Glorious glamping
"Let's go camping!" The three words which used to mean your parents were about to ruin your summer holiday plans for getting a tan in the med, or your new boyfriend had a lot to learn about what makes a romantic first trip together.
Well, camping has had a makeover. Gone are the days of soggy sleeping bags and a midnight dash to the toilet block clutching a torch and a toilet roll, instead we now have luxury huts and tree-houses with king size beds.
Glamping has taken the UK by storm. Initially introduced by the fashion pack at festivals, glamping meant Kate Moss and co. could kick back after a long day's festivalling, in a yurt with a cosy bed, rather than your run-of-the-mill two man pop-up.
So if you fancy taking a break in nature without taking a break from your home comforts then look no further. We've rounded up five of the best glamping getaways from around the UK to help you decide where to go for your outdoorsy adventure this summer.
Jollydays - North Yorkshire
Set up in 2008 by the Van Outersterp family, Jollydays is considered a leader of the glamping scene. Glamping is often thought of as a fad, sure to come and go in the blink of an eye, but Jollydays proves there's an ever growing appetite in the UK for camping in style.
Tents are set over 15 acres in 200 acres of woodland, and with just 22 tents you can be sure to be at least 15 metres away from your neighbours, meaning you can enjoy the peace of nature.
You can choose from the selection of bell, lodge and deluxe tents or opt for a woodcutter's hut. Some of them even contain roll-top baths; you can request to stay in one of those tents when you book.
- Prices start at £65 a night depending on season and number of guests
- Family friendly
The Yurt Retreat - Somerset
If the thought of hearing little Tarquin having a temper tantrum over the lack of wi-fi through the linen walls puts a dampener on your plans for a glamping getaway, then look no further than The Yurt Retreat, exclusively for adults.
Nestled at the foot of a medieval castle site in Somerset, The Yurt Retreat is home to four luxurious yurts, a farmhouse kitchen and comfy lounge and perhaps most importantly, private bathrooms. The Yurt Retreat is part of a working organic dairy farm, is easily accessible by road and rail and is the perfect place to go to take in the Somerset countryside.
- Prices start at £265 per yurt
- Ideal for couples
Wild Northumbrian Tipis & Yurts - Northumberland
If wood burning stoves, handcrafted beds and duck down duvets get your attention, then Wild Northumbrian Tipis & Yurts may be the place for you.
With three authentic, handmade tipis and three Mongolian yurts set among acres of meadows and woodland in Northumberland National Park, it would be tough to find a more beautiful location for an escape from city life.
Each yurt and tipi has its own spot in the 25 acre site making it ideal for either a romantic trip for two with nothing but the birds singing in the trees to wake you, or for families wanting to make use of all the outdoor space.
- Prices start at £160 for two nights
- Perfect for escaping the hustle and bustle of the city
Wriggles Brook Gypsy B&B - Herefordshire
Sat in the heart of the Wye Valley, which often features on lists of the most beautiful places in the UK, you'll find Wriggles Brook Gypsy B&B.
Traditional gypsy wagons are nestled in an acre of gardens with farmland on one side and wild hills on the other. If you sit on the steps to your wagon you may be lucky enough to spot some beautiful wildlife, as Wriggles Brook is home to creatures such as foxes, otters and kingfishers.
The wagons are cosy and some of them have beds which only stretch to 6'2" so as long as you're going with someone you don't mind snuggling up to you'll be fine. You'll be nice and warm too as the wagons have coal burning stoves inside to keep you toasty.
- Prices start at £90 per night
- Ideal if you want something a little bit different
Tree Holidays (The Nest) - Devon
That's right tree houses aren't just for kids, they're also for grown-ups looking for a romantic retreat into nature.
Anyone who watched the film Hook while growing up will have dreamt of climbing towards the canopy of a grand old tree and snuggling down to go to sleep. Thanks to Tree Holidays in Devon that dream can now become a reality with the creation of The Nest.
A grown-up sized tree house with a spiral staircase up to the decking balcony, its own kitchen and bathroom, a double bed and heat from a wood burning stove, you might find yourself wanting to stay for more than just one night.
Previous occupants describe hearing the owls in the woods and seeing the stars through the trees. A magical place to go for a romantic night away.
- Prices start from £298 for two nights
- A must for anyone looking for a romantic break