Winter Glamping in a Luxury Safari Tent at Concierge Camping

December 2, 2017

Sleeps: Up to 6

Price: From £135 / night

Location: West Ashling near Chichester

Concierge Camping is a caravan and motor home site located just outside Bosham near Chichester. Since opening in 2015 owners Guy and Tracey have seen the site receive a number of awards, including the AA South East Campsite of the year 2016. The site now offers luxury Glamping accommodation in the form of four Safari style Lodges which we were lucky enough to visit during a frosty weekend in late November.

The safari style Lodges are made by pioneering camping and lodge accommodation provider, Outstanding Tents. They offer unique structures which allow you to sleep under canvas and feel close to the outdoors whilst maintaining a high level of comfort throughout the living space.

We arrived at the start of a very cold and frosty weekend receiving a warm welcome on arrival from both Guy and Tracey in reception. From the moment we entered the site it was clear that Concierge Camping is high end in terms of both facilities and service. As I waited in the stylish reception area to be booked in I was offered a coffee and the children were given colouring books and crayons. We were made to feel welcome and valued.

Once I’d been given the lowdown we were greeted at our car by Guy in his buggy which transported us and our luggage right across a stream to the door of our safari lodge. These little touches were really appreciated especially as I was travelling alone with two children. The buggy ride turned the task of unpacking into an unexpected highlight of the weekend!

The Lodges are set aside from the rest of the site alongside a pretty stream with each pitch having it’s own secluded lawn area. Entering the private enclosed space via a cute wooden gate our lodge was tastefully screened by a border of fern trees allowing a sense privacy and seclusion. The decking area is equipped with a bbq, picnic bench, cushioned seating, muddy boot box and dog parking area. Both the outdoor seating area and the internal living area look out to the tree lined stream area creating an idyllic vista.

Coming in from outdoors the first thing you notice is that the lodge is incredibly warm and cosy, despite being made of canvas. This is due to the underfloor heating that runs throughout the accommodation combined with a simple to use thermostat system, allowing a balmy temperature of around 20 degrees to be maintained day and night.

Through the front door you enter a spacious kitchen and dining space. The kitchen is very well equipped with an electric Aga oven, dishwasher, Nespresso coffee maker, utensils, crockery, cleaning products….and even a milk frother!! As a Winter Glamping venue we found cooking as straight forward as it would be in your own home…with a few additional luxuries. For those wanting a more traditional camping experience the bbq allows for outdoor cooking in warmer months.

The dining area is again spacious and well suited for families. The dining table comfortably seats six and doubles as a great social space ideal for family board game sessions. There is also a large sofa which offers comfortable seating for post dinner movies thanks to the flat screen TV.

Our lodge contained three bedrooms which could comfortable sleep six. Downstairs is a large double bedroom with another flat screen TV. Upstairs are two twin rooms ideal for older children. The twin rooms have an alpine feel with the beds being tucked under the sloping roof area. There is also a large landing area which the children used as an additional play space and disco area! The girls loved the colour changing lights which illuminated the floor boards. Please note that the stairs are very steep and despite having a stair gate at the top are not ideal for toddlers or the elderly.

The lodge comes with it’s own family bathroom with heated towel rail, power shower (with a seat!) and Ratham Estate branded toiletries. Towels and linen are also provided for the duration of your stay. Again, it’s the provision of these little extras like generous shampoo and conditioner dispensers, that make the lodge stand out as luxury Glamping accommodation. It was great to be able to dry my toddler’s trousers on the towel rail after he’d been splashing in puddles making the stay that little bit more comfortable and stress free.

I was really surprised at how comfortable an off season visit to Concierge Camping turned out to be. The accommodation was warm and cosy at all times, the temperature did drop late in the evening but by this time we were tucked up in bed. We loved the setting of our lodge with a true sense of proximity to nature and the outdoors…indeed we were woken by the sound of ducks quacking outside the tent on our second morning! We enjoyed some great days out at Bosham Quay and the Weald and Downland Museum, both less than 20 minutes away. The surrounding area is picturesque with country pubs, views of the Downs and pretty villages around every corner.

Concierge Camping really does take Glamping to a new level with the perfect blend of outdoor living, comfort and style enabling families to experience the camping lifestyle all year round. We loved our unique African Safari in a Winter Wonderland so much so that we’re keen to revisit in the Summer!

This review was written in conjunction with Host Unusual, a website that offers a vast range of unique and unusual holiday accommodation. Check their website out for inspiration and ideas!

7 Comments

  • Emma

    December 6, 2017 at 8:45 am

    Wow what a lovely looking place! My kids would absolutely love that little bedroom! #ExplororKids

  • Nicky @GoLiveYoung

    December 6, 2017 at 2:24 pm

    This place looks fabulous. Impressive that you were warm and toasty even this time of year! The lodges look wonderful, really well equipped #ExplorerKids

  • Annabel

    December 6, 2017 at 9:39 pm

    Blimey, an Aga in a tent..! It does look lovely, my kids would love the upstairs sleeping area. #ExplorerKids

  • Baby Isabella

    December 6, 2017 at 9:55 pm

    What a stunning retreat and nice to get away at any time of year. Love all the mod cons and it sounds very comfortable! #ExplorerKids xx

  • Su {Ethan & Evelyn}

    December 9, 2017 at 10:12 pm

    Wow! This is so nice! I could live in this no problems at all! I love that Aga oven. It is my dream to have one of those in my house. I find the under floor system is really interesting too. I haven’t come across one of these that works with a canvas before. Such a wonderful place to stay! Thank you so much for linking up with us on #ExplorerKids x

  • Mini Travellers

    December 10, 2017 at 2:04 pm

    This place looks fantastic and really cosy. It’s lovely to be so outside yet inside too.

  • Sarah Stockley

    December 11, 2017 at 11:05 am

    Another place to add to my list of glamping sites that I’d like to stay at. It really does look like they have thought of everything here. Sarah #explorerKids

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