Glamping with Toddlers: Is It Worth It? Our Yorkshire Experience

Is glamping with toddlers worth it? The short answer

Yes — if you choose the right accommodation and go with the right expectations.

For us, the appeal of glamping isn't that it makes travelling with small children effortless. It's that you get the excitement of sleeping somewhere different, more time outdoors and a little of the adventure of camping without having to pitch a tent.

But the details matter. A heated pod with its own bathroom is very different from a canvas tent with shared facilities. And a beautiful hot tub can be considerably less relaxing when you have a toddler who needs constant supervision.

Our experience: glamping in the Yorkshire Dales with young kids

Our Yorkshire stay was at Catgill Farm's Swiss Ski Pod, near Bolton Abbey. We visited in November, so warmth and comfort were particularly important.

What made it feel special was the Alpine theme. Rather than a plain cabin, it had a ski gondola outside, a viewing swing, a fire pit and a private wood-fired hot tub.

It's the sort of place where the accommodation itself becomes part of the holiday — something we really appreciate when travelling with little ones.

Crucially, it also had the practical comforts of proper beds, heating, an ensuite bathroom and a kitchenette. Those are easy things to overlook when you're distracted by the photographs, but they make a huge difference with toddlers.

We didn't need to plan an action-packed weekend. Part of the appeal was enjoying somewhere different, spending time outdoors and making the most of the accommodation itself.

The question isn't simply whether a place is family-friendly. It's whether the particular pod or tent will work with your children's routines and sleeping arrangements.

1. Sleeping arrangements can make or break the trip

This would be one of the first things I'd check when booking glamping with toddlers.

Many glamping pods are essentially one room. That can look lovely in photographs, but with young children, it raises quite a few practical questions.

• Will everyone be sleeping in the same space?
• Is there room for a travel cot if you need one?
• Are the beds suitable for young children?
• Can you sit somewhere after the children have gone to sleep?
• Will everyone wake up when one child wakes?
• Is there sufficient darkness for early bedtimes?

What about bunk beds?

Some family glamping pods have bunk beds, which can be a fantastic space-saving solution for older children. But they're not necessarily appropriate for toddlers.

Children under six shouldn't sleep in an upper bunk. If you're considering a pod with bunks, check the configuration and whether there is a suitable lower bed or space for a cot.

Keeping bedtime manageable

I'd bring familiar bedding or comforters, stick roughly to the normal bedtime routine and pack a small night light. If everyone is sleeping in one room, having something quiet to do after bedtime is useful too.

And remember that winter evenings in the UK can be dark very early. If you're staying in a small pod in November, you might spend more time indoors than you would during summer.

2. Glamping safety with toddlers: what to watch out for

One of the things that makes glamping special is the outdoor space. But some of those lovely extra features need careful thought when travelling with small children.

Hot tubs

Our pod had a private wood-fired hot tub — a lovely feature for adults, but also an obvious consideration with toddlers.

Young children shouldn't use hot tubs because of the overheating risk. Treat them as a water hazard even when not in use, keep the cover secured and supervise children closely whenever they're nearby.

I'd also consider whether the hot tub can be safely separated from the children's play space, rather than assuming an outdoor area is fully toddler-friendly.

Fire pits and wood burners

Fire pits can make a glamping stay feel special, especially on a cold evening. But open flames, hot surfaces, embers and equipment can all be hazardous.

If you're travelling with toddlers, I'd treat a fire pit as something to use only when you can supervise it properly. Embers and metal surfaces can remain hot long after the flames have died down.

Steps, decking and outdoor furniture

Check for raised decking, open edges, steep steps and gaps in railings. Swings and other outdoor features can also require close supervision.

For us, a family-friendly property doesn't have to be completely risk-free. But you need to know what you're booking and be comfortable with the level of supervision required.

3. What if the weather is awful?

One thing you can never guarantee with a UK holiday is the weather.

We went glamping in Yorkshire in November, so we certainly weren't planning a holiday based on warm sunshine!

This is where the type of glamping accommodation makes an enormous difference.

Staying somewhere with heating, proper beds and an indoor bathroom makes cold or wet weather much easier to manage than a more basic camping setup.

