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Isle of Wight Glamping - 15 of the best luxury campsites 2020
Do you enjoy the open air freedom and al fresco dining of camping, but dislike all that unpleasant cold, hard floors and crouching? Try Glamping!
Here are 15 holiday parks and campsites offering Glamping, Isle of Wight style.
To give a rough idea of price, we did a price comparison for a week's glamping holiday in the August 2020 school summer holidays for four people.
Here are 15 holiday parks and campsites offering Glamping, Isle of Wight style.
To give a rough idea of price, we did a price comparison for a week's glamping holiday in the August 2020 school summer holidays for four people.
1. Canvas Cottages at Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park, Bembridge
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Whitecliff Bay is a well-equipped Isle of Wight holiday park, similar to the Isle of Wight's four Parkdean Resorts sites. In my view, its best feature is its easy access to the beach (called Whitecliff Bay unsurprisingly) which is stunningly pretty on a sunny day and generally isn't too busy as it is mostly just used by residents at two holiday parks.
As for Glamping, Whitecliff Bay offer canvas cottages, vintage caravans and bell tents. |
Whitecliff Bay is adjacent to two caravan holiday parks
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Price: £716 for a family of four for a week in August 2019 (2020 not available when we searched)
2. Glamping The Wight Way, near Freshwater
Glamping The Wight Way is in the sleepy West Wight - the kind of place where people go surfing in their lunch breaks and where you're likely to encounter a cow in the road.
There are four 'canvas lodges' in a rural spot, near the River Yar and half way between Yarmouth and Freshwater. The accommodation is certainly one step up from a posh tent, with proper bathrooms, wood burning stoves and separate rooms (albeit with thin walls).
They can sleep up to 8 people, although 6 people is probably a more comfortable option.
Price: £1889 for a family of 4 for a week in August 2020 (it actually sleeps 8, but for our price comparison we're looking at the price for 4)
There are four 'canvas lodges' in a rural spot, near the River Yar and half way between Yarmouth and Freshwater. The accommodation is certainly one step up from a posh tent, with proper bathrooms, wood burning stoves and separate rooms (albeit with thin walls).
They can sleep up to 8 people, although 6 people is probably a more comfortable option.
Price: £1889 for a family of 4 for a week in August 2020 (it actually sleeps 8, but for our price comparison we're looking at the price for 4)
3. Yurts at The Garlic Farm, Newchurch
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As long as you aren't a vampire, you might like the yurts at The Garlic Farm in Newchurch (nearish to Sandown). They've got a king size bed downstairs and then single beds upstairs on a mezzanine level.
Each yurt has its own kitchen and toilet/shower, so there's no wandering across the campsite at 3am when you need a wee. They've also got woodburning stoves, although I can 100% guarantee that the sun will shine every day and you won't need to even bring pyjamas* You can just about cram 5 or 6 people into most of them, but it looks like they would be ideal for 2-4 people. The Garlic Farm is a working farm but it's also a pleasant tourist attraction with a cafe, farm tours and a small playground. *This is a lie Price: £1191 for a family of four for a week in August 2020 |
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4. Buttercup Barn Retreats, Wootton Bridge
I'd say Buttercup Barn Retreats just about counts as Glamping, even though the accommodation are more huts than tents. Each hut is big enough for two people, so it's more aimed at couples looking for a weekend in a hot tub than at families with seven children.
Price: £601 for two people for a week in August 2020 (we won't include this one in our price comparison as it's only for two people)
Price: £601 for two people for a week in August 2020 (we won't include this one in our price comparison as it's only for two people)
5. Tom's Eco Lodges, Freshwater
Tom's Eco Lodges are part of the Tapnell Farm site which was a working dairy farm but now offers accommodation as well as being home to Tapnell Farm Park (one of our favourite Isle of Wight attractions).
It is also part of the site which hosted the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival when vast numbers of barely clothed hippies and free spirited sorts watched Jimi Hendrix and The Doors perform.
It's a much quieter option than Holiday Park Glamping, but as it's on the same site as Tapnell Farm Site you have easy access to things like their playbarns, jumping pillow (bit like a bouncy castle) and soft play area.
