Reasons to go glamping in autumn

Havana Forest Shed in Cornwall embraces you in a comforting hug from the moment you step through the cabin doors. The cosy wooden interior is kitted out with rugs, a squidgy sofa, crackling wood burner and king-size bed, while upstairs the low-ceilinged loafing space is somewhere to get lost in a book or drift off for a nap. 

There’s a kitchen to whip up hearty autumn feasts, or you can head outside to experiment with the box of ‘Fireside Fancies’ provided by the owners to encourage wild cooking over the firebowl. If you’d rather someone else did the cooking, the nearest roast can be found at The Kings Head in Five Lanes or head to The Port William in Tintagel for dinner with a sea view.

Cuddle up under the duvet in the super king size bed at Cosy Cowshed and watch your favourite film on the movie projector. You might spill popcorn in the sheets but it’s totally worth it to enjoy a rom-com or family comedy in such comfort. If you’ve brought the kids, they can scamper back to their beds afterwards and doze off underneath a canopy while you head to the hot tub to end the evening under the stars. There’s even an outdoor dog spa for any four-legged friends along for the ride. 

The cabin sits within spectacular North Devon scenery with iconic coastal spots like Hartland Quay, Clovelly and Saunton Sands within easy reach. You can hike in the North Devon UNESCO Biosphere or take a boat trip to Lundy Island before scampering back to Cosy Cowshed to fire up the pizza oven and choose your next movie. For more cinematic inspiration, take a look at cabins for watching cosy autumn films.

Northumberland National Park became England’s first International Dark Sky Park in 2013.  In the heart of this vast wilderness sits Raven Tower, a four-storey feat of Scandi design encircled by pine trees. The climb to the top floor is worth it for an evening soak in the giant wooden bathtub underneath a retracting roof – just make sure you bring the owner’s stargazing kit with you so you don’t have to go back down all those stairs. 

The total lack of light pollution means conditions are perfect for spotting thousands of stars, The Milky Way and even the Andromeda Galaxy with the naked eye. When you’re not sampling the contents of the drinks cabinet and playing tracks on the record player, head out for ruddy-cheeked autumn walks in the ancient woodlands on the Hesleyside Estate or visit the famous Kielder Observatory for more celestial adventures. Take a look at more of our spectacular stargazing spaces.

Autumn arrives in a blaze of glowing colour at Westonbirt, a 40-minute drive from Buzzard’s Reach cabin in the Cotswolds. The world-famous Arboretum is home to 2,500 different tree species from around the globe and the leaves are so spectacular that Forestry England posts regular Autumn Watch videos to showcase the vibrant reds, oranges and golds. After the grand scale and fresh air of the forest you’ll be ready to get cosy in fairy-lit comfort at Buzzard’s Reach in the Ebworth Valley. 

There are several comfy seating areas outside with views over the rolling hills and the snug upcycled interior boasts a deep Japanese plunge bath, perfect for warming up after a bracing walk in Beechwoods Nature Reserve. Nearby Stroud has a great Saturday market and the chic boutiques and eateries of Cheltenham are only a 30-min drive away. Get more inspiration for glorious autumn walks with glamping spaces nearby.

A storytelling legacy lives on in this retired mobile library on the North Cornish Coast.  Bookshelves may no longer line the space, but tales of adventure linger in the air, putting you in the mood for meandering chats and ghostly yarns round the campfire. Layer up in cosy knits and woolly hats and let your imagination run wild, as you cuddle up in the deckchairs to toast marshmallows late into the night. 

By day, grab a novel and read it in the hot tub gazing at the sea views in between pages. Trebus is in a gorgeous spot close to Tintagel, home of the famous castle and near the beautiful harbourside village of Boscastle where you can visit a museum dedicated to witchcraft and magic. All great fodder for more gripping campfire stories later on. Discover 10 unusual things you can cook on a campfire.

Gaze down over a patchwork of autumn colours from a hot tub perched high on the deck of your very own mini castle in Powys. The sweeping views are fit for royalty and the handcrafted space gets even more luxurious inside with a wood burner, freestanding copper bathtub, huge picture window, sheepskin rugs and underfloor heating. 

When you’re not inhaling deep lungfuls of cool fresh air from the warmth of the hot tub, you’ll be perched at the look-out bar with a coffee planning the day’s activities. Perhaps a long hike in the surrounding hills, a visit to historic Ludlow or Powis Castle. The nearby market town of Knighton sits on the border of England and Wales and has plenty of great places to eat out including The Banc, a modern bar and restaurant housed in a historic 1890’s bank.