The summer of yurts! Experts reveal why holidaymakers are flocking to the ‘glamorous’ luxury tents

With jaunts to St Tropez and the Amalfi coast potentially off the cards this summer, many Brits will have to look closer to home when it comes to choosing a holiday destination. 

Tourism chiefs say demand for camp sites and UK holiday homes over the next few months has boomed – with Britons cautious about foreign holidays due to the possibility of Covid travel restrictions.

Now grounds of stately homes, farms and racecourses could be turned into makeshift camping spots to meet the ‘astronomical demand’ for staycations.

More than 500 temporary sites are expected to open around the UK, according to the Times.

It comes after ministers temporarily relaxed planning laws, meaning land owners can now open pop-up camping sites for 56 days – double the usual 28 day limit – without planning permission this summer.   

Travel experts told FEMAIL many holidaymakers looking for a luxurious and unique experience are flocking to yurts because the holiday requires minimal ‘pitching-up’ effort.

Rowland King, from Quality Source, explained: ‘Yurts are a great way of feeling close to nature and feeling that sense of ‘escapism’ without giving up too many luxuries, which is something we’ve all been craving after a year stuck in the house! In fact, many yurts now feature phone chargers, log fires and even fully-made beds so that you can feel at-one with nature without having to get your hands too dirty.’

He continued: ‘What is especially appealing about yurts is that they can cater for a range of group sizes, so whether you’re looking for a 6-person family getaway or a 2-person couples retreat there is sure to be a yurt to suit you. 

‘They’re fun and glamourous enough to be a great choice for occasions such as hen parties and stag dos, whilst also being a great practical choice for lower-key getaways with family and friends. You’ll struggle to find such versatile glamping accommodation that compares to a yurt.’

‘Because of the air of luxury and uniqueness that surrounds yurt getaways thanks to their presence in many popular films and TV shos such at Netflix’s ‘You’, they are EXTREMELY ‘instagrammable’. 

‘The combination of cosy soft furnishings, fire pits, and even hot tubs in some cases, means that they take a very enviable picture that couples and families alike are sure to lust over.’ 

Here FEMAIL unveils just a few of the stunning options on offer – from tents in remote beauty spots to yurts tucked away in magical woodlands… 

BEST FOR SPLASHING THE CASH: Meadow yurt in Wales, £700 for a week  

Butterfly Meadow yurt in Hay-on-Wye, Wales, boasts a ‘unique and luxurious wilderness camping experience’.

With a rustic theme, free-standing bath, skylight in the roof and  even an outside hot tub, it certainly wouldn’t breach any social distancing rules. 

But with prices at around £700 for seven nights, we can’t say the same for your purse strings.

BEST FOR A COSY BREAK AWAY: Mrs Mills Yurts, Gloucestershire – from £100 per night 

From the communal snug where guests can find extra blankets and board games, to the complimentary breakfast hamper delivered on the first morning of your stay, Hildegarde at Mrs Mills Yurts is a one-off delight.

Named after Benjamin Button’s wife, Hildegarde is peppered with Jazz Age luxuries like a vintage chest and a crystal decanter filled with sherry. The antique pine and golden cushions make it the richer and broodier of the two yurts.

The sofa with velvet cushions and the king size bed are perfect for lounging on whilst reading classics or creating little masterpieces with the origami sheets. 

There’s also a wood burner, kitchenette and wash basin, and a fold out double sofa bed so two more guys or dolls can camp. 

BEST FOR SCOTTISH WILDERNESS – Alexander House in Perth and Kinross,  £200 per night

Situated in the grounds of Alexander House but sheltered by a huge Scots Pine, these cosy yurts offer a view over Gleneagles from their front doorstep.

For those looking to explore the area, the tents are in easy reach of distilleries, castles and sensational walks over hills and across rivers.

Meanwhile guests wanting to make the most of their yurt stay can make of the most of the wood burning stove, roll top bath and luxurious king size bed.   

