5 days ago
The Finnish-like glamping resort in the UK countryside with safari lodges, sauna and outdoor cinemas
When it comes to food, there are a few pubs nearby, or you can whip up a barbecue and dine al fresco on your decking
GLAMP IT UP The Finnish-like glamping resort in the UK countryside with safari lodges, sauna and outdoor cinemas
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DRAGONFLIES swoop between the reeds and pollen floats in the air, flickering in the last of the afternoon sunlight.
I'm half-submerged in icy cold water in a lake, breathing a sigh of relief, as I soak up my summer surroundings.
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Relax and unwind in the hot tub
Credit: Supplied
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The sauna at The Nest
Credit: supplied
I can't handle the freezing plunge for long, though, and soon I'm darting back to the sauna, just a few metres away, to warm up again.
This may all sound very Finnish, but I'm actually in the middle of the English countryside at The Nest Glamping.
The Peterborough holiday site is home to a trio of luxury lakeside safari tents placed on an immaculate patch of farm land, surrounded by nature.
It was my first time glamping and until now, I'd always wandered just how 'glam' it can really be.
As it turns out, very.
Each of the tents has electricity, a kitchen with a fridge, kettle and plug-in electric hob, a flushing toilet and hot water.
There's no WiFi or TV, though, encouraging guests to fully switch off for the duration of their stay.
I was visiting with four close friends and our adventure started with a win from the moment we arrived, thanks to the wheelbarrows left in the car park so that guests can easily transport their luggage to their tent.
Whip up barbecue
We may have been staying in a safari tent, but the wooden floors and interiors felt a world apart.
Our large living space featured a dining table with room for six, and a fancy leather sofa, plus three bedrooms.
Take a look around The Nest Glamping lodges
There was a twin, a master with a king-size bed offering lake views, and another with a king-size bed built into a sort-of cupboard, accessible by a ladder (super cute).
The White Company bedding was a huge upgrade on the decade-old sleeping bag I normally take camping, although you may still want to wrap up warm.
It got chilly at night, so we were grateful for the hot water bottles, thick blankets and firewood for the wood-burning stove (don't worry if you've never used one before — there are instructions in the welcome pack).
The stove doubles up as a cooker, with a hob and built-in oven compartment — very convenient.
The highlight, though, was a free-standing bathtub which offered immaculate views over the still lake.
Be it the bathtub, lake or hot tub, I find myself wallowing in water a lot at The Nest
Be it the bathtub, lake or hot tub, I find myself wallowing in water a lot at The Nest.
I'm not brave enough to properly swim out into the lake, like my friends, but there are kayaks moored at the edge so I didn't miss out.
You can also bring your own fishing rods or rent a paddleboard.
When it comes to food, there are a few pubs nearby, or you can whip up a barbecue and dine al fresco on your decking.
There's also the option to hire a pizza oven, with supplies like dough provided — one of the many add-ons you can buy.
We thought everything was reasonably priced when split between a group.
The hot tub worked out at £40pp between five of us for our stay, and the sauna was £50 in total for an hour.
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A luxury lakeside safari-style tent
Credit: Supplied
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The fire pit at the open-air cinema
Credit: Supplied
We hired the 'movie night' add-on for £75 on one night and it was worth every penny.
It's a bit like a private open-air cinema experience, with a screen and projector set up outside your tent.
We cosied up on cushioned chairs with blankets and popcorn to watch Bohemian Rhapsody while our toes warmed by the fire pit.
For a bit of pampering you can book a massage — Swedish, deep tissue or pregnancy — or there are private yoga and Pilates classes.
Private chefs can be recommended to make a dining party on the lake, too.
If you're keen to explore further afield, nearby Sacrewell Farm has animals to pet, a play park and farmhouse cafe.
I could have easily spent an entire week there myself, without ever leaving the site
There are several stately homes and historic landmarks, too, such as Peterborough Cathedral and Belvoir Castle, as well as food markets and golf courses.
For the kids, Rutland Aqua Park a 20-minute drive away is perfect for scorching summer days.
I can't imagine children would ever get bored at The Nest, though.
I could have easily spent an entire week there myself, without ever leaving the site.
And with a glorious summer ahead of us, I can't think of a better place to head.
That icy lake sounds very good right about now.
