Glamp it up for luxury break in the outdoors

But there is another way – the comfy, cosy world of glamping. If you can't survive without your hair straighteners and demand a fridge to keep your champers cool, then this is for you.

And this week's Caravan & Camping Show at Birmingham's NEC has plenty on offer for those thinking about glamping it up. The show features more than 100 new tent models – and more unusual items such as the UK Hideaways Camping Pod, which is more of a home from home.

The log cabin-inspired pods come with a price tag of £7,956 and are ready for customers to transform into their very own Aladdin's cave of luxury. Warm walls, climate-control fans and a waterproof floor are key features.

They have been created by Jon Baxter at UK Hideaway and he uses a Black Country company to make the metal shingle tiles for the outside walls. "Britmet Tileform in Tipton are the only manufacturers in the country that can make the tiles – the only other company that produce them are in New Zealand," says Jon.

"The monocoque structure gives such good support that our buildings do not need any internal walls in order to support the roof, so there is a lot of space. They have a humidity control fan and UPVC doors and windows and are great for people who want a cost-effective way to get away on holiday and not battle with the elements."

Jon says the pods are so versatile that people are buying them to use as garden rooms, home offices, granny annexes and teenage crash dens. The pods are carpeted and fully insulated so they are warm in the winter, he says.

These days, the tents at the show are brightly coloured and can pop up in minutes – no more struggling in the rain with rusty tent pegs and awkward poles. They can be rigged for electrical power, which means owners can have stoves, reading lamps and climate control.

Christine Armstrong is the owner of Glamping West Midlands, at Enville near Stourbridge. Her Mongolian yurts are raised on their own decking area and come with private seating area, cold water supply, barbecue and camping stove. Towels and bedding are provided and the luxury shower block has hot and cold water, electricity points and there is also a fridge and freezer to keep the beer and champagne cool.

Christine says: "We get all sorts of people who want to experience a glamping trip – people who want to party, families and couples looking for a romantic break." The site opened in September and Christine says she is fully booked until the end of April.

Glamping was inspired by the experiences of young, rich entertainers and models at outdoor events such as music festivals and open air rock concerts. Many wealthy concert-goers wondered aloud if it might be possible to avoid the trappings of a clammy hot tent on a muddy field just to enjoy a show or the wonders of nature. With the growing popularity of glamping, many would-be campers are buying designer camping gear and other amenities before going on trips.

At Brook House Farm Camping and Caravan Site at Crew Green, Shrewsbury, Julia Owen says their camping pods and bell tents are very popular. "We opened our first Posh Pod camping pod in 2011 and it proved to be very popular, especially with walkers on the nearby Severn Way," she says.

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