It may appear at first that glamping is a thoroughly modern pursuit. By now we are all familiar with the idea of camping with a little luxury due to its explosion in popularity, particularly in Europe, during the 2010s. However, it is easy to chart a much longer history for an elevated experience while staying amongst the great outdoors. The elite tend to like taking a few more creature comforts with expeditions and explorers setting up camp with furniture and silver dining services as far back as medieval times.
In its 21st-century guise, glamping is more to do with sustainability and an eco-conscious lifestyle that allows one to commune with nature without sacrificing lifestyle. Cumbria represents the perfect destination for all of this to take place with some of the very best landscapes, woodlands, mountains and lakes the country has to offer all together in one county.
Our guide to the very best glamping provision in Cumbria will help you plan your trip and navigate through the landscape of choices in 2025.
Hillcroft Glamping Pods, Pooley Bridge
High on Roe Head Lane above Pooley Bridge is Hillcroft Park, the home of 10 Glamping Pods that can each accommodate up to four guests. All are furnished with all of the home-from-home amenities that one would expect to find, including carpeted floors, ensuite showers and WCs, fridge, oven and everything required for meal preparation. The pods are surrounded by decking that affords spectacular views of the valley to take in alongside the early morning cup of coffee and sunset glasses of wine. An onsite shop trading in local produce adds an extra touch too, so everything feels connected with the surrounding area too.
The location is fantastic for outdoor enthusiasts who can choose from paddleboarding, wild swimming and lakeside hikes along the famous Ullswater Way, with the village of Pooley Bridge just 10 10-minute stroll away. Here you will find charming tea rooms, traditional pubs and the ferry landing for grand Ullswater steamers that can take you across the lake on a pleasure cruise. Wonderfully cosy, impeccably clean and pleasingly comfortable, Hillcroft is a solid glamping option that has all bases covered.
Edenridge at Inglewood Escape
Inglewood Escape in Wetheral is a collection of glamping pods that sit on a ridge above the River Eden with the air of a secluded and secret retreat. Edenridge might just be the pick of the bunch with its mix of comfort, romance and serenity that makes it the ideal choice for couples on a child-free getaway. There is a king size bed, fantastically appointed galley kitchen and even a smart television to offer something a little different for a movie night under the stars. An en-suite wet room stocked with products from artisanal local supplier Out of Eden ensures that all mod cons are catered for in a luxury way.
A 2-minute skip to nearby Wetheral village is full of little cafes and pub restaurants that can keep your strength up for some excellent riverside walking paths that are dotted around this area. And it is also important to note that with such proximity to Wetheral Railways station, it may even be tempting to ditch the car and really make the most of this stirring landscape with a responsibility-free train journey to take it all in.
Helvellyn Hut
Helvellyn holds the stats as the third-highest peak in all of England and Helvellyn Hut provides one of the most unique ways to experience this iconic location for both serious hikers and those who just wish to gaze upon it. On a hillside above the Naddle Valley, this is a secluded cabin set in Low Nest Farm, ideally positioned between Keswick and Glenridding, with an off-grid set up that encourages reflection amid the beauty of nature. There is a more rustic energy to Helvellyn Hut with a design inspired by the efficiency of 1920s field shelters, but with a double bed, kitchenette and en-suite bathroom, it is far from the old image of stripped back camping. A wood burning stove is perfect for when the sun dips and the stars come out and there are electric heaters should the temperature drop too low.
A deep Japanese-style soaking bath is also sunk into the bamboo-clad decking for an exquisite way to watch the night sky in this unique and soul-stirring place. Although you are surrounded by the classic attractions of the Lake District and all it has to offer, this really is something a little different that is well worth your consideration.
The Honeybee Pod
Ullswater Holiday Park, beneath the Cumbrian Fells, has been an institution for over 60 years. It evokes a late 20th-century atmosphere and charm of UK holidaymaking that the entire area is recognised for, with shared facilities and shops that make camping a lot easier for all its guests. The Honeybee pod uses all of this knowledge and experience to create a wonderful haven for couples that offers cosy comfort all year round. Underfloor heating and an insulated design mean that this is a great option for visits outside of the summer months when the weather may be inclement, but the views and attractions are equally as impressive.
The Honeybee Pod is positively surrounded by locations that you will find on any must-see lists of Cumbria. A 25-minute walk takes one to Ullswater shores with walks and hikes nearby that reveal attractions such as Aira Force Waterfall, Helinn Fell, Arthur’s Pike and the Long Meg Stone Gardens. You are also just steps away from the famous Ullswater Chip Shop that will even deliver to the park so you can enjoy this most English of holiday delights without leaving the deck of your pod.
The traditions, trends and ways to experience the awe-inspiring landscapes that Cumbria holds may have evolved over time, but the foundation of its attraction remains. Through glamping one can breathe in the incredible air and walk those famous trails, safe in the knowledge that there are still those all-important comforts waiting for you when you return for the evening.
