The Most Luxurious Glamping Sites to Book in Northern Ireland

From a distance, the snug pods at this coastal glamping site look a bit like the semi-cylindrical huts you’ll see dotted across Northern Ireland’s pig farms. Thankfully, the sleeping conditions here are considerably more luxurious, with a double bed (plus a bunk for the kids), en-suite shower room and a mini kitchenette. The front of the pods are fully glazed, meaning every morning starts with shimmering views of the sea – just make sure you remember to wear the eye masks provided when you nod off, as there are no curtains to shield you from the sunrise. Spend your days between the beach at Glenarm and the castle’s grandly landscaped grounds, and evenings toasting marshmallows to charred, molten perfection around your private campfire.

Leitrim Lodge is another glampsite from the Further.Space team, only here, instead of waking to views of the sea, you’ll get sunrise over the Mourne Mountains. There are forests, fields and streams to explore nearby, and there are trails to take you up to the peak of Rocky Mountain (the one closest to the campsite). You’ll have your own campfire for cookouts under the stars, and you’re also just a short drive from pubs and restaurants in Hilltown, Newcastle and Castlewellan – for when the mountain weather puts a dampener on your BBQ plans.

Pack your long johns for this spot on the Antrim Coast offering glamping near Portrush, where you’ll be hunkering down in an authentic log cabin that, from the outside at least, looks like something from the pioneer days. Even inside, there are nods to the Old West, with lantern-style lights, a bunk bed made from rough-hewn timber and a wood-burning stove. But there’s enough modern luxury to make sure you’re not roughing it like the pilgrims, including a fitted designer kitchen, a super king-size bed and even a private outdoor hot tub. And IF you ever want to leave, you’re an hour’s bracing walk across fields to the Giant’s Causeway, one of Northern Island’s must-visit attractions.

If you like your log cabin stays on the less rustic side, then this wood-panelled pad in Meigh, just south of Newry, could be the best luxury glamping Northern Ireland has to offer. Sleeping up to eight, it’s perfect for families, who’ll love to pile onto the massive L-shaped sofa in front of the log-burner and flatscreen TV or, when the sun’s out, spread out on the wraparound deck and bob in the hot tub. Younger kids in particular will also love the nearby Giant’s Lair Story Trail, complete with fairy houses and spooky, gargoyle-like sculptures.

Glamping hardly gets more glamorous than on the grounds of a Georgian country manor, particularly one with such spectacular views. The A-frame-style pods here, clad in timber shingles and insulated with sheep’s wool, overlook the picturesque Strangford Lough, with its neolithic sites and rare wildlife, including red squirrels. There is also the Potter’s Cottage, nestled in the grounds’ working farmyard – which serves as Winterfell in HBO’s Game of Thrones. So if you want a slice of the North in the North, this might be the place for you.

Set in woods just off of the Antrim Coast, Cushendun Caravan Park has, as you might expect, holiday caravans for hire – but we’re here for the woodsy camping pods. With their cylindrical structure, constructed from solid pine and clad in artificial grass, they’re distinctly hobbit-y – ideal for a family looking to get back to nature for the weekend. Each pod sleeps up to four, and comes heated and equipped with kitchen staples: a fridge, microwave and kettle, so while you’re out rock pooling and fairy-hunting in the woods during the day, in the evenings you can kick back in comfort.

Another National Trust property, Crom Estate is one of Northern Ireland’s most important nature conservation areas. Set on the shores of Upper Lough Erne, County Fermanagh, the estate houses wild deer, pine martens and many species of butterfly. As well as the cottages and the opportunity to stay in Crom Castle itself, the grounds feature glamping pods, each of which fits two adults and up to three children (and two of the pods are also dog-friendly). In the past, the pods were used as pigpens, but now they’re clean and cosy – a far cry from their original purpose – while retaining countryside charm.

High in the Mourne Mountains, East Coast Adventure Glamping provides views of Carlingford Lough and the surrounding valley. As well as six glamping pods, each of which sleeps four people, there is one larger communal pod for bigger groups. This is a versatile site, where you can relax and take in the views if that’s your cup of tea; or, for more adventurous guests, East Coast Adventure also owns the National Mountain Bike Centre and a water sports centre at the lough.