Whitlingham Broad Glamping

Set within the green and spacious confines of Whitlingham Country Park, on the edge of the cathedral city of Norwich, Whitlingham Broad is as welcoming a place to go glamping and camping as you could imagine. Set next to the large watery expanse of Whitlingham Broad, on the edge of the Broads National Park, it offers a truly peaceful waterside experience, plentiful activities, plus the delights of one of England's nicest cities on your doorstep.

Whitlingham has a decent number of grassy pitches to pitch a tent spread across its upper and lower fields, with a magnificent play area built on the slope in between. But the real jewels in its crown are the glamping options here, which include three permanent bell tents, a yurt, shepherd’s hut and a couple of converted railway wagons along with some superb new luxury tree-houses nestled with views over the country park and the Broad.

These 'Woodland Dens', as they're known, are the ultimate in glamping escapism, raised on stilts among the trees and perfect for a couple – there's a big double bed on a mezzanine floor – or a young family (there are pull-out beds down below).  They're cleverly built into the slope, so thatyou climb the steps and enter at ground level and then walk through to the raised deck at the front to find yourself among the woodland canopy.  Once here, you can snuggle around the cosy log burner, or chill on the large hammock on your private deck, and basically enjoy being enveloped in your own private bit of woodland, with the birds and wildlife all around you.

The other glamping options are more conventional but equally dreamy and tranquil in their way, each with plenty of space and easy access to all the site's facilities. The bell tents come fully furnished with spacious porches and can sleep up to 6 on futons or comfy floor mattresses, while the shepherd's hut sleeps up to 3 in a double and a single bed – plus it has a hammock! All linen is provided and the hut is warmed by a cosy wood-burning stove – as is the yurt, which sits in a tranquil spot on its own and sleeps 4 adults in comfort on 2 double beds. It's fully insulated with sheep's wool and also has an outdoor kitchen with a gas burner, a barbecue and a sink. The two goods wagon – or Bernie and Ronnie as they're known – sleep 2–4 and have their own kitchen with hob and fridge-freezer as well as a wood-burner and outside fire pit and barbecue. Finally there are their  beautiful family cabins, which sleep 4–6 people in comfort. With a mezzanine sleeping platform, well-equipped kitchenette, bathroom, log burner and decking, they really are the last world in glamping comfort!

If you can tear yourself away from Whitlingham, it's worth remembering that you're in the Broads, where the wet and wild delights of many nearby navigable rivers and waterways are inescapable. The park’s award-winning Outdoor Education Centre provides a host of activities including kayaking, sailing and windsurfing – and there's plenty more of that as you get deeper into the heart of the National Park at nearby Wroxham, Horning and beyond. If you’d rather keep your feet strictly on terra firma there are countless scenic walks and bike rides to enjoy, plus you can also nip in to Norwich for the day to walk the café-dotted lanes and visit the grand Norman cathedral - it's Britain's only city situated within a national park. Or just wander down to nearby Trowse village, where you'll find a couple of local pubs, a microbrewery and an excellent veggie restaurant!