Glamping Prices: What You Really Pay for Luxury Outdoor Stays

When you hear glamping, a blend of glamour and camping that offers comfortable, stylish outdoor stays without sacrificing amenities. Also known as luxury camping, it’s not just tents with beds—it’s fully furnished cottages, domes, and cabins designed for real rest under open skies. Unlike traditional camping, glamping removes the guesswork: no pitching tents, no sleeping on cold ground, no freezing mornings. Instead, you get memory foam mattresses, heated floors, private bathrooms, and sometimes even wood-burning stoves and outdoor hot tubs. But how much does that comfort actually cost?

Glamping cottages, a popular subtype of glamping that uses small, permanent structures built with sustainable materials like reclaimed wood and hempcrete, are the most common option in places like Croyde. These aren’t just fancy tents—they’re real buildings, often off-grid, powered by solar panels, and designed to blend into the landscape. That level of craftsmanship and eco-conscious design doesn’t come cheap. Prices vary wildly: a basic glamping pod might start around £120 a night, while a premium cottage with sea views, a private deck, and smart heating can hit £400 or more. The biggest factors? Location, season, and how much luxury is built in. A weekend in July will cost more than a midweek stay in October. And if your glamping site uses renewable energy, composting toilets, or local organic linens? That’s usually reflected in the price too.

Eco-friendly glamping, a growing segment focused on minimizing environmental impact through sustainable materials, energy systems, and waste reduction, is becoming the standard, not the exception. Sites that brag about being "green" but still use plastic utensils or imported furniture aren’t truly eco-friendly. Real ones—like those in Croyde—use rainwater harvesting, solar heating, and locally sourced timber. That attention to detail adds value, but it also adds cost. You’re not just paying for a bed—you’re paying for systems that protect the beach, the dunes, and the wildlife around you. And that’s worth something.

So what’s the sweet spot? If you’re looking for a romantic escape or a quiet family break without the noise of a full resort, glamping hits the mark. You get privacy, nature, and comfort—all in one. You won’t find room service or a pool, but you’ll find silence, starry skies, and a real sense of escape. The best part? Once you’ve tried it, you won’t want to go back to regular hotels or basic campsites.

Below, you’ll find real insights from people who’ve stayed in these places—what they paid, what surprised them, and which features actually made the difference. No fluff. Just what you need to know before you book.