Garden Camping Ideas for a Glamping Staycation Without Leaving Home

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Do you fancy a garden glamping staycation but can’t face packing the car or sitting in motorway traffic this summer? well mi darlin, you don’t need to go anywhere for a proper adventure because your own back garden can become the cosiest camping spot going with a bit of planning and a few home comforts thrown in.

I’ll show you exactly how to set one up and it won’t cost you a fortune either.

1. Choose the Perfect Shelter for Your Garden Glamping Staycation

The heart of any garden glamping staycation is a comfortable place to sleep. Instead of reaching for the basic tent you’ve had for ever, think about upgrading if you want the whole thing to actually feel like glamping rather than a scout camp .

A bell tent is roomy enough to stand up in and looks gorgeous once the lights go on giving you that luxury festival feel, a Tipi is cosy and a bit different, and a canvas tent kitted out with soft furnishings looks proper stylish on the lawn.

If you have a gazebo or pergola and are looking to keep costs down just draping some flowing curtains over it works just as well.

Whatever shelter you go for, a waterproof groundsheet underneath makes a huge difference. If you’re using something bigger than a pop up tent, the Camping and Caravanning Club have a cracking step by step guide worth a look before you start.

2. Create a Cosy Sleeping Space

Comfort is what separates glamping from grim camping. Layer up with outdoor blankets, fluffy pillows, soft blankets for the cooler hours and a rug underneath to keep the chill off the ground. A hot water bottle is a lovely little addition for chilly nights too.

I actually used some old wooden pallets as a base last time and propped one up behind for a bit of a headboard too. Cost me nothing and it kept everything up off the ground, which made a proper difference to how warm we stayed. Sometimes the best bits of your setup are the ones sat round the back of the shed already, mi darlin.

I always pack this self inflating camping mattress the second the tent goes up. It’s the difference between waking up refreshed and waking up with a bad back.

3. Add Magical Outdoor Lighting

Lighting can completely transform your garden after sunset and it’s the bit that really sells the whole garden glamping staycation feel. Warm white fairy lights, solar powered lanterns or LED candles inside hanging lanterns all work a treat.

We always string Solar festoon lights along our fence every single summer and they give the whole garden that warm evening glow without having to faff about with extension leads.

4. Build an Outdoor Lounge

Your retreat needs somewhere to relax during the day as well as sleep at night. Outdoor sofas or lounge chairs, bean bags, floor cushions and a hammock all earn their keep here. A small coffee table or an upturned wooden crate is perfect for holding drinks, books and snacks.

For more small garden ideas beyond the tent itself, I’ve got a whole post on backyard staycation buys on a budget worth a read.

5. Cook Delicious Campfire Food

Food is a big part of any garden camping staycation. If it’s safe and allowed where you are, a fire pit, portable barbecue or even a pizza oven all add to the fun.

Gourmet burgers, grilled vegetables, foil packet meals, toasted marshmallows and s’mores go down a treat, and hot chocolate served in enamel mugs finishes the night off nicely.

A citronella incense coil is the first thing I pack out whenever we’re eating outdoors. It keeps the midges away and smells gorgeous too. I find the coils work better than the candles, so well worth a small investment here.

6. Bring Entertainment Outdoors to Your Glamping Staycation

Keep everyone entertained without a single screen in sight. Board games, card games, a garden scavenger hunt, stargazing and storytelling by lantern light all work brilliantly.

If you do fancy going all out, a projector with a bedsheet strung up as a screen makes for a proper outdoor movie night under the stars.

Well go on then mi darlin, what you waiting for? get that tent up and enjoy your garden glamping.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make my garden feel like a real campsite?

Focus on lighting, comfortable seating and a proper sleeping setup. A garden glamping staycation is all about the little details rather than expensive kit.

What do I need for a garden glamping staycation?

A tent or shelter, a comfortable mattress, some lighting and blankets. That’s genuinely all you need to get started.

Can I do a garden glamping staycation without a tent?

Absolutely. A gazebo, a day bed or even a covered hammock can work brilliantly if you haven’t got tent space or fancy something different.