Timeless Springtime Tips for an Extraordinary Outdoors
Martha Fosberry is a columnist for International Glamping Business magazine and proud “glamparent”, operating their family-run glamping site in Herefordshire, The Moon & I, with husband Rueben and two young children.
We all know the old saying, “hands in the soil, good for the soul.” In a celebration of spring and all things bright and beautiful, this feature explores how to make the most of your outdoor space. Ten fun and creative suggestions that can be scaled up or down to suit your situation and to help you shrug off the gloom and get your outdoor offerings up scratch, ready for a strong summer season. So dig deep, daydream and let your outdoor inspo flow!
The Magic of a Meditation Garden
Finding peace amongst the pressures and stresses of life has never been more important. Guests flee cities and 9-to-5s, quite literally wanting to “escape to the country”. Creating a meditation garden is a fabulous addition to your site, giving guests the ultimate opportunity to reconnect and relax. The UK mental health charity Mind explains that meditation can help people become more self-aware, feel calmer and less stressed, more able to choose how they respond to thoughts and feelings, cope with unhelpful thoughts and be kinder to yourself – what’s not to like?
As the roots of mediation are largely embedded in Buddhism, a statue of Buddha could take centre stage in your mediation garden, an homage to the inner peace and balance found in this ancient practice. A gentle water feature could add a calming soundscape. Wind-chimes can be hung from the branches of trees. Creating a low level seating area with soft cushions and throws will help guests get comfy and ready to unwind; this may also offer some protection from the elements should there be poor weather conditions. Why not plant some highly scented flowering shrubs to stir the senses and focus the mind?
Top Tip: Try providing some books in your space
to introduce your guests to the art of meditation and mindfulness. There is also a wealth of free mindfulness and meditation apps such as Calm & Headspace that you can signpost guests to, should they be seeking guidance.
Fireside Friends – Communal Fire Pit Areas
The time of old tradition, of sitting fireside and beholding the night sky is as enticing today as it was thousands of years ago. Creating a safe and comfortable environment is paramount. Digging down at least 30cm then removing all turf and top soil will allow you to make a gravel base to place your fire pit on – ideally centred within the seating area.
Alternatively, you can use stone slabs and create a patio to house your fireside haven. Why not get in touch with a local tree surgeon and commission some large tree rounds to form a natural seating area? For extra comfort you can offer guests a sheepskin to place on top of the wood rounds. As for the main event, there are so many exciting fire pit options on the market!
Top Tip: With this great tip, comes great responsibility! Please seek advice from both your insurance company and an organisation such as The Health & Safety Executive to ensure your fire pit offering meets the legal requirements and all necessary fire protection is provided.
Ready, Set, Go! Giant Games to Get Your Guests Grinning
There is something delightful about hearing the giggling of guests as they entertain themselves with a board game in the garden. Why not upscale the fun? Larger than life games have become a familiar favourite at wedding receptions and county pubs alike. How about making them a permanent feature in your outdoor space?
If you are feeling handy, why not have a go at building some of your own; a simple tower stacking game can be fashioned from lengths of treated timber cut to the same size (you will need 52 pieces). Head over to Youtube to find a wealth of giant game building buddies. Be sure to always consult a professional if you’re in any doubt about how safe an idea may be to achieve.
If larger games are not a practical option for you, then store some family favourites for your guests to enjoy outdoors in a small shed or weatherproof storage box.
Create a Herby Haven
I think most of us can agree that there is nothing better than cooking with fresh ingredients; and you can’t get much fresher than providing a herb garden for guests to use while cooking on site. For some
city-dwelling glampers, the closest they might have come to a herb garden may very well be a lonely potted basil from the supermarket on the kitchen windowsill.
A herb garden can be a practical, easy and engaging addition. Size isn’t everything either! Like any of the ideas presented here, you can scale up or down your dream herb haven depending on what space you have in mind. Small raised beds from old railway sleepers are ideal, but herbs can be also be planted in pots. If space really is a premium why not try a wall-mounted marvel? The planter possibilities are truly endless!
You can even create vertical planters from upcycling old palettes – Pinterest has some great “How To” guides for this if you are feeling handy.
You are not limited to herbs either; plant up some tomatoes in a pair of old wellies or a hanging basket for hungry campers to pluck. Try filling up an old wheelbarrow with compost & plant that up with edible flowers – nasturtiums are an excellent choice and taste wonderful in a wild salad. Vintage agricultural tins, tubs and even tractor tyres look fabulous brimming with blooms. Let’s get planting, glampers!
Work it Out, Outside
From chilling out in the meditation garden, to chin ups! This fitness-focused idea can be scaled up or down depending on your budget too. If you are on a tight budget and are handy with the tools, a simple calisthenic (body weight) workout space can be achieved with a bit of DIY. Upright posts can
be erected using 4-5 inch tantalised timbers whilst galvanised steel bars and fixings can be used to create a range of equipment perfect for pull ups, chin ups, tricep dips, press ups, squats and jumps.
You can even explore the option of using existing trees (should they be large and strong enough) to hang work out equipment from. Don’t let the fun be compromised – it is essential to ensure you contact your public liability insurance company to make them aware of any outdoor activity equipment you provide for guest to use during their stay. You may also need to display a use disclaimer notice informing guests that equipment is used at their own risk.
Naked in Nature – The Liberation of Outdoor Washing
After all their hard work in the gym, your guests will need a wash! There has been a clear growth in the trend of outdoor bathing. The market is seeing more and more bold bath tubs and snazzy showering structures. There is something about the simple act of bathing outdoors that automatically connects you to nature itself on a primal level.
The sound of birdsong as you take a long soak under an oak, the canopy of blazing green leaves above you as the warmth of a shower washes off your day’s adventures: perfection. Propane boilers are a great off-grid water heating option if mains water and power are not an option.
*Be sure to seek advice from your local authority, should you be considering permanent structures, as you may require planning permission.
