Hesleyside Huts, a luxury glamping site in Northumberland National Park, has been ranked the UK's best destination for a winter glamping getaway. The site, located on the banks of the river west of Bellingham, topped a new list of 10 compiled by shopping comparison site Idealo.
Fairytale features and stargazing appeal
The site boasts a treehouse with a fairytale turret and treetop walkways, along with an upcycled chapel with reclaimed church doors, a North American-style cabin and a 'hideaway' watchtower with a retracting stargazing roof. Idealo's study described Hesleyside Huts as a "retreat tucked away in Northumberland's Dark Sky Park".
The ranking was based on guest reviews, social media popularity and price per night. The site holds a Google rating of 4.9 from 113 reviews, along with 2,396 geotagged posts. The study noted: "Tucked away in Northumberland's Dark Sky Park, the retreat offers wood-fired outdoor tubs, hand-crafted timber shepherd huts and stargazing set-ups, with stays starting from £135 per night for two adults."
Top of the list
Hesleyside Huts outperformed four cheaper sites in the list, soaring above all others with 38,200 Instagram followers. The write-up added: "Hesleyside Huts takes the top spot as the UK's best winter glamping destination overall, boasting a near-perfect 4.9 Google rating across 113 reviews and 38,200 Instagram followers."
Northumberland beat the Lake District's The Quiet Site, which came second, and Wowo Campsite in Sussex, which placed third. The rest of the top 10 included Rutland Rural Retreats in Rutland, Little Seed Field in Yorkshire, Aller Dorset in Dorset, Mallinson's Woodland Retreat in Dorset, Riverside Cabins in Shrewsbury, Inverlonan in Oban, Scotland, and Copy House Hideaway in Lancashire.
Tips for winter glamping
Katy Phillips, senior brand and communications manager at Idealo, shared tips for keeping costs manageable during colder months. She said: "Winter glamping has evolved from a niche trend into a mainstream alternative to seasonal breaks. While off-peak travel inherently offers better value, savvy holidaymakers can stretch their budgets even further.
"Opting for Sunday-to-Thursday stays can cut nightly rates, while choosing packages that bundle log burner wood, sauna access or hot tub heating into the base price prevents hidden costs. Travelling midweek allows holidaymakers to enjoy high-end, off-grid luxury at a fraction of the cost."
