The thunderclouds were gathering ominously overhead as I prepared to embark on what my friends considered a mildly ridiculous adventure. Here I was, a man approaching his sixtieth birthday who hadn't voluntarily slept outdoors since the scouts, about to drive twenty miles from home for a luxury glamping experience. "What's the attraction?" came the inevitable chorus from my bemused circle, delivered with the sort of knowing smirks reserved for middle-aged men buying sports cars.

As my parents used to say, you don't know unless you try—though I suspect they had rather more conventional pursuits in mind.

Setting off westward along the A59 towards Bolton Abbey, something quite remarkable occurred. As I climbed Kex Gill higher into the Yorkshire Dales, the brooding storm clouds began to part like theatrical curtains, revealing glorious sunshine beyond. It was as if the landscape itself was determined to put on a show—perhaps even the Almighty had a vested interest in my inaugural glamping venture in what locals proudly call "God's own country."

Summer, it seemed, wasn't quite ready to surrender.

Turning off the main road, I followed the winding lanes to Catgill Farm, where owners Oliver and Cat, along with their trio of canine greeters— Luna, Molly and Marley—have created something rather special. These lifelong Dales residents have crafted an oasis of beautifully designed pods that command breathtaking views across the undulating landscape they've called home for decades. Their mission is charmingly simple: to showcase what sits literally on their doorstep, allowing visitors to experience authentic country life and the great outdoors without sacrificing creature comforts.

The well-signposted farm entrance led to a reception where two genuinely warm staff members welcomed me with enthusiasm to match the late September sunshine. After the obligatory check-in formalities, I was whisked away by enthusiastic and delightful Liz in a golf buggy along a tree-lined track twinkling with fairy lights—a delightfully whimsical touch that immediately signalled this was no ordinary accommodation. Liz ensured everything was in order before departing back down the track.

My destination was 'The Swiss Ski Station'—one of several pods bearing equally charming names like 'The Honeybee' and 'The Badger'. As we crested the gentle rise, the setting's profound tranquillity struck me immediately. Rolling hills stretched endlessly before me, painted in those glorious shades of green that would have set David Hockney reaching for his brushes.

Hot tub with a view

Bunk Beds

The cosy pod, equipped with a double bed, twin bunks for additional guests, and a wood-fired hot tub thoughtfully heated to the perfect temperature for my arrival, was a masterclass in compact luxury. Settling into this bubbling sanctuary, surrounded by nature's theatre and dramatic low-hanging clouds, I felt my pulse slow noticeably. The accumulated stresses and strains of everyday life seemed to evaporate in the Yorkshire air.

This was more than accommodation—it was an idyll, a proper haven where one could retreat with a partner, friends, or family or simply luxuriate in splendid solitude. For aspiring novelists seeking interruption-free inspiration, writers could hardly ask for a more conducive environment.

The practical amenities proved equally impressive. A well-appointed firepit stood ready for barbecuing, complete with a pizza oven, while a generous supply of kindling suggested the hosts understood the therapeutic value of tending a proper flame. I set the fire crackling with satisfying efficiency before discovering what can only be described as a gastronomic feast awaiting in the pod's fridge—courtesy of local purveyors J.B. Wilkinson & Sons.

The provisions were genuinely magnificent: succulent sausages, corn on the cob, two magnificent field mushrooms, a vibrant red pepper, perfectly marbled loin steaks, tender chicken fillets, and hearty burgers, all accompanied by fresh bread buns. The loin steaks and chicken were particularly well-seasoned, their aroma hitting the senses the moment I opened the packets—clearly this was fare that could comfortably satisfy biblical multitudes, let alone one grateful glamper.

Sizzling food

Quality BBQ

As the barbecue began to crackle with promise, I slipped into the hot tub to savour what must surely rank among the most enviable views accessible from any bubbling sanctuary. The gentle bleating of sheep and occasional lowing of cattle provided the perfect rural soundtrack, completing an almost impossibly idyllic scene.

Time seemed to slow deliciously as I contemplated the following day's planned exploration of Bolton Abbey, marvelling at how, just across these very hills, thunderstorms were presumably still unleashing their fury. Here, bathed in late sunshine, I felt as though I'd discovered a secret pocket of perpetual summer.

Later, seated on the thoughtfully positioned bench and anticipating sunset, the food proved every bit as excellent as its appearance had promised. Each morsel was savoured not merely for its flavour but for the extraordinary setting in which it was consumed. A gentle stroll after this carnivorous feast proved unexpectedly magical—the twinkling fairy lights guiding my path while the fire pit's glowing embers seemed to mirror my own mounting enthusiasm for this bucolic adventure.

Returning to the pod, I settled into quiet contemplation with a book and soft music as darkness gradually enveloped the landscape. The haunting call of a distant owl punctuated the stillness, while overhead, liberated from any artificial light pollution, the stars emerged in all their ancient glory. This was precisely the sort of profound tranquillity that modern life rarely affords—a genuine opportunity to reconnect with both nature and oneself.

Morning sunshine

The following morning brought a glorious sunrise, its golden rays systematically illuminating different sections of the landscape like a celestial spotlight revealing hidden treasures. Remarkably, the hot tub had maintained its perfect temperature overnight, offering an irresistible invitation to greet the dawn from its bubbling embrace as the sun crested the surrounding hills.

A delicious warm pain au chocolat from Cat's Kitchen—conveniently located just down the track—provided the perfect breakfast accompaniment to a Nespresso in my pod. Inspired by the magnificent landscape unfolding before me, I resolved to explore the various walking routes threading through the area. It struck me how often we disregard the treasures literally on our doorstep, dismissing familiar territories in favour of distant adventures.

As I made my way down to reception for checkout, pausing to survey the larger campsite below, a profound realisation settled over me. Sometimes it genuinely pays to embrace the unfamiliar, to step outside our comfortable assumptions about what constitutes a proper holiday or adventure.



So to my sceptical friends—those who greeted my glamping debut with such knowing amusement—I have this to say: you were spectacularly wrong. This isn't merely about comfort, though the amenities are undeniably luxurious. It's about reclaiming time to explore, breathe, and remember what genuine tranquility feels like. It's the perfect wellbeing adventure, and frankly, you need to experience Catgill Farm for yourselves.

After all, as my parents wisely observed, you simply don't know until you try. And now, having tried, I'm already planning my return.

Catgill Farm - Camping and Glamping, Bolton Abbey, Skipton BD23 6HA
01756 710247
hello@catgillfarm.co.uk
https://www.catgillfarm.co.uk/
10 Timber Pods Sleeps 6. 2 Bell Tents Sleeps 4. Ample Grass Pitches with 34 electric pitches