Howdy Glamping

How can one place tick so many boxes? Howdy Glamping has a magical setting in the woods. It has a cracking location, 10 minutes east of the Lake District and 15 minutes from the Yorkshire Dales and Pennines. It has an eclectic mix of glamping accommodation, including a gypsy caravan and colourful yurts. And it has one of the most famously warm welcomes in all of Cumbria – just read the reviews about hosts, Andri and Tom, and you get a real sense of the convivial, social space they have created.

Are there any downsides? Well, the glamping site isn’t actually within the national park. But, in a way, that’s another blessing. The local area is less crowded on weekends and during holidays, so you don’t need to pre-book a table at the local pub (The Strickland Arms; 20 minutes’ walk) and there’s a real practical, local feel to the place. It’s a real undiscovered gem.

The glamping site is low key and sustainable. Tom and Andri planted the 14-acre wood decades ago now and there is an abundance of fruit and nut trees which they harvest. They grow their own produce on the rest of the land, too, and use food as a catalyst to bring friends and campers together. Their smallholding has become a haven for like-minded folks, and there’s a real sense of community here as a result.

Accommodation-wise there is a handmade gypsy caravan-turned-camping pod, a retro refurbished ‘70s touring caravan, and several characterful yurts. Each is located in its own secluded part of the land. Some bathroom facilities are shared, including an all-important hot shower, but all accommodation is equipped with the necessities: The yurts have their own compost loos and small kitchen areas, complete with gas hobs, the gypsy pod has its very own summerhouse, complete with kitchen and dining areas, and the caravan has its own outdoor covered kitchen space.