(and 5 essential things to pack)
It’s a right of passage, winter glamping. Something you have to do at least once in your life, but it comes with a warning, do it once and you’ll be hooked.
I have a good theory as to why…
There is so much hype around the summer being sunny. You spend the run up to your camping trip refreshing the weather forecast and downloading multiple apps, hoping one predicts better than the other…
BBC or Met Office?
Whichever gives you sunshine - amiright?!
And when the weather is mediocre at best, it’s disappointing. You have to summon all the effort and energy just to “make the most of it”.
In winter, navigating the emotional weather rollercoaster poofs up in smoke. THAT, my gorgeous friend, is why you get hooked. Winter glamping is all about the experience of being present in the elements and really feeling the winter months.
It’s hailing - OOOOOOOoooooo, hop in the hot tub, then wrap up warm and get out the board games…
It’s raining - OOOOOOOoooooo, hop in the hot tub, then wrap up warm and get out the board games…
It’s snowing - OOOOOOOoooooo, get out in the snow, hop in the hot tub, then wrap up warm and get out the board games.
And we LOVE IT.
The hot drinks, the hot water bottles, scarves, gloves and frosty noses.
No expectations on the weather. No sunshine to dictate what we do. 😱✌️
And you have a SNUG winter adventure under canvas, in a thermal-lined bell tent or in one of our pod stays.
I’ve lived onsite for years now, and I love the seasons changing. Stepping outside everyday (no matter the weather) in winter and feeling the crisp air on the cheeks and crunchy (or sludgy) ground under my feet.
It's simple, everyday experiences, which connect you with the seasons. These days I’ve heard it called “grounding” and I can vouch for the whole getting back to nature makes you feel good.
Here are my 5 things you’ve gotta pack to take your winter glamping from so so to SO MAGICAL ✨
(Warning - impulse bookings may be triggered!)
Jump to each section to read about what I would bring (as a seasoned glamper) and how I would use it to make my stay INCREDIBLE:
I’ve started with this, because really, they set the scene for your stay. Winter nights draw in so early you need to have lights on and at Christmas time you need to have fairy lights.
Image from Amazon listing here
I love these because they can follow you around. Reel them out around the hot tub, reel them out about the table when you are cooking and eating, then reel them out in your bell tent or pod to romanticise or simply make a night feel out of the ordinary.
Finally, if you weren’t feeling the urge to rush out and buy these already, then let me tell you - they are GREAT lanterns, you can reel them in and use them as a lantern-style torch to pop over to the toilet block or to pop to the car when you need to rummage through the boot looking for missing forks (it’s always just when food’s ready you realise your problem - isn’t it!)
Bottom line is - these are worth well more than £15.99, when they make glamping so magical.
(Nothing here is an affiliate link - just stuff we’ve seen, used and love).
The winter textures and layers you want from home.
Winter glamping might sound chilly and uncomfortable, but at Hill Farm the reality is our thermal-lined bell tents and insulated pods keep you toasty even when the temperature drops.
Each one comes with heaters, and a wood-fired hot tub. You can enjoy the outdoors in total comfort. We don’t supply bedding and that is where the textures and layers from home come in.
The handy thing about our bell tents and pods is we provide mattresses, beds and the shelter over your head, leaving PLENTY of space in the car for blankets.
Yes, blankets. Blankets are where I want you to max out, not because you’ll be cold, but because thick blankets, cushions, winter tog duvets and slippers, make your bell tent or pod feel indulgent and cosy. You can go the extra mile and make your belle (or pod) Pinterest worthy like these.
(Visit Pinterest of course, to inspire you.)
Here’s my ESSENTIAL glamping packing list:
Duvets
Cosy knit blankets
Soft cushions
Colour matching throw
Fluffy dressing gown
Fluffy slippers
Warm thick socks
Fingerless gloves (maybe not cool, but you’ll thank me on a practical level later.)
Honestly, you won’t want to get out your PJs or leave your cosy pod or bell…imagine!
Winter glamping things to do without leaving the campsite
We have blog posts on things to do around Hill Farm Caravan and Camping site. We release summer things to do, what’s on and winter things to do each year. Here’s the winter list, if you’re a winter glamper who needs adventure and a Christmas market to light up the season.
However,this blog post is all about cosy winter glamping nights in.
And I’m giving you my top 3 winter glamping games and a few book reccos.
Last weekend we had a family who rang up and asked for games - should we make a games library?
UNO
Decks of cards
60 Second Scribbles
Books Beau (my daughter) and I have recently read:
The Housemaid (trilogy) - they’ve just announced it’s going to be a film. I’m so excited. It’s absolutely amazing - you could literally do a book in a night.
Coleen Hoover - Anything Coleen Hoover. Just read Coleen Hoover (Beau’s words).
But my all time fave read HAS to be Robin Sharma “The Monk Who Sold his Ferrari”
If you haven’t read it yet - get on Amazon or World of Books and get it! You can’t put it down.
(All good? Yes, we know)
Smokey winter glamping foods
We tried to do a foodie post (because I love cooking and my son is a chef - duh, I thought no brainer). But let’s be honest, I’m a campsite manager, not a food blogger, so our blog post didn’t quite cut the mustard. If you are curious, you can check out our efforts in all their glory here.
HOWEVER.
I still love the idea of food blogging - we’ll do another someday and you can let us know what you think.
People bring Ninja’s to Hill Farm and smoke up storms! I think they make the best wintery food. This Reddit feed talks Ninjas and cold temps if you are wondering.
Or, bring a slow cooker - can you smell how good that would be?
Get your mouth watering, with these perfect belly warming recipes - perfect for winter glamping if you ask me.
(I’ll be making them)
Woodfire smokey pit beans, with candied bacon, pulled pork and jacket potatoes.
BBC Good Food slow cooker collection, there are campfire stews, short ribs,apple slaw and my favourite…Spanish chicken.
We get that BBQ’s might be tricky in the winter, but who says impossible?! The Guardian (yes, I know) has a great article with recipes all about factors and things to consider when BBQing in winter.
(I feel a “BBQ-ing in winter” blog post brewing)
A cheeky winter glamping treat…
OK, so this is twice cheeky. Firstly, because I’m going to offer you Christmas vouchers, and secondly, because it’s a little pricey.
But one magical winter trend is a mini cinema, with a wireless USB rechargeable projector.
A few weeks ago, guests brought one and played FIFA in their Pod. Honestly, the whole wall was one massive cinema screen - AMAZING. It worked perfectly and turned the weekend into a treat for the family.
YES. A splurge.
But, you get unlimited winter and summer film nights. Who's bringing the popcorn?
SO FINALLY - ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS GET HERE!
We don’t shut over winter.
It’s the perfect winter glamping escape AND you can nab vouchers to make the whole experience for your family or partner an exciting post Christmas treat!
Our vouchers are GORGEOUS and make for a perfect winter glamping gift for the adventurous soul in your life or the back-to-nature DIY spa lover.
Call me to get one,
they come in £50, £75, £100 or a full booking.
Click to email me your order or call on: 07889985328
Tara’s footnotes:
In short - read “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari”, buy vouchers for winter glamping and pack cosy.
There you are. Go winter glamping.
A miserable winter is no longer an option for you! See you at Hill Farm!
Still got five minutes? Check out:
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