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What to expect from your first Glamping Experience at Notgrove Holidays.

What to expect from your first glamping experience in a Notgrove Holiday Pods!


Glamping (aka glamorous camping) has quickly become the ‘must-do’ staycation in the UK. If you’ve put up with the struggles of pitching a tent in the great British weather and dealt with all the faff which goes with soggy sleeping bags and broken tent poles, then you’re even more likely to love our glamping pods! Notgrove Estate is home to eight luxury self-contained wooden pods with the customisable advantage of catering to your own holiday budget. From just £60 per night our pods sleep up to four people (with the use of a comfortable sofa bed). The joy of our pods is that we can offer you as much or a little as you want in terms of ‘add on’s’… so if you’re looking to bring some of your own home comfort such as duvets, your favourite mug and cosy blankets then this option allows for an excellent value glamping experience! However, if you’d rather pack light then treat yourself then leave the hard work to us; simply add on a ‘cook pack’ or ‘linen pack’ and we’ll have them ready and waiting for you in your pod when you arrive.

Located in The Cotswolds, a rural part of south-central England with the well-deserved title of ‘an area of outstanding natural beauty’, Notgrove is a picturesque working farm with numerous local villages and towns to explore during your stay. On arrival to the village, look out for the site entrance to our Notgrove Holiday ‘barns and pods’ just off the A436 and follow the drive until you reach the pods. Each pod is named after a British wildflower so once you’ve located yours then park up outside (there is space for two cars per pod), find your key (instructions will be on your check-in email), unlock the door and make yourself at home! You’ll find a heater and blankets for those colder evenings, but we would always recommend making use of your private fire bowls which are handmade on the farm using recycled metal from the farm. You can purchase a ‘fire-bundle’ when you book which provides you with plenty of chopped wood, firelighters and matches for at least two fires. The grill is perfect for cooking a delicious BBQ supper, but we also love some camping classic recipes including jacket potatoes roasted in tin foil, grilled veggie kebabs and of course toasted marshmallows!

Now when we say ‘camping’, it’s only natural for many of us consider what ‘facilities’ we are going to have to face. But fear not… no midnight walks to shared loo blocks or drafty shower blocks with temperamental hot water tanks will be found at Notgrove! In your pod you can enjoy your own wet room with a powerful hot shower and loo. For those who like to be super organised before your holiday (like me!) then here are a few things you can leave at home… your pod (without any add-ons) comes kitted out with a flat screen Freeview TV, wifi, kettle, microwave, mini fridge/freezer, toaster, single electric hob perfect for one pot cooking, washing up liquid, washing up brush, bin bags and a cloth. For the extra packs then check out the list on our website https://notgroveholidays.com/glamping-pods/. If you choose a linen pack then our friendly staff will prepare a bag with your towels, linen, duvets and pillows for your arrival.

While lots of people choose to cook in their pod make sure you don’t miss out on the great local food too! Whilst there are no shops within walking distance, we suggest that you stock up on some of your favourite holiday drinks and food from the Co-op in Bourton on the Water before you check in from 3pm. During your stay the Nuttery is a modern village bar café in the centre of Notgrove and only five minute walk from your pod; have a look at their website or facebook page (www.nutteryatnotgrove.co.uk/) for opening times and events. You really can’t miss out on their brunch menu with locally sourced produce and great barista coffee. A popular day out with great food, drink and shopping is a trip to Stow on the Wold or if you love a pub walk then why not enjoy a lovely half an hour stroll to The Plough Inn at Cold Aston?

Once you’ve settled into your pod, there are so many fun opportunities right on your doorstep. Our games room is a popular large indoor space for pod guests to use (especially on rainy days!). With pool, table football, a piano, flat screen TV and many more games this room is great for kids and teenagers to have a bit more of their own space (and give parents some peace and quiet of course!). The pod site is thoughtfully landscaped to offer a football pitch, clamber stack and more outdoor seating… trust me, there really is all the outdoor space you could ever wish for at Notgrove! If you’re a keen walker or just enjoy a gentle stroll, then Notgrove offers fantastic walking in stunning farmland with rolling hills and farm tracks all mapped out for you. Just 20 metres from your pod you’ll come across our friendly animals (alpacas, donkeys, highland cattle and some very cheeky goats) but if you’d like something a bit more challenging then why not walk along a stretch of the Cotswold Way which passes straight through Notgrove Estate. Cycling is also another great way of getting around in the Cotswolds. Either bring you own bikes or arrange bike hire and have them waiting for you when you get to Notgrove. There really is so much fun to be had with friends and family at Notgrove Holidays and our pods are the perfect getaway for romantic couples, family reunions or just as a lovely change of scene…but one word of warning; you may not want to go back to normal camping once you’ve experienced our luxury pods!

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