During the May half term my family and I were lucky enough to get the opportunity to go glamping in Stratford-Upon-Avon with the Youth Hostel Association (YHA). We have stayed with the YHA a couple of times now and really love their range of alternative accommodation that is available across the country, so were excited to get the chance to try out the bell tents this time.
We chose to go glamping in Stratford-Upon-Avon as it is such a beautiful part of the country and only 2.5 hours from our home, which I think is a suitable travel time with young children. I was also keen to return to Stratford-Upon-Aon as I had previously visited about 15 years earlier and remember it being beautiful and full of history and thought it would be nice to explore it again together as a family.
Arriving at the YHA Stratford-Upon-Avon
We arrived at the YHA at about 5pm, although we could have checked in from 2pm and were relieved to find the car park had ample space and was also very close to the tents so moving our luggage over wasn’t going to be an issue.
We checked in at the main reception, which is a beautiful big building that looks more like a hotel than what most people imagine hostels to look like, and were greeted by very friendly staff who explained everything to us and then showed us round to the bell tent.
The Bell Tent
The bell tents are behind the main hostel in a private garden area which is really quiet and quaint with a small green house and a lovely mosaic design on the wall. We stayed in number 1 which was closest to the toilet and the showers, although all three are very close to them and as they are only used by those in the bell tents they were never too busy.
The bell tent itself was a lot bigger than I imagined with two single beds and one double, all off the floor with proper mattresses and made up ready for us. Despite 4 beds, a side table and an ottoman style box there was still plenty of space for bean bags and a fire as well as room to walk around, which can be done at full height as the bell tents are so high. These really are very spacious and ideal for families or small groups to share if they wish to experience glamping in Stratford-Upon-Avon.
The wood burning fire looked brilliant and we were also given complimentary wood for the first evening which we really wanted to use but the weather was so warm we didn’t get the chance. The fire is surrounded by a fire gate so there is no need to worry about children or animals getting burnt either which is a huge relief when glamping as a family.
Although the weather was extremely warm and the fire wasn’t required we did still experience a massive storm on our first night and there was a small part of me that wondered what on earth we were doing in a tent, miles from home, in the middle of a storm. However we needn’t have worried as the tent protected us entirely from the elements. Apart from the flashes of lightening that lit the tent up we wouldn’t have know about the storm as not a drop of water managed to get in and the wind didn’t make us feel unsteady at any point.
It is important to point out that had we felt unsafe we did have access to the main building 24 hours and we did have an emergency contact number for the staff had we needed it too.
Amenities when glamping in Straford-Upon-Avon with YHA
During the two days we were glamping we explored the main hostel and the grounds. Inside we had access to a games room which had giant jenga and giant connect 4 that the kids loved playing as well as table football and a pool table that you could use for 50p a game, which we thought was a bargain, especially when one game of pool with an 8 year old lasts a LONG time!
We also had access to a lounge area where there was a TV and lots of books for both children and adults as well as giant dominoes. More board games were also available on request from reception.
Food at the YHA Stratford-Upon-Avon
As with all the YHA hostels we could also use the self catering kitchen to prepare any food we wanted as well as additional toilets too. We chose to use the self catering option for breakfast and lunch but ate in the main restaurant on both evenings. As we had our puppy Buddy with us and the weather was so beautiful we chose to eat outside over looking the vast green spaces where the boys played whilst we enjoyed a glass of wine. The food in the restaurant was lovely and fresh and very reasonably priced with all adults meals being under £10 and the offer that children’s meals are free with an adults meal when staying overnight at the YHA.
Outside space at the YHA Stratford-Upon-Avon
We spent the majority of the days visiting nearby attractions such as Charlecote Park but the early mornings and evenings were spent on site in the vast space surrounding the bell tents. This extra space was a huge plus point for us as the boys just ran, climbed trees, played football and made new friends happily the whole time. There was also a field attached to the grounds that we used for walking Buddy and yet more playing for the boys. The Stratford-Upon-Avon YHA site really did have everything we needed and we could have happily stayed an extra few nights if it wasn’t for the reality of school and work starting again this week.
The bell tents sleep 4 and allows you to bring your dog along too, with prices from an amazing £39 per tent per night this really is the best option for glamping in Stratford-Upon-Avon so check out their deals today.
As well as the bell tents and the main hostel their are also pods for glamping in Stratford-Upon-Avon and although we didn’t review these I was given a sneaky tour of one and they looked fab and something we will definitely be looking at in the future.
EDIT – we have now been back and stayed in the pods and you can read our pod review here.
Things to do near the YHA Stratford-Upon-Avon
As well as lots of things to do on site the YHA Stratford-Upon-Avon is also ideally located for days out. Whilst here we visited the local National Trust attraction, Charlecote Park, which was a 5 minute car ride away. We went in to Stratford-Upon-Avon itself, walked round the time, shopped, played on the park, hired a boat and visited the Butterfly Farm.
If however you prefer a city break then read our review of the YHA Oxford to see how it differs.
(Thanks to YHA for hosting us. All opinions are my own).