Glamping at UK festivals has gone from a novelty to a standard option, and the price range is enormous. At the bottom end you are paying for a pre-pitched tent you did not have to carry. At the top you are in a furnished bell tent or a pod with a real bed, electricity and access to hot showers, for more than the festival ticket itself.
It can be excellent value or a waste of money, and the difference is mostly about what you were struggling with in the first place.
What you are actually paying for
Glamping packages vary hugely, but the elements on offer are usually some combination of:
- A pre-pitched tent, bell tent, tipi, yurt or pod, so nothing to carry or erect.
- A separate, quieter campsite with more space per pitch.
- Better toilets and, crucially, hot showers with shorter queues.
- Beds or proper mattresses rather than mats.
- Sometimes power, lighting, phone charging, luggage transfer and a concierge tent.
Read what is included very carefully. Bedding is often extra. Power is often extra. Some packages are simply an empty pre-pitched tent in a nicer field.
When it is genuinely worth it
- You have no kit and would have to buy it. A tent, mat, sleeping bag and the rest for two people is not far off the price of a mid-range glamping package, and the glamping does not have to be stored in a cupboard for the rest of the year.
- You are arriving by train, coach or plane. Carrying camping kit across the country is the single most miserable part of a festival for people without a car.
- You have small children. Being able to put a child down in a real bed, near clean facilities, in a quiet field changes the entire weekend.
- You have a bad back, limited mobility or a health condition. Sleeping off the ground and being near facilities is not a luxury in that situation.
- It is a special occasion and you would rather spend the money on comfort than on anything else.
When it is not
- You already own good camping kit and are driving there. You are then paying mostly for the shower queue.
- You want to be in the middle of everything. Glamping fields are often set apart, and sometimes a genuinely long walk from the arena. Check the site map before booking.
- You are with a big group who are all in general camping. Being in a different field to your friends is a real cost.
- The package is bare. A pre-pitched two-person tent with no bedding and no shower access for a large premium is rarely good value.
Questions to ask before booking
- How far is the glamping field from the main arena and from the car park?
- Is bedding included, and if not, can it be hired?
- Are showers included in the price or paid per use?
- Is there power, and is it a socket or a lighting point only?
- What time can you access the site, and is there luggage transfer?
- Is it run by the festival or an external operator, and who do you contact if there is a problem?
The middle option people forget
Many festivals sell a boutique or quiet camping upgrade at a fraction of the glamping price. You bring your own tent, but you get a less crowded field, better facilities and usually a nearer gate. For a lot of people that is where the real value sits.
Frequently asked questions
How much does festival glamping cost in the UK?
It ranges from a modest premium for a pre-pitched tent to several times the ticket price for a furnished bell tent with facilities. Always compare the total per person rather than the headline price.
Is glamping quieter than general camping?
Usually, yes. Glamping fields are typically separate and often have quiet hours enforced, though no festival campsite is silent.
Do you get better showers with glamping?
Often, but not always included in the price. This is the detail most worth checking, because shower access is what most people are really buying.
Can you glamp with children?
Yes, and it is one of the situations where it makes the most sense. Check the minimum booking size, as some packages are sold as fixed occupancy.