Tom's Eco Lodges include various quirks such as outdoor hot tubs and chickens which provide daily eggs. Each lodge has enough space for 8 or you can rent all 5 if you've got enough a) friends and b) money. They also have log cabins, pods and 'modulogs' which are odd-shaped glamping huts.
You can wander inside Tom's Eco Lodges below, although do knock first:
It is also part of the site which hosted the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival when vast numbers of barely clothed hippies and free spirited sorts watched Jimi Hendrix and The Doors perform.
It's a much quieter option than Holiday Park Glamping, but as it's on the same site as Tapnell Farm Site you have easy access to things like their playbarns, jumping pillow (bit like a bouncy castle) and soft play area.
Tom's Eco Lodges include various quirks such as outdoor hot tubs and chickens which provide daily eggs. Each lodge has enough space for 8 or you can rent all 5 if you've got enough a) friends and b) money. They also have log cabins, pods and 'modulogs' which are odd-shaped glamping huts.
You can wander inside Tom's Eco Lodges below, although do knock first:
Price comparison: £1434 for a week in August 2020 for a family of four (the safari tents sleep 8 for the same price but we're just looking at the price for four for our price comparison since most people don't have six children).
6. Kids Love Yurts, Newport
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Kids Love Yurts is in Newport (in the middle of the Isle of Wight) and is aimed at parents who fancy an outdoors holiday, but can't quite face bringing all the equipment and accessories that come with camping with young children. Their posh yurts come with bunk beds and ensuite toilets and they are also decked out with children's toys and general cuteness.
They also don't allow adult only bookings, so you won't be woken by a stag do at 3am. Although you might be woken by a mooing cow of course, since it is surrounded by farms... Each yurt has a different theme, including this dinosaur themed yurt. Price: £1334 for a week in August 2020 for a family of four (the yurts actually sleep 6) |
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7. Fernhill Meadow Yurts, Wootton Bridge
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There are a couple of yurts available for hire at this site in Wootton Bridge, towards the north east of the Island.
The six person one is described as a traditional yurt which is available all year round, and looks as though it's wearing a great big coat. The four person version is a summer yurt, which is available for half the year. Price: £918 for a week for a family of four in August 2020 |
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8. Woodland Retreat, Wootton
Woodland Retreat is a small glamping spot in the Wootton area (nearish to the 1969 Isle of Wight Festival site where Bob Dylan headlined). It's got two bell tents which sleep up to four people and a woodland cabin for four to six people. You can also sign up for yoga, bushcraft and artsy things at this one.
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I'd say it's a more authentic and rustic glamping experience than you'll get from a safari tent at a holiday park. It's ideal for those who've always fancied pretending they are a squirrel, but don't turn up and ask where the swimming pool is.
Price: £410 for four people for a week in August 2020. |
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9. Sibbecks Farm Glamping, Whitwell
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There are just a couple of safari tents on Sibbecks Farm - Meadow Escape and Stream Escape. As you may have figured out, one of them is near a meadow and the other one is near a stream (the meeting where they named them didn't take long). The site is in Whitwell on the way towards the South Wight in an isolated spot offering an abundance of peace and quiet.
There's a private eco-composting toilet and shower for each tent as well as a log burner, cooking hobs and a fridge. You can also light up a fire in the fire pit so you'll have something to do in the evening when you realise there's no telly or wifi. Price: £1050 for a week for a family of four in August 2020 (the tent sleeps 6 if you want to get cosy) |
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10. Thorness Bay Holiday Park, near Cowes
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Thorness Bay is a family friendly holiday park near Cowes which usually comes out as the cheapest of the four Park Resorts/Parkdean Resorts sites on the Isle of Wight (see our price comparisons of caravans and camping).
The park has got pretty much exclusive access to a scrubby beach which has top notch sunsets and seems to be popular with anglers. |
Sunset at Thorness Bay
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It's not really a swimming beach, but Thorness Bay does have an indoor swimming pool, which I would imagine would be more appealing unless you happen to be a fish.
