Castle-spotters will know all about historic Belvoir Castle, which has existed here in various forms since the 11th century. Its current incarnation is a relatively youthful 200 years old, and boasts a striking skyline of towers, battlements and soaring chimneys that harks back to an earlier era. There are similarities in design to Windsor Castle, a fact not lost on the producers of Netflix drama The Crown, who used Belvoir as a stand-in for the Queen's home. It's all a perfect, dramatic backdrop to new glamping venture, a collection of fully-furnished bell tents adjacent to Belvoir Castle, offering high-quality glamping accommodation fit for any King or Queen.
The bell tents are nestled on a wooded grassy slope, overlooking the Vale of Belvoir and the low hills of Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, as well as Belvoir Castle itself. Each tent is comfortably furnished with a proper double bed and mattress with full bedding provided, as well as rugs and lamps to create a cosy, welcoming space. Outside, there's a useful wooden table and benches, ideal for alfresco meals made fresh from the BBQ, or you can settle into the camping chairs around a mini fire bowl. A scattering of fairy lights and bunting help to create a relaxed, holiday feel.
A new state-of-the-art shower block has recently been installed for glampers, with seven wet rooms available, each with a shower, sink, toilet, mirror and changing space, so you have all the comforts you need. For those in the mood for a bit of DIY, then each tent comes with a single camping stove with one gas bottle as well as a cool box and basic cooking and cleaning kit. You can find a washing up area with hot and cold running water at the shower block too.
To take the pressure off having to fend for yourselves you can pre-order breakfast baskets. The bell tents are adjacent to the three-acre landscaped site, The Engine Yard, which has been repurposed to celebrate local food, drink and artisan shopping. Sip cocktails at the Balloon Bar, enjoy tasty woodfired pizzas at the Fuel Tank or opt for a hot chocolate from Café Allez. However you choose to spend your stay here, you're sure to have a royal time of it.