Kids love the outdoors, they love adventure – they don’t mind where they go, they are excited about the journey, the arrival and the big reveal as they run off to discover something new.
If you haven’t tried it, glamping with kids delivers excitement and something new!
Read on to find out what glamping is, what you need to bring and what you can expect at the Meadows at Polehanger luxury glamping in rural Bedfordshire and why it makes a perfect break for you and the kids.
I like the bunk beds, you can make a den on the bottom bunk if you hang a blanket from the top – and its fun being up so high!
Esme – age 9
Glamping according to the Oxford English dictionary is a form of camping that involves accommodation and facilities more luxurious than those associated with traditional camping.
We say – glamping is an overnight stay in a gorgeously warm cabin with your own bathroom, the fun of a fire-pit, decking area and hot tub. It enables you to be close to nature without putting up a tent or running to the loo in the night in your wellies!
In fact, it is so much more, here’s our take on glamping and in particular why glamping with the kids can be so much fun.
There’s glamping then there’s luxury glamping
More and more people are giving glamping a go, and in our case are returning year after year.
Glamping has become increasingly popular as costs for travelling abroad go up along with our appetite to staycation in the UK. Glamping offers a retreat to nature as a reset and escape from busy life and booking online is so simple.
Luxury glamping allows you to indulge in the comforts of a stylish cabin with heating, a kitchen sink, oven and worktop, table and chairs, your own bathroom, fitted beds, cosy duvets and a sofa – with a steaming hot tub ready and waiting for you on arrival!
Glamping with kids couldn’t be easier, it’s great fun for them and relaxing for you. All the comforts of home but in tranquil countryside surroundings.
The kids get to explore, sleep in a different bed and enjoy a sense of freedom and adventure and the adults get to relax and enjoy the luxury extras!
Glamping at the Meadows at Polehanger – what to expect
The scene that greets you is a pretty tree-lined driveway with country fields on either side, heritage black-cladded barns, a weeping-willow tree and a beautiful 18th-century farmhouse.
Rustic signs and wooden fencing lead you to the gravel car park and your end destination, should you decide to fully embrace nature and stay put for a few days.
Now for the fun stuff, as you (and the kids!) spot the green wheelbarrows – transport for your bags to the cabins ahead. Through the doorway of shrubs and trees and you have arrived in the lush green meadow and the cabins, your home from home.
These four individually styled wooden cabins are separated to give privacy, your own garden and a framed view of the fields beyond. A separate reading and games nook offers a fun hideaway for the kids and three of the cabins have a wood-fired hot tub for that extra sense of luxury.
All four cabins have a fire-pit to gather in those later hours, relax with a drink and your BBQ meal or toast marshmallows and star gaze with the children until they are too tired to keep their eyes open.
To keep you busy and run off some energy the surrounding fields offer 7km of countryside walks, giving fresh air and time in nature for the whole family. The farm’s own river woodland walk is an ideal shorter walk with your youngest to wear them out before dinner.
What do I need to bring?
Not a lot! All the essentials will be waiting for you. We provide soft fluffy towels, a hair dryer and toilet rolls. The kitchen is fully equipped with a double induction hob, kettle, toaster, and a fridge with a small icebox.
We also provide tea towels, washing up liquid, chopping boards, knives, pots, pans, a colander, tableware, glassware, cutlery, cooking utensils, oil, salt, pepper and a bottle opener.
There’s also a torch – perfect for a spot of night-time exploring with children, and blankets and toasting forks for those late nights sat by the fire-pit! And don’t forget your swimsuit for hot tub fun.
We have a host of optional extras if you would like a delicious food box ready in your cabin on arrival for dinner, breakfast or for a BBQ feast – so you needn’t plan any further than the next day.
Our FAQ page has lots of information if you have queries about what to bring, when to arrive and whether you want an extra late check out.
Settle in for a surprise
The most surprising thing about glamping is that it gives you an excuse to sit and do nothing!
The reality of camping is that just when you think you can relax, you have to chaperone the kids on early morning trips to the loo, crawl on your knees to find breakfast & plates then set up the table and chairs. Unless you are super rehearsed and have an organised kitchen area in the corner of a very large tent!
With luxury glamping on the other hand, you have your own bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen, food to hand in the fridge and plates in the cupboards so the children can sort themselves out, depending on age of course!
Then when everyone has found something to do, you can sit back and relax on the deck in the chairs provided, enjoy the sunshine and read the magazine that you bought but never thought you’d have chance to read. This is luxury glamping with kids at its best!
What if it rains?
Dig out the board games and enjoy some family time in the warmth of the cabin, you came for a break so pause, relax and play. If you want some peace and quiet send the kids off to explore the nearby nook, or give everyone time on devices as the cabins have free Wi-Fi.
See wet weather as a chance to put the kettle on and spend time together – plan what you will do when the sun comes out. There’s always the hot tub for a quick dip, even more fun in the rain!
Oh my goodness where to start? The setting itself is absolutely beautiful, the cabins are stunning and the customer service is amazing.
Charlotte and Andrew were so helpful from start to finish and even provided personal touches such as a birthday card and banners for my daughters birthday.
I cannot recommend this place enough. We stayed in Eyebright cabin with hot tub and fire pit and it was perfect – I cannot wait to go back again.
Danielle Scott – 2024
Book your luxury glamping break with the kids, or your friends through our website or contact us directly with special requests. We are happy to book all four cabins for a group booking, depending on availability.
Simply take a look through our image gallery to get the feel of the individually styled cabins then check availability for your dates and get booked in.
We hope to see you this summer!