Thorness Bay is bordering on being remote, as there isn't really a lot else around it. It is certainly a quieter coastline than the Isle of Wight's south east coastline (Sandown and Shanklin). Personally, I find that quite appealing and the Isle of Wight is small enough that you can get anywhere from Thorness Bay within 45 minutes (and most places within 20 minutes) if you bring a car.
The Glamping options with Park Resorts/Parkdean Resorts are described as Safari Tents, although I'm assured that there is only a minimal risk of waking up to find an elephant in your bed and a tiger tucking in to your Frosties. The luxury tents are big enough for six and come equipped with a proper kitchen (rather than those dumpy little camping gas things which campers have to battle with). There aren't toilets and showers, but you have access to the communal facilities used by campers and tourers.
Thorness Bay is bordering on being remote, as there isn't really a lot else around it. It is certainly a quieter coastline than the Isle of Wight's south east coastline (Sandown and Shanklin). Personally, I find that quite appealing and the Isle of Wight is small enough that you can get anywhere from Thorness Bay within 45 minutes (and most places within 20 minutes) if you bring a car.
The Glamping options with Park Resorts/Parkdean Resorts are described as Safari Tents, although I'm assured that there is only a minimal risk of waking up to find an elephant in your bed and a tiger tucking in to your Frosties. The luxury tents are big enough for six and come equipped with a proper kitchen (rather than those dumpy little camping gas things which campers have to battle with). There aren't toilets and showers, but you have access to the communal facilities used by campers and tourers.
Price comparison: £619 for one week Glamping at Thorness Bay in the August 2020 school summer holidays for 4 people
11. Lower Hyde Holiday Park, Shanklin
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If you'd rather be in the thick of it, then I'd pick Lower Hyde over Thorness Bay for glamping.
Lower Hyde is in Shanklin, which is a pleasant holiday resort town with twee little thatched tearooms and an economy which relies heavily on demand for bright orange plastic buckets in the shape of castles. |
Shanklin is a deckchair-hiring sort of resort
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Glamping at Lower Hyde is very similar to the other Park Resorts/Parkdean Resorts holiday parks with well equipped Safari Tents for parents who are far too sensible to agree to the endurance sport of camping. The posh tents include proper beds and a proper kitchen, although toilets and showers are shared with the rest of the campers.
In my humble opinion, Lower Hyde has the biggest range of facilities of any holiday park on the Isle of Wight with indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a sauna and spa, an adventure playground, restaurant and bar, sports court plus various daily entertainments to keep children occupied.
Price: £669 for a family of four staying in a safari tent for a week in August 2020
In my humble opinion, Lower Hyde has the biggest range of facilities of any holiday park on the Isle of Wight with indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a sauna and spa, an adventure playground, restaurant and bar, sports court plus various daily entertainments to keep children occupied.
Price: £669 for a family of four staying in a safari tent for a week in August 2020
12. Nodes Point Holiday Park, St. Helens (near Ryde)
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A happy compromise between the peace and quiet of Thorness Bay and the seaside jollity of Lower Hyde is Nodes Point. It is a few metres from a rather nice stretch of coastline which specialises in ankle deep water (St Helen's beach is so shallow that at certain times of year you'll see people attempting to walk out to the Victorian fort in the middle of the Solent). It is also near the ferries at Ryde and Fishbourne.
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St Helens in the East Wight is near to Nodes Point Holiday Park
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Nodes Point is a busy family type park with an indoor pool and sports court, as well as an adventure playground, restaurant and bar. It lacks an outdoor pool, but my feeling is that you'll either want the warm water of an indoor pool or the plucky British tradition of splashing around in the sea and pretending you aren't screaming inside.
The glamping tents are similar to those at Lower Hyde and Thorness Bay with enough space for six, comfy beds, a full kitchen but no toilets or showers (you'll share the communal ones).
Price: £669 for 4 people for a week in August 2020
The glamping tents are similar to those at Lower Hyde and Thorness Bay with enough space for six, comfy beds, a full kitchen but no toilets or showers (you'll share the communal ones).
