A place to yourself
the rise of the ‘microsite’ from Hipcamp
There’s at a few things to be happy about this May. Firstly, the sunshine, of course. Secondly Hipcamp has spotted the emergence of the microsite trend in camping and glamping! Nothing to do with webpages in this instance but the fact that more and more exclusive use sites are popping up across the UK where you and your gang will have the ‘place’ to yourselves.
These ‘microsites’ come in all shapes and sizes such as a stunning riverside location for tenters which can be booked out exclusively, or a shipping container on the Cornish coast with views to die for, or a woodland site kitted out with hammocks for you and your people.
Here’s a new different ways to join the ‘microsite’ trend:
Denis Arbon Caradon Woods- Cornwall
This is a wild glamping site just four miles from Bodmin Moor and offers the exclusive use of a three-acre riverside meadow and ancient woodland with a river for wild swimming for groups of up to 20 staying in pre pitched bell tents. Here the idea of paying it forward underpins holidays in nature as the woods have been donated to the Woodland Trust by Dennis Arbon. In turn, the Woodland Trust gave management of the place to a social enterprise who aim to boost the wellbeing of people and the planet. So, by booking a stay here you are supporting the work of that social enterprise. It’s the ultimate wild glamping experience—with the emphasis firmly on the wild. From £40 per person based on a group of 20 per night.
Alder Carr Farm – Peak District
A perfectly simple, riverside camp on the edge of the Peak District not far from Derby that you don’t have to share with anyone – except, perhaps, the resident rare breed sheep. And, if you count them, the otters in the river and the buzzards, ospreys, and red kites in the sky. This special spot is full of wildlife and very much part of the 25 acre smallholding with no other campers. The owners are happy to point out the water tap by their veg patch, the coop, where you can collect fresh eggs in the morning, and the site of their Saturday-morning farm shop. A great way to discover the Good Life. From £15 per person per night.
Wild Coastal Retreat-Cornwall
This shipping container is located in a secluded coastal 3 acre meadow with sea views just outside Penzance and open May until September with accommodation for 2 in May and September. Come June, July and August they add a 6 metre bell tent so four others can join this unique location with footpath access to coves. The meadow is left to grass and wildflowers, cut once a year in June or July for organic hay. It is visited regularly by badgers, foxes and red deer, and it's a great spot to see hunting barn owls and raptors, swallows....and bats! With its dark skies, it’s a fantastic place for star-gazing too. From £85 per night for 2 people.
Wild Hammock Camping – Powys
This is a woodland hammock camping site located just outside Llandrindod Wells and perfect for those who fancy giving hammock camping a go without investing in the gear. The site is in a secluded, private woodland with a brook running through it. Hammocks, firewood and drinking water are all provided, and campers are left to enjoy their own private camp. Priced from £40 per night for a maximum of 6 people.
Ayrshire Airstream – West Coast Scotland.
This American trailer has been completely renovated to provide the perfect blend of peace, quiet, and fun all in a secluded glade not that far from Kilmaronck on the west coast. The trailer has been transformed into a tiny house with luxuries such as a tiled wet room and wood-burning stove, and a private lawn where you can mix cocktails at its tiki bar or soak up your surroundings in the wood-fired hot tub. It’s a little romantic slice of heaven within a half-acre of land and has become a hotspot for engagements. From £220 per night for 2 people.
Other options include:
Betwix Moorland and Seaside Camping private south facing six acre orchard in Dartmoor. From £30/night for 2 people and sleeps up to 12 over two pitches.
Wild Camping in The Cotswolds back to basics camping in the Cotswolds. From £50/night for 2 people accommodating a maximum of 12 people.
Rebel Farmer Tipi, an exclusive-hire tipi site in the Kent countryside. From £130/night for 5 people with the ability to add a bell tent for four friends from £110 a night
Ffynnonwen Farm Wild Camping, nearly wild camping on a smallholding in West Wales. From £16/night for up to 5 people.
Rhydfach Valley, an exclusive-hire campsite with its own wild swimming pond in Pembrokeshire. From £20 per person per night for a maximum of 10
Bulstone Springs Devon Eco Glamping Unique tipi glamping on an organic farm in Devon. From £112 for 4 people.
At the Top Camping, a private, quiet camping field situated on the edge of the Black Mountains in Herefordshire. From £60 for up to 4 people for a maximum of 10 campers.
Milton Farm Hideaway , exclusive-hire shepherd’s huts and bell tents in Wiltshire perfect for groups. From £320 per night for up to 4 people or £880 for a group of 10.
Riverside Meadow Landpods, an exclusive riverside glamping meadow on Bodmin Moor, ideal for swimming and hiking. From £99 per night for 2 people.
Toghill House Farm, a pair of exclusive-hire bell tents on the edge of the Cotswolds, near Bath. From £140 for 8 people.
-ends-
For further information please contact Fiona Reece at Travel Tonic:
fiona@traveltonic.co.uk / 01452 346116 / 07702 684 682
About Hipcamp
Founded in 2013, Hipcamp is the world’s largest provider of outdoor stays. It gives a growing community of good-natured people the opportunity to list, discover, and book unique outdoor experiences. By connecting people with the land and each other, Hipcamp works to protect habitat and the biodiversity it supports. The fully remote company operates in Australia, Europe and North America, and to date has helped people spend more than 7 million nights under the stars. When listing on Hipcamp, farmers, ranchers, vintners, and other landowners generate new revenue streams to conserve their land and keep it wild.
Key benefits of using Hipcamp:
- Comprehensive filtering for every travel need: Looking for a pet-friendly shepherd’s hut this weekend? Caravan camping perhaps? Hipcamp filters available places to stay according to individual travel needs, including price, group size, pet-friendliness, amenities (from toilets to WiFi to outdoor kitchens). You can even filter by favourite activities, such as hiking, fishing, and surfing.
- Detailed campsite information: With community-sourced photos, reviews, recommendations, and campsite details, Hipcamp has compiled the most relevant information to make sure campers are equipped to choose the best possible destination for their outdoor getaway.
- All of your trips in one place: By downloading the Hipcamp app campers will be provided with all the information they might need for their upcoming trips, including directions, Host contact information, any rules for a stay. Campers can also utilise in-app messaging to get in touch with Hosts.