There was a time when my idea of the perfect getaway involved cocktails on a sun-soaked beach, late-night dips in infinity pools, and city breaks filled with fancy dinners and bar hopping.

And if you’d told me a few years ago that I’d soon be taking my own tiny human on a glamping trip in Yorkshire, I’d have probably laughed into my delicious, cold pornstar martini. But here we are. Glamorous camping with a baby.

Being six weeks into your new chapter as a first-time mum, running on minimal sleep, and still adapting to being covered in poop, wee, and sick on a regular basis… It definitely doesn’t seem like the most ideal time to head off glamping with your newborn baby, does it?

Yet, just two days after my little man turned six weeks old, that’s exactly what we did. We packed up the car with a mountain of clothes, bottles, nappies, and baby wipes, and headed out to the Yorkshire countryside.

And, quite honestly, it was bloody lovely.

So, if you’re wondering whether it’s doable (or enjoyable) to go glamping with a baby in tow, here’s how we got on at the stunning Greenoak Hideout in Yorkshire…

Why glamping is perfect for new parents

I’ve always been a “say yes” kind of gal. I’ll jump into new experiences with both feet (and ideally, a coffee in hand, and probably a camera too), and glamorous camping – or glamping, for short – felt like the perfect balance between rustic and relaxing. A happy medium for us as new parents. Think all the charm of sleeping under the stars, enough adventure to feel like a break from reality, but comfy enough to cater for feeds and nappy changes, and no backache from spending the night on a questionable airbed.

Greenoak Hideout promised electricity, a log-burning stove, a private bathroom, and even a mini fridge and tea and coffee facilities, all tucked away in a quiet paddock surrounded by trees. Nature, with just enough home comforts to keep me from regretting the whole thing.

And how could I say no to that?

Glamping at Greenoak Hideout in a cosy yurt of dreams

As the car rumbled down winding Yorkshire lanes and our sat-nav declared we had reached our destination, I felt a small flutter of nerves. Not because we were about to spend a weekend in the countryside – that bit I was very excited for – but because nestled in the back seat was my tiniest travel companion yet: my newborn son, Rupert.

Having been lured in by the promise of twinkling fairy lights, a roaring log burner, and a yurt so cosy it looked like it had been plucked straight from a Pinterest board, we were pulling into Greenoak Hideout.

Nestled amongst green fields and country lanes, Greenoak Hideout is a beautiful family-run glamping site home to two large yurts, breathtaking views, a wooden hot tub, and even some animals. Filled with rustic decor, a beautiful log burner, and an abundance of cosy blankets, the yurts make for a gorgeous spot to relax, unwind, and indulge in that little bit of escapism we all need now and then.

Soft lighting glowed against wooden beams. A huge, squishy bed sat centre stage, covered in crisp white bedding and snuggly throws. Fairy lights twinkled above our heads. In the corner, a log burner sat waiting for us to light it up, and I could already feel the cosy promise of a crackling fire.

The whole space smelled like woodsmoke and clean linen, and the only sounds were birds outside. And the occasional baby gurgle.

Rupert, at six weeks old, obviously didn’t have much to say about the whole situation, but he seemed pretty content with the idea of a family glamping trip, staying snuggled under blankets as fairy lights twinkled above him for a couple of nights.

Donkeys, alpacas, and a sleeping baby

While the temptation may be to waste each of your days away chilling out inside the warmth of the yurt, there’s plenty to do without even leaving the site. In fact, a lot of the magic of Greenoak Hideout isn’t just the yurt itself, but everything around it, too.

If you stretch your legs and take a short walk around, it won’t be long until you find yourself stumbling across charming tyre swings and wooden play houses. Wait for the sun to set, and you can sit beneath the stars, or take refuge from the cold in the large wooden hot tub, basking in the warmth while your breath becomes visible as it touches the cold air.

And last – but most certainly not least – you may even find yourself coming face to face with alpacas, donkeys, and a pony. And yes, you can formally meet them and feed them, and it’s every bit as lovely as you would imagine. Not that Rupert would know… He slept the whole time!

Getting prepared for a glamping weekend with a baby

I’ll be honest. “Is my baby even old enough to go glamping?”, crossed my mind a number of times as we drove down the winding country roads to Greenoak.

Much like anything you do with a newborn, preparation is most definitely key when it comes to glamping with a baby in tow. Extra jumpers just in case the log burner goes out, more nappies than you could ever possibly need for just one weekend, and – of course – a steriliser and milk. Lots of milk.

Now, I’m no glamping expert, but if you’re thinking of trying a family camping or glamping trip like this with your own tiny adventurer, here are a few things I’d recommend:

• All the layers. Yorkshire nights are no joke, especially if your log burner skills are… evolving. Make sure to take a whole variety of layers. Jumpers, thermals, coats, jackets, and a trusty Oodie if you have one.
• A baby carrier or sling. When you decide to take a stroll around the site, the ability to wander hands-free across the uneven ground is a must-have, so bring a sling or a baby carrier.
• Extra blankets. And then maybe one more for good measure. They don’t just come in handy for an extra layer of warmth in the night, but they’re ideal for bundling up little ones, or dragging outside for a cosy nightcap under the stars by the fire.
• A good torch. Believe me, a yurt in the middle of the countryside soon becomes pitch black as night falls. A good torch will become your best friend, especially if your bathroom facilities are in a separate hut.

And, if you can, take along some extra fire lighters. Why? Well, let’s just say I didn’t take enough. And evidently I am not the best at keeping a fire lit.

And yes, we found ourselves without a fire in the middle of the night, and had to rely heavily on blankets and coats and hoodies and each other’s body heat. Not ideal…

Would I go glamping with a baby again?

Yes. A thousand times yes! I’d just make sure to go armed with my newfound knowledge and a healthy dose of realism.

Would it be the same kind of glamping trip I might’ve taken pre-baby, involving lazy lie-ins, spontaneous pub lunches, and wine by the fire until midnight? Absolutely not. But it was slower, softer, and strangely restorative in a way I didn’t quite expect. And completely needed!

Glamping with a newborn isn’t about packing every hour with plans and ticking off all of the activities. It’s about breathing in the fresh air, watching the sky change through the trees as the sun sets, and feeling like a human again after weeks of nappies, feeds and broken sleep. Warm blankets, early nights, hot mugs of coffee, and the quiet joy of seeing your tiny human snoozing peacefully somewhere new.

Greenoak Hideout felt like the perfect introduction to travelling as a family. Comfortable, calm, and forgiving if things didn’t go exactly to plan (because, y’know, babies). I never once felt stressed, rushed, or like I’d made a terrible mistake. Which, six weeks postpartum, feels like a minor miracle in itself!

So yes, the answer is I’d do it again. In fact, between my initial trip and finally getting round to writing this post, I already have. And it was just a lovely.