When a hotel expert turns to camping, you know there's change in the air. Alastair Sawday — whose respected guidebooks span topics ranging from French inns to Indian B&Bs — has just launched Canopy and Stars (canopyandstars.co.uk), a collection of unique properties that makes the most of being out in the open. Check out the yurt at Inshriach House, a grand Edwardian shooting lodge in Aviemore in the Cairngorms. Expect a cosy, romantically decorated structure, with hard-wood floors, antique beds and vintage pieces salvaged from the main house.
For a more traditional camping experience, but with luxurious touches, head to the National Trust beach of Penbryn, in west Wales, where cool campsite Fforest (coldatnight.co.uk) has opened its first beach camp. Guests can stay in geodesic domes, which come with beds made up with crisp linen, cosy Welsh blankets and a private deck — perfect for admiring sea views at sunset after a cedar barrel sauna.
Opening any day now is The Dome Garden (domegarden.co.uk), a new venture from the team behind the stylish Simply Yurts hire firm. We're expecting exciting things from this new kid on the luxe camping block that promises wood-burning stoves and fridges in its snug but cool pods in the Forest of Dean. And with all this activity, there's no resting on laurels for the pioneers of the 'glamping' concept. As well as opening a location in Northern Ireland and collaborating with interiors firm Cabbages & Roses to update the Hampshire site, family-friendly Feather Down Farm (featherdownfarm.co.uk) has just launched a new offshoot called Country House Hideout (countryhousehideout.co.uk). Tents are an updated version of the FDF favourites, with chunky wooden furniture, telescopes and wind-up gramophones, their locations — hidden on the estates of three country houses in Lancashire, Essex and the Scottish Borders — adding a touch of grandeur to proceedings.
Of course, nothing says camping like a good old festival. But while the hordes bed down in crowded campsites and prepare for three days of leaky tents and noisy night-time revelry, those in the know are opting for something altogether more salubrious. Festival Village (festivalvillage.net), a new outfit based in Scotland, will be setting up its own mini-sites at a number of festivals this year. And while accommodation starts basic, the company's top-of-the-range 'kabins' come with surround sound, leather padding and a spa for guests. Try them for the Open at St Andrews, which celebrates its 150th year this month.
We have ten Vango tents to give away — click here to enter.
