Glamping in the Cotswolds: The Perfect Countryside Escape

If you love the idea of camping but aren’t quite ready to give up a comfortable bed, hot shower and a few home comforts, glamping could be the perfect compromise.

And when it comes to glamping destinations, the Cotswolds is hard to beat. Its rolling green hills, pretty villages, ancient woodland and peaceful countryside provide an idyllic setting for a few nights under canvas – without necessarily having to put up with a leaky tent or sleeping on the floor.

From luxury safari tents and cosy shepherd’s huts to yurts, camping pods and even treehouses, there are plenty of ways to experience glamping in the Cotswolds.

What is glamping?

Glamping is essentially camping with a little more comfort.

Instead of arriving with a tent, sleeping bag and camping stove, many glamping sites provide a fully furnished accommodation unit with a proper bed, heating, electricity and cooking facilities. Some go considerably further, with private bathrooms, wood-burning stoves, outdoor kitchens and private hot tubs.

The beauty of glamping is that you can still enjoy many of the best parts of camping – sitting around a fire, waking up surrounded by countryside and spending evenings underneath the stars – without having to completely embrace the traditional camping experience.

The Cotswolds has embraced glamping particularly well, with accommodation ranging from relatively simple back-to-nature stays to luxurious retreats that can feel more like boutique hotels in the countryside.

Why choose the Cotswolds for a glamping break?

The Cotswolds is one of Britain’s most popular countryside destinations for a reason.

The region’s honey-coloured stone villages, rolling hills and winding country lanes create the sort of scenery that feels made for a relaxing weekend away. There are also plenty of attractions, pubs, restaurants and walking routes, meaning there’s plenty to do when you aren’t relaxing at your accommodation.

A glamping holiday gives you the opportunity to stay right amongst that countryside rather than simply visiting it during the day.

Imagine waking up in a safari tent overlooking fields, opening the door of a shepherd’s hut to see the morning mist or sitting in a hot tub as the sun disappears behind the hills.

It’s a very different experience from staying in a traditional hotel.

The best types of glamping in the Cotswolds

One of the great things about glamping in the Cotswolds is the variety of accommodation available.

Safari tents

Safari tents are ideal if you want the feeling of camping but with considerably more space and comfort.

Many have proper bedrooms, kitchens, dining areas and bathrooms, with outdoor decking providing somewhere to sit and enjoy the scenery.

Some are also equipped with wood-burning stoves and hot tubs, making them suitable for a more luxurious countryside escape.

For families, safari tents can be particularly appealing because they provide considerably more space than a traditional tent.

Shepherd’s huts

For couples looking for a romantic escape, a shepherd’s hut can be a fantastic option.

These small wooden cabins are often tucked away in fields or woodland and typically make clever use of a compact space. Many have double beds, kitchen facilities and wood-burning stoves, while some come with their own private bathroom and hot tub.

They’re particularly well suited to a quiet weekend where the main objective is to switch off.

Yurts

Yurts offer something slightly different.

Originally inspired by traditional nomadic dwellings, modern glamping yurts combine a large circular canvas interior with comfortable beds, furnishings and heating.

They can feel wonderfully cosy, particularly when there’s a wood-burning stove inside and you’re listening to the rain outside.

For a more traditional outdoor experience, some Cotswolds sites offer yurts with outdoor cooking facilities and private areas for sitting around a fire.

Glamping pods

If you’re not particularly keen on sleeping under canvas, a glamping pod could be the answer.

These compact wooden cabins provide a more solid and insulated alternative to tents while still retaining the outdoor feel of a camping holiday.

There are plenty of options across the Cotswolds, ranging from basic pods to luxury versions with private bathrooms, kitchens and hot tubs.

Treehouses

For something genuinely memorable, why not spend the night in a treehouse?

Luxury treehouses are among the more unusual glamping options available in the Cotswolds. Some combine woodland surroundings with surprisingly sophisticated interiors, including comfortable beds, heating, bathrooms and private outdoor spaces.

They’re particularly popular for romantic breaks and special occasions.

Some of the best places to go glamping

There are glamping sites scattered throughout the Cotswolds, so it’s worth choosing the type of holiday you want before picking your accommodation.

Notgrove Holidays is set on the 1,500-acre Notgrove Estate and offers glamping pods and safari-style lodges, making it a good option for families and groups who want plenty of space and countryside around them.

Wildings Holidays, near Bourton-on-the-Water, offers a mixture of yurts, bell tents, camping pods and other unusual accommodation. Its proximity to one of the Cotswolds’ best-known villages makes it particularly useful for visitors who want to combine glamping with sightseeing.

For walkers, Big Skies – Cotswold Glamping provides safari-tent accommodation close to the Cotswold Way, giving guests easy access to some of the region’s countryside on foot.

