Glamping in Northern Ireland

Posted on July 20, 2012 @ 3:25 PM in

You have reached our 2012 glamping blog however don't worry we have a brand new blog full of glamping adventure ideas in Northern Ireland for 2014. 

If you’re planning to spend your summer holidays at home or fancy a weekend away with your mates then glamorous camping in Northern Ireland is a must!

Let’s be honest we don't always have the best summers but there’s no point complaining about it, it's time to get outside and make the most of the great outdoors! Thankfully a new phenomenon is here to save the day; ‘Glamping' or glamorous camping combines camping with some of the amenities of a home/hotel so you can now enjoy the tranquillity of the outdoors with the added bonus of staying dry. 

No longer do you have to waste time struggling to put up a tent in the wind and rain, leaving you with more time to enjoy the fantastic outdoor activities Northern Ireland has to offer.  With loads of outdoor activity providers located beside the glamping sites you can forget the cards and scrabble and get ready to have some real fun!   So whether you’re looking to have some craic with your mates or spend some quality time with the family a glamping adventure break in Northern Ireland is the perfect choice.

Check out our top tips for glamping in Northern Ireland:

Castle Ward
Tucked away in the stunning 820 acre demesne Castle Ward has four eco friendly continental camping pods for you to enjoy. Choose between the standard or family pod accommodating 2 adults and 1 child or 2 adults and 3 children respectively.  With lockable French doors designed to cut down the noise of heavy rain, you can get a good nights sleep whatever the weather!

Located within the grounds of Castle Ward is Clearsky Adventure Centre where you can find everything you need to enjoy the miles of multipurpose trails including bike hire and canoe hire so exploring the Strangford lough Canoe Trail won't be a problem.  

Jungle NI

Ever fancied staying in a Jungle?  Head down to the Jungle NI in Magherafelt and you can stay in one of their Jungle huts without having to worry about poisonous snakes or deadly spiders!  Set in the heart of their tranquil forest these purpose built huts sleep up to 8 people and are double-glazed, secure and lockable, so you are guaranteed to be cosy and warm whatever the weather.  If you really want to glamp it up after a day of outdoor activities then you can relax and unwind in their outdoor hotubs!

Whilst staying at The Jungle NI you are guaranteed not to be bored. Separate your friends from your enemies with a paintball session – just don’t forget who you’re sharing a hut with!  Release your inner tarzan or Jane on their tree top adventure course, get down and dirty on an off road Segway or hurtle down a hill at high speeds in their zorbing balls. 

Carrowmena Activity Centre 

Carrowmena Activity Centre has recently welcomed two new eco-friendly camping cocoons to their site in the Binevenagh Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  With room for up to 6 people and picnic tables for that al fresco dining experience this is a great way to enjoy the outdoors in style.  Facilities onsite also include a BBQ and camp fire – just because you’re not in a tent doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the toasted marshallows!    

Carrowmena activity centre offers a variety of land and water activities so you won’t have to stray too far to find an adventure!  Have a go at archery, scale their climbing tower, zoom down the zipline or take to the water for a spot of canoe or kayaking.

Trannish Island Bothy 

Trannish Island is a large island on Upper Lough Erne which is a great base to start from on a short mini adventure break around Upper Lough Erne. The island has an old stone cottage that has recently been totally revamped. With a cosy wood burning stove, toilets, showers and camping platforms to sleep on, this is definitely a bit more luxurious than your average camp site.  This haven produces a relaxing atmosphere away from other distractions to read a good book, practice photography or develop a work of art or you can use it as a stopover point to BBQ and enjoy a few beers after a hard days paddling when exploring the Lough Erne Canoe Trail.  Situated just a paddle away is Ireland’s largest multi-activity centre; Share Discovery Village , where you can hire a range of canoes or kayaks to access the island or take part in one of their many exciting outdoor activities available throughout the year .

Bunk Campers

If you can’t decide where to go then why not hire a campervan and create your own adventure?  Bunk campers provide campervan rental for families, couples and groups of friends looking for an action packed, enjoyable short break experience. There are a range of campervans which come with fully functional heating, cooking facilities, iPod connectivity, converted bed space and in some cases even shower and toilet facilities. 

Head to the North Coast for a spot of surfing or go wet bouldering, rock climbing or walking in the Mournes.  Check out the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Forest Service and The National Trust for an extensive list of campsites and your short break itinerary is sorted.

Happy Glamping!

Sarah Nelson  Marketing Officer

Sarah joined the marketing team of Outdoor Recreation NI in 2011. A firm believer in giving anything a go at least once (unless it involves jumping out of a plane at 6,000ft!) she is always looking for new adventures in the outdoors and can often be found wandering the Mournes or Glens of Antrim attempting not to get lost!

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