Sofia Redgrave
This weekend I went ‘Glamping’, an upmarket version of camping, combining luxurious, glamourous living with the great outdoors. I was at my cousin’s hedonistic wedding in Hay-on-Wye, where guests were invited to camp in the field next to the groom’s gorgeous country pile.
This type of camping was a world away from the cold, soggy and muddy memories of Duke of Edinburgh trips and Glastonbury, and more about the luxury necessities that a girl just sometimes has to have. Persian rugs, string flowers, lanterns, egyptian cotton sheets, sheepskin rugs, double duvets and even our own mini bar were all part of the fashionable camping experience.
Our tent looked like it had taken hours to set up and could have been one of those overpriced (but beautifully decorated) pre bookable tents you get at festivals, but it only took us forty five minutes to erect and decorate. One pole, one groundsheet, 10 guy ropes and our perfect home for the night was up in less than 20 minutes. Perfect.
The trick is to invest in a good tent which isn’t too big or too complicated to erect, but is roomy enough to feel special. A canvas bell tent does the trick, they are surprisingly warm at night, but also has great ventilation for those sticky summer evenings. Prices start from around £219 at soulpad.co.uk and can also be bought at belltent.co.uk.
Camping is officially back in fashion and if you want some helpful tips on how to turn your experience from something practical and deeply uncool to something verging on the glamorous, go and buy Cool Camping, one of the best selling travel guides over the last few years. They have also just released a Cool Camping Guide to Festivals if you need some inspiration on that front.
Festivals are harder to ‘glamp’ at because you are often not allowed to drive your car into the grounds, and trust me, it would be absolutely impossible to carry everything needed to create the whole glamorous experience, even if you did have a wheelbarrow. But, if you are going to camp at a festival this season and feel the need for a bit of luxury, there are new options popping up all the time. One of the more simple ways is to book a MyHab, a funky new innovation made from recycled plastic.
Your MyHab will be erected for you and comes complete king size foam bedding, mirror (very essential), light and built in locker. myhab.com. At the Secret Garden Party this year Boutique Camping is on offer, complete with Bell boys, posh showers and if that wasn’t enough, boutique butlers will be available from Midday to Midnight on hand to fetch you anything you desire. (More information is available at secretgardenparty.com).
Bestival offers ‘podpads’ which are cosy, lovingly built and decorated wooden huts, along with Eve’s Tipis, amazing structures furnished for you with rugs, floor cushions and low tables. (More information available at bestival.net).
I hope I have convinced you to try ‘glamping’, the most fashionable and eco friendly way to holiday this summer.
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