If you fancy waking up in the wilderness but just can’t live without a warm bed, then look no further. Sophie Farah talks us through her love affair with glamorous camping
Robert Canis
My name is Sophie Farrah and I am a glampaholic. Yes, it’s true – over the past five years I’ve spent as much of my free time as possible getting my glamping fix. Glamorous camping, that is. No tent to pitch, no shared shower block to contend with, glamping is a way of getting away from it all and completely immersing yourself in the wonders of nature, but with all the comforts of home and not a whiff of Wi-Fi.
It all started at the aptly named Otter Camp; a magical and totally private riverside camp tucked away in Gloucestershire. Our home for the weekend were two simple but stylish shepherds’ huts; one the bedroom with a double bed and wood-burning stove and the other a luxe bathroom, complete with flushing loo, hot shower and fluffy towels. My boyfriend and I felt as if we were in Swallows and Amazons: playing pooh sticks, paddling in the water and making friends with neighbouring horses. We didn’t see another soul; we just listened to the birds, watched for otters and toasted marshmallows on the fire pit before hopping into our private, wood-fired hot tub for a glass of wine (chilled in the stream) under the stars. I was hooked.
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Otter Camp
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Otter Camp
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Otter Camp
We found our next shepherd’s hut in Elmley, a beautiful, sprawling nature reserve in Kent. Stocked with muesli, fresh milk and even a small tipple of homemade sloe gin, our stylish hideout also came with binoculars and vintage games as well as a spotless compost loo, hot shower and luxurious smellies. The views across the reserve were breathtaking; from our cosy double bed we spotted countless birds, hares and all sorts of wildlife. In fact, our hut was called Little Owl because the ancient oak tree that it overlooks is home to a magnificent barn owl; each night as dusk fell we watched as she swooped looking for her supper, hers requiring a bit more effort than the beef stew that we had ordered from our host Georgina, which came hand-delivered to our hut.
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Little Owl
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Little Owl
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Little Owl
Our other adventures have not been limited to shepherds’ huts. Rambling Rose is a beautifully restored 1930s gypsy caravan with panoramic views over the Cornish countryside. Yes, my boyfriend grumbled a little about the somewhat short bed, but this was soon forgotten thanks to the charm of our authentic, hand-painted home. We fried up egg sandwiches on our indoor hob before setting off to explore nearby beaches. In the evening we returned to our cosy hideaway for some local cider and fresh seafood.
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Rambling Rose
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Rambling Rose
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Rambling Rose
In Devon we discovered yet more sweeping views through the vast windows of Big Sky Retreat; a totally unique circular-shaped cabin kitted out with a little kitchen, the comfiest kingsized bed and a large swing in the tree outside. Our quirky little house was completely ‘off grid’, meaning no electricity and definitely no internet. It was perfect for a digital detox, and what we lacked in power was made up for by twinkling solar-powered fairy lights, lanterns and candlelight.
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Big Sky Retreat
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Big Sky Retreat
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Big Sky Retreat
By last summer, we felt like true glampers and so ventured further afield, spending a week in the fairytale Caru Cabin, perched on a lake outside Bordeaux. There were bicycles available, we rowed a boat around ‘our’ lake, cooked in our outdoor kitchen and enjoyed far too much cheese, before finally retiring to bed. It was truly magnifique.
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Caru Cabin
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Caru Cabin
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Caru Cabin
Next on our list is a trip to Scotland where we’ll be braving The Beermoth – a 1954 fire service truck nestled in a valley in the Cairngorms. Inside is a Victorian double bed and a woodburner whilst the canvas sides of the truck can be fully opened, creating a completely al fresco home on wheels. The picturesque river Spey is on our doorstep, perfect for a wild swim; after which we’ll warm up with a session in the nearby horsebox that’s been converted into a sauna, and perhaps grab a gin and tonic from the on-site micro distillery.
Sounds glam, doesn’t it?
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The Beermoth
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The Beermoth
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The Beermoth
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