This Belle Tent unit sleeps 4
The words 'boutique' and 'luxury' get bandied about a lot in glamping circles, but for the site at Stargazer Glamping in Herefordshire border country, they are probably understatements. Let's start with the location; a Georgian country pile in the outstandingly beautiful Wye Valley, which straddles the England-Wales border. It's a land of misty mornings, shaded forests, valley meadows, and mountain views, not to mention glorious sunsets and star-filled skies — if glamping magic is going to happen anywhere, it's here.
Behind the house, in the extensive, mature woods and gardens, are three separate glamping areas, each centred on a spacious Lotus Belle tent with its accompanying facilities. The 'Mahal' is the showstopper, a simply enormous specimen — the sort of thing a desert potentate might entertain in — which sleeps at least eight in four separate rooms, with a whopping 65 square metres of floor space. The other two are six-metre 'Stargarzer' tents — one with an added 'Airbud' pup — so depending on your family grouping, these each sleep anything from two to six people. Furnishings and decor throughout are stylishly top-notch — think country-house hotel with a splash of Scandi-rustic charm — so it's not just proper beds and rugs, but also soft robes, cut flowers, sofas, armchairs and coordinated colours. Outside, you get your own fully equipped cabana-style kitchen — "You won't have to bring a thing" is the promise — and attached to this are pristine hot-water shower facilities, loo, and washing-up area. The knives are sharp, the pots and pans un-battered, while dining is at solid tables and chairs on matching crockery with proper glassware.
At this point, things start to get, well, even more boutique and luxury, for want of better words. Finnish wood-fired hot tub? That's a yes. Hammocks in wooded glades, comfy sun-loungers, and an impressive fire bowl that's almost three-foot across? Yes again. A communal, outdoor honesty bar with its own drink-stocked fridge, firepit, and free-to-use pizza oven is a place to chill, while a potter around the well-tended grounds turns up rose-scented grassy paths, vegetable and herb gardens, orchards, and scratching chickens. It's all extremely well thought out and playful, too, as the invitation to curl up for the night on an outdoor iron bed attests. Ask for a telescope and one will be provided. You can see the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains on a clear day, while starry nights show you the Milky Way in all its glory.
Stargazer is everything that's promised and more. It might even be unique — to use another word that's bandied about — but it's certainly a gloriously upmarket and relaxing base for hanging out with the family in one of Britain's most cherished landscapes.
From the owners Helena and Dominic:
"Stargazer Glamping is a unique boutique glampsite set in the most gorgeous mature garden environment in the grounds of a Georgian country house. The site consists of 3 glamping areas that are well separated from each other. Each area having its own 6 person wood-fired hot tub, extensively equipped kitchen, hot shower with limitless hot water and compost toilet. Each has its own firepit and BBQ, sun bed seating and hammocks. You have your own dining table and chairs under a pretty awning.
The main site consists of over 250 mature and rare trees, rose walks, orchards, vegetable and herb gardens, free ranging chickens providing fresh eggs for the kids to find.
There are various private seating areas dotted around the site. The beautiful communal bar area has an Ooni pizza oven and there is a hammock garden and a beautiful fairy garden. The views are spectacular from the property consisting of the Welsh mountains, open fields and forest. Sunsets and starry night skies are easily viewable from the site (Telescopes provided free of charge). We are in a dark skies area so viewing the Milky Way with our powerful telescopes is especially fun".
Hereford Beef and BBQ. You can pre-order BBQ meats through me sourced from the 2022 UK game butcher of the year. 3 days notice required.
Each unit has its very own private kitchen, woodfired hot tub, firepit/BBQ, mains hot shower, compost loo and herb garden. There is electricity and charging ports and the communal honesty shop a
has a fridge and freezer.
Linen and towels and robes are all included to make your stay more enjoyable.
House Rules:
- Check-in time is 4pm and check-out is 10am.
- Smoking is not allowed.
- There are free parking on premises parking facilities available at the property.
- Pets are not allowed at the property.
Testimonials:
Jo Wood recommends Stargazer Glamping. September 6th 2022:
"Where do I begin??? We had never been glamping before so this was a first for us and definitely won’t be our last! Dominic and Helena are fantastic, they helped me plan our weekend suggesting local points of interest and great places to eat. They also will arrange bbq packs of meat, advise on anything at all you need but the reality is the facilities on offer here leave very little for you to need or think about. The site is very family friendly, our two children aged 4 and 6 had the best time playing in the activity tent, using the tree swings, table tennis, badminton and the huge trampoline. They also loved picking their own apples from the trees and making friends with the very friendly free roaming chickens. The tent itself had everything you need, comfy beds with cosy duvets and throws, blankets to use outside if it’s a little chilly at night. Lanterns for light at night and even a socket for electricity. My daughter loved the cuddly bunny hot water bottle too- EVERYTHING has been thought of! The outdoor kitchen has everything you would ever need and the welcome pack is a lovely touch! We enjoyed the hot tub in the afternoons and spent evenings toasting marshmallows over our fire pit. Absolute perfection!!! Well done Dominic and Helena, you really have created perfection ❤️" - [Verified]
Katie Hadley recommends Stargazer Glamping. July 17th 2022:
"Stargazer Glamping is the most whimsical, magical place I have ever been; I really didn’t want to leave! The views are stunning, the mature gardens, orchard, hammocks, outdoor beds, I could go on!The kitchens are beautifully equipped, the shop had more than what we needed and free ice (we stayed during a heat wave!) We warmed our Croissants in the morning in the pizza oven with fresh coffee, in the communal seating area and chickens pecking around, it was like something out of a magazine! Dominick was so helpful, helping with the luggage and checking our hot tubs were heating up when needed. The tents are breathtaking, opulent, so comfortable, with robes and towels for the hot tubs and blankets to sit outside in the evening. The showers were always hot, with shampoo and boutique style shower gel provided. So many little hidden corners kitted out for relaxation; a children’s play tent, books and games. We will definitely be back!" - [Verified]
Oct 15, 2021 by Alexandra Bingham:
Absolutely fantastic experience!!! 5 Stars
"This place is absolutely out of this world! Every single thing has been thought of and taken care of. The tents are so cosy and so comfortable and the kitchen's are so well equipped. Dominic (the owner) makes sure you have everything you need. (He'll even take your luggage to your site with a little trailer!) They provide a wonderful little welcome hamper including bread, milk, orange juice, prosecco and fresh eggs and tea bags etc. You could come entirely empty handed and have everything you need! The setting is just beautiful. The views and surroundings are stunning and the grounds are great for having a stroll. There's bunnies and chickens and a badminton court. There's also a wonderful vegetable garden where you can pick some fresh veggies for your dinner. We planned to do so much on our holiday but all we wanted to do was stay at the site because it was so wonderful! Having a glass of prosecco and toasting marshmallows on the fire pit, keeping you warm (and the blankets they provide) then jumping in the hot tub and looking at the stars...it really was absolutely perfect!! I cannot fault one single thing about this place. It really is fantastic in every possible way and I cannot wait to book again to go back! Great for couples or for families! Would absolutely recommend!! 5 stars!! A massive thank you to the owners for making it such a magical wonderful experience for us!" - [Verified]
