Camping but not camping

[Readyfreddo]

We are big campers, always have been. Grew up camping and spent my 20s wild camping. Now we have 2 tiny campers, one with complex SEND, and for the time being camping is too much hard work as the logistics of packing and putting up the tent while giving her the supervision she needs to be safe is hard.

We still want the big, wild, nature of the camping holiday though. The answer might be glamping, but I’d want wild, open space, kid friendly glamping, not neat yurts in rows. Camp fires, not hot tubs. Both kids love the outdoors.

Suggestions gratefully received! Cost not too big an issue but I’d rather UK.

https://support.unyoked.co/hc/en-us/articles/9720295866639-How-many-kids-can-I-bring expensive option but if you're comfortable with kids set up could be a fun adventure

Wild Northumbrian is brilliant.

Have you looked at Shell Island Lots to do I have friends who have been taking kid there since they were babies

When my girls were 2 and 3 and I was newly separated, we were on a group holiday in Cornwall and i wasn't ready to go home. We stayed here for a couple of nights. We hired a bell tent in the garden. Loads of space and the YHA tend to attack a relaxed bunch.

https://www.yha.org.uk/hostel/yha-penzance

Also look up Fairthorn Manor (ymca campsite) near Southampton. Even fully booked, there is loads of space and if it all gets bit much, we have had domino's delivered!!

Another recommendation for YHA - either a family room or one of the camping pods. They all have kitchen facilities & lots have a bar/cafe so you can get breakfast or food or a drink in the evening. Some have things like pool table/TV room too.

I don't know if it'll be wild enough for you but I know there are others following for ideas, so here's one specifically for those with SEN kids needing somewhere safe and without the potential for jumping off a cliff or diving into a gorge while you're trying to wrangle with guy ropes 😁

https://thomley.org.uk/visit-us/camping-pods/

Thomley is situated on a 9 acre secure site (no possibility of running out into the road) in Oxfordshire. Loads of open space, a few camping pitches, and three glamping pods. It's got loads of kids activities on site but it's also close to Bernwood ancient forest and lots of other open wild spaces. At the very least might work as a safe space to try out glamping for a couple of nights to help decide if a longer trip would work.

Lots of different accommodation options here:

https://www.hideawaycamping.co.uk/

campsite is beautiful, lovely wooded area with hammocks, very quiet and family friendly.

https://www.belltentglamping.net/en 2 sites in Hampshire, one on the coast and one near the zoo. Run by lovely people

We had a few days here last week, lovely site, 3 yurts and a couple of shepherd's huts dotted around so lots of privacy. Lots of woodland for the kids to explore, plus chickens ducks and peacocks wandering about. Everything provided including BBQ, gas hob, cooking equipment towels etc. Proper toilets and showers (one bathroom per tent so no shared facilities) only downside was that our yurt was in the woodland so not much sun on us and the farm birds were very noisy as soon as it got light. Owners dogs also free to roam the site, which could be a downside if you're not keen on dogs (one a great dane) https://www.hollingtonparkglamping.com/our-accommodation-booking/

Rockfield Glamping in South Wales is absolutely beautiful. Gorgeous bell tents in an open field, loads of space to play. The reviews on their facebook site are brilliant.
No hot tub but baths in a horsebox. Firepit by each tent but also a cooker in a cabin on site.
Great communal outdoor area.
Only 4 tents on site so lovely and quiet!
I'm familiar with the area and theres absolutely heaps to do all within a short distance.

Ooh we’ve been to Thomley! It’s an amazing place. Definitely second this for other SEND parents following

Also Lazy Duck near Aviemore. No longer do camping but very outdoor, nature feel. www.lazyduck.co.uk

https://bamff.land/
A Scottish option - Perthshire - they're a wetland with wild beavers and other wildlife, and have a sweet little shop and eco museum. We haven't stayed but have hiked through on the Cateran Trail, and it is really beautiful and quite wild!

Thanks OP, great thread and I have loads of other places to try in future 😁

We have stayed here and loved it
www.celticwoodlandholidays.co.uk/

Blackdown Yurts in Devon https://www.blackdownyurts.co.uk/

Only a couple of yurts, each with outdoor kitchen and composting loos. Big barn with lovely showers and fridges etc. Bags of space.

Admittedly I do know the owners but it’s gorgeous down there. We’ve had some lovely stays.

Would a campervan work? You could hire one in Scotland and drive/stay anywhere as wild canpervanning is allowed!

I would recommend The Farming Mother. This is a glamping site in Cornwall. Keeley the owner is mum of a Nurodiverse child herself so has a great understanding of what provisions are required.

The website is currently down as it’s being updated as the family have just moved to a beautiful new farm but there is a Facebook page

Hi we have a lovely small neurodivergent friendly glamping site in our animal therapy farm in Cornwall designed from our own little families needs

check us out

www.thefarmingmother.co.uk

minutes walk to the beach, bell tents with everything included kitchen and shower facilities and lots of space to run and explore

Thank you so much @DitzyBlonde1234 for the recommendation the websites now back up and running I caused havoc changing the address and it didn’t like it 🤣🤦‍♀️

What a brilliant thread I was going to also say we’ve stayed at Celtic woodlands site in wales cool little wooden huts. Also have two ND young folk.
Penmarth Farm campsite near Coverack is bigger farm site but nice vibe with a short walk to lovely the bay.