Things I'd check for autumn or winter glamping

• Reliable heating: Is the accommodation warm enough overnight?
• Indoor seating: Is there somewhere for everyone to relax if it rains?
• Drying space: Where will wet coats, wellies and waterproofs go?
• Bathroom access: Can you get to the toilet without going outside?
• Lighting: Is the route between the car, pod and outdoor areas well lit?
• Nearby activities: Is there something to do if the weather is particularly bad?

With toddlers, I'd prioritise a warm indoor space over luxury extras if travelling outside the summer months.

4. Meals, snacks and keeping routines manageable

Self-catering with young children can be a huge advantage, but only if you've thought about what you can actually cook.

Some glamping accommodation has a fully equipped kitchen. Other places might have little more than a kettle, mini fridge and microwave.

Our Catgill pod had a kitchenette, which is exactly the sort of convenience I look for when travelling with small children.

How I'd keep meals simple

• First evening: Bring an easy dinner or plan a takeaway so you're not figuring out the kitchen with hungry children.
• Breakfast: Bring familiar foods that require minimal preparation.
• Lunch: Plan a picnic, sandwiches or a family-friendly café nearby.
• Snacks: Bring plenty for walks, journeys and rainy afternoons.
• Bedtime: Keep mealtimes and evening routines reasonably familiar.

I'd also check what equipment is supplied. It's surprisingly easy to remember the children's favourite snacks but forget washing-up liquid, a sponge or cups for little hands.

5. What to pack for glamping with toddlers

Glamping usually involves much less equipment than traditional camping, but it can still require more thought than a hotel stay.

The key is to check exactly what's included rather than packing your entire house.

I'd also double-check whether bedding and towels are included. That varies enormously between glamping sites.

6. How to choose a genuinely toddler-friendly glamping stay

I'd look beyond the phrase "family friendly" and think about how the accommodation will work for your particular family.

Would I recommend a pod or a tent?

For a first glamping break with very young children, I'd probably lean towards a well-equipped pod or cabin rather than a basic bell tent.

That doesn't mean tents can't work brilliantly. But heating, proper beds and an ensuite bathroom remove a lot of the possible stresses.

What about the location?

We liked being near Bolton Abbey , where there are plenty of opportunities for short outdoor adventures in the Yorkshire Dales.

With toddlers, you don't need to plan an ambitious itinerary. A woodland walk, a café stop and time enjoying your accommodation can be more than enough.

For a closer look at the area, including our experience of the accommodation and nearby family activities, read our full Catgill Farm family glamping review .

7. But is glamping with young children actually relaxing?

It depends entirely on what you mean by relaxing.

If you're imagining long afternoons in a hot tub, uninterrupted meals and sitting quietly by the fire while the children entertain themselves, glamping with toddlers probably won't deliver that.

You'll still be doing bedtimes, making snacks, wiping faces and supervising the outdoor space.

But if relaxing means getting away from your normal routine, being outside together and not having to fill every hour with activities , then yes, glamping can absolutely feel like a proper break.

Part of the appeal for us is not needing a packed schedule. A special place to stay, a little outdoor exploring and a cosy evening together can be the entire holiday.

When might I choose something else?

I'd think twice about an open-plan pod if everyone was going through a difficult sleeping phase, the outdoor area had too many hazards for an adventurous toddler or we were likely to spend the entire weekend indoors without enough room to play.

In those circumstances, a lodge or cottage with separate bedrooms might make for a much more enjoyable break.

Our final verdict: would we recommend glamping with toddlers?

Yes, absolutely — with the right setup and realistic expectations.

Our Alpine-inspired stay at Catgill Farm showed how a glamping break can feel like a little adventure without having to travel far.

The unusual features make it exciting, while the practical comforts of a warm pod, bathroom and kitchenette can make all the difference when travelling with young children.

But I'd never choose a glamping stay based on the photographs alone. Before booking, I'd pay close attention to where everyone will sleep, the outdoor hazards, the cooking setup and how comfortable we'd be if it rained all weekend.

With toddlers, glamping probably won't mean doing nothing. It can mean doing simpler things together — and for us, that's often where the best family memories come from.

You can also explore the accommodation directly on the Catgill Farm website .

This article draws on our family stay and general planning advice. Facilities, policies and prices can change, so always check the latest information directly before booking.

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