Glamping pods in Mendip Hills AONB

Limestone bluffs, rocky plateaus, and grassy steppes blanket the landscapes of the Mendip Hills, providing plenty of scope for outdoor adventures. Hike beneath towering cliffs in the Cheddar Gorge, explore natural caves, and climb windswept tors for views that stretch as far as Wales. Camping is just as adventurous—pitch your tent at secluded campsites surrounded by nature or enjoy glamping in a bell tent or remote shepherd’s hut. The forests, lakes, and gorges are accessible year-round but bloom with wildflowers in spring and summer. Winter camping and hiking is possible with all-weather gear, although it’s best to leave the tent behind.

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Top-rated campgrounds

Limestone bluffs, rocky plateaus, and grassy steppes blanket the landscapes of the Mendip Hills, providing plenty of scope for outdoor adventures. Hike beneath towering cliffs in the Cheddar Gorge, explore natural caves, and climb windswept tors for views that stretch as far as Wales. Camping is just as adventurous—pitch your tent at secluded campsites surrounded by nature or enjoy glamping in a bell tent or remote shepherd’s hut. The forests, lakes, and gorges are accessible year-round but bloom with wildflowers in spring and summer. Winter camping and hiking is possible with all-weather gear, although it’s best to leave the tent behind.

100% (64)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Coppet Hill

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(88)

18 units · Tents, Glamping · Bridport, England

Wildlife-friendly camping and glamping with private loos at each pitch, 15 minutes' drive from the coast

2. Baldwins Brook Glamping

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(7)

6 units · Motorhomes, Glamping · England

Small dog-friendly site on the banks of the river Severn Adjacent to the Severn Way and half an hour’s walk from the canal Wildlife haven within walking distance of pubs and Frampton on Severn Craving a peaceful time filled with wildlife watching, long walks and relaxing by the water? On the banks of the River Severn, Baldwin’s Brook Glamping in Gloucestershire fits the bill. This small site is a wildlife haven adjacent to the Severn Way, a long-distance trail which traces the river downstream. Birdwatching prospects are excellent here, and there’s plenty of peace if you’d rather sit and relax by a firepit or check out the stunning views and sunsets. The site is part of a working family farm with lots of livestock. From the farm, it’s a 45-minute walk to Frampton on Severn, which is home to the longest village green in England and the lively Frampton Country Fair (think funfair… and 400 stalls full of good stuff). Baldwin’s Brook Glamping is also half an hour’s walk away from the Cotswold Canal Trust Visitor Centre by The Gloucester and Sharpness Canal if you’d like to grab a spot on a boat trip or sip a coffee by the canal. When you'd rather have a chilled beer, two pubs are within half a mile of the site (only 10 minutes’ walk away). Strike up a conversation with a local about the next Severn Bore, the huge tidal wave which races for 25 miles from Awre to Gloucester down the estuary just a handful of times per year.

3. Hobby Farm

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16 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Whitchurch Canonicorum, England

A peaceful, adult-only campsite 10 minutes' from the Jurassic Coast

4. Liba Vineyard

3 units · Glamping · England

Liba Vineyard is a biodynamic vineyard and luxury woodland glamping site on the edge of Salisbury, just 15 minutes from Stonehenge. Our vineyard, hand planted in Spring 2024, has nearly 4,000 vines of four different varieties. We manage our vines in line with organic and biodynamic principles, working hand-in-hand with nature and avoiding the use of any herbicides, pesticides, and synthetic fertilisers. We hope to take our first (small) harvest in 2026, by which time we will be fully certified (organic and biodynamic) and will be able to make our wine on-site. Our glamping pods, brand new for Autumn 2025 seek to give guests an eco-luxurious stay in an area of native woodland bordering the vineyard. These pods are perfect as a base for exploring Salisbury, nearby historic sites such as Stonehenge and Old Sarum, or the beautiful countryside of the New Forest National Park, Cranbourne Chase National Landscape, North Wessex Downs or the Cotswolds area of outstanding natural beauty slightly further afield.

5. Darnells Farm

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4 units · Glamping · Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, West Midlands

White sheets and wellies combine at this small, high-end glamping site on a working farm near Ross-on-Wye.

