The ULTIMATE Glamping Guide
Richard Jaques • August 6, 2019
Like Camping...But Better!
Glamping offers you a rare chance to experience the countryside whilst still enjoying the home comforts, like proper beds and electricity, that you wouldn’t get with camping. Whether you are going alone, with friends or family, it’s a lasting experience that forms life long memories and bonds. Envision, strolling across the rolling hills, popping into a local pub for some lunch and coming back to your luxury lodge to chill on the decking, with a glass in hand, as the sun sets. Glamping enables you to get rid of the fuss, discomfort and dirtiness of camping but yet still enjoy the same experience available in the local area.
What Do I Pack?
It is always important when going anywhere from home that you pack everything you could possibly need. If you were camping, this would become a rather long list but fortunately with glamping most of the heavy work is all done for you. For instance, you won’t need to worry about putting up the tent and tools you’ll need to take, worrying about finding the toilets at night or bringing cooking equipment. The most important things to bring on your countryside adventures are:
• Wellie boots/ walking boots
• Waterproofs and jackets
• Any specific clothes or equipment for activities eg. Tennis rackets, bikes
• Slippers
• Flip flops
• Normal clothes for mooching around town
• Plenty of socks
• Cosy pyjamas
• Toiletries – toothbrush, hairbrush, hair gel etc
• Ordinate survey maps
• Phone charge
• Food and drink (think marshmallows for the campfire and breakfast foods)
• Sunglasses
• Sun cream + after sun
• Hats – for either cold or hot weather
• Outdoor equipment like footballs or bikes.
It’s the little things that matter. Like how the lodges are all kitted out with washing machines, so you don’t need to worry about get clothes dirty. Or, how we provide luxurious bottles of shampoo, shower gels and body lotion. And how they are all stocked with a variety of games to play, like cards and Jenga. These little gems will help you frees up space in your bag for other things, like candles if you’d like, and not wasting time sorting them out.
Relax & Refresh
It you want to get a bit of peace and quiet by escaping to the countryside, then that’s completely valid! You don’t have to spend time exploring, you can simply enjoy the sweeping green views from your decking with a drink in hand or whilst lounging on the sofa completing a crossword. Just soak up the fresh country air and the sounds of the local wildlife. Enjoy chilling out in a steaming hot tub under the stars or simply just having a family BBQ and the kids trying the pet the sheep in the nearby field. Some of these may seem like mundane things but doing them in such a stunning environment makes them all that more special and memorable. Take the time to allow yourself to escape from your everyday and to refresh your body and soul by enjoying the simple things in life.
Make sure you check what comes with your glamping lodges, as some don’t have hot tubs or fire pits
Choose Your Glamping Experience at Bowbrook
At Bowbrook, we have 2 main types of luxury glamping: Lodge or Safari tent.
The Lodges are like a home from home as they have more of a home feel. They are more spacious than the Safari tents and have more luxurious fittings. For instance, they have proper sofas and both a dish washer and washing machine. As well as, a bedroom with its own private ensuite and a separate bathroom. This means you have the choice of using a bath or shower to help you relax and refresh. They are also fitted with fluffy carpets to provide you with a cosier experience. The lodges are ideal for people who want to relax and enjoy the fresh countryside.
On the other hand, the safari tents are a bit more playful and ideal for families or groups of friends wanting to have a good time. They have a themed décor, with secret hideaways and fully equipped open plan kitchens-living rooms. Some have their own private hot tubes, and all have firepits so you can roast marshmallows or do a BBQ.
Discover...
Wherever you travel there will be history to discover and learn about. Find local castles or courts and gardens, take a picnic and make it a day. There is many places to discover in the local area! This includes the Commandery in Worcester city where you can learn about how it was the royalist headquarters in the English Civil War in the 1600s. similarly, explore the magnificent Croome court and gardens or Broadway tower. You can even investigate the lives of Edward Elgar or William Shakespeare who lived in the surround areas. See where they lived and grew up – the places that inspired them to greatness.
Dine
Taste your way through the different local delicacies like the Pershore plums, Herefordshire Beef and Worcester apples. These are best tried at the local restaurants and pubs where most use the local produce in their menus. The closest pubs will be in Pershore, like The Angel or The Pickled Plum. There are some very popular upmarket restaurants like The Belle House in Pershore, Eckington Manor near the Cotswolds or Browns at the Quay in Worcester. You can also experience wine tasting at Elgar wines or have pizza night on a double decker bus at Rushwick.
