailing. But they are also nestled deep in nature; There is no wi-fi or road noise (don’t fear, there is heating).
In fact, you’ll have to park up to 250m away and cross fields to get there. The reward? Privacy, peace, birdsong, secluded outdoor bathtubs, romantic nights around the fire and beautiful views of the Clee Hills.
Cabins (sleeps two) from £550.00 for three nights.
