Glamping in a Winter Wonderland

Hark back to simpler winter days at Commander’s Cabin in Worcestershire where you’ll be as snug as a bug in a rug in front of the Rayburn wood-fired stove. Perched in the corner of a meadow, the caravan has a cosy, country cottage feel and is surrounded by farmland, where you’ll find a couple of friendly Shetland Ponies that love to greet visitors. On frosty nights, heat up the wood-fired hot tub on the deck and cuddle up in the warm water under the gentle glow of festoon lights. You’re likely to see bats and, if you listen hard enough, you might hear the local barn owls swooping through the fields on the hunt for prey. To blow away the cobwebs, wrap up warm and set out for a walk in the Shropshire Hills, before making your way to The Fountain Inn in Tenbury Wells for top-notch pub fare wolfed down under cosy beams in an idyllic setting.

Part cabin, part pagoda, this elegant Welsh mountain retreat has a meditative vibe that invites you to slow down to the mellow pace of the season. You can hibernate in style in the light octagonal space that’s decorated with beautiful fabrics, warm wood and cosy cushions. There’s even a guitar on the wall for evening singalongs around the campfire (or the wood burner if you’d rather stay indoors). The kitchen and bathroom are tucked cleverly into corners of The Cabin so there’s no need to brave an outdoor dash, but it’s definitely worth a speedy gallop in towels and woolly hats to the 'secret garden' where the hot tub is hidden away. The large windows connect you to the frosty winter wonderland outside, and those epic views might tempt you out in walking boots for a rosy-cheeked yomp in the Upper Towy Valley.

If you’re a fan of a certain Disney classic, The Fairytale Castle in Norway gives off serious Arundel vibes with snow glowing white on the mountains that surround it. With a turreted roof and sweeping views over the forest, adventurous groups will discover a snowglobe of wintery magic all wrapped up in a luxury Scandi bow. Inside, the sleek wood-panelled space is flooded with light and has every mod-con you’ll need, including a bathroom fit for a boutique hotel and a well-equipped kitchen. The huge windows give such good views that it’s tempting to lounge all day on the squidgy sofas, warming your feet on the underfloor heating, but the real magic is waiting outside. On the deck there’s an outdoor firepit, BBQ, Jacuzzi and seating area, but the jewel in the crown is the polished concrete-framed outdoor pool that will easily accommodate your whole group for al-fresco dips in the crisp mountain air.

On cold Scottish winter days, what’s the most warming feature a glamping place could offer? Well, a quirky horsebox sauna ranks pretty high on the list but the Inshriach estate doesn’t stop there — it also boasts a cosy licensed bar selling handmade Speyside gins, where you can toast the season of low light and slow days. The Bothy Project itself is a snug little tardis that spends half of its year as an artist’s residence so creative types might find that inspiration strikes in this beautiful, isolated spot. Perched in the heart of the Highlands, within easy reach of Aviemore, you’re in one of the best places in the UK for snowy winter activities from skiing, snowboarding and sledding to quad trekking and exploring the banks of frost-covered lochs on foot. Unpeel the layers after a day of sub-zero adventures to dethaw with a book, and a few games of cards in front of the wood-burning stove.

Endless strings of warm fairy lights, flickering candles and glowing lanterns light up the atmospheric den that is Ursabear in Devon. If ever a space was designed for hunkering down on dark, winter afternoons, it’s this one. Even the interior design celebrates chillier northern climates with Icelandic trolls, lamps from Lapland, sheepskin rugs and two hairy bears. Spend leisurely days exploring the country footpaths that lead from the front door and mooching around pretty Brampton village, before heading back to whip up mouth watering pizzas in the outdoor oven and lose hours soaking in the outdoor tub. As well as their love for all things Scandi, the owners’ other passion is astronomy. You’ll find a giant telescope waiting on the deck for star spotting in the Dark Sky Area above, and books to guide you on your journey through the constellations.

Cliff Cabin is a winter’s tale with a dramatic twist. Or rather a dramatic plummet to the deep river valley below from its dizzying perch high on a Norwegian mountainside. It’s so remote, a cable car has to transport your luggage up, but for those who truly want to connect with the wild snowy wilderness, it’s more than worth the effort to arrive at the front door. Giant picture windows welcome in the staggering forest views, while the scent of the pine trees from out on the deck puts every Christmas candle you’ve ever bought to shame. Designed for a group of hardy souls, there’s a compost loo 20m from the cabin and an invigorating outdoor shower (with hot water) but indoors the wood burner and open fire keep things deliciously snug and cosy. Bring a few books and you’ll lose hours in the most scenic reading nook we’ve ever seen where you can gaze out of the huge picture window at the winter wonderland that unfurls below.