Glottenham Castle Glamping Review
Glottenham Castle Glamping
East Sussex
11 July 2015
Reviewed by Amanda Hayes
Glottenham Castle is ideally situated on a working farm in Robertsbridge just a stone’s throw from historic properties such as Bodiam Castle and Batemans. Prior to arrival we received directions on how to find the farm and as Robertsbridge is a fairly small village it was easy enough to find. Beware those with very low cars as the last quarter of a mile is on a very bumpy unmade farm track!
We were met on arrival, and were shown the reception yurt, which contains large sofas for relaxing and additional wood and kindling for the fire should you need it. This can be purchased on an honesty box basis just taking what you need and dropping your money in the box. We were then shown the washing up facilities, complete with hot water and one of the three sets of compost toilets. There are four “tents” on the site, one vintage tent, one yurt and two Geodomes. We were staying in the de Glottyngham Geodome which is tucked away in the woods a few minutes walk from the reception yurt and close, but not to close, to the Rossetti yurt. Our Geodome was set up several wooden steps onto a decked platform complete with chairs, table, and small kitchen area comprising of a gas stove and was fully equipped with cutlery, cooking pans and utensils. My son has never been camping before and was very excited to see inside our room for the night. Inside it was delightful with a lovely wooden floor, a double bed and a separate single. The beds were dressed beautifully with sheepskin and wool bedcovers but the piece de resistance was the wood burning stove. Logs and kindling were provided and using the instructions given we were soon watching a roaring fire through the glass, and snuggling down in our cosy beds for an early night. Whilst the woodburner got going we explored the farm, walking through fields and woods and searching out the other two tents as we went. We found the Bodichon Vintage tent at the top of a sunny field, and the de Etchyngham Geodome further away on the edge of the woods with views over the fields. De Etchyngham is the only unit that has its own loo, the others have shared facilities but are extremely clean and not far away.
After a great night’s sleep we cooked a full English breakfast on the firepit/barbeque provided with each tent and sat by the fire eating it in our pyjamas, it was great to feel so far away from it all. My little boy loved it, busying himself with collecting twigs for the fire from the floor of the surrounding woodland. We couldn’t convince him to take a shower however even though the water was nice and hot and the water pressure as good as most hotels. Our tent was the furthest away from the washing up station which meant carrying the pots and pans up to wash up and then back again, it was a shame we didn’t have a sink in our kitchen so that we could bring hot water down in the water container provided, but it wasn’t a major hardship, it is camping after all. Depending on your preference you can check the location of the different tents on the website prior to booking as two are in the woods and two are in open fields, all are very nice, but the way they are situated is quite different.
We had a great time at Glottenham Castle, the welcome was warm, the tents extremely comfortable and the situation excellent. On top of that it’s a fantastic location for visiting Battle, Hastings, Rye or great gardens such as Sissinghurst.
Rating: 4.5/5
Prices start from £69 per night.
For more information or to make a booking visit:
www.canopyandstars.co.uk/britain/england/sussex/glottenham-castle
Glottenham Farm Bishops Lane, Robertsbridge, East Sussex, TN32 5EB | 07865 078477
