Glamping is a form of luxury camping that combines the lower cost of camping and the closeness to nature that the camping experience provides while allowing visitors a far more comfortable experience. Most glamping accommodations come with a bed and far more space to move around in than a tent would allow. Many yurts and tepees set up for glamping accommodations seem almost like hotel rooms rather than tents. Some glamping experiences even come with catering as an option, with meals provided for you by the accommodation provider.
This luxury treatment is the main attraction of glamping, as rather than struggling with your family tent you can stay in a yurt, tepee, or shepherd’s hut. Many glamping opportunities are either small and family-run or close to nature, such as Bewl water. Our glamping opportunities allow you to take your time exploring the reservoir and taking part in our activities such as kayaking, while knowing that you have dry and comfortable accommodation waiting for you when you return. For young children especially, staying in a glamping tent such as a yurt or tepee can bring a new joy to a camping holiday.
To create a better picture of what the pros and cons of glamping are, I am going to list them below:
Pros
- Glamping is a far more accessible way to enjoy an outdoor accommodation experience for people who are inexperienced campers or who do not have access to camping equipment to use.
- The comfort aspect means that glamping can be a good compromise for the elderly or for individuals who have injuries which would make camping a difficult prospect for them.
- One of the key benefits of glamping is protection from the weather. Staying in a tent during heavy rain can leave you attempting to bail out your tent like a boat. Glamping accommodation tends to be better prepared for harsh weather. However, there are always exceptions to the rule.
Cons
- One of the greatest attractions of camping is that the cost is a lot lower – glamping can be quite expensive in comparison. Camping is generally far more affordable than glamping and can allow you to enjoy a holiday away with minimal costs. As glamping is considered a luxury option it can be quite expensive, especially when catered.
- Camping gives you an experience that is closer to nature, as well as being easier to set up. Whether you are visiting a festival or an established camping site you can move and set up somewhere else fairly easily in a tent, whereas most glamping yurts are immobile.
- If you are on holiday to try and create a bonding experience, then camping can be a fun way to do that; the lack of Wi-Fi and time spent setting up camp and taking the tent down can create an experience without modern conveniences like phones.
Accommodation
It is the quality of accommodation that is generally considered to be the main difference between camping and glamping. Camping experiences often mean that it is down to you to bring all the camping equipment you need: including a tent, sleeping bag, and mat. While you can spend more on a fluffy sleeping bag or a waterproof tent, there is generally a limit to how comfortable you can make yourself with only a car boot worth of space to pack into. This means that you will need to bring your amenities, such as a camping stove, with you and spend an hour or so setting up camp once you have arrived. The actual campsite will often offer only water, bathrooms and showers for their guests to use.
Glamping, however, means that when you arrive at your site the accommodation is already set up for you, often with bedding and amenities inside. Yurts and tepees can be great fun, and due to having wooden frames are generally more waterproof and durable than tents. This means setting up and packing to leave will require a lot less effort, as you will not need to bring the tent home with you.
The three main glamping options that are offered commercially for glamping holidays are generally yurts, tepees, and canvas cabins. There are other types of glamping available, such as staying on a houseboat, but these are generally found individually. If you are considering glamping as a holiday option for you, take the time to investigate which form of tent is being offered and whether it will be large and comfortable enough to suit your needs.
Catering
Most campsites do not cater for guests and they are expected either to cook for themselves on a portable stove or go to a separate establishment to buy their food. While some campsites have a little shop on site for essentials such as tea or milk, you generally have to bring any ingredients for cooking with you, as well as a stove or portable BBQ.
Glamping can differ wildly in that respect, as some glamping sites serve food like pizzas for dinner, and breakfast for guests. Many have cooking facilities that the guests can use, such as a kitchenette within walking distance. However, many have a similar setup to camping in that you have to arrange cooking equipment and food beforehand and cook for yourself. It may be best to contact the glamping or camping provider you will be staying with to ask them what facilities there are for you to use while you stay there.
Luxury treatment
Glamping allows you to explore a new way of living close to nature without sacrificing your creature comforts during your stay. Many glamping options come with a price tag to match the interest in them. While glamping is a cheaper option than hiring a villa or house for your holiday, there is often a far larger cost than that for an ordinary camping trip.
Here at Bewl water, we offer both glamping and camping options for you to try, with yurts, shepherd’s huts, and ordinary camping for families. If you want to learn more about the camping experiences we offer, then please book here.