We Asked 70 People What They Want in a Glamping Retreat. Here’s What They Said.

At this year’s Glamping Show at NAEC Stoneleigh, we ran a simple competition asking visitors what they’d most want in their perfect glamping retreat. Seventy people responded – and the results tell us a lot about what glamping site planning actually needs to cover.

Here’s what came back, and what it means from a planning perspective.

What the wish list means for glamping site planning

Stunning views – 59 votes
The runaway winner, and the one item on the list that no planning consultant can help you with. A view either exists on your land or it doesn’t. What we can help with is making sure you choose a site that makes the most of what’s there, and that your structures are positioned to protect rather than obstruct it. Landscape and visual impact is one of the first things a local planning authority will assess, so getting this right at the outset matters.

Fire pit – 52 votes
Good news for operators – a fire pit is generally one of the simpler features to include. As a non-permanent structure it typically sits outside the planning system. That said, location, proximity to structures and any conditions attached to your existing consent are all worth checking before you light up.

Hot tub – 47 votes
Third on the wish list and one of the features most likely to require glamping site planning. A permanent hot tub installation is treated as part of the overall development of a glamping site and will need to be included in your planning application from the start. Retrofitting one after consent has been granted can complicate matters, so it’s worth building it into your proposal early.

BBQ area – 35 votes
Like the fire pit, a simple BBQ area is unlikely to need planning permission in its own right. A permanent built structure is a different matter. If you’re thinking beyond a freestanding grill, take advice before you build.

Dog friendly – 31 votes
Entirely a management decision rather than a planning one. No consent required – just a clear policy and the right setup on site.

Wi-Fi – 30 votes
Standard broadband infrastructure doesn’t require planning permission. If you’re considering a mast or more substantial telecoms infrastructure to reach a remote site, that’s a different conversation – and one our telecoms team can help with.

Wood burner – 37 votes
Inside an already-consented glamping structure, a wood burner is a popular choice – but it’s worth noting that the external flue will require planning permission. It’s best to include it in the original design for your glamping accommodation rather than adding it later, which can complicate matters.

Sauna – 30 votes
A permanent sauna structure requires planning permission as part of your glamping site consent. Like the hot tub, it’s far better to include it in your original application than to seek permission retrospectively.

Coffee station – 19 votes
If it’s a kettle and a shelf inside your already-consented structure, no planning permission required. If you’re thinking about a separate amenity building, that’s a different question and worth raising early.

Outdoor bath – 19 votes
A permanent outdoor bath installation is treated similarly to a hot tub – it forms part of the development and should be included in your planning application. A freestanding, non-permanent unit is a different matter.

Pizza oven – 18 votes
A freestanding pizza oven is unlikely to need consent. A permanent built structure – particularly one with a chimney or foundations – is more likely to require permission, especially in a protected landscape.

What this tells us

The features guests want most are a mix of the simple and the significant. Fire pits and dog-friendly policies cost nothing in planning terms. Hot tubs, saunas and permanent structures need to be part of your application from day one.

The single most important thing on the list – the view – is decided before any planning application is submitted. Choosing the right site, understanding its constraints and positioning your development thoughtfully is where the real planning expertise adds value.