For those less inclined to live a bit more rough and ready outdoors, but still wanting the experience of staying in the open air underneath the folds of a tent or canopy, Glamping offers a perfect blend of tranquillity, comfort and easy access to the rich landscapes of England’s outdoors. With its rolling hills, ancient woodlands, and designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Surrey is exceptionally well suited to Glamping breaks that don’t leave pet luxuries behind.
Whether it be a family-friendly site complete with animal encounters and bell tents, or the more intimate confines of a shepherd’s hut with underfloor heating, this more comfortable alternative to wild camping offers experiences that can be tailored to suit all needs and preferences. Glamping in Surrey allows visitors to slow down, step outside, and reengage with the quieter pace of rural life.
The Merry Harriers
Tucked away near the tranquil village of Hambledon, The Merry Harriers is a 16th-century inn that has expanded its offering to include luxurious shepherd's huts, beautifully crafted and set beside a private meadow, for a glamping experience that captures the rustic charm of the Surrey Hills. Each hut is fitted with underfloor heating, wood-burning stoves, and a king-sized bed dressed with soft linens, uplifted with thoughtful touches like espresso machines and complimentary sloe gin, to make guests feel more at home.
Out of each hut’s large window frames, guests are treated to a view of the rolling hills, often complemented by the sight of the inn’s herd of llamas, gently grazing nearby. The inn also runs llama trekking experiences across the nearby hills and woodlands, which have become a signature attraction for visitors. For those wishing to explore further, Hambledon’s quiet lanes lead to vineyards, cycling routes and the charming market town of Godalming, delivering an exceptional blend of comfort, nature and unmistakable Surrey charm.
Long Acres Farm
This working farm has diversified into glamping with a series of carefully chosen bell tents set across a spacious meadow. Each tent comes with fairy-lit interiors, double beds with feather duvets and colourful woven rugs, creating a warm and cosy space that’s a far cry from wild camping. Guests also have access to their own firepits and picnic tables that are perfect for summer barbecues and dining under the stars.
Walkers and cyclists can access miles of footpaths and bridleways leading through ancient woodlands and open fields. Long Acres also boasts eco-friendly compost loos and hot gas-powered showers, blending both practical applications with an uplifted camping experience that feels thoroughly rural, from the clucking of chickens to awaken campers every morning, to all the sounds and smells one would associate with a typical working farm.
Surrey Hills Yurts
For an experience that brings Mongolian craftsmanship to the English countryside, Surrey Hills Yurts have grown popular thanks to their striking hand-painted yurts, set in a private woodland glade. Each yurt is both generously sized and tastefully furnished, with a king-sized bed, handmade furniture and a wood-burning stove for cooler nights to keep out the chill of the hills. Skylight domes allow guests to stargaze from the warmth of their beds, while private decking areas outside offer hammocks and firepits for relaxed evenings beneath the tree canopy – a far more comfortable experience compared to the harsh steppes of Mongolia.
The site is car-free, ensuring total seclusion and silence save for the song of birds nestled in the tree canopy, and the rustle of trees and leaves in the wind. However, the site isn’t entirely cut off from the wider world, with the village of Westcott just a short stroll away offering access to quaint local pubs and the Tillingbourne Valley’s footpaths. Notable points for exploration include Denbies Wine Estate, the largest vineyard in the UK, and the market town of Dorking, which is brimming with antique shops and cute cafes.
The Pig at Combe Corner Field Huts
The Pig hotel group has brought its trademark brand of uplifted countryside charm to the edge of Guildford with its Combe Corner Field Huts. Nestled discreetly in a meadow adjoining the main hotel, these bespoke shepherd’s huts have become a familiar sight for those who have visited other properties owned by the group, and have become a fixed part of the Pig’s identity, offering more rustic escapes. Each hut is made from reclaimed timber, with hand-forged iron fittings and antique furnishings sourced from local markets. Underfloor heating, freestanding roll-top baths, and oversized beds ensure a five-star experience with uninterrupted views of rolling farmland.
Guests staying in the huts benefit from full access to The Pig’s celebrated kitchen garden restaurant, which champions hyper-local produce and seasonal British cuisine, whilst the hotel also offers spa treatments using natural botanical products, with the option to enjoy a massage in one of the huts themselves. The North Downs Way runs through the area and is perfect for long walks or scenic cycles to enjoy more of this charming part of Surrey.
Feather Down Farm at Eastfields
Eastfields is especially appealing for those with younger children, thanks to the farm’s organised activities like feeding lambs, collecting eggs and tractor rides, offering a great, family-centred alternative glamping experience. As part of the well-respected Feather Down Farm collection, Eastfields delivers an upmarket glamping option with its canvas lodges, which offer plenty of space for families to enjoy the magic of the great outdoors.
Each of the lodges features wooden frame beds with soft duvets and a wood-burning stove should the nights turn colder during a stay. The “cupboard bed” is a popular fixture among small children and offers a snug sleeping space for them to curl up in, whilst each tent comes with its own private toilet, and guests have access to their own decking space and barbecue area overlooking the fields, to watch the livestock grazing gently against the slopes of the Surrey Hills.