Meanwhile, Westley Farm offers a more secluded experience, with yurts and cabins set among woodland and meadows. Private wood-fired hot tubs make it an appealing choice for couples looking for a peaceful escape.

For a more luxurious safari-tent experience, Middle Lypiatt Glamping has spacious tents with proper kitchens, bathrooms, wood-burning stoves and outdoor areas.

Glamping with a hot tub

If there’s one feature that can take a Cotswolds glamping trip to another level, it’s a hot tub.

After a day spent walking through the countryside, there’s something particularly appealing about getting into a warm outdoor bath while surrounded by fields and woodland.

Some sites offer private hot tubs alongside individual tents, cabins or yurts, while others have shared facilities. Wood-fired hot tubs are particularly popular because they fit naturally with the back-to-nature atmosphere of glamping.

Before booking, check whether the hot tub is private and whether it’s included in the price. A wood-fired tub can also take some time to heat up, so you’ll need to factor that into your evening.

Things to do during a Cotswolds glamping holiday

Of course, you don’t have to spend your entire trip at the glamping site.

The Cotswolds is packed with places to explore.

Explore the villages

A trip to the Cotswolds wouldn’t be complete without visiting some of its famous villages.

Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold, Broadway, Bibury and Chipping Campden are all popular choices, each offering its own collection of stone cottages, independent shops, cafés and traditional pubs.

Go walking

Glamping and walking make a natural combination.

The Cotswold Way stretches for around 100 miles along the Cotswold escarpment, passing through some spectacular countryside. You don’t need to tackle the entire route, of course – there are plenty of shorter walks that can be incorporated into a weekend break.

Many glamping sites are also located close to local footpaths, meaning you can potentially leave the car behind for the day.

Visit a country pub

After a day outdoors, few things are more quintessentially British than finding a traditional country pub for lunch or dinner.

Look out for pubs serving locally sourced food, real ales and hearty dishes before heading back to your accommodation for an evening around the fire.

Visit local attractions

There are plenty of attractions scattered around the region, from stately homes and gardens to wildlife parks, museums and historic sites.

The Cotswolds also has plenty to offer families, with attractions such as Cotswold Farm Park providing an easy day out for children.

Glamping for couples

The Cotswolds is particularly well suited to romantic glamping breaks.

A secluded shepherd’s hut or yurt, private hot tub and countryside views can provide a much more memorable experience than a conventional hotel room.

For the ultimate romantic weekend, look for accommodation with a wood-burning stove, private outdoor space and somewhere to sit around a fire in the evening.

You can spend your days exploring villages and walking through the countryside before returning to your accommodation for a quiet evening together.

Glamping for families

Glamping can also be a great option for families.

Safari tents and larger pods provide considerably more space than traditional camping, while many sites have outdoor areas where children can run around and explore.

Some sites also have farm animals, play areas and other activities, giving children plenty to do without having to get back in the car.

Notgrove Holidays and Wildings Holidays are among the options worth considering for families looking for a Cotswolds glamping experience.

When is the best time to go glamping in the Cotswolds?

Summer is naturally the most popular time for glamping, when longer days and warmer temperatures make it easier to enjoy outdoor spaces and fire pits.

However, don’t automatically rule out spring or autumn.

The Cotswolds can be particularly beautiful during the changing seasons, with spring flowers and autumn colours providing an impressive backdrop. A cosy yurt or shepherd’s hut with a wood-burning stove can also make a fantastic autumn escape.

Winter can work well too, particularly if you choose a heated pod, cabin or treehouse rather than a canvas tent.

Just remember that British weather can be unpredictable at any time of year, so waterproof clothing and suitable footwear are always worth packing.

What should you take glamping?

One of the advantages of glamping is that you generally don’t need to bring everything you’d take on a traditional camping trip.

However, it’s worth checking exactly what’s included before you arrive.

Depending on your accommodation, you may need to bring:

• Food and drinks
• Walking boots
• Waterproof clothing
• Towels
• Toiletries
• Outdoor clothing for cooler evenings
• Torch
• Wellies
• Picnic equipment
• Firewood, if not supplied

Luxury accommodation will often provide bedding, towels, cooking equipment and kitchen facilities, while more basic options may require you to bring additional supplies.

Is glamping in the Cotswolds worth it?

For anyone who likes the idea of camping but doesn’t fancy sleeping on the floor, glamping offers an excellent middle ground.

You still get the fresh air, countryside, campfires and connection with nature that make camping appealing, but you can return to a proper bed at the end of the day.

And in a destination as picturesque as the Cotswolds, the setting is arguably just as important as the accommodation itself.

Whether you choose a simple yurt in a meadow, a luxury safari tent with a hot tub or a treehouse hidden among the trees, a Cotswolds glamping break offers a chance to slow down, get outside and enjoy one of England’s most beautiful rural regions.

It might just convince even the most committed non-camper that spending a night under the stars isn’t such a bad idea after all.