Back to News

A two-night family stay in a Brighton glamping pod

By Scott Crowe

When it comes to UK holidays, going away in January usually isn’t at the forefront of most people’s minds, but it’s a great way to break up the grind of what’s quite often a monotonous month in the aftermath of festive splurge and indulgence.

Having a family glamping holiday to look forward to in the middle of January definitely gave us a boost coming out of Christmas, and that was before we even went on it! Let me take you through what me, my partner Elizabeth and our toddler Bailey got up to during our two-night holiday in a Brighton glamping pod.

Friday - our arrival

Having had a fantastic time at Experience Freedom’s Lady Margaret’s Park site in autumn, our expectations were high as we made the much shorter journey from our home to Brighton. Although it had only been a matter of weeks since Christmas, there was something about the frosty winter that made the thought of a cosy glamping pod stay all the more appealing!

The lush green of East Brighton Park greeted us as we approached the Brighton Club Campsite that’s home to the Experience Freedom accommodation. It set the scene perfectly - you’re right at the eastern edge of Brighton here, backing onto hills that form the vast South Downs and dramatically stretch along the coast towards Eastbourne.

‘A warm welcome we love’

We were greeted by Mark and Phil, who gave us the warm welcome we love on our Experience Freedom arrivals. They filled us in on all the key information and gave us some handy recommendations for our weekend away.

Their friendly nature immediately made us feel at home. They answered of all our questions in detail and told us about the ANPR technology on site, which handily allows you to come and go in your registered vehicle as you please.

Our glamping pod, named Dunlin, was in a prestigious position with a sea view in the distance. The Experience Freedom accommodation as a whole was in its own dedicated area, creating a premium feel. Whilst the site is hilly, you’re more than rewarded for your step count by the beautiful surroundings.

‘Our glamping pod - a genius use of space’

Our glamping pod’s generously-sized decking was the perfect place to take a breather, with its fencing making it great for Bailey to stretch his legs without worry.

Inside you’re met with what can only be described as a genius use of space. The sofa folds perfectly out into a large double bed, way bigger than what you’d presume from a similar all-in-one appliance. There’s a bunk bed for the kids, which we used as a handy storage space but would equally add a bit of magic to the stay of anyone primary school age and above. For us, there was more than enough space for our travel cot too.

Crucially for us (and I’m sure we’re not the only ones!) the bathroom was immaculate with a shower and toilet needed for a homely stay. We opted to bring our own, but there’s an option to hire luxury towels to add an extra layer of comfort.

Dinner wise, we ordered some delicious pizzas from Chef Philippe, whose pop up is on the campsite throughout the year with different themed nights for guests to enjoy.

The simple, but crucial little touches were all present in the glamping pod. We took full advantage of this and made breakfast in the warmth. There were a couple of hobs for cooking, a fridge, toaster, microwave, utensils, the lot really.

You really could whip up a feast if you wanted to. A portable barbecue, which we used in Lady Margaret’s Park, is also very handy to get in the spirit of the surroundings.

For the more energetic amongst us, East Brighton parkrun is a matter of moments away from the campsite every Saturday morning. A knee injury was my excuse (reason!) for not participating this time.

‘A stroll on the pier’

We jumped in the car for five minutes and parked the car at Brighton Marina, which is a handy spot with hours of free parking and easy access to the seafront.

There’s a big Asda to stock up on supplies here. It's joined by places to eat and great options for a rainy day like bowling and soft play. A refreshing 30-minute stroll from here with Bailey’s buggy got us to the heart of Brighton.

What’s a seaside trip without a stroll on the pier? Brighton’s is one of the best. Bailey loved riding on the cup and saucers and at just a few quid, it was well worth it.

We then went to check out SEA LIFE, the world’s oldest aquarium and the perfect weatherproof place to bring the little ones. The grade II-listed structure opened in 1872.

‘Heading back to true comfort’

After navigating our way around here, we headed back towards the car. It’s worth noting that there’s a handy train running along the coast that links the pier and marina. It was closed for winter but looks like another great thing to do with the kids in peaktime.

We went out for dinner at Harvester and back for a night of relaxation in our glamping pod. That's the great thing about this accommodation, when you know you’re heading back to true comfort, you look forward to going back there after a day out. It’s an attraction in itself!

Sunday - heading home

We got up with plenty of time to check out of our glamping pod at 10am.

We couldn’t leave the site without letting Bailey have a play at the handy play park amongst the pitches. As you can see from some of the photos, he loved every second.

We then went to meet a friend for lunch in Kemptown, a vibrant area about 20 mins’ walk from the site, before heading home.

You’re spoilt for culinary choice, things to do and scenery in Brighton. When you couple these great selling points with the assurance of accommodation that’s great for a holiday all-year-round, you’re onto a sure-fire winner of a glamping experience.

Thank you to all the team at Brighton for hosting us!

Book a stay at Brighton today

Book a stay in a glamping pod today