Price: £669 for 4 people for a week in August 2020
13. Windmill Campersite, Carisbrooke
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Windmill Campersite sits somewhere between our quirky accommodation guide and this glamping guide. Actually, it is somewhere near Carisbrooke Castle, but you know what I mean.
They've got camping 'pods', a couple of shepherds' huts and er, a Falklands-era helicopter called Galahad. |
Spend a few nights in a helicopter in the Bowcombe Valley
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Other semi-luxurious quirks include a musical solar powered 'ShowerShack', a silo which has been converted to a cinema and a BBQ/pizza oven called 'Big Bertha'.
Price: £1100 for a week in a 4 berth helicopter in August 2019 (2020 wasn't available when we checked)
Price: £1100 for a week in a 4 berth helicopter in August 2019 (2020 wasn't available when we checked)
14. Cowes Week Glamping from IntentsGP, Cowes
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This one is only available during Cowes Week, with glamping and camping options at Cowes Enterprise college. You can use the showers and toilets at the college and breakfast is provided.
Unlike most accommodation for Cowes Week, you can just stay for one or two nights if you want to. Price: £114 per night for a four person bell tent (2019 prices, 2020 not available when we checked) |
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15. Wight Glamping Holidays, Arreton
Wight Glamping Holidays is in Arreton and offers lotus bell tents, which have slightly higher roofs than a normal bell tent, apparently. Each tent has space for four people (or maybe 5) and a kitchen attached to the back. Wash facilities (and presumably toilets) are a short walking distance away from the tent. The site is a little way inland so is a good option for the Isle of Wight Festival.
Price: £595 for four people for a week in August 2019 (2020 not available when we checked).
Price: £595 for four people for a week in August 2019 (2020 not available when we checked).
16. Buttercup Hideaway, South Wight
Buttercup Hideaway is another Glamping option in a very rural location - it is sort of half way between Godshill and Niton towards the Isle of Wight's south coast. Their 'canvas cottages' have fitted kitchens with beds for six people. There's a 'vintage flushing loo' (not so sure about that) and hot showers available in the farm buildings.
Price: not available when we checked. In our previous price comparison, it was £595 for a week in August 2016.
Price: not available when we checked. In our previous price comparison, it was £595 for a week in August 2016.
17. Ventnor Botanic Garden
Glamping is only a small part of what's on offer at Ventnor Botanic Garden and they don't make a song and dance about it.
The gardens itself are one of the South Wight's attractions with various plants and flowers which wouldn't normally grow in England. It was once the site of the country's tuberculosis hospital because of the warm sea air. Ventnor Botanics is also near to Steephill Cove, which is a lovely little bay where I once had a very nice tea cake.
Price: not available when we checked
The gardens itself are one of the South Wight's attractions with various plants and flowers which wouldn't normally grow in England. It was once the site of the country's tuberculosis hospital because of the warm sea air. Ventnor Botanics is also near to Steephill Cove, which is a lovely little bay where I once had a very nice tea cake.
Price: not available when we checked
Isle of Wight Glamping Price Comparison
We searched in September 2019 for a family holiday in August 2020. We looked for the cheapest accommodation available for four people for a week, excluding any extras. Several of the tents are suitable for 6 or 8 people so you might like to invite along a couple of stragglers (or strangers) to keep the price per person down.
From cheapest to most expensive:
From cheapest to most expensive:
- Woodland Retreat - £410
- Wight Glamping Holidays - £595
- Thorness Bay - £619
- Lower Hyde - £669
- Nodes Point - £669
- Whitecliff Bay - £716
- Ventnor Botanics - £840
- Fernhill Meadow Yurts - £918
- Sibbecks Farm Glamping - £1050
- Windmill Campersite - £1100
- Yurts at the Garlic Farm - £1191
- Kids Love Yurts - £1334
- Tom's Eco Lodges - £1434
- Glamping The Wight Way - £1889
The-Isle-of-Wight-Guru-Don't-Blame-Us-Disclaimer™ The information on this website is correct, as far as we know, but please do check opening times and details with attractions directly if you are planning a long journey - and please contact us if you find anything inaccurate.
