Glamp and Tipple: The Norfolk-based events company bringing glamour to your garden and taking staycations to a whole new level of luxury

As the Covid-19 pandemic continues, and after months at home without the usual luxury holidays, many of us are beginning to get itchy feet. But although travel restrictions are gradually being lifted around the world, you’d be forgiven for remaining reluctant to travel abroad until things settle down even further due to the risk and worry it would involve.

Even travelling to local beach resorts on home soil has lost its usual appeal, with photos of over-crowded holiday hotspots flooding the newspapers over recent weeks as people move back towards a more normal existence and seem determined to soak up the summer sunshine – whatever the cost to their health.

But if you still can’t stomach the thought of spending your annual leave holed up in the house, then a glamorous new event hire company is offering a novel solution.

When you can’t go glamping, Norfolk-based Glamp and Tipple will bring the luxury camping experience to you, setting up their stylish bell tents in clients’ gardens in order to save their summer and give them the holiday experience they crave – all from the safety of their own back yards.

The company, which launched in May at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, has been inundated with bookings from people who are unable to go on holiday ever since, but it doesn’t end there. The service is also helping people celebrate special events such as birthdays, baby showers, children’s parties and even weddings in style, all from a safe social distance, of course.

Since Glamp and Tipple’s very first event, Helen and her wife Lou have worked with over 100 customers across the country to give them a special and memorable occasion or staycation, and the orders just keep on coming.

“It’s been unbelievable,” says Helen. “It all started snowballing really quickly. I don’t think we could have foreseen how busy we’ve been. I’ve never had something that’s seen to be so desirable.”

In addition to bell tents, the business also provides luxury essentials including hot tubs, food hampers, fire pits and even a bouncy castle, all of which are delivered to homes, assembled by the couple, and collected again once the festivities are over. They cater for almost every type of event including hen and stag parties, christenings and anniversaries and, whatever the ambience required, they can help their clients to create it.

Since March, the company has delivered to almost 100 different households, taking orders from Diss to as far away as Surrey

“If a client is celebrating an anniversary with their spouse, our bell tents provide them with the opportunity to enjoy a romantic mini-break with a difference while hotels remain closed. Add one of our hot tubs and a luxury food hamper for a dinner to enjoy together beside the fire pit and under the stars, and it doesn’t get much better than that.”

As summer continues, and larger groups are now being allowed to gather together outdoors, the strong start for the company is set to continue, and Glamp and Tipple has already amassed numerous bookings for the coming weeks. With the majority of festivals and events across the UK cancelled, it provides a great opportunity to recreate the vibe at home, with many keen to celebrate finally being permitted to see each other again.

It was unusual timing to launch such a venture, but Helen and Lou were keen to come up with a way they could support their four children after Covid-19 put paid to Helen’s plans to become a dog trainer.

“By April of this year, it had already become clear that we needed an idea that could survive the current economic uncertainty. I’ve always enjoyed planning and organising events, and that’s where the idea came from.”

Glamp and Tipple are taking staycations to a whole new level of luxury

“We’ve found that our children’s birthday party offerings have been particularly successful this summer. Parents are keen to give their children a special day on their birthdays, even when they can’t have all of the usual fun with large groups of friends. Allowing them to spend a night glamping in the garden transforms what might otherwise be an underwhelming birthday into one of the most memorable they’ll ever have.

“What child doesn’t like building dens or camping? And this is a step up from that, with all the usual creature comforts they’d enjoy inside the house.”

The ongoing coronavirus situation has taught us many things, but one of them, it seems, is the fact that there is joy to be found in just staying at home. You might have to think a little further outside of the box than usual, but there’s a lot to be said for the simple life. And, now that you know can holiday at home with all the luxuries you love, it’s time to get booking.