Car-freeGlamping holidaysaround the UK
No need to drive to have a glamping holiday in the countryside. Cool Camping has come up with this list of great places to stay that have good public transport links.
-
-
1. Whitby Log Cabins, North Yorkshire
This wooded site on the edge of the North York Moors is a couple of miles from Whitby and you can get closer on the Coastliner bus from York or Malton or on the Esk Valley railway. The new Whitby Log Cabins are close to the Cinder Track, a popular walking and cycling route on a disused railway between Whitby and Scarborough.
- How do you get to Whitby Log Cabins without a car? The hosts are happy to pick up guests who arrive by public transport. If you’re travelling light, it’s a pleasant mile’s walk from Ruswarp station on the Esk Valley railway or from the Ruswarp High Street bus stop on the scenic Coastliner 840 bus. From either of these, you can follow the map below to reach the cabins.
- What’s there when you arrive? You won’t need to carry much at all if you stay here. The log cabins are self-contained with a log burner inside and a fire pit or chiminea outside. There are en suite facilities, ready-made-up beds, central heating and cooking facilities. Bedding, towels and washing-up kit are all provided.
- And what can you see and do nearby? The cabins are perfectly placed for people who like walking and cycling. You can follow the Cinder Track and there is normally bike hire at Trailways, just the other side of the little village of Stainscare. From Hawsker, a little further on, you can walk across fields to the coast path and then along the glorious Yorkshire coast to Whitby Abbey. Walking back through town and along the Esk Valley Walk makes a perfect day-long eight mile circuit with lots to see and do along the way.
- And you can reach all the sights along the Coastliner bus route from the bus stop, a mile away in Ruswarp.
-
-
2. Hawarden Farm Shop, Flintshire
Two huge wild meadows, with a view of the old castle at Hawarden, are the site for these bell tents and pitches in July and August. Hawarden farm shop does sustainable, seasonal, local food and there are great views of the Welsh countryside.
- How do you get to Hawarden without a car? Hop on bus X4 from Chester railway station to Rake Lane, which just a couple of minutes’ walk away. There are fast trains to Chester station from Leeds, Cardiff, Manchester, Liverpool and beyond. Transport for Wales also runs trains to the local Hawarden station. From there, it’s a 20-minute walk along the lane, past pubs and the castle, to the campsite.
- What’s there when you arrive? There are fire pits to cook on, but Hawarden farm shop is also very handy so there’s no need for campfire cooking unless you want to. There’s a café and restaurant at the farm shop, which sells freshly-baked pastries every morning and the village pub is a short walk away. The bell tents only have camp beds and a lantern (and some of them have a table and chairs outside) so you do need to bring your own bedding.
- And what can you see and do nearby? Hawarden old castle is a medieval motte-and-bailey in a lovely wooded park. There are weekly wild swimming sessions and some great circular walks to be done locally. All the delights of half-timbered Chester are just a bus ride away, including the magnificent Chester Zoo.
-
3. Daisy Bank, West Yorkshire
With uninterrupted views and plenty of mod cons, these two- or four-person log cabins are ideal for cyclists and walkers. Daisy Bank Camp is out in the Pennine countryside between Hebden Bridge and Todmorden.
- How do you get to Daisy Bank without a car? Frequent bus 596 runs from right outside Hebden Bridge’s charming railway station (wooded location, piano in the waiting room, great café) and stops near the end of Long Causeway. From the bus stop, it’s a 15-minute stroll along the road (or slightly further by footpath) to the cabins. Alternatively, Sustrans National Route 68 goes right past and there are plenty of other cycling routes in the area, plus bike hire in Hebden Bridge.
- What’s there when you arrive? With double beds and sofa beds, table and chairs, underfloor heating, a kitchenette and bathroom, each cabin is pretty well equipped. There’s an outdoor seating area too in your own little garden.
- And what can you see and do nearby? With Hebden Bridge so close by bus (or a three-mile walk), there are plenty of options. As well as great walking routes from the door through the spectacular landscapes nearby, there are buses to picturesque Haworth, canal-side strolls and some great wet weather options too, like Eureka! museum for kids next to Halifax railway station.
-
4. Skoolie Stays, East Sussex
At Skoolie Stays near Eastbourne, you don’t just take the bus to get there – you sleep on a bus too! For fans of the Magic School Bus stories, it’s unmissable. This solar-powered converted American school bus sits near Beachy Head with its lighthouse and towering cliffs.
- How do you get to Skoolie Stays without a car? Get the train to Eastbourne and then bus. The regular buses 12, 12A and 12X stop about a mile away. On Sundays, you can catch bus 13X to Beachy Head Road bus stop. From here, it’s a three-minute walk.
- What’s there when you arrive? A double bed, foldaway bunk beds, a full kitchen and bathroom, log burning stove and USB chargers.
- And what can you see and do nearby? Camped right on the South Downs, it’s perfect for walks along the Seven Sisters cliffs or a stroll down into Eastbourne to visit the Towner gallery.
-
5. Coxons Farm Glamping, North Yorkshire
If smart new glamping pods in the green Yorkshire Dales with a pub over the road sounds like just what you’re looking for, head to Coxons Farm in Cracoe near Skipton.
- How do you get to Coxons without a car? Bus 72 (or Dalesbus 875 on summer Sundays and bank holidays) from Skipton railway station runs speedily to the Devonshire Arms’ bus stop in Cracoe, just two minutes’ walk from the site (and the pub!). On Sundays, the 72 leaves from Skipton’s nearby bus station. The bus journey through the Yorkshire Dales National park is pretty scenic too.
- What’s there when you arrive? These luxurious pods have en-suite bathrooms, double beds (bed linen included), full-kit kitchenettes, sofa beds for the kids, TVs and WIFI! There’s underfloor heating too and double glazing to keep them snug and warm.
- And what can you see and do nearby? The main draw for car-free visitors is the choice of adventurous walks from the door: fells, caves, moorland, Winterton reservoir and the 90-mile Dales High Way walking route are all in easy reach. If it’s raining, or for a change of scene, take the bus into Skipton, with its museum and castle, or simply take cover in the little Cracoe café (and did we mention the Devonshire Arms pub is just over the road?)
-
6. Graig Wen, Gwynedd
With views of the mountainous Snowdonia National Park and the wildlife-rich Mawddach Estuary, Graig Wen is beautifully located.
- How do I get there? The lovely Mawddach Trail, from Barmouth to Dolgellau, is a spectacular way to get anywhere. Graig Wen is right beside the trail. You can take the train to the request stop of Morfa Mawddach and walk or cycle 2 miles along the estuary to the campsite. Or, to get to Graig Wen directly by public transport, bus 28 runs a few times a day (less on Sunday) from Fairbourne train station. Ask the driver to drop you off at Graig Wen between Arthog and Penmaenpool.
- For more car-free adventures in the area, see our car-free guide to Barmouth.
