Luxury Camping at Lantern & Larks

“Wow, just wow” followed by a resounding “can we go next weekend?” were the replies from my little adventurers on our way home after our weekend giving luxury camping a try.  This year we have been blessed with an gorgeous Indian Autumn, we thought we should make the most of it.  When we had the chance to visit the North West site of Lantern & Larks, we knew we were in a for a memorable weekend!  When you have small children, camping sounds very appealing, oodles of space to run around to burn off excess excitement of energy, getting outdoors and having time to actually get back to basics are always high on families holiday wish lists.  However, the reality of camping means that most families don’t look at camping has a feasible option especially till the children are older.  Here is where Lantern & Larks is fabulous option and offers so much to families of all ages.

What is Lantern & Larks

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Lantern & Larks is a Luxury glamping company with three gorgeous sites in the UK.  I love that the each of sites are in very peaceful yet beautiful corners of the UK.  Areas which are often overlooked and yet have so much to offer families.  I sent photographs of the site to friends and they couldn’t believe that we were less then 30 minutes from our home.  Each of the three sites also have lots of attractions in the nearby area for families to explore and I love that the site manager pops around to each tent during the stay for a chat and is at hand for lots of help and advice from spots for lunch to fun activities in the nearby area.

Each of the sites has about 6 luxury tents on site.  I use the term ‘tent’ loosely as it is much better described as a canvas house, it truly is luxury camping of the highest standard.  The tents were stunning, with so many amenities that are great to have on hand when you are travelling with children, the biggest advantage being your own bathroom perfect for the midnight toilet runs! Each tent comes with three bedrooms and can sleep up to 6 people. There is a room with a double, one with a bunk and two singles, perfect option for larger families as I hate the restrictions of 2 adults and 2 children in hotel rooms!  There is a lovely living area with dining table and a great little kitchen!  I think once you “camp” like this going back to the traditional pole and material tents will be hard going.

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Lantern & Larks Glamping

The tent was more then big enough for us six and we never felt cramped like we have at previous glamping accomodation which are not really set up for families.  The tents area all equipped with a huge fire burner which once it gets doing keeps the tent toasty warm even on a very cold night wshen the wind was howling.  The burner also has a seprate compartment which is perfect for making jacket potatoes.

Halal Muslim travel glamping

The outside of the tent is equally lovely with decking which had tables and chairs, 2 deck chairs and a fire pit for those all important marshmallow toasting.  The area is lovely for adults to relax and take in the magic of the stars and relaxing outdoors whilst the little adventurers are safely sleeping indoors.

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The site has no shop onsite but guests have access to an honesty shop which has a whole range of food stuff and essentials just in case you have forgotten.  The little adventurers had never come across this concept and it was really nice to be able to share the idea of trusting others and being honest.  We had come fully prepared but used the room to borrow some of the board games.  In addition to items for sale, there was games and books for the guests to use, we borrowed a few games and the little adventurers loved spending time learning some new games!

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Bleasdale

The site we visited was in North Lancashire in Bleasdale.  We have visited the local area on previous adventures but never been to this area and it was breathtaking.  Set in a huge field, there are the rolling hills all around and a working farm just outside the grounds of the camping area.  Much to the delight of the little adventurers there were sheep just opposite the tent.  Each of the tents had lots of space around which was lovely as you could really let the children have a good run around and there was a central mowed area where the children from the nearby tents payed frisbee and tig with our little adventurers.  This was a great little space as it was between all the tents so parents could let their children a little freedom but still keep an eye on them.  Around the tents themselves vehicles are not allowed but the car park was just a short distance away and there are wheel barrows which can be used by guests to help move their luggage.  This was a great touch and our little adventurers loved get hands on and helping out! I like the no cars onsite policy as you can let the children be more free then you would be if the cars were moving around.

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The surrounding area around the camp site is lovely, there is a beautiful stream, with a bridge to skim stones and walks for families to enjoy.  The tents each have a few leaflets for butterfly hunts and the surrounding woodlands are perfect to take the children on a scavenger hunt or treasure hunt.  Nature Detectives site has lots of fun sheets to download wihch would be perfect for the whole area and as they have lots of seasonal activities it would be perfect whichever time of year you visited.

On the Sunday we took the short drive to Beacon Fell and had a lovely walk in the gorgeous woodlands and walks.  It was about 10 minutes from the camp site and a beautiful place to spend a few hours.  They have great areas for den building, walks and Gruffalo statues for all fans of the books.

