Gone are the days when all you might expect from a youth hostel is a bed in a shared, sweaty bunk room. The YHA now offer a wide range of Glamping and unique accommodation at their sites from tipis to upcycled shipping containers. We discovered the joy of family Glamping with the YHA a couple of Summer’s ago when we stayed in a Bell Tent at their Eden Project site. The facilities were fantastic, as were the views along the Cornish coast!
I’ve put together a selection of some of the best value Glamping options available through the YHA…and there are some off season bargains to be had such as a night in the Duluxe Cabin which sleeps up to 5 people in Canterbury for £39! Tempted? Read on….
Safari Tents – from £99 for 6 people
With two bedrooms, a campers’ kitchen and outside decking with a BBQ, these tents are the epitome of glamping. Each Safari Tent sleeps four to six people comfortably and beds, mattresses and bedding are all included as is wooden flooring and basic furniture. There is also a woodburner inside to keep you cosy. There are two safari tents at YHA Tanners Hatch Surrey Hills.
Cabin Deluxe – from £39 for 5 people
Check out: Canterbury YHA, Kent
Feel cosy as can be inside a rustic six-sided Large Cabin Deluxe! These timber camping cabins are fully insulated and have two double glazed leaded windows – four or five people can sleep comfortably in the bunks and use it as a living/seating area during the day – the walls of the cabin slope outwards for a more spacious feeling. The cabins have one double bed with a single over the top and an additional set of bunk beds and a kitchenette area with a fridge, microwave, sink, kettle and crockery. All bedding is provided so you don’t need to lug your sleeping bag around and there’s even an en-suite bathroom for your convenience.
Large Camping Pod Deluxe – from £59 for 4 people
Check out: Stratford Upon Avon YHA, Warwickshire
These wooden camping pods include a wet room with WC and shower as well as a kitchenette area and two double beds. They’re fully insulated and heated for a comfortable night’s sleep.
Tipis – prices unavailable. Sleep up to 4 people.
Check out: Hawkshead YHA, Cumbria
Get all the fun of camping but without any of the set up stresses with these beautiful tipis – part of the YHA Glamping experience. These spacious tipis are fully kitted out with bedding and can sleep four people on mattresses. They have a wooden floor which is partly carpeted and a lockable coffee table chest which you can store you belongings in and use as a table. There’s also eco-friendly solar lighting and two comfy waterproof bean bags for you to chill out on during the day, as well as a woodburner to keep you cosy. This cosy glamping option is perfect for those who love camping but not roughing it.
Bell Tents – from £99 for 4 people.
Check out: YHA South Downs, Sussex
Get all the fun of camping but without any of the set up stresses with these beautiful bell tents – part of the YHA Glamping experience. These spacious tipi-like tents are fully kitted out with a double futon bed and two single futons plus all bedding and can sleep four people. They also have eco-friendly solar lighting, a log burner and comfy bean bags for you to chill out on during the day plus bedside tables, a coffee table, rugs and soft flooring.
Snoozebox – from £29 for 2 people.
YHA Eden Project accommodates up to 234 guests in 60 modern en-suite bedrooms made from shipping containers, in keeping with the Eden spirit of sustainable living and finding new uses for everyday items. These comfortable rooms are equipped with all the conveniences you expect from YHA and much more, including TVs in each room and full air conditioning, making them a fantastic base for your holiday in Cornwall. With their clever use of space and high specification bathrooms, the rooms are perfect for families and individual travellers.
Shepherd’s Hut – from £50 for 2 people
Check out: Wooler, Northumberland
Painstakingly reproduced by local craftsmen, these mobile shelters replicate those once wheeled into the Cheviot Hills to allow shepherds to tend their flocks. These traditional hand crafted Northumbrian huts sleep two or three people in bunk beds complete with warm duvets. They also have electric heating and lighting and are fully insulated from the elements.