Glamping is well-named – posh camping blends the thrill of a night out in nature with the comfort of a boutique hotel, swapping hard ground and mosquito bites for plush bedding, fairy lights and even hot showers. I’m a bit of a glamping convert (I even wrote an opinion piece on why I think glamping doesn’t deserve its bad reputation among hardy campers) but I think you can DIY a comfy glamping trip surprisingly easily – here are some of my favourite bits of kit for a cosier kip in the great outdoors.
10 OF THE BEST BITS OF GLAMPING KIT
1, Add some art
Making the inside of your tent into a bright and comfy space is what makes Glamping so different to camping. Artwork, bunting and even a photo canvas of your camping adventures propped up on a table is a great way to add colour and interest.
Canvas prints from £9.99, Photobox
2, Switch up your mattress
The best thing about glamping is getting a proper night’s sleep – there’s usually enough room for a blow-up mattress or even a proper double bed and mattress in most canvas tents, so no more waking up stiff and tired after kipping on the floor. My favourite mattresses (both at home and in my bell tent) are from Simba, who also make super-comfy accessories including summer-weight duvets and mattress topper king.
Double mattress from £494.25, Simba Sleep
3, Invest in a bell tent
Meet my much-loved glamping tent. The Luna is the perfect first canvas tent to invest in for festivals, weddings and family camps. It’s a lovely spacious size for four to share, with tons of head space and big circular windows that make the inside feel airy and light.
Luna tent, £409, Boutique Camping
MY ULTIMATE CAMPING PACKING LIST
4, Have a sun-fuelled shower
A hot shower and a coffee and you’ll be ready for any outdoor adventure. Even if you’re DIY glamping, you can have a posh wash with a portable solar shower, which heats up during the day for warm water on tap.
Solar shower, £13.78, Amazon
5, Plump for bunting
It’s not a glamping trip if there isn’t some bunting involved. Ribbon tassels in a rainbow of colours look amazing hung outside a yurt or a teepee and are easy to store when you’re back from your adventures.
Tassel bunting, £16, Etsy
6, Add a bright blanket
Made using recycled plastic bottles, this insulated Voited blanket is great for keeping cosy around the campfire, or doubles up as a lightweight summer sleeping bag.
Blanket, £99, Voited
7, String up some fairy lights
They’re a glamping essential for a reason – hang little gem-like fairy lights for a soft glow on chillier autumn nights. Solar-powered lights are ideal for camping.
Solar fairy lights, £19.99, The Solar Centre
8, Get the fire going
Not all campsites allow campfires, but they often permit portable fire pits – bring a pint-sized, smokeless Solo Stove Ranger for storytelling around the flames.
Ranger stove, £199.99, Solo Stove
9, Light a lantern
Hurricane lamps add a wonderful warm glow and lighting them is a lovely ritual in itself. This pleasingly old-fashioned, oil-fuelled Feuerhand Baby burns bright for 20 hours.
Baby lantern, £34 from Feuerhand
10, Add enamel
My collection of enamel camping mugs and crockery knows no limits. Enamel looks lovely and is nigh-on impossible to break, so it’s great for eating alfresco.
Enamel crockery from £2.70, Blacks
