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Camping, Bushcraft & Survival

Camping | 10 Of The Best Camping Pods In The UK And Ireland

Want to camp but can't deal with tent poles? Want to know what camping pods are? Where are the best camping pods to rent? Here are the answers you need....

Camping in a tent isn’t for everyone, even with the best camping hacks. Tent poles and soggy sleeping bags can get boring quickly. And the most accomplished bushman sometimes wants a little luxury. This is where wooden camping pods come in.

But what is a camping pod?

A wooden camping pod let’s you get back to nature without the hassle. The pod is ready for you at the campsite and is great for bad weather as it’s basically a wooden hut. They’re often eco-friendly too, usually insulated with things like sheep’s wool, so that you can enjoy the outdoors in the rain or snow without being damp.

Here we have the ten best camping pods around the UK and Ireland so you can enjoy the outdoors all year round.

Our eight best family camping spots, also featuring campsites with other glamping options.

1. DEER’S GLADE, NORFOLK

Inside a camping pod these wooden beauties are irresistibly cosy. Photo: Deer’s Glade Luxury Camping Pods, Norfolk.

Deer’s Glade’s stunning pods are set within a quiet woodland at the Conservation Award winning site in Norfolk, complete with sheltering trees and a stream. Quaint!

There’s lots to see and do around the campsite and being in a wood, plenty of exploring and hiking to get in to. If you like wildlife you can also go seal watching along the Norfolk coast.

Camping pods boast heaters and a flat screen TV, whilst Mega Pods are also kitted out with a double bed, futon, table and chairs, kitchen, microwave, kettle, electric sockets, lighting and toilet/sink.

Pods sleep up to four adults or two adults and three children and prices range between £31 and £36 per night.  Visit Deer’s Glade for more information or to book.

 

2. LONGTHORNS FARM, DORSET

Pods and shepherdhuts make it possible to enjoy camping in winter without catching pneumonia. Photo: Longthorns Shepherd huts in Dorset.

Longthorns offer shepherd huts, which are basically the same as a pod, but romantically the farm asks you to “take yourself back to the days when shepherds lived in their huts, tending their sheep, living a life with basic furnishings, and a pot belly stove to cook and warm themselves”.

Sounds ideal.

The farm also hosts a pack of Alpacas, which you can walk with the hosts’ help, if you’re in to that sort of thing. Or there’s plenty of cycling, trail running and hiking to be had along the nearby Jurassic Coast.

The huts on this scenic farm in Dorset come with double bed and bedding, wood burner, kitchenette, ‘quaint’ curtains, rugs, and any other bits and pieces for a cosy stay.

There’s also a fire pit, Dutch Oven and Kelly Kettle for anyone wanting to cook outdoors and Longthorns provide charcoal, fire wood, kindling, solar lights,  and candles.

Huts cost from £176 for a two night stay. Visit Longthorns Farm for more information or to book.

3. NOTGROVE GLAMPING PODS, CHELTENHAM

Notgrove Camping in the Cotswolds. No that’s not a pod, but isn’t the view amazing?! Photo: Notsgrove camping

Notgrove’s camping pods are surrounded by 1500 acres of Cotswold countryside for a beautiful setting and plenty to explore. There are plenty of cycle routes, farm walks and a tennis court for hire along with other activities on offer.

The pods come with beds, showers, heating, equipped kitchens, outdoor seating and fire pits, as well as dining chairs and flatscreen tv and wi-fi.

Pods can be booked for a minimum of two nights and prices start at £75 per night based on two adults sharing. Visit Notgrove Holidays for more information or to book.

 

4. LOCH NESS GLAMPING, SCOTLAND

Visit Scotland, stay at the Loch Ness Glamping pods and you could be in with a chance to see Nessy. Photo: iStock.

Nessy fans won’t be able to resist the pods at Loch Ness Glamping, Scotland.

The site offers five larch covered ‘Armadilla’ pods set in the Great Glen, with all mod-cons including underfloor heating and wet rooms close to the famous Loch.

Loch Ness is a dramatic setting and great for cycling, rambling and hiking, among other activities. There’s also an exhibition centre nearby, cruises across the Loch and highland riding centre.

Armadilla pods start at £58 per night for two people sharing, and the Armadilla max costs £65 per night for two people. Visit Loch Ness Glamping for more information. Bookings must be made over the phone as stated on their website.

 

5. ATLANTIC SURF PODS, CORNWALL

Atlantic Surf Pods are a great glamping option for surfers visiting Cornwall. Photo: goglamping.net

Atlantic’s pods are great for something a bit different from the usual pointy gnome-hat shape of other glamping pod sites. Instead they look a bit like a hobbit house, nestled in to a hill.

Based on the Bude coastline, this campsite is also perfectly placed for a surf trip to Cornwall.

As it’s Cornwall there’s plenty of attractions in the area, and lots of coastline to enjoy on a bike or trail run.