Explore
The highlight of glamping is your nearness to nature and its convenience is having all your home comforts on tap. This makes it the perfect place to take the opportunity to explore it and do activities outside. Why not hook the bikes up to the car and ride around the picturesque villages. In the local area, there are some very famous places to walk. This includes the Malvern Hills and the Bredon Hill which give you magnificent views for miles. When you walk the Malvern hills, you’ll be able to see Herefordshire on one side of the hills and Worcestershire over the other side! You’ll also notice the characteristic gas street lights in the town which inspired C.S Lewis for Narnia in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. These hills are famed for their water which is said to contain ‘nothing at all’ and have healing powers. For these reasons Darwin took his sick daughter here in hope it would help cure her of her illness but unfortunately, she died and is buried in the Priory graveyard. Malvern water was also loved by the royals like Queen Elizabeth I and II and Queen Victoria who only drank the bottle water.
If you don’t fancy a great big walk, I would recommend heading to Tiddesley woods or for some fun head to Aztec adventures or Go Ape!
Detox
Disconnect from social media, work emails and technology overall. Challenge yourself and others to live in the present, to focus on spending time with the people you love and not rely on technology to fill up your precious time. This is especially good for children who potentially haven’t played a board game in a long time or just messed about outside instead of staring at a screen. In this day and age, it is growing important that young people learn to interact and have fun without using technology. This could be the perfect stepping stone to reducing screen time and increasing family time.
Stargaze
Staying in the countryside gives you the opportunity to escape light pollution and have the perfect after-dark activity for all kinds of trips. On a clear night, curl up in a blanket, make a hot drink and sit out on the decking to enjoy. You won’t be disappointed! Remember you can also spot wildlife like owl, bats or deer.
Grill
What’s more classic than a traditional BBQ with the family? Get some meat, fish and veg on the fire pit and sit outside to wait for the magic to happen. I mean a good start would be to actually light it with wood or coals beforehand, then add the food. Then once dinners finished you can roast some marshmallows on the hot coals for the perfect sweet treat after a long day.
MORE ARTICLES
Owners Rich and Matt Jaques from Pinvin near Pershore have joined the David Bellamy Blooming Marvellous Challenge to support both the Wonderful Wetlands and Tree-mendous initiatives.
Alongside some iconic venues, we’re delighted to announce that Bowbrook Lodges is a finalist in this year’s wonderful Visit Worcestershire 's Tourism Awards!
Everyone loves a summer holiday, but there’s more to holidays than bikinis, swimming pools and hot sun. Have you ever considered a UK countryside holiday in winter? It might seem a little crazy, but there’s plenty of very good reasons to take a holiday in the colder months. A winter holiday here at Bowbrook Holidays gives you the chance to take a break and really appreciate the simpler things in life. On shorter winter days, there’s something very special about walking in the countryside or warming up round the fire in a cosy pub. So if you’re into beautiful scenery, as well as peace and quiet, there’s no better time to take a holiday than in the winter. Our lodges, safari, tents and pods at give visitors a unique blend of modern living and countryside ambience. Have a weekend or a week away with us and enjoy home comforts like WiFi and hot showers, whilst surrounded by nature and the great outdoors. Here’s why you should visit Bowbrook Lodges in winter…
We've recently worked with the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust (WWT) to build wetlands on our wonderful camping and glamping site.
There can be few nicer treats while on holiday than relaxing in a tea shop. Whether it’s a full afternoon tea or a well-earned cup of coffee and slice of cake to break up a countryside hike, you really can’t beat it. Of course we’ve got our fair share of chain coffee shops in the area, but if you are looking for something a bit different, there are also lots of lovely independent tea and coffee shops in Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire. Here are some of our favourites….....
Bowbrook Holidays is perfectly situated for you to enjoy some great days out on our doorstep, in Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and beyond. There are so many places to choose from, whatever time of year you visit. But here are a few of our favourites.
