We couldn't have wished for better weather this summer as we relaunched glamping at Bore Place. Last year we started with one yurt pitched in a field overlooking Bough Beech Reservoir and had many delighted visitors. This year we have moved the site to be nearer to the toilets and it is now in a field with a lovely view over the organic market gardens and the Bore Place House gardens. There are two very comfortable yurts with king-sized beds, as well as fully-equipped kitchens. In addition, two very charming shepherd huts are being built and will be installed in the same field very soon.
The glamping at Bore Place is run by Chris Allwood of Free Range Yurts, who manages the bookings, as well as maintaining the site and building the shepherd huts. We asked Chris about what makes a successful glamping trip at Bore Place.
What's your top tip for ensuring a weekend glamping is a memorable one?
The great thing about glamping is that it enables you to get really close to nature without the hassle of packing up a car and pitching a tent. We have a lot of visitors who come glamping at Bore Place on the train which makes life a lot easier, especially for those travelling from London on a Friday evening. Picking a site that isn't too difficult to get to I think is really important, coupled with finding somewhere that enables you to disconnect from your day to day life and experience the night sky, birdsong, perhaps the odd hoot of an owl and a real sense of getting away from it all. We are really lucky at Bore Place to be so close to London, and the M25, as well as mainline railway stations whilst being in the middle of the countryside, surrounded by this beautiful 500-acre estate.
What activities do you recommend to Bore Place glampers?
There are fantastic walks straight from the door here. The Bore Place Walks are easy-to-follow trails around the estate and into the wider countryside. A particularly popular one is to-and-from the pub in the closest village Chiddingstone Causeway, The Little Brown Jug, where you can get lunch or supper, or just a drink. Another really fun thing to do is to explore the area by bike. There is a gentle ride from the estate to the Bough Beech reservoir which is very beautiful. Glampers can hire bikes on-site via the very innovative CountryBike, an app based bike hire company.
What's the one thing glampers should always remember?
Something to make the ritual of a campfire even more special, whether that's a bottle of wine or a bag of marshmallows. There's something very special about a fire in the outdoors, watching the stars and listening out for wildlife.
What about home comforts?
The key is ensuring a good night's sleep. Our yurts come with a king-size bed as well as pull-out futons for extra guests and sheets are included. For me, somewhere comfy to sleep is non-negotiable!
What makes Bore Place special as a glamping site?
Bore Place is all about reconnecting people with nature. There is a working organic dairy farm here and educational programmes for schools and young people to explore the outdoors and learn about the natural world we live in. Glamping is another way visitors get to share the space and benefit from this organically farmed landscape which is teaming with wildlife as a result.
In terms of location, we are very spoilt here, not just in terms of being very convenient to get to, or in the beauty of the natural surroundings but also because we are very close to fantastic villages, towns and other beauty spots worth visiting. Chiddingstone, Penshurst, Tunbridge Wells, Ide Hill, Knole Park are all a short distance away to name just a few.
I first discovered Bore Place by chance several years ago and immediately fell in love and knew it was somewhere that would become a big part of my life and I'm really excited that by providing glamping on-site other people get to visit and share it. Importantly, the income from glamping is shared with Bore Place to fund its charitable projects like Grow to Grow which you can find more about here.
We have lots of booking over the summer months, but there is still availability left if you are looking for an escape.
To find out more and to check availability go to the Free Range Glamping website.