The pods come with the usual modern fixtures as well as memory foam mattresses, beanbags, private wet room outhouse and BBQ. And if that’s not enough there’s also a treehouse available to stay in on site.

Pods sleep up to four people and prices start at £178 per two night stay. Pods can only be booked for a three night minimum stay during school holidays. For more information or to book visit the Atlantic Surf Pod’s website.

6. POD UMNA VILLAGE, IRELAND

Pod Umna Village in Galway, is a great base for exploring the West Ireland county. Photo: Pod Umna Village

Pod Umna Village in County Galway, is based in the flippin’ green area of West Ireland in Portumna.

As Galway is so damn beautiful, there’s heaps of places to see and the village offers bike hire so that you can get about easily to see it all. But there’s also lots to do in the area including a water ski and wakeboarding centre, hiking, horse riding, tennis club and paint-balling.

Their insulated pods come heated and furnished with their own BBQ’s and decked area. They have different sized pods ranging from standard, to family and ‘mega’.

Prices range from €70 to €100 per night, or £54 to ££75 per night per pod. For more information or to book visit the Pod Umna Village site.

7. THE SNUG AND HUT, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

Pod camping at the Snug and Hut in Northamptonshire? ‘Why not?’ – say the photos. Photo: The Snug and Hut for all three images.

Another shepherd hut experience, this luxury glamping experience is set on a working beef and sheep farm in the Northamptonshire/Warkwickshire countryside.

This is basically one big pod on one of England‘s oldest estates, reached by a mile long drive. The hut’s door opens to the south, meaning you’ll be greeted by the sun when you wake up. And there’s a large bell tent next door if you want to come as part of a larger group.

“You can collect your own eggs at the nearby chicken farm.”

You can be given a food hamper with the booking or bring your own. What makes this super cute pod even cuter is the option to collect your own eggs at the nearby chicken farm, which is great for families and animal lovers. We think the on-site trampoline is the deal maker.

The hut comes with everything you’d expect and costs from £100 per night for a minimum of two nights, between April and October, with prices going down during the winter months. Visit their website for more info or to book.

8. MOUNTAIN LODGE GLAMPING, NORTH WALES

Glamping pods or Shepherd Huts are available for hire. Hikers will love how close they are to some of Wales’ biggest peaks. Photo: Mountain Lodge, North Wales.

Set close to Gwrych Castle, Mountain Lodge is an idyllic hillside treat away from everything. Open all year round, the cosy wooden shepherd huts are one of Wales’ most secret and pretty retreats.

Aside from being close enough to touch Snowdonia, Carneddau and Colwyn Bay, the hosts help you carb-up before that hike or mountaineering trip you have planned by greeting you on arrival with freshly baked Welsh Cakes.

There is also a cooked breakfast and stocked fridge so there’s no need to bring food.

“One of Wales’ most secret and pretty retreats.”

The hut is eco-friendly and decorated with rustic touches, as well as being insulated with sheep’s wool to keep it cosy in winter. It comes complete with a double bed, wood-burner and storage drawers and all bits and pieces.

The hut sleeps two people and costs £75 per night, including breakfast. Go to the Mountain Lodge Glamping website for more information.

9. CWTCH WOODLAND CAMP, PEMBROKESHIRE

Cyclists will love staying in Cwtch glamping pods, near to the Brunel Cycle Trail. Photo: Cwtch Camp.

Sometimes comfort doesn’t go hand in hand with technology. Sometimes you can go off-grid and still have a mattress to sleep on.

That is what Cwtch Camp have in mind for you in their luxury eco-pods that come without wi-fi or electricity. Set in the wilds of Pembrokeshire’s National Park, the campsite is easy to get to and ideal for nature lovers. The camp is next to the Brunel Cycle Trail and is an easy journey from the seaside town of Tenby.

Double beds and glass fronted doors ensure comfort and plenty of light in the pods, and communal kitchen and shower cabins are provided.

The owners recommend bringing boots and warm clothing as it can get cold at night, and you know, you’re in the countryside.

Pods are bookable for two nights at a time and cost from £200 per stay. Visit the Mountain Lodge website to book.

10. TOM’S ECO LODGE, ISLE OF WIGHT

Cosy up and enjoy a camp fire while staying in one of the eco friendly pods at Tom’s Eco Lodge on the Isle of Wight. Photo: iStock.

This eco-friendly glamping site is open all year and features pods, wigwams, safari tents and cabins, all put together with carbon footprint in mind.

The Isle of Wight is a great place for a camping break. Water sports are really popular and the island is surprisingly hilly making it ideal for walking, trail running, mountain biking and hiking.

The pods face West so you can enjoy pink sunsets, and they even have sky lights so you can watch the stars at night. They are furnished with beds, kitchenette and indoor bathroom and toilet. There’s even an ‘honesty shed’ stocked with goodies.

Eco pods are bookable for any number of nights, depending on availability, and cost £100 per night per pod. Visit Tom’s Eco Lodge for more information or to book.

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