Hesleyside Huts in Northumberland has been named the UK’s top winter glamping destination in a new ranking from shopping comparison site Idealo, which assessed 10 glamping destinations based on guest reviews, social media popularity, and nightly pricing.
Located within Northumberland National Park near Bellingham, Hesleyside Huts offers several accommodations and features aimed at attracting visitors seeking outdoor stays during the colder months. The site includes timber shepherd huts, a North American-style cabin, an upcycled chapel featuring reclaimed church doors, and a watchtower with a retractable roof designed for stargazing. A treehouse with a turret and treetop walkways is also among the site’s features.
The ranking was released ahead of the winter season, when longer nights can create additional opportunities for properties in areas with dark skies to market stargazing and other nighttime experiences. In the UK, clocks are scheduled to go back on October 25, 2026, marking the return to shorter daylight hours.
Idealo described Hesleyside Huts as a “retreat tucked away in Northumberland’s Dark Sky Park.” The company told ChronicleLive that the property offers wood-fired outdoor tubs, handcrafted timber shepherd huts, and stargazing setups, with rates starting at £135 per night for two adults.
The ranking also highlighted the property’s online presence and guest feedback. Hesleyside Huts has a 4.9 Google rating based on 113 reviews, while Idealo’s research counted 38,200 Instagram followers and 2,396 geotagged posts associated with the destination.
“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 beats the Lake District’s The Quiet Site – second – and Wowo Campsite in Sussex, third, to the title.”
For outdoor hospitality operators, the ranking illustrates how winter positioning can combine accommodation design, destination characteristics, guest reviews, social media visibility, and pricing. Properties in dark-sky locations may have an opportunity to build seasonal packages around stargazing, while features such as hot tubs, saunas, fire pits, and heated accommodations can help operators develop experiences suited to colder weather.
Idealo senior brand and communications manager Katy Phillips also pointed to pricing strategies that could influence winter demand. 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.”
The Quiet Site in the Lake District ranked second, followed by Wowo Campsite in Sussex. The remaining destinations, in order, were 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.
For operators considering winter expansion, the ranking also highlights the importance of communicating the full cost and experience of an off-season stay. Bundling amenities and clearly presenting midweek rates can make pricing easier for guests to understand, while seasonal activities can give properties additional reasons to attract visitors beyond the traditional peak camping period.