6. Barley Hill Pod

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1 unit · Glamping · Ilminster, Somerset, South West England

Barley Hill Pod offers luxurious glamping accommodation in Chard. Nestled in an idyllic countryside setting in Somerset, we are the ultimate romantic getaway. Relax under the stars in the hot tub on a warm summer evening listening to the trickle of the near by stream and the sound of the owls. Our magnificent glamping pod is set in its own private field and surrounded by stunning oak trees and glorious barley fields. The site is a haven for a range of wild birds, from Woodpeckers to Kingfishers, making us the ideal holiday destination for nature lovers. The well-equipped pod comes with a range of excellent facilities to suit all your needs. A kitchen area comes with a range of appliances including an oven, hobs, microwave, toaster and kettle. You can relax on the comfy corner sofa and there is a solid oak bar with stools. A comfortable double bed is the perfect place to rest your head at night. The en suite bathroom has a hot shower, basin, flushing toilet and a warm towel rail. Inside the pod there is electrical lights and a flat-screen TV. Outside you can relax in the hot tub (available April - October) with a glass of wine whilst admiring the breathtaking views. A lovely terrace area also comes with seating. A BBQ is provided and a wooden fence encircles the pod to create a private and peaceful space. Opposite is an enclosed duck pond which is home to a range of ducks, as well as the occasional water-dwelling bird. Lots of superb attractions are in the local area: Perry's Cider Brewery and Museum. Forde Abbey & Gardens. South West Deer Rescue. Barrington Court. Montacute House.

Stories from the community

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Hannah

June 2025

Weekend Trip to Barley Hill Pod

We have just come back from a wonderful 2 nights at the Barley Hill Pod a peaceful private space in the Somerset countryside. The Pod had everything you need to make it comfortable, including a double bed, proper toilet and shower, fridge with freezer box and under floor heating! The real bonus is the completely private electric hot tub overlooking the stream and fields where we saw Deer and birds and squirrels. Even has a little duck pond opposite to have a wonder round with 4 friendly ducks. You do need to walk across a grass field to get to the Pod but it’s only about 200m from where you park the car and it’s totally worth it for the privacy you get! We just used a trolley to pull our stuff over. I would 100% recommend and we will definitely go back!

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Denise

March 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Hobby Farm

Had a beautiful stay. The hut was clean and well equipped. The shower was a bit lacking but better than nowt. I particularly loved that the hut was enclosed in its own paddock so my dog was contained and I could relax. The bed was comfortable and I slept like a log. Had a visit from a peacock as the sun went down each evening, how cool!

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Glamping pods in Mendip Hills AONB guide

Where to go

Cheddar and Around

Jagged cliffs and rocky ravines carve out the Cheddar Gorge, where explorers can enjoy hiking, rock climbing, and caving. After taking in the AONB’s star attraction, hike up Black Down Hill for a view from the region’s highest point or cycle the scenic Strawberry Line. Don’t miss a visit to the town of Cheddar to sample Somerset’s famous cheese and cider.

Northeast Somerset & the Lakes

Sweeping gorges give way to forested valleys and lowland lakes in the northern part of the Mendip Hills. Enjoy nature walks, bird-watching, and lakeside picnics at the Chew Valley or Blagdon Lakes, or escape the crowds at a peaceful country campsite. To the north, the UNESCO city of Bath and the Cotswolds AONB are within day-trip distance.

South Mendip Hills

Hiking, cycling, and horseback riding trails traverse the southern stretch of the Mendip Hills. Adrenaline seekers should head to the Wookey Hole caves, where caving excursions incorporate abseils and Via Ferrata climbs. A short drive south, Glastonbury turns into a hippy haven each summer during the massive Glastonbury music festival, and the nearby Glastonbury Tor is both a historic landmark and a popular viewpoint.

West Mendip and the Somerset Coast

Winscombe is the gateway to the west Mendip Hills, home to some of the area’s lesser-explored hiking trails. Continue west to the coast, where sandy beaches, cliff-top walks, and lively seaside towns dot the shores of the Bristol Channel. Weston-Super-Mare, Burnham-On-Sea, and Clevedon are Somerset’s flagship beach resorts, where summer campers have a choice of seafront camping grounds.