Glynn Barton

When Glynn Barton was recognised as the second-best self-catering accommodation option in the country, Visit England said it was “perfect for a fun-filled holiday with friends or family”. We couldn’t agree more. With a swimming pool, a maze, an incredible play fort and soft play among its facilities, there's no denying this place is all about family fun. Add in the fact that you get to stay in a cool safari tent with a hot tub on the deck, and we’ll bet a stay here will be an adventure you and your kids will never forget.

The list of amenities may sound like those you’d expect at a big-brand holiday village, but this place is independently owned and family-run, which makes it all the more lovely. If you don’t meet owners Pippa and James when you arrive, you’ll probably see them at animal feeding time or when you’re roasting marshmallows around the campfire. It all makes for a friendly and sociable atmosphere, and their hands-on approach means everything is kept in tip-top condition – including the accommodation.

There are four safari tents on site, and while there’s no denying that you’re sleeping under canvas, calling them “tents” feels like it downplays what’s on offer. Yes, you’ll hear the rain pattering on the roof if it falls – but when you do so, you’ll be snug and cosy under a plush duvet in a proper bed, in your very own canvas bedroom. Two of the safari lodges have a pair of bedrooms and one bathroom each, while the two larger lodges have three bedrooms and two bathrooms each. In fact, these tents have a list of amenities you’d be happy with in any holiday cottage. There’s a kitchen with an oven, a hob, a Nespresso machine and a full-sized fridge, plus a lounge area with wooden floors, log burners, Full Fibre WiFi and a Smart TV. Outside, your deck offers seating, a hot tub and spectacular countryside views.

The site’s tennis court, maze and woodland areas sit in between the glamping tents at Glynn Barton. The other facilities and the holiday cottages, with whom you share all this, are a short walk away. In all, Glynn Barton is 13 acres and connects to a wider woodland that’s great for shady walks. The south coast at Fowey is 20-ish minutes away, the north coast at Watergate Bay is a half-hour drive, and you're on the edge of Bodmin Moor with the Camel Trail cycling and walking route nearby. Plus, the world-famous Eden Project is less than 30 mins south by car. In short, it’s incredibly well-located – slap bang in the heart of mid-Cornwall. The only snag you're likely to encounter? Persuading the kids to leave this cracking family-friendly glampsite to explore it.