Go Outdoors on a UK Break This Winter

Ah the great British outdoors, frequently bracing, always appreciated yet slightly abandoned during the winter months.

Because while we all flock to city breaks and spa retreats for our ‘UK holiday’ as soon as the nights draw in, camping, caravanning and exploring is sadly abandoned until that first May bank holiday (Easter if we’re lucky).

We understand that residing in a tent in November isn’t everyone’s idea of a vacation (heck, in some cases it probably isn’t sensible either), but it’s such a shame when stunning UK holiday retreats are left baron and lonely during the winter months.

Tents and tourers aren’t the only way to appreciate the great outdoors however and chances are your favourite holiday hotspots will have ‘glamped’ up to provide beautiful accommodation throughout the year.

We know you don’t just want the obvious and the bland, so we’ve unearthed the glamping choices we think your whole family will love. It might not be a hotel but it sure is luxury!

Wig Wams

The tent’s gone sturdy and cosy with this lovely little wooden hut creation courtesy of Harrison Holidays. Yurts, teepees and all manner of traditional style tents are popular in the UK, but these little wig wams or ‘harripods’ are a completely unique creation only found in Preston and Cumbria. Popular with the children and the adults, a wig wam break is fun, romantic and completely unique, plus they’re perfect for the chilly winter months!

With a kettle, microwave, refrigerator, TV and moveable beds, the wig wams can also be locked, making them a secure choice when you’re travelling with the little ones.

We recommend: http://www.harrisonholidays.com/accommodation/wigwams.html

Traditional Gyspy Wagons

For those of you unfamiliar to UK TV shows, then you probably won’t have seen the popular ‘gypsy culture’ documentaries that have exploded onto the scene in the past few years. Basically the travelling community – whether you love them or hate them – has become a real point of interest because of their ‘unique’ lifestyles. While there’s nothing new about a caravan or trailer, traditional gypsy bow-top wagons have become a really quirky and romantic accommodation choice in recent years, some of them even have bathroom facilities!

We recommend: http://www.gypsycaravanbreaks.co.uk/

Tree houses

What better way to holiday in style than living up in the canopies? Tree house escapes certainly aren’t ten to a penny in the UK, and it’s a rather rare treat to find a hidden tree top retreat! Make no mistake, this isn’t just stick platforms in the trees however, more often than not they are sophisticated, insulated cabins with a full range of mod-cons.

We recommend: http://www.forestholidays.co.uk/types-of-holiday/tree-house-holidays

Stay Safe While Exploring

Of course, if you go for an outdoor retreat and you fully plan to explore the British countryside, then be aware of a few safety procedures before you go, it can get cold very quickly during the winter months and woodland and moors can fast become devoid of landmarks in the fading light.

• Always tell somebody at your resort where you will be heading and what time you expect to return.
• Never hike alone and be aware of everyone’s ability.
• Always take plenty of water and high energy lightweight foods.
• Take a lightweight emergency survival bag
• Carry a small first aid kit when hiking

You may think the British winters are cold, gloomy and dark, but trust a well-meaning UK resident, they really are quite beautiful too! So go on, give them a try, camping this winter doesn’t have to be all about wet tents and tourers!

Victoria is writing on behalf of Harrison Holidays, a series of holiday parks in the Lake District and North West of England.