1. Botanical Bell Tent, Glengarriff
Kloe and Adam have been building a reputation for themselves over the past few years in West Cork. They offer guests authentic botanical experiences that include garden tours, afternoon teas and lunches as well as stays for couples in their luxury bell tent.
Beautiful, botanical-infused nourishing spaces nestled in amongst delicious planting & stunning scenery with lots of hearty feasting!
Botanical Bell Tent
The Botanical Bell Tent is nestled in a little forest clearing along a private track. You’ll struggle to find a more romantic weekend escape anywhere in Ireland- surrounded by nature and complete with it’s own little wood burning stove for the chillier evenings.
And as if that wasn’t enough (the private bell tent, beautiful botanical surroundings and romantic wood burning stove), guests also get to enjoy breakfast. The freshly prepared morning feasts are a celebration of their kitchen garden and wild ingredients foraged from around the surrounding West Cork landscape.
More info about staying at Botanical Bell Tent:
- The Botanical Bell Tent is available to book this year between 1st June and 18th September 2022
- Available for 2 people for stays between 2 and 5 nights.
- Available for €139 per night via Airbnb
2. Waterfall Alpaca Farm Glamping, Drimoleague
West Cork is known across Ireland (and further afield) for it’s quirky and unique take on things… which brings us to this alpaca themed glamping experience. Hidden away in the rolling hills, just a short walk from the 17th century Castle Donovan, is Waterfall Alpaca Farm.
The area surrounding the cabin is a haven for nature and wildlife- having been lovingly restored over many years. As a guest you’ll have access to the private walks that will take you under old growth oak trees, around alpaca paddocks and along an unspoilt tributary of the River Ilen. The river itself runs down to Drimoleague (about 4 miles away), through Skibbereen until finally passing through Baltimore and into the Atlantic Ocean. And of course, as the name suggests, you’ll discover a breath taking waterfall while you explore the grounds- complete with pools safe to swim in.
The cabin itself, which sits alongside a Bronze Age stone row, can sleep 4. If you’re traveling with a larger group, camping can also be arranged. A well equipped kitchen is included, complete with gas cooker, fridge and kettle.
More info about glamping at Waterfall Alpaca Farm:
- The cabin is available from April to September
- April, May and September prices are €85 per night
- June, July and August prices are €95 per night
- There is a minimum stay of 2 nights. All bedding is provided, but you’ll have to bring your own towel, as they are not provided!
- For more information and to book this unique glamping experience, contact Waterfall Alpaca Farm directly
3. Inch Hideaway, Whitegate
Inch Hideaway is a glamping site that fully embraces sustainable tourism. The 4 hand built yurts and wagon are a 15 minute walk from Inch Beach and each come with a private garden area, picnic bench and BBQ.
This East Cork coastal retreat also offers personal treatments on site that includes holistic massages, Craniosacral therapy, individual and group Yoga classes.
If you like your glamping with a few more home comforts… Inch Hideaway’s “Wanderly Wagon” will be a great experience. The old school bus has been converted and renovated into a cosy and unique stay. The insulated bus comfortably sleeps 4 (1 double bed and 2 single beds), comes complete with wood burning stove, heated shower and kitchen.
This is a corner of County Cork that is often overlooked in favour of West Cork. But, as anyone who knows East Cork well will tell you, it would be a mistake to rule out East Cork! Inch Hideaway is within easy traveling distance of many beautiful (quiet and unspoilt) south facing beaches- Inch beach, Ballybranigan beach, Gyleen Bay beach and Trabolgan Bay beach to name a few. Ballycotton is a must visit when you’re in the area. And of course Cork city is just half an hour away by car.
More info about staying at Inch Hideaway:
- Inch Hideaway operates a No Plastic Policy. They encourage all guests to refrain from bringing any plastic on to site
- Prices for the glamping yurts vary but start at about €60 per night
- For more information, to check availability and book: visit Inch Hideaway
4. Chléire Haven, Cape Clear
8 miles off the wild West coast of Cork is this beautiful coastal escape. Chléire Haven offers yurts, bell tents and old fashioned camping on Cape Clear (one of Ireland’s most remote islands). The ferry from Baltimore on the wild coast of West Cork will take you approximately 45 minutes.
Yurts at Chléire Haven can sleep up to 4 adults and come with a wood burning stove for colder nights. A communal yurt also provides a gas cooker and shared cooking utensils.
The waters around Cape Clear are famous for their aquatic life. This is the perfect glamping site to stay at if you want a chance of spotting one of the many frequent visitors. Basking sharks, dolphins, orcas and even fin whales and starfish are all regularly spotted around the island.
More info about staying at Chléire Haven:
- Solar powered lighting is provided, however you will want to bring a torch for walking around the site at night!
- April, May and September prices for the glamping yurts start at €115 per night
- June, July and August prices for the glamping yurts start at €135 per night
- Bedding is included in the price for the yurt, but you’ll have to bring your own towels!
- The bell tents are available to stay in for €20 per night, per adult and €10 per night, per child
- You can bring your own tent and camp at Chléire Haven for €12.50 per night, per adult and €6 per night, per child
- For more information, to check availability and book directly with Lyndy: Chléire Haven Glamping
5. Ballyvolane House Glamping, Fermoy
Ballyvolane House has certainly taken the “glam” part of “glamping” seriously with their bell tents. The glamping bell tents and glamping arks are situated in the beautifully maintained gardens at Ballyvolane House.