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What we loved

  • We had a lovely weekend and being outdoors in nature over Autumn was perfect and with the unseasonable great weather its lovely to be able to make the most of the great outdoors with our adventurers.
  • The needs of a family are fully met in the tents and its luxury camping of the highest standards
  • The tents are a great size and there was plenty of room for us all indoors and outdoors.  Even with the little adventurers being the whirlwinds that they are and racing around, we never felt cramped inside the tent.
  • The space outside of the tent was lovely so you can enough space to yourselves to have it as peaceful as you want.  It never felt like you were getting in anyone’s way and likewise the tents were near enough if the children wanted to go and make a few friends.
  • The site felt very safe and we felt comfortable being outdoors with children.  Often new campers worry about this issue but we felt very secure in the site and surrounding areas.
  • The location of the site was beautiful and just the right place to escape from it all.
  • Glamping was such a refreshing change from staying in hotels.  We have stayed in some lovely places but it felt like a real treat to be in this tent and was a real adventure with the children!
  • The little adventurers absolutely loved it, the whole weekend their faces were aglow with excitement, a sense of fun and their eyes were shining with all adventure!

Things to be aware of

  • There is no electricity on site so if you need to charge your phones you would need to have an emergency charge pack or have your phone battery die.
  • There is very little connectivity in the area so its perfect to escape from it all but likewise it can be frustrating if you need to get online for blogging purposes 🙂
  • The log burner can be very warm so with very young children caution needs to be taken to ensure that no unfortunate accidents happen.  Our little adventurers have been around fires since they were very little so they knew that needed to be careful
  • It can get very chilly at night and I would recommend that you wrap up warm, we had our kids in their sleeping bags, fleecy onesies, socks and thermal vests and they slept really well.  So make sure you bring lots of layers
  • Remember to bring your marshmallows if you have special requirements as the ones in the shops were the standards ones.

Overall we returned having had a lovely break and a much needed escape from our busy lives.  Camping is an amazing way to get away from all it all, electronics, our busy plans and actually spend quality time together.  Staying at Lantern & Larks was a real treat and felt like you were million miles away from home.  For camping with kids, I would wholeheartedly recommend glamping as the perfect way to get outdoors and give camping a try whilst still making it a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all.  Even as I write this post, the sun is shining through my window and I think this would be ideal weather to book a weekend away!  Autumn and winter would be magical time to explore and have adventures and Lantern & Larks is perfect place to make memories to last a lifetime!

For more details of how to book with Lantern & Larks click here!

 

Nisbah

I am a traveller, mother and blogger. We love to go on adventures (big and small, near and far) and strive to show our children how amazing and beautiful the world is! I caught the travel bug many moons ago and despite having three little adventurers, I still suffer from "itchy" feet. We love the great outdoors and one another. Come and join the fun :)

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13 Responses

  1. I fell in love with this place when Karen (minitravellers) visited. We used to camp when the children were younger but we are definitely into glamping now. But I think this is even a step up from glamping. It looks so spacious and I can just see myself sat on the decking in the summer with a glass of wine. Looks like you all had a fantastic time away x

  2. This really does look like a lovely place no wonder your kids were impressed. The honesty box is such a nice touch and great that such a thing still exists. Love the picture of the smore!!

  3. This really is super glamping! What a great way to spend a few nights during this lovely mild autumn we’re having. You’ve mentioned my only bug-bear about camping – the lack of signal! What is a blogger to do?! #MondayEscapes

  4. Oh these sound lovely – luxury glamping is definitely my camping style. No electricity and signal though… *nibbles nails*

    • Nisbah says:

      Oh Cathy, no electricity has meant I have bought one of the emergency packs which means I am equipped now for any camping trip. No signal is good as it means you are forced to switch off!

  5. Oh my goodness, this is the kind of camping that I would happily do! It looks amazing. What a brilliant little adventure! x

  6. We are huge fans of glamping and have to agree that Lantern and Larks looks like some of the best. I love how much space you seem to have – both inside and out and who wouldn’t want to spend your evening playing ker plunk, toasting marshmallows and stargazing x

  7. So you know I hate camping – but I could definitely turn my hand at this. I love it! Think it might have to be tried next year! Thanks for linking up with #MondayEscapes

  8. Globalmouse says:

    This looks absolutely gorgeous and definitely the (only) way I would do camping! This looks like proper luxury – I’m not surprised the kids want to go back!! Thanks for linking up to #GlobalKids 🙂

  1. December 31, 2015

    […] then had a lovely weekend away glamping at Lantern & Larks.  It was an amazing weekend away and I loved having the chance to get away from it […]

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