Camp Wildfire, West Kingsdown, Sevenoaks, Kent
This two-weekend summer (and winter) camp for over-18s was the brainchild of longtime festival-goers who didn’t want the party to end. Their annual open-air fiesta has no shortage of diversions — 100 in all, plus a full evening schedule of bands, DJs and comedy for three nights running. Between bouts of archery, pottery, ice-bathing, sound baths, pétanque and the like, guests camp or glamp in a heritage forest of Japanese white pines and redwoods. Entry gets you access to showers and a spa, plus food trucks and fully stocked bars to supplement cookout campfires.
Drovers Rest Camping, Hay-on-Wye, Herefordshire
For centuries drovers paused at this bucolic spot outside Hay-on-Wye to trade cattle and sheep, then cook their dinner over open fires before continuing on to the London markets. Far more recently the fields have been rehabilitated by a couple of South African transplants as a showcase for their open-fire cooking. Their farm-stays include a flame-cooked feast as well as workshops, live music, storytelling and opportunities to hike the surrounding hills and explore Welsh villages. Lodging is in a choice of posh safari or bell tent, holiday cottage or in the 16th-century farmhouse.
Home Farm Glamping, Elstree, Hertfordshire
When there’s not a music or theatre festival in session, the fields and wildflower meadows around Home Farm, just outside London, buzz with large groups. They tend to take multiple bell tents and yurts — garlanded and equipped with linen-piled single and double beds — or book out all 12 exclusively, for epic hikes, communal barbecues, crafting sessions or discos in the marquee. The property can accommodate up to 52 people overnight. The family in charge, whose ancestors have farmed this land for 400 years, take care of every camping necessity. There are towels, Weber barbecues, cool boxes and fire pits with a box of s’mores ingredients. Utilities include heated showers, flushing loos, hair-dryer sockets and a hot drinks station with complimentary tea and coffee.
Eco Retreats, Dyfi Forest, Wales
From April until October, choose from three forest yurts — spaced out of earshot — in the ancient Celtic rainforest for a weekend of wild swimming, mountain-biking, paddle boarding, stargazing, yoga and conversation. Eco Retreats is well positioned for wildlife walks around Eryri National Park or simply lying in and listening to birdsong. Each yurt, built to run completely off-grid, has a wood-burning stove, private eco-loo and outdoor hot shower and bath, fed by a natural spring on site.
Wildscapes, Dereham, Norfolk
Learn about biodiversity and the future of farming in the UK on a 2,000-acre rewilded farm dotted with lakes in central Norfolk. The owners of Wendling Beck host a schedule of courses and guided tours while immersing visitors in their version of slow living. Learn about landscape recovery, identify local species, forage for dinner, or prepare and eat wild game hunted on the property. Pets are welcome and board free — dog baths are available and a local dog-trainer even offers private sessions. Overnight in one of the (rather luxurious) on-site barns, renovated with multiple bedrooms. Norfolk’s beaches are a short drive away.
