Glamping places to get to by train from London

Perched in its own private woodland at Downash Wood, Coddiwomple Cabin sits with views of Bewl Water and a sense of nature, privacy and freedom that makes the city feel a whole world away. You can wander the trails round the huge reservoir and sit back in the hot tub, letting all your cares steam up into the sky. 

There’s a direct train from London Charing Cross to Stonegate which takes an hour and 10-minutes, with a 10-minute taxi (book in advance) the other side. Once there, it’s easy to settle into car free living, with just a 15-minute walk to the local village, where there’s a bakery, fish mongers, craft shops and cafés, as well as the award-winning pub, the Bell Inn, and a lovely ancient church and village greens.

Built in the 1930s for city folk to come out of town and fish in summer, the Riverside’s an easy spot to relax in. There’s plenty of space in the lounge area for sprawling beside the wood burner, although the covered terrace with the river running by is the perfect spot for sitting in silence and watching the world glide by. 

With a direct train from London Waterloo to Woking that takes about a half hour, and then a four-minute taxi ride (book in advance), it’s a breeze to get to. All the basics like tea, coffee, milk, salt, pepper, olive oil etc are provided, and it’s just a mile to Ripley Nurseries Farm shop and the village of Ripley, home to the famous Wisley garden and a wealth of cafés, pubs and restaurants.

The Arc cabin is magical and homespun yet contemporary. There’s a unique style to the bright fabrics, and more than a hint of genius design around the finishing touches. Through the reclaimed front door, the space is roomy and welcoming, with a wood-burning stove to keep you toasty. Bi-fold doors swing wide onto the veranda, a great spot for taking in the river views or sharing a meal on a summer evening. In the country-style kitchen, the many hobs, Belfast sink and long zinc worktop give you plenty of room for getting creative with your cooking. 

Getting to The Arc from London is very quick, with a simple 45-minute train from London Kings Cross to Peterborough and a 20-minute taxi the other side (book in advance). Once there, it’s a 20-minute walk to Elton Village store for whatever you want to cook in the modern kitchen, or just a 15-minute walk to The Crown at Elton if you’re feeling lazy.

Set into a working farm, Austin is hidden among fields and meadows, where you’ll wheel your things through wildflowers to reach a private retreat. There’s a king-size bed with countryside views, a covered outdoor kitchen, and a wood-fired hot tub for soaking under the stars.  

Make pizzas in the pizza oven, kick back in a lounger, or set out on your bike and stop off at one of the brilliant cycle cafés. Cycling is a must here, and Tin & Wood offer bike storage by arrangement. The nearest station is Grantham, just over an hour from London Kings Cross. From there, connect to Bingham and take a short taxi (pre-booking advised).

A beautifully crafted bolthole perched up in the trees behind the owner's house. You’ll wake up in the morning to views over the Mendips on one side, and alpacas and horses munching grass on the other, along with light streaming in through the big floor to ceiling windows. There’s a huge balcony with a picnic table for al fresco dining, and an open, outdoor shower just off to the side.  

In the area, there's everything from horse riding to wine tasting, and you can walk to the village of Wrington for great places to eat and drink, with The Plough Inn half a mile’s walk, and the village shop just 10-minutes away. With a direct train from London Paddington to Yatton that only takes a couple of hours, and a 10-minute taxi ride the other side, it’s easy to visit.

Overlooking fields of endlessly sprawling grape vines, stepping into the Silo, you’ll be amazed by the swish, split-level living space that awaits you, with a cosy double bed on the upper level, accessible by ladder, while the perfect little kitchen, bathroom with rainforest shower and living area snuggled below. There’s a lovely walk around the vineyard right from the door where you can see the vines and a little further afield is Gosfield lake, where you can wild swim.  

With a direct train from London Liverpool St to Braintree, it’s a nice quick hour’s ride to get here, with a 20-minute taxi the other side. Once all settled in and stocked up with wine, you might want snacks to pair – The Co Op is just 40-minutes’ walk, and the Pub should you fancy it, is a half hour’s walk.

This peaceful hideaway is the perfect spot to get out of the city and unwind in nature, surrounded by trees and within wandering distance of a wildlife-filled lake. Keep an eye out for birdlife or the resident otter or melt your urban cares away in one of the two secluded sauna cabins hidden in the woods. There’s a bookswap, BBQs, boardgames and an honesty shop nearby for firewood and frozen meals, making it easy to settle in for a few restful days. 

A train from London to Diss takes around 1 hour 20-minutes, with a £25 fixed-rate taxi available (pre-booking essential). Bike hire, including e-bikes, is also available for delivery if you fancy cycling the local lanes or trails.

Hidden away in the woods, you’ve got this corner all to yourselves, and having the woods all around you makes it feel like it's your own little world. Snuggle into the sheepskins on the Adirondack chairs by the firepit and take in this perfect spot to disappear into the wild for a few days, and forest bathe to your heart’s content. 

There’s a direct train from London Paddington to Stroud, which takes an hour and a half, with a 10-minute taxi the other side. If you arrive hungry, it’s a short walk to the terrace of The Crown Inn, and the next day you can hire electric bikes to explore the Five Valleys. Or you could just talk about doing it from the hot tub and consider it again tomorrow.

With a waterfall shower en suite, and outdoors, a jacuzzi bathtub, under the long awning, you can lie back and let the hot water foam around you. Out on the deck you’ll also find seating perfect for a sunset glass of wine or a morning coffee as you plan the day. Stick a movie on or run the bath and feel the weight of the world just drop away.

It takes roughly an hour on the train from St Pancras to Canterbury West, with a 25-minute taxi, and less than a mile from the treehouse is The George Inn, where you can get good food and beer if you don’t feel like cooking. A couple of miles away you’ll find an excellent village shop that you can raid for local produce once you’ve eaten your way through the welcome hamper. But there’s the option to have dinner dropped off too.