Bowbrook Holidays is set in the beautiful countryside and we’re lucky enough to be surrounded by great local walks in Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Warwickshire. Whether you are looking for a long hike, a short ramble or a potter round a town centre, there is something for everyone. Here are just a few of our favourites…
Bowbrook Holidays is a great base to explore the local area. There’s always plenty of events happening in Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire. Here’s some of our favourites, whatever time of year you visit. We will keep adding events throughout the years, but while the Covid situation keeps changing, we would definitely recommend double checking that these events are taking place and whether there are any restrictions you need to be aware of.
But why are these healthy alternative holidays becoming all the rage and replacing the cheap package deals to resorts in Spain and elsewhere? Glamping is luxury on a budget Well, arguably, cheap package deals to resorts in Spain are often not a cheaper alternative. Due to the drop in the value of the pound against the Euro prices have boomed in recent years which has left holidaymakers with no option but to enjoy a vacation on home soil. Glamping provides the perfect solution for a cost effective break away, but with the same perks of staying in an apartment overseas. Of course, you can’t always guarantee the weather in England, but you can still guarantee luxury accommodation. Our Luxury Lodges and Safari Tents offer plenty of accommodation options at an affordable rate, while still providing true comfort. Since you don’t have the added extra cost of flights you can treat yourself and the family to a couple of nights in our Zebra lodge which offers a private hot tub for up to six people without breaking the bank. Glamping offers unique accommodation A common theme in today’s society is that people are often looking for ways to break trends and do something which is a little bit outside of the norm. Of course, everyone enjoys their 5-star all-inclusive holiday in the Mediterranean, but a trip to the countryside to stay in a ‘quirky’ glamping lodge will often trump that due to the uniqueness of the experience. Why settle for ordinary when you can book a quirky night’s stay that offers the comfort and facilities that would rival many top hotels. Glamping is for everyone If you’re looking for a romantic break for just the two of you, or a place for the whole family to enjoy, Bowbrook Lodges offers both without foregoing certain home comforts. You can enjoy a comfy bed, a bath tub and a fully equipped kitchen and living area all while enjoying the best parts of camping, such as gathering around the fire pit, relaxing on the balcony enjoying the stars and the 360-degree view of the beautiful countryside surrounding you. Glamping is truly a great way to soak up the outdoors and revert back to the authentic, simple way of life, so when you start to look for holiday alternatives be sure to add glamping to your list.
When you start thinking of unique Valentine’s Day ideas, it wouldn’t be surprising if camping didn’t instantly spring to mind. When we think of camping we often think of the cold, muddy wellies, instant food and an uncomfortable night’s sleep. The words “luxury” and “camping” don’t really go together. Unless you are familiar with glamping. Romantic glamping breaks tick all the boxes and they won’t break the bank if you’re on a tight budget. Choose some unique glamping accommodation, follow our suggested tips and your romantic glamping trip is sure to create a lasting memory and give you a new perspective on camping. How To Make Your Valentine’s Glamping Trip Extra Special Why not make your glamping trip a complete surprise for your partner? Keep the date free and get planning. It makes it extra fun if you have the pleasure of planning for your valentine. Now that you’ve decided on a glamping experience in the countryside, you can decide on a dinner to complement the evening. While previous years you may have left the hard work to the professionals, cooking is actually far more sentimental and makes for a great bonding activity. Bowbrook Lodges come fully equipped with a kitchen that has everything you could ever need to serve up a luxury three course meal for your partner. No date night is complete without some bubbly, so be sure to pack some along with candles and a speaker for some relaxing background music. Stock up on some savoury snacks to nibble on before dinner, marshmallows to toast and a pack of chocolate hearts for a little sweet treat later in the evening. This will really complement the special sense of sharing and indulging. Where To Find The Best Romantic Glampsites Location is key when planning a Valentine’s break. Choose a place that allows you to disconnect from the rest of the world and escape the pressures of every day. If you’re looking for romantic sunsets or remote natural beauty, our lodges offer up 360-degree view of the beautiful countryside surrounding you, while giving you the privacy of a remote spot. Relax and be at one with nature in one of our lodges or safari tents. You get everything from a comfy bed to a bath tub and a fully equipped kitchen and living area. More luxurious than camping but with a rustic charm, each one of our homes brings beautiful elegance and peaceful surroundings to enjoy whilst spending some quality time with your significant other. That’s what romantic glamping getaways are all about.