Bring your Yurt or Camper Van or rent one from these sites below – to learn how you will cope with a longer, or total, off-grid experience. Many of the places below are in the South-West England – Britain’s off-grid heartland.
1. DRIFTAWAY CAMPING WOODLANDS Chard, Somerset
ENJOY a peaceful and secluded retreat at Driftaway, where there are just two fully equipped safari tents.
Everything is provided, including bedding and towels. Each tent can accommodate two adults and three children – or kids can sleep in a small tepee.
There’s a sink, gas cooker, wood burning stove, a washstand, plus two baskets of firewood and a toilet cabin. Two nights is from £250, based on five sharing (£25 pppn). To book, see bit.ly/29tysQZ
2. LOWARTH GLAMPING Wadebridge, Cornwall
SURROUNDED by fields in an area of outstanding natural beauty, the small and secluded Lowarth Glamping is an idyllic retreat for summer. The fully equipped Belle Tents have wood-burning stoves and a small kitchen annex, with cupboard, cool box and worktop area. Each is named after a wildflower, even if they look more like garlic cloves.
The site’s amenities are spotless and there’s a communal fire pit with cushioned seating for al fresco dining. There’s even a spa cabin for shiatsu treatments.
A seven-night stay during the school holidays in the Bluebell tent sleeping four people is from £540. See more at bit.ly/29rYoLf.
3. LONGTHORNS FARM Wareham, Dorset
FOR a chilled-out, back-to-basics break, relax in a simple shepherd’s hut.
While shepherds would have made do with just basic furnishings, this version has a double bed, wood burner and kitchenette with traditional Dutch oven for cooking hearty stews.
There is also an outside fire pit – perfect for grilling and heating water.
For added authenticity, the farm even has its own herd of cows and alpacas. A seven-night holiday from August 7 costs £613. Check it out at campsites.co.uk/go/21991.
8. GRANGE FARM Newport, Isle of Wight
YOU don’t have to travel to the plains of Africa to see water buffalo – simply catch a ferry to the Isle of Wight for a stay at Grange Farm.
This working farm campsite, yards from the beach, allows children and adults to interact with a wide range of animals, from water buffalo, alpacas, micro pigs and common farm breeds.
Onsite amenities include free hot showers, a laundrette, shop and children’s playground.
Large pitches start from £423.50 for seven nights during the school holidays, based on eight sharing, working out at £7.56 pppn). See bit.ly/29m74V6.
3. BLACKBERRY WOOD Ditchling, East Sussex
THIS leafy site is well known for its quirky accommodation and in May unveiled a new fairytale treehouse.
It even has its own turret and terrace and there is space enough for a loft bed, shower room and kitchen.
Other ways to spend the night at the extraordinary Blackberry Wood include in your own double-decker bus or helicopter.
Three nights here from August 1 will set you back £735, based on four people sharing.
For further details, see campsites.co.uk/go/17610.
3. GLENCOE MOUNTAIN RESORT Argyll, Scotland
IF you have a taste for two-wheeled adventure, it’s worth aiming high – to the Highlands of Scotland.
Mountain bike facilities are second to none in Scotland and Glencoe Mountain Resort in the Highlands offers everyone a chance to improve their skills – with lessons from former junior European champion Sam Flockhart, no less.
Glencoe has bike trails of varying difficulty on site, from a basic Valley Trail all the way up to chairlift-accessed downhill Black Route.
Stay in a tiny microlodge with space for four, from £350 for seven nights, starting August 15. Bike coaching available on August 17 at £70 per person. For more information and to book, see campsites.co.uk/go/21426.
4. HAPPY DAYS RETRO VACATIONS Saxmundham, Suffolk
FOR the ultimate in kitsch cool, try this place with its classic tin-can Airstream caravans. All have been updated to make them cosy and welcoming, but many of the original features remain.
Another nice touch is the abandoned army truck in the kids’ play area. Prices start from £325 for a four-night stay from August 11, sleeping up to five. See campsites.co.uk/go/26976.
5. CAMP KATUR Bedale, North Yorks
IF you have a head for heights, this site offers a whole range of activities for all ages.
You can go quad-biking along woodland tracks, take a Segway tour, clamber over a giant adventure playground or check out the bushcraft area.
There is also a treetop adventure course with a climbing wall that leads to a rope bridge, which crosses to a zip wire that then flies you safely back down to the ground.
Prices start from £760 for a safari tent sleeping four, based on four nights from August 15. See campsites.co.uk/go/20824.
9. BRANWEN THE VINTAGE LORRY Whitland, Wales
STAYin Branwen, a 1946 Austin truck sited on a traditional five-acre farm on the borders of Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.
Inside, the decor is boho chic and you will find a comfy double bed, tables and chairs and a wood burning stove. Just outside is a cabin with loo and shower, plus a picnic table, barbecue and outdoor sink. The off-grid location provides a tranquil break.
Prices start from £70 per night for two (£35pppn), minimum two-night stay. Book at bit.ly/29m7afB.
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