What is Glamping? - Affordable Camping Made Easy

Contrary to most opinions on the Internet, our take on Glamping at Hill Farm Caravan and Camping has a different edge. 

We value experience over exclusivity and accessibility over extortionate price tags. Glamping at Hill Farm is the same cost year round, and hot tubs are included. Yes, we know unbelievable for the price!

We are the go-to location for festival goers, group gatherings, families and walkers, especially if they have a dog. Glamping in Derbyshire has a lot to offer from historical buildings, long stretches of canals and rolling countryside to wild swimming, walks in the Peak District and local food and beer to be proud of.

It’s a gorgeous site with rave reviews, my team is proud of the site we keep and the vibes we offer - so let’s get on with telling you everything there is to know about  affordable Glamping, especially glamping at Hill Farm.

So what is Glamping at Hill Farm?

Hill Farm is a local campsite, owned and run by the same family for generations (Ollie’s). I’m Tara the site manager and I’ve lived onsite with my parents for years. When you visit it really is a home from home experience, where the quality of your stay matters to us. 

The campsite is a wide open space, and we like to keep it that way, including during peak season, so even though you’re glamping on a campsite, you’ll feel the space and freedom of the Derbyshire countryside. 

Glamping at Hill Farm can be an escape to a pod or a lotus belle, bell tent. (FYI Lotus Belles are beautiful structures, a real statement of the quality Ollie likes to provide on the campsite). Each of our large bell tents and the glamping pods have beds, electricity, basic amenities, a hot tub and outdoor BBQ area. For a full list of what we supply click here.

Our ethos is, you arrive with food, plates, cutlery, bedding and the fun.

Bulky tents, blow up beds (that deflate halfway through the night) and enough batteries to leave a painful hole in your wallet, are a thing of the past when you glamp. And your car’s boot’ll thank us!

Not to mention, we have an exclusive collection of bell tents in the pond field, perfect for group and large family getaways and gatherings. The only downside is that the field is seasonal (not open in winter) and it doesn’t come with hot tubs - however, our price point reflects this and quality time in your own space is guaranteed. Plus you’re located by our beautiful fenced pond home to moorhens, dragon flies and butterflies.

Who is Glamping for?

Glamping is for everyone, that’s why it’s so popular. It takes away the discomfort of camping, yes… 

but it also solves a bigger issue - storage. Not everyone has space for tents, sleeping bags, roll mats or air beds, and that’s without mentioning camping stoves and grunge-friendly pots, pans and utensils. 

When you go glamping you can literally roll up your bedding, pack up a bit of your kitchen, buy a head torch on Amazon (for bathroom trips, obviously) and enjoy. 

It’s camping without needing any of the gear or the faff. 

(Drying out a wet tent? IF YOU KNOW YOU KNOW)

At Hill Farm in Derbyshire (location, location, location) we’re known for welcoming glampers who love walking and have dogs. Couples who want a pub within walking distance or a romantic bob on a canal boat and then a soak in a tub followed by some stargazing. As well as hosting rallies, festival weekends (Download) and incredible much-needed group gatherings full of more fun and gorgeous connection. The friendly vibe on the campsite and the spacious open areas make it perfect for families.

And if a food truck and our summer ice-cream vans don’t tip the decision for you… I don’t know what will! 

Maybe our foraging sheets we created last year to get kids exploring in our meadow?

Or our guide on the best local pub walks? Check those out here.

Things to consider when Glamping for the first time

If you’re glamping for the first time there are ways to do it well. We’ve seen people make the most incredible memories and sensational food, with a little bit of pre-planning….

Here are five essential things to bring and consider when creating your perfect glamping experience… 

1. Fairy Lights and decor. We have lights in the bell tents and pods for you, but if it’s a special occasion bring accessories like flower garlands, lights, bunting, balloons or a huge light up “Marry Me” sign. It’s been done. And it makes a stay that little bit more magical.

2. Blankets and a picnic blanket. When we say blankets, we mean a lot of blankets, there is nothing like being wrapped up outside with a hot chocolate, toasty warm and enjoying the stars.

3. Outdoor/Indoor shoes. Keep your pod and bell tent clean with outdoor and indoor shoes, keep the muddy walking boots outside and slip into some fluffy slippers while you're inside. Top tip: Fleece lined crocs are the perfect mode of travel to get to the bathroom or your hot tub when camping! 

4. Projector. This was one of the coolest things we’ve seen a guest bring. An outdoor cinema for the family, they even played games on it.

5. Ninja Smoker. Again this is something a few guests have done, when you’re staying for a few nights and another BBQ won’t cut it - if you have a ninja, why not cook up a storm with a twist, think kebabs, firecracker chicken or a sausage breakfast hash on the grill!

And obviously you still need to check the weather and pack for the UK…

Glamping amenities you’ll find at Hill Farm

I’m going to talk about big picture amenities here. For the details on what we supply inside the pods and bell tents take a look at our webpage and the specific bell tent or pod you’d like to book. 

Onsite at Hill Farm you’ll find space, a meadow where the kids can run wild and do our scavenger hunt. A fenced pond, full of wildlife, I could sit and watch the Moorhen’s all day. 

A male/female toilet and shower block, with additional single outdoor shower shacks.

Washing up facilities. 

During our peak months there’s a food van on the campsite and over the summer and ice-cream van swings by to help cool everyone down. 

From Hill Farm you can walk along the canal all the way to Mercia Marina if you fancy a decent walk. Or if you just want a walk before lunch then a walk down to the Bubble Inn at Stenson right along the canal is perfect. There are a huge variety of pubs locally, here’s our list of the best pubs around Hill Farm.

Reasons to choose Glamping over Camping (they’re pretty self explanatory)

1. Comfort without getting cold

Inside our Bell Tents and Pods you have insulation keeping the temperature moderate the heat in when it’s cold outside and the heat out when it’s blazing sunshine, in the winter you also have heaters. I’m really making it a no-brainer now! I’ve just extended your camping season!

2. Zero stress

It’s half the packing, half the planning (add fun planning to make a stay extra special) and zero tent set up/take down. Amazing.

3. More space, more to experience

It feels like a treat, and you have your own hot tub in the Delux and Delux Plus tents. Did I mention we supply wood in the price? 

4. The weather won’t get you down

Because you have covered indoor and outdoor space (and the hot tub is covered) you can enjoy glamping whatever the weather. 

5. Connected to nature

There’s something about canvas, sitting outside in a deck chair with your toes scrunching blades of grass that make you feel whole, peaceful and calm. And when you glamp, you take away the grunge and discomfort of camping!

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Tara runs the day-to-day at Hill Farm Caravan and Camping. When you make a booking, you will find Tara at the end of the phone. 

Ollie Cotton and his family have owned and run Hill Farm Caravan, Glamping and Camping for generations and love nothing more than to provide high-quality and affordable escapes for outdoor enthusiasts, adventurous families, gig-lovers, multi-people rallies & get-to-gathers. 

Here’s what’s on: NEW changes for 2026  💫

 🤐 We’re having some re-wiring done to bring you something fabulous later in 2026.

⛺️ Our Pods and Bell Tents are year-round with insulation and heating. A cosy way to feel grounded and refreshed in the winter season.

🌮 Our food truck was a hit! Food-on-demand will be back again this year.

🎤 Download Festival is nearly fully booked for 2026. Contact us to reserve a last minute pitch (glamping: we have ONE pod and 3 standard bell tents left to book).

🐣 Book early for Easter, if winter is anything to go by, 2026 is going to be a full year.