There’s a moment every camping parent knows. You’re lying awake at 2am on a deflating airbed, it’s raining sideways, someone’s nappy has leaked, and you’re genuinely questioning every life choice that led you here. Glamping exists because of that moment. It’s the answer to “I want the kids to have the outdoors experience” without the full-blown suffering that traditional camping can inflict on families who just wanted a nice holiday.
The problem in 2026 is that “glamping” means almost anything. You could book something called glamping and end up in a slightly posher tent with a lantern and a prayer. Or you could stumble across something genuinely brilliant: a proper bed, an ensuite, a fire pit, and enough for the kids to do that you actually get to sit down for five minutes. The UK glamping market is growing fast too. According to GlampLaunch, it was valued at around £154.3 million in 2023 and is on track to more than double by 2032. That means more options, but also more noise to cut through. This guide is my attempt to do exactly that.
What actually makes glamping “family-friendly”?
Not all glamping sites allow children, and that’s worth saying upfront. Plenty of luxury spots are adults-only, and there’s nothing more disappointing than falling in love with a treehouse online, only to find out it’s a romantic retreat for couples. Always check the policy before you book. Beyond that, look for bunk beds or a proper sleeping arrangement for kids, not just a double and an optimistic note about the floor. A site that has thought about families will have play areas, space to run around, and some organised activities or things to discover on-site. Bonus points if they’ve thought about smaller children too, whether that’s travel cots on request or a shallow paddling spot nearby. If cots or baby gear are listed as available on request, book early, as numbers can be limited during school holidays.
Real beds, proper kit, and a kitchen you can actually use
One of the biggest differences between good and bad family glamping is whether you can cook properly. A two-ring camping stove and a frying pan is not a kitchen when you’ve got three kids to feed. Look for sites with fully equipped kitchens inside the unit, not just a shared communal block. On that note, shared vs. private facilities matters enormously with children in tow. Sharing a toilet block with twenty strangers is fine when you’re 22 and free. It is considerably less fine at midnight when a seven-year-old really needs to go. Ensuite facilities in the glamping unit itself are worth every extra penny.
Space and something to do on-site
You cannot rely on “we’ll drive to things” when you’re glamping with kids. If it rains, or they’re tired, or you don’t fancy loading everyone back into the car, you need the site itself to have something going on. Farm animals, play parks, tennis courts, walking trails, a bar for the grown-ups at the end of the day. These things transform a site from a nice place to sleep into an actual holiday. The best family glamping sites have enough on-site that you could genuinely not leave for two or three days and still have happy children.
Value: what you’re actually paying for
Glamping is not cheap, and I say that as someone who is always thinking about what things cost. The question is whether it’s worth it. A well-equipped cabin sleeping five, with an ensuite, a proper kitchen, on-site activities, and a gorgeous location can cost less per person per night than a mediocre Premier Inn. That’s the comparison to make. What you’re paying for is the experience, the outdoor access, and, crucially, the memories. I’ve learned the hard way that skimping on accommodation to save a bit of money often means everyone’s miserable. A good glamping pitch is worth doing properly.
The picks: best family glamping sites in England for 2026
Blackberry Wood, East Sussex
Blackberry Wood is one of those sites that sounds too good to be true: you can stay in a converted double-decker London bus, a real Wessex helicopter, a gypsy caravan, or one of two handcrafted treehouses. It sits right in the South Downs National Park, just ten miles north of Brighton, and has been doing quirky glamping since it put a double-decker bus on-site back in 2007. It’s family-run, peaceful, and genuinely charming. The no-music policy and quiet-after-11pm rule means it stays relaxed rather than chaotic.
One important thing to flag: Blackberry Wood runs a second wooded area on the opposite side of the road that has a strict no-kids-and-no-groups policy. Make sure you book the correct section, and be specific when you enquire. It’s very popular with families, so if you’re considering peak school holidays, you’ll want to book well in advance or consider a low-season visit when it’s less hectic and arguably more special.
The honest line: Utterly unique, genuinely family-friendly in the right section, and the kind of place kids will talk about for years. Just book early.
Wooda Farm Holiday Park, Bude, Cornwall
Wooda Farm has been family-run since 1975, which tells you a lot. It overlooks Bude Bay on the North Cornish coast, and it packs an impressive amount into a single site: farm animals to meet, tractor rides, tennis courts, a gym, a play park, a bar and kitchen, and a cocktail bar. There are three modern glamping cabins, each sleeping up to five guests with their own fully equipped kitchen, ensuite bathroom, and outdoor decking area. One of the cabins is dog-friendly too, if the family dog is coming along.
The cabins have a mezzanine level with twin beds, which is great for kids, though the site notes these are not suitable for children under five. Worth bearing in mind if you’ve got very young ones. The site appeared on the Campsites.co.uk 2025 Outstanding Sites list, which is a decent independent endorsement. Standard camping pitches are listed from around £23 per night on third-party booking sites, but the glamping cabin rates are separate and worth checking directly with Wooda for current 2026 pricing.
The honest line: One of the most complete family packages out there. Cornwall’s coast is right there, and you’ve got enough on-site to fill rainy days without getting in the car.
Holmsley, New Forest, Hampshire
Holmsley sits on the site of a former World War Two airfield on the edge of the New Forest, which is already a genuinely cool bit of history to tell the kids. The New Forest is exceptional for families: wild ponies roaming freely, miles of cycling trails, heathland walks, and that particular kind of open space that children seem to breathe differently in. Bell tent glamping here gives you a proper bed setup with a real connection to the surroundings without sacrificing comfort.
Being in Hampshire, this is one I can get to without a mammoth drive, which counts for a lot when you’re loading up the car on a Friday afternoon. That said, the research for this site was incomplete at the time of writing, so I’d recommend checking the Holmsley site directly for current pricing, facilities, and availability before booking.
The honest line: The location does a lot of the heavy lifting. The New Forest is one of the best natural playgrounds in England for families, and waking up inside it in a bell tent is a genuine experience.
Quick comparison
| Site | Price (GBP) | Best For | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackberry Wood, East Sussex | Check direct (varies by unit) | Families wanting unique, quirky stays | Book early; genuinely special |
| Wooda Farm, Cornwall | Check direct for cabins | All-round family holiday with activities | One of the most complete packages |
| Holmsley, New Forest | Check direct | Outdoor families who love nature and space | Brilliant location, great for active kids |
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Bottom line
If you want one recommendation for most families, I’d point you towards Wooda Farm in Cornwall. It has the most complete on-site package, a coast you can actually explore, and the glamping cabins are proper family-sized with everything you need. If you’ve got older kids who’d get more out of a talking point than a cocktail bar, Blackberry Wood in East Sussex is worth every penny of the extra planning it takes to book. And if you live anywhere in the south and want a long weekend that feels genuinely restorative, the New Forest at Holmsley is hard to argue with.
The main thing I’d say about family glamping in 2026 is this: do your research, be specific about what your family actually needs, and don’t just book the prettiest photo. A good glamping trip for a family isn’t about Instagram. It’s about everyone coming home saying they want to go back.
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