BEST FOR QUIRKY STAY – Barefoot Yurts in Brede Valley – £130 per night 

Nestled amongst an ancient woodland, and with a spiritual Mongolian-vibe, the Barefoot Yurts camp is a place to relax and revive. Watch for the epic sunrises and the starry night skies, swinging in your hammock and toasting marshmallows on the fire.

The Barefoot Yurts retreat is an exclusive hideout inspired by the long-standing culture of the traditional Mongolian nomads. Peering out through a woodland copse over the magnificent Brede Valley, it is a private haven for couples or families.

The atmospheric camp is set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, known for its enchanting forests and stunning, sandy beaches. 

Explore the pretty, wildflower meadows or the remote saltmarshes, stumbling upon fairy-tale castles and medieval battlegrounds. Visit the historic town of Rye with its quaint antique stores or beautiful Camber Sands with its windswept shores. Picnic in the fields and daydream in the hammock, switching off from the outside world and embracing a digital detox. 

BEST FOR STARGAZING – Stargazer yurts in Essex – £178 for two nights   

Stargazer’s are a beautiful reminder of yesteryear and create the perfect space for your glamping adventure, with space for a full family-of five. 

With feature wooden futons and a fixed double bed, hippy rugs with twinky lights and small storage boxes, the yurt is the perfect ‘blank canvas’ for your glamping trip.

The site is set next to the breathtakingly beautiful Blackwater estuary and offers the very best of outdoor living. 

On the river there’s sailing, fishing, paddle-boarding and jet-skiing opportunities, as well as walking the river path and bird watching over the salt marshes. 

BEST FOR FAKING AN ITALIAN ESCAPE – Yurtshire – Ripon, North Yorkshire, £260 for two nights   

While many Brits may find themselves stuck in the UK this summer, they could sample a taste of Italy by staying at the Yurtshire tents in Ripon.

From a private wood-fired hot tub, a BBQ/firepit and a pizza oven to hire, you would be easily mistaken for mistaking the staycation spot in Yorkshire for a break abroad.

Just a stone’s throw from Harrogate, the six yurts also boast private full flushing toilets and a private gas heated shower – making the break feel more like a hotel stay than a camping trip. 

BEST FOR OFF-THE GRID GLAMPING – Wales, £175 per night 

Described as a wonderful secret hidden away from the world in the rolling hills of Wales, The Secret Yurts come complete with their own private hot tub, private wet-room and pop up kitchen on the deck of the yurt, as well as a barbecue. 

Perfect for a romantic weekend escape, the yurts each feature a hand made king-size bed with sumptuous bedding, candles. lanterns and a cosy log-burner.

And for those looking to relax even further, there is also a Finnish sauna on offer, in which guests can stretch out before stepping outside to feel that fresh country air revitalise you.  

BEST FOR CAMPING BY THE WATER –  Burning Heart River Camp, East Sussex – £145 per night 

Set in a four-acre meadow with a river that weaves through the farm, the Burning Heart River Camp in East Sussex offers an idyllic spot in which Brits can stay overnight in a yurt.

The 16ft yurt is bursting with love and character with guests invited to fish straight from the jetty, roll off into the water when you get too hot, then whip up dinner in the wriggly tin kitchen or on the barbecue. 

When done for the day, holidaymakers can stretch out on the bench swing or huddle by the firebowl and enjoy the peace. 

As well as your own corner of Burning Heart, there is also the Rum Baaba land-bound boat serving as a communal hub and bar, decorated from the owners travels in Africa and around the world.

While kingfishers, oystercatchers and buzzards hunt on the water, guests are only 20-minutes from the sea, half an hour’s walk from the local pub and just on the edge of the South Down National Park with miles of gentle hiking along the South Downs Way.   

BEST FOR A ROMANTIC PRIVATE GETAWAY – Wild Meadow, Norfolk – £390 for three nights

Wild Meadow at Raynham is a comfortable and relaxing glamping experience for those looking for a rural Norfolk retreat. 

For those craving space and privacy, there are only four yurts on the estate, which is filled with wildflowers and stunning rolling countryside.  

With a BBQ, wood burner and super King size bed with comfortable mattress, the site has all the makings a couple would desire when looking for a romantic weekend away together.