Peake's Retreats

Mongolian yurts, a Finnish glamping hut and a location three miles from the heart of the British beer-brewing industry; there’s a pretty multi-cultural mix at Peake's Retreats in Staffordshire. And, like hops and malt, or yeast and barley, it’s a blend that works wonderfully well. From the bucket full of footballs, frizbees and outdoor toys, to the private hot tubs, this is a glamping site where every detail has been covered. On a starry night with the wood-burner roaring and the owls hooting from a nearby tree, there are very few places we would rather be.

Twelve miles south of the Peak District and three miles from busy Burton On Trent (once the brewing capital of the world and still home to a handful of breweries), Peake’s Retreats is a family-run glamping site with just three large luxury yurts. Each is big enough to comfortably sleep up to six. Inside, the super king-sized beds and singles come with all the bedding and towels you need, while modern, luxury shower rooms feature plush organic toiletries, hair-dryers and full-length mirrors.

The cosy Finnish barbecue hut (allowing you to toast steaks and marshmallows even in the dead of winter) and the well-equipped kitchen cabin add to the sense that this is glamping for the over-pampered holidaymaker but the place still very much has a connection with the great outdoors. Children are welcome to help affable owner Sarah collect the farm’s eggs and campfire cooking is encouraged with a log and kindling starter kit and a cooking trivet provided outside each yurt.

Beyond your yurt lies the local village of Anslow – home to an excellent tearoom and petting farm, as well as the nearest pub – while Alton Towers is just thirteen miles away. For most, however, it’s the drive north into the nearby Peak District that reaps the real rewards. Walking in the White Peak Area is a treat. Family ramblers should head to the National Trust's Ilam Park, a dog-friendly spot with gentle riverside walks and a popular tea-room overlooking the Italian gardens, while those looking for something more intrepid should start in the ash woods of Dovedale National Nature Reserve and climb up Thorpe Cloud hill. At 942-feet it’s no giant, but on a clear day you can see all the way back south to Anslow where your evening’s hot tub awaits.