On arrival at your bell tent/ ark you’ll find an old apple crate inside containing bottled well water, Irish apple juice, homemade chocolate cookies, a torch, matches and maps of the estate. It’s this level of detail and luxury you can expect from your stay at Ballvolane House.
You’ll be falling asleep surrounded by old trees, shrubs and nature. Each bell tent and ark comes with a futon style double bed (complete with a luxury mattresse made by the Natural Mat Company) and is lit by fairy light chandelier.
We’d expect nothing less than a chandelier from Ballyvolane House- this is, after all, where Prince Charles and Camilla decided to stay during their official visit to Cork in 2018. We’ve done some digging on the internet and can’t find any confirmation of whether the royal couple stayed in the main house or decided to give glamping a go- so, considering the lack of evidence, we’ll assume they stayed in one of the bell tents in the garden…
More info about glamping at Ballyvolane House:
- Glamping at Ballyvolane House is available between May and September
- The bell tents are available for €245 for 2 nights
- The glamping arks are available for €275 for 2 nights
- Breakfasts are available from the onsite cafe
- Cocktails and seasonally changing dinners are served in the main house and start at €70 for a 4 course set meal
- For more information, to check availability and book: Ballyvolane House Glamping
6. Mountain Forge Escape, Clonakilty
You’ve seen romantic yurts, coastal retreats, a converted bus and luxury bell tents so far on this list… but, you’ve not seen a dome yet. “The Dome” Mountain Forge Escape is Ireland’s first.
The dome, which is sound proof and (we’re assured) warm, is a luxury and unique glamping experience in the heart of West Cork. The transparent front makes full use of the wild views and dark skies- which you’ll be able to enjoy from your double bed.
The futuristic dome comes fully furnished with a stove, air conditioning, electricity, comfy double bed, toilet and an extra sofa bed if required.
More info about staying at Mountain Forge Escape:
- Prices for tent pitches at Mountain Forge start at €20 per night
- The camping and glamping site comes with access to wheelchair friendly toilet and shower facilities
- There is a 2 night minimum stay for the glamping dome
- For more information, to check availability and book: Mountain Forge Escape
7. Top of the Rock, Drimoleague
Top of the Rock offers a unique farm stay in all year round glamping pods, surrounded by some of the best walking routes in Ireland. The West Cork retreat offers 8 glamping pods dotted throughout this beautiful working farm.
This farm, set in the heart of West Cork, has been in the same family since 1920. The farm and glamping site are both run sustainably- making the most of natural water wells on site and solar panels that provide hot water most of the year round.
More info about staying at Top of the Rock:
- Prices range from €59 to €99 per night, depending on which glamping pod you choose to stay at
- There is a 2 night minimum stay at weekends and during peak season
- The site has a fairly strict set of rules and policies regarding pets and dogs (due to the livestock that lives on site)
- For more information, to check availability and book: Top of the Rock
8. Wild Atlantic Glamping, Bere Island
Glamping on Bere Island in West Cork is a unique experience. Each of their luxury bell tents are situated along the shore, with their own private terrace where you can relax and enjoy the views over Lawrence Cove in Bantry Bay.
The bell tents at Wild Atlantic Glamping range in size- from 2 people to up to 5 people staying in each tent. Electricity, fresh bed linen and towels are provided for each tent. And on arrival, you’ll be greeted with a welcome pack that includes Edel’s freshly baked homemade scones, Bere Island honey, local blackberry jam and marshmallows for toasting over the fire.
More info about staying at Wild Atlantic Glamping:
- Glamping on Bere Island is available from April through to September in 2022
- Prices start from €100 per night during off season for a 2 person bell tent
- All guests have access during their stay to the modern communal buildings- which includes a kitchen/ dining area and toilet/ laundry and shower facilities
- For more information, to check availability and book: Wild Atlantic Glamping
9. Ballyroe Glamping, Leap
The glamping scene in Ireland these days seems dominated by bell tents and gleaming glamping pods. But there is something very romantic about spending a summers night in a shepherds hut. Arguably the original form of glamping…
Ballyroe in Leap offers 3 shepherds huts to rent- all with bundles of their own character and charm. The huts are spread out across the charming site, surrounded by rolling hills and colourful vegetable gardens.
The huts include a kitchenette, a bathroom and a queen size bed. So even if you can’t guarantee the weather in West Cork, you can be guaranteed a cosy and comfortable stay at Ballyroe.
More info about glamping at Ballyroe:
- Prices start from around €96 per night, per shepherds hut
- There’s an optional extra of a breakfast basket
- For more information, to check availability and book: Ballyroe Glamping
10. Goats Path Pod Park, Sheeps Head Peninsula
Goats Path Pod Park is the latest glamping newcomer to this otherwise quiet corner of West Cork. The holiday park opened with much local fanfare in 2021 after nearly 5 years of planning.
The family farm, turned glamping site, hosts 6 hobbit style pods- each with a double bed, futon bed, kitchenette, shower and toilet facilities as well as WiFi.
Outside of the purpose built pods you’ll be treated to north facing views across Bantry Bay towards the mountains of the Beara Peninsula and beyond. The Sheeps Head Peninsula is loved for being a slightly quieter spot along the popular Wild Atlantic Way. You’ll find some of the most extensive walking routes anywhere in Ireland here, all within walking distance of West Cork’s newest place to stay.
More info about staying at Goats Path Pod Park:
- Prices for staying at the glamping pods vary, but start at €140 per night
- Camping is also available on site and comes with the added bonus of communal kitchen and washing facilities
- For more information, to check availability and to book: Goats Path Pod Park
