Trawden Forest Glamping

The three pods at Trawden Forest Glamping in the Lancashire countryside are named after characters from The Lord of the Rings – and, once you arrive, you see how appropriate that is. These curved, timber-clad boltholes, Bilbo, Frodo and Gandalf, are as cute as something from The Shire in JRR Tolkein’s tales. And their setting is almost as magical: a little clearing in the middle of a seven-acre wood that was planted by your hosts. It’s home to hedgehogs, deer, woodland birds – and, for a few days if you decide to book, to you and whoever you've come with.

Each pod is an en suite, self-catering hideaway for two. It’s adults only and dog free which makes it a tranquil place to stay both for wildlife and for glamping guests. It’s a hundred-metre walk along winding pathways through the trees from where you park your car to where you find your pod. It makes arriving at Bilbo, Frodo or Gandalf even more exciting. Inside each is a single living space with your double bed and kitchenette, which features fridge, oven and hob. The bathroom is just as modern with a rainfall shower, flushing loo and heated towel rack. It’s insulated with sheep wool and centrally heated too. But when it’s chilly outside – how about heading to the Hobbit Hut? This fourth hut is a shared facility: a barbecue hut that’s even cuter and cosier than the others. It has an open fire and a chimney in the middle and a veranda with great views outside.

The surrounding countryside tempts you to explore and Boulsworth Hill, which forms part of the vista, is the obvious place for a walk. Head to the peak for views across the area or, for a gentler walk, skirt its lower slopes on the Brontё Way to reach Wycoller village, the local pub and the remains of a grand house, Wycoller Hall. It was one of the settings for Charlotte Brontё’s, Jane Eyre. There’s plenty more you could do in this area of moors, hills and market towns but you might be happy to stay right here and relax among the trees of your forest hideaway.