If you’ve never been glamping before and you’re wondering what you're actually supposed to bring, whether you'll be freezing at night, or what off-grid really means here is your ultimate guide!
You don't need to arrive with camping experience, a car full of equipment or a survivalist's knowledge of how to light a fire. Glamping is essentially the best bits of camping where you are surrounded by nature and away from everyday life without having to give up the things that make you comfortable.
When people hear off-grid the often think no electricity, cold outside showers and sitting in the dark. However when you stay with us you can expect electricity powered by solar, running water, flushable toilets and all the little comforts you would expect from a luxury stay. Due to energy conservation, we don’t provide WI-FI, and the phone signal can definitely be bit hit and miss. You'll still be able to check your phone if you need to. But you might find yourself leaving it inside more often than you expected.
We may be off-grid, but we're definitely not roughing it.
What should I pack?
Definitely bring:
- Clothes suitable for the weather
- Waterproof shoes/boots
- Warm layers
- Waterproof coat
- Slippers or cosy socks
- Toiletries
- Food and drinks if you want to cook
- Swimwear for the hot tub.
What should we cook?
Both The Badger Sett and The Old Haycart have fully functioning kitchens complete with fridges, ovens and stoves. The Old Haycart facilities are slightly smaller due to the nature of the stay itself. Both also have access to their own BBQ areas with picnic facilities and cooking utensils.
Most guests use their stays to take the opportunity to cook outside, have breakfast on the swing or bench overlooking the country views or opt for dinner amongst the trees for a woodland BBQ. If you don’t feel like cooking there is always the option to head to one of the nearby country pubs for some hearty food or order an afternoon tea through our added extras when booking.
What happens if it rains?
Some of the best, hygge elements of the stays come when the weather isn’t playing ball. Our guests have told us that it is a pretty special place to cosy up listening to the rain on the roof with a coffee and a book. During the rain, the woodland becomes alive in colour and atmosphere. You could have a walk through the woodland in waterproofs and take in the colours and the scents of the trees. Or if you’re feeling up for it, take a dip in the hot tub while it is raining; it’s a multi-sensory experience not to be missed.
What do you actually do all weekend?
A stay at Sycamore and Stars can be as jam-packed or relaxed as you want it. For ideas on activities, we would suggest:
- A walk in your private woodland, or take a walk through the miles of woodland adjacent to our farm.
- Visit the goats, geese and highland cows in our Animal Meet and Greet experience (bookable as an added extra at checkout)
- Cycle the nearby national cycle route, taking you past the Humberside airport runway.
- Explore the Lincolnshire Wolds on the Viking Way
- Visit local pubs and cafés
- Sit around the fire
- Use the hot tub
- Watch the sunset from your stay.
You don't have to fill your time just because you're away. Actually one of the nicest things to do is to feel like you don’t have to do anything at all. Most guests look forward to an escape from their busy lives to just ‘be’ while they are with us. When you stay with us you are staying on a real working farm, not a manufactured holiday park. We think this sets us apart from the majority. You can expect to hear lots of birds, geese/chickens/goats, tractors and the occasional early morning farm activity. We’re happy to invite people in to experience a slice of life on a working farm.
Our first-timer's checklist
Before you arrive:
- Check the weather
- Pack waterproof footwear
- Bring warm layers
- Pack swimwear
- Plan your meals
- Download anything you might need offline
- Don't forget toiletries, although we do provide shower gel.
If you’re still not sure if glamping is for you then no need to worry. You just need to fancy a few days somewhere a little quieter. We’ve sorted the uncomfortable camping bits. With us you’ll get the countryside, the woodland, the fire, the hot tub, the stars and a very comfortable bed! Come and give it a go. You might find you're rather good at glamping after all.
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