Blog post

2017 Travel Highlights: Discovering the joys of Family Glamping

December 27, 2017

2017 has been a huge year for jugglingonrollerskates. It’s the first, full year of writing our family focused travel blog and looking back we’ve been incredibly lucky to pack so much in! We’ve discovered a love of Glamping through which we’ve been introduced to a number of beautiful locations, many right on our doorstep! This time last year our experiences of camping and Glamping as a family were extremely limited…a year later we have at least ten family ventures under our belt and I have gained the role of Glamping Review Editor with Glamping Business Magazine!

2017 has been a year of travel highlights but I’ve picked some of my absolute favourites to share with you here. Hopefully you might find some inspiration for your own family adventures for the upcoming year!

Spring

The Rolling Downs – Shepherd’s Huts, Halland, East Sussex

We spent a very cosy weekend snuggled up in this pretty pair of Shepherd Huts just outside Lewes. The log burner ensured we were warm despite the cold temperatures outside. The larger hut even comes equipped with it’s own bathroom so no need to worry about midnight hikes to the loo. Plus, the use of two huts means that this is one of the rare Shepherd Hut locations big enough to accommodate a family rather than just couples.

Wowo – Camping and Glamping, Shefffield Park, East Sussex

Wowo is a truly magical place and ideal for families of all ages. We stayed in one of their yurts in early May and fell in love with their bluebell woods and mini festival vibe. Their Glamping accommodation is set in secluded woodland alongside a stream but they also offer camping in a number of large fields. What makes Wowo unique though, is their music sessions which take place at the weekends where campers gather in the teepee to enjoy an uplifting jam session…they even offer a free nights stay to any acoustic musicians who fancy playing!

Summer

Ramsgate – #ActiveRamsgate

We kicked Summer off with a fantastic trip to Ramsgate for their #ActiveRamsgate campaign. We were blessed with glorious weather and were really impressed with what Ramsgate has on offer. During our short stay we enjoyed a seal watching boat trip, a family cycle trip Broadstairs, hours of fun on the beach, a walk around the Ramsgate Tunnels as well as some unforgettable dining experiences at Archive Homestore and The Royal Harbour Brasserie. This trip really showed Ramsgate in a new light and we’re now really keen to revisit again next Summer.

Sleep in a Bubble – Wanze, Belgium

A highlight of our Sumner road trip around Belgium and Holland this Summer was our night at Sleep in a Bubble near Wanze in Belgium. This was a really special experience which allowed us to sleep in these space age looking Bubble tents with a clear view of the stars. As with many of our favourite trips though, the real magic was in the hospitality. Our hosts Luc and Collette treated us like family and despite a language barrier made us feel incredibly welcome.

Canvas & Stars – Family Bell Tents, Chiddingly, Easy Sussex

In late August we enjoyed a short stay with Canvas & Stars at their Chiddingly site. Canvas & Stars have made huge efforts to ensure that their site and facilities really appeal to families with the addition of a children’s play tent, dressing up area, kids afternoon tea and organised family activities. To top it off the accommodation really puts the ‘Glam’ into Glamping with tents adorned with bunting and cosy linen….not to mention the pop up Gin Van meaning it’s cocktails rather than tins around the camp fire!

Autumn

Dernwood Farm – Wild Camping, Waldron, East Sussex

We were blessed with a really warm October this year which meant our visit to Dernwood Farm was unseasonably warm. We loved staying in this remote cabin with it’s own wood fired hot tub, rope swing and outdoor cooking area. The cabin is totally off grid with no WiFi, electricity or even phone reception. This digital detox was the perfect weekend escape and a fantastic opportunity to spend time fully focused on the children.

Winter

Concierge Camping – Safari Tents, Nr Chichester, West Sussex

Our last trip of the year was a chance to indulge in our first taste of Winter Glamping. Fortunately we were staying in one of Concierge Camping’s luxury Safari tents. These smart tents allowed us to stay snug and cosy thanks to underfloor heating, whilst still feeling close to the outdoors and sleeping under canvas. It was easy to forget we were camping at all with a fully equipped kitchen, owner shower and flat screen TV’s all included in the stay. Luxury indeed!

What a year! We’re already busy making plans for 2018 which so far include many more Glamping expeditions as well as a few more traditional holiday adventures. With 2017’s adventure’s firmly under our belt we’re all the more excited to see what 2018 has in store!

4 Comments

  • Baby Loves Travel

    January 1, 2018 at 4:54 pm

    You have stayed in some really cool looking places in 2017 #fearlessfamtrav

  • Leona

    January 2, 2018 at 2:49 pm

    I don’t camp but I think clamping might be the perfect thing for me #fearlessfamtrav

  • TraveLynn Family – Jenny

    January 3, 2018 at 2:48 pm

    How cool is that bubble?!?! This is a fantastic variety of options for glamping. And pleased you made it down to Ramsgate – I grew up around that area and spent many days on the beaches of Broadstairs and around Thanet. #fearlessfamtrav

  • Stuart Forster

    January 4, 2018 at 11:40 am

    I’m impressed by the array of accommodation that you’ve stayed in over the past few months. Glamping isn’t something I’ve yet tried but it looks appealing.

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