When I was in school we were forced to attend an annual camping trip every year. And I mean proper camping – not bunk beds and log cabins, I’m talking walking for hours with a heavy pack on your back, tents, sleeping bags, leeches, stinging nettles and one memorable altercation with a bat. The stuff nightmares are made of.

It was supposed to be, I don’t know, character-building or something, but all I took away from it was a firm resolution to NEVER go camping again once I was done with high school for as long as I lived. What’s more I developed a healthy suspicion of any otherwise sane adult who chose to go camping of their own volition. Is it some sort of madness that makes people do this? Who would choose to leave the comfort of their own home to go cavorting in the wilderness? Hmm, I think to myself knowingly, these are the people who have found themselves in relationships with one of those outdoorsy people and are attempting to live up to an enthusiasm for nature that secretly doesn’t exist. Poor dears, I think, quietly congratulating myself once again on my luck in having married a man who isn’t bothered about camping one way or the other. Good one, me!

But then it happened. The credit crunch meant that people suddenly began eschewing their thrice annual foreign holidays in favour of holidaying in Britain to save money, eco-tourism boomed, Kate Moss was photographed wearing Hunter wellington boots at Glastonbury, and lo! Camping was back. But not as we know it, this time it was glamorous camping (glamping) and involved luxury tents, goose down quilts and ice buckets for your rosé. The kind of camping I can get onboard with, to the extent that I have been researching options for a short getaway this summer. And while still not as cheap as pitching your tent in a field somewhere, the prices are still a LOT better than what you would pay for a week in a resort, and without the hassle of airports and the general holidaying public to boot! Result.

Here are some of the best options I’ve found so far. If you’re interested book soon as places for summer 2011 are disappearing fast!

Yurtworks

Head down to Cornwall to experience 5 star luxury on the edge of Bodmin Moor in a traditional yurt that has been modified to bring you all the comfort and facilities of a fancy hotel room. Seriously, does this look like camping to you? Yurts include wood burning stove facilities, beds, linen, and proper bathrooms with showers and toilets. Everything from washing-up liquid to cafetiere to tea lights are included, so all you need to bring is yourself and your clothes. Each yurt is set within its own space, so you don’t have to worry about the neighbours, and you can holiday in maximum comfort, seclusion and peace in close touch with the natural surroundings. Prices start from around £360 per week.

Canopy and Stars

This outfit pulls together the best luxury, sustainable and beautiful glamping sites in the UK, and includes everything from mountain tipi eco retreats in Powys to glamorous French gypsy caravans on the Scottish Borders to a safari tent in East Lothian. Whatever kind of luxury camping holiday you are looking for these people will be able to sort you out, and all the capming sites have actually been visited by the staff before they are included on their site, so you can be sure of the quality. Prices from around £65 per night.

Go Glamping

Go glamping is typical of the many websites that abound for luxury camp sites. They list a whole range of luxury camping holiday options from around the world, so if you cannot fulfil your luxury camping desires in the UK, the world is your oyster. This site seems to be run on an advertising basis, meaning the accommodation is probably not visited by the website owners prior to listing, but you can choose from an absolute feast of options, including beach camping in Tanzania and geodesic alpine domes in Les Cerniers, Switzerland.

Cornish Campers

If a holiday on the move is more your style, Cornish Campers may have the perfect solution. This family-run business has a range of fully-kitted-out classic VW camper vans for hire with unlimited mileage and as many drivers as you like to explore Devon and Cornwall. The campers themselves range from the 1970 Westy called Peggy Sue, to the reconditioned Suzie Q 1969 SO67 Westfalia. All vans include double bed with hammock in roof space, gas stove, fridge/freezer, drive-away awning, 2 man dome tent, bottle of wine and essentials (bread, milk, etc), outside table and chairs and cooking utensils; DVD and CD player, first aid kit and fire safety equipment. So if you feel like embracing your inner surf chick (or dude), this might be the holiday for you. Short breaks from £325, weekly hire from £465.

Posh Pitches

If something a little more low-key is your style, try Posh Pitches, the bell tent hire service in Cornwall. This place takes the hassle out of your camping holiday, offering a comprehensive camping package, complete with canvas bell tent, erected at a site of your choice, furnished in true glamping style, fully equipped so that all you would need to pack are clothing and towels. Alternatively, they can provide a bell tent-only package, pre-erected for you but without furnishings or equipment. This is more suitable for those on a budget, or with their own equipment, or who just enjoy the simple pleasures of sleeping under canvas. Prices start at £220 for 3 nights.

{as always this post is 100% not sponsored}