Glamping is a combination of "glamorous" and "camping", and it describes a luxurious style of camping with amenities and, in some cases, resort-style services not usually associated with "traditional" camping. It's also known as "posh camping" or "comfortable camping".
Glamping means sleeping in a tent, but a souped-up tent with a floor, rugs, beds, chairs. In many cases heat, electricity and running water. Your tent may have its own bathroom, but if it doesn't, a shared facility will be a short walk away. Accommodation comes in many forms :-
- Yurts are circular tents, normally used by nomads in central Asia.
- Tepees are cone-shaped tents made of canvas, although animal skins were used many years ago.
- Bell tents are cone (or bell) shaped with a central pole for support.
- Safari Tents are larger than normal tents, based on those used in Africa.
- Glamping Pods consist of a small, curved, usually wooden, structure.
- Tree-houses are wooden structures built up in the trees that children (and big kids) will enjoy.
- Bubble domes are spherical, often transparent, structures.
- Shepherd Hut were once used by shepherds. They are normally made of wood, placed on wheels with kitchen, dining and bedroom areas all in one.
Even though the word is new (2007 approx), the concept of "glamping" (luxurious tent-living) is not. In the 16th century, the Scottish Earl of Atholl prepared a lavish experience in the Highlands for the visiting King James V and his mother.
England is one of the best countries for glamping (safe, secure, stable economy) but many areas like London (or Birmingham) would be hopeless, but an areas like Kent (The Garden of England) would be ideal because of it's fairly flat ground, rolling countryside, historical cities, easy access to London and the Continent.