York: Jollydays Glamping

The best thing to cure post-Glastonbury blues? Go on another adventure. So we did. We packed our rucksack and set off from Hebden Bridge to Jollydays, a luxury camping site, for a mid-week break. I want to go back immediately!

Jollydays is based in Buttercrambe Moor Wood, only 8 miles from York, a city we absolutely love. For those without a car, we found it really easy to get there. We travelled to York by train, then got a taxi (Streamline £17.50) to the site which passes through Gate Helmsley and is close to Stamford Bridge (home to the best fish and chip shop!). As we drove down the drive to the reception area we knew we were in for a treat, and the taxi driver was in his element!

I love camping so I wasn’t sure what I’d make of the whole glamping experience having never tried it before; I’m absolutely fine leaving my hairdryer and ghd’s at home. Would mod-cons distract from the great outdoors experience? In this case, no. Yes, there was a four-poster bed, loo, roll tap bath and wood burning stove in our tent (I know!) but it was still quite minimal and rustic (the only hairdryer is in the communal area). It was perfect. Did I mention I want to go back immediately?

The tents (all different sizes with different amenities) are set over 15 acres in 200 acres of woodland. We stayed in a Deluxe Tent which featured the above as well as a veranda and separate BBQ area under canopy. We also had a kitchen area with a gas hob, sofa bed, twin room, dining table and chairs and a charming whistling kettle.

On our first evening we opened a bottle of Prosecco and drank it under the BBQ canopy while we waited for our breakfast hamper to arrive (which we ordered a couple of nights before). Then we took an evening stroll to Stamford Bridge through camp, woodland, wheat fields and quiet country lanes. Our reward? The best fish and chips I’ve had in a long time. I’m still dreaming of that crispy batter! Oh and there is a Co-operative there too (open till 10pm) if you need any supplies.

P.S The walk from camp to Stamford Bridge is around 30 minutes, depending how much time you stop to take photographs on the way…

Back at camp we lit our wood burning stove and all the lanterns (they provide fire fuel and a small amount of candles) and settled in for a cosy night. The temperature in the tent was absolutely perfect, with only the need for one jumper and cosy socks. Unfortunately we did have very noisy neighbours (a big group of students) which kept us awake till the early hours. There are no staff on site throughout the night but you can call someone who lives nearby if there is a problem. We decided to leave it till the morning but luckily one of our other neighbours shouted across the woods to tell them to shut up which seemed to work!

Don’t let this put you off though, the tents are quite far apart from each other and there is signage across camp to be quiet and respectful of neighbours after 11pm; I guess they just didn’t get the memo. I hold them completely responsible for my dark circles the following morning!

The next day, I awoke to our whistling kettle (the best thing ever) and the OH got our BBQ going. The breakfast hamper included sausages, bacon, eggs, bread, mushrooms, tomatoes, honey and tea & coffee (£17.50). Unfortunately our fridge was set to a freezing temperature so our meat from the breakfast hamper was frozen in the morning. Gutted. So we settled for toast and eggs on the BBQ until everything had thawed out. It was a shame we couldn’t enjoy it straight away but the eggs were very good!

More Jollydays adventures tomorrow…

♥

Disclosure: Our stay at Jollydays was complimentary for review purposes. As always, all opinions are my own.