The UK’s top glamping holiday with luxury tents and awesome lakeside views

AS my two little ones squealed in delight at our Lake District home for the weekend, I knew this was the perfect pick for our family getaway.

Along with my husband, seven-year-old daughter and three-year-old son, I was staying in one of Ulls­water Heights’ chic and spacious six-person tents.

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Brand new in 2019, they sit in the landscaped grounds of a former quarry.

Our home for three nights had a double room, twin room, and double cabin bed accessed via a small ladder — which my daughter bagged as soon as she set eyes on it — as well as a sizeable shower room.

All come off the open-plan living area.

Although you are sleeping under canvas, there is no sense of “roughing it”, as these stylish tents come with comfy beds, a smart TV, reliable wifi, log burner, and well-appointed kitchen area including fridge (with icebox) and electric hob.

Outside we had a private decking area and, the hit of the holiday, a hot tub.

Facilities on site include the Lake House bar and restaurant, a small shop, kids’ play park and mini-golf.

There was also lots of space to park, and a plentiful supply of firewood.

All of this meant we were able to get the feeling of living simply in a rural setting, but with a generous helping of creature comforts.

Just a word of warning, though — as the walls are made of canvas, you will hear your neighbours.

So maybe consider packing earplugs.

Ullswater Heights was the perfect base from which to explore the Lakes.

Given we were staying in a safari tent, we felt there was no better way to get acquainted with the local area and its residents, than by going on a “bug safari”.

The lakeside location for the creepy-crawly hunt was the sustainability-focused Basecamp restaurant and farm shop, at the gateway to the northern Lake District.

Silvery expanse

Fuelled by coffees, hot chocolates and a hearty brunch made from locally sourced ingredients, our children were soon shrieking with excitement as they turned over stones and logs to reveal all manner of mini-beasts.

From here, we drove off to spot some bigger creatures at the Lake District Wildlife Park in Keswick, 30 minutes from Ullswater Heights.

A family ticket costing £46 was a price worth paying for our animal-loving kids, who got to hand-feed alpacas, learn about lemurs, and get up close and personal with an owl during the bird-of-prey display.

Two other outings that got a big thumbs- up from all the family were National Trust ones.

The first was a visit to the 65ft Aira Force waterfall where we took in the wonderful view of the silvery expanse of Ullswater at no cost.

The second was the adventure playground at Lowther Castle — a £45 charge for the family also covers entry to the castle’s ruins, indoor exhibition and garden.

At closing time, our two had to be torn away from the labyrinth of turrets, walkways, zipwires and slides.

Talking of trees, it’s well worth swinging by the picturesque village of Greystoke, famed as the birthplace of Tarzan.

We enjoyed a delicious Sunday roast at the local family- friendly Boot and Shoe pub.

We certainly managed to fit a lot into our Ullswater adventure, while still finding plenty of time to kick back and relax in our safari tent and hot-tub.

That said, I can safely say our three-year-old spoke for all of us at check-out when he said: “I just don’t want to leave.”

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