Glamping is now going mainstream with a glamping village launched at Park Resorts’ Thorness Bay holiday park on the Isle Of Wight. Glamping has to date been relatively expensive but with Park Resorts opening their new village they have made it more affordable.
A lot of small companies have been offering glamping breaks for the past few years, the definition of glamping being literally ‘luxury camping’. A lot of breaks offered by small independents are in either yurts, or bell/teepee tents.
Park Resorts glamping experience is in safari style tents, which are not exactly tents. They are more like small wood and canvas houses, and for many people preferable to caravans. If you want to get the kids into camping they are probably a great way to ease them into the joys of the ‘outdoor holiday’.
The tents have 2 bedrooms, one with a double, and one with two single beds. Yes, that’s right beds! This is glamping after all, so no getting up in the middle of the night to re-inflate a an airbed. They also have a double sofa bed in the communal area so they can sleep six in all.
The communal living area also has cooking facilities, and table and chairs, so it’s basically a home away from home. There is electric lighting plus electric sockets, so for those on techno withdrawal you can recharge via the mains.
The tents look great and are not tied to the hippy image of many glamping getaways which may put some people off. You also get to use the park’s facilities, so again, if you are taking kids with you it’s a great way to get them sleeping ‘outdoors’ without having them moaning in the middle of a wilderness that there’s nothing to do.
Park Resorts have glamping breaks available in July starting at £123 for 7 nights in a safari tent. With many campsites now charging around the £15-£20 mark for a night of camping these days a glamping break on the Isle Of Wight is a comparative bargain (note, this is a late booking price, down £281 from £404). To book a glamping holiday on the site just select ‘Glamping’ from the accommodation Grade list on the holiday search. We have not been glamping on the Isle Of Wight, so please do us a favour if you go, and let us know what you thought of the village by leaving a comment below.
By: Gareth Whieldon
