You’ve got to have a sense of humour whenever you pack up to go camping in this country. You’re never too sure what weather’s going to be like and glorious sunshine as you head off one minute can easily turn into a downpour hours later when you arrive.

So you can understand why glamping has become so popular. Never mind the cold, mud and rain, as you leave your mallet and pegs at home.

As long as there is a wooden floor, carpets, a snug bed with thick blankets and electricity all will be well.

And forget about that treacherous walk across a muddy field to the loos, hessian carpeted walkways makes that midnight journey a lot easier to negotiate.

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Glamping sites have been ‘pitching’ up all over the country in recent years, so it was no surprise that the popular Chessington theme park has got in on the act.

Why not live under the stars for a day or two with its many child-friendly rides just seconds away? What could be more perfect for young children?

So with this in mind, its inaugural glamping season kicked off on Friday, May 20, and was no doubt going to be any child’s version of heaven.

As hundreds of other visitors to the park were leaving as it shut for the day at 5pm on Friday, dozens of happy campers with travel suitcases in tow were making their way to the camp site. The night was young and the fun was only just beginning.

This was a sort of safari adventure – Surrey style.

And everyone was made to feel incredibly welcome as we were ushered to our thick canvass tepee–style tent accommodation for the evening. Ours was warm and cosy with a double bed and two singles for the kids. All the tents had electricity while the site also boasted four premium tents that included a king sized bed and outdoor furniture. Stay here and your experience gets even more glampier!

Outdoor games including giant jenga and connect four helped keep the kids entertained while face and nail painting plus kids tattooing was also available.

And what really thrilled the kids was the fact a small section of the park (Asia world) was opened up for the evening and, without any queues, they were able to enjoy their favourite rides including bumper cars and the Cobra over and over again.

A buffet dinner, that included a Ceilidh band as part of the entertainment, followed by breakfast the following morning was served up in the new Explorer’s restaurant.

And when the park opened for the arriving masses, campers were issued with golden wrist band fast track passes for the first hour of the day that meant leaping to the front of the queue on all the rides especially the most popular rides like the Vampire.

If you have excitable youngsters who enjoy a bit of adventure with a few amusement rides thrown in for good measure, than this adventure is pitch-perfect!

For more details about glamping at Chessington World of Adventures visit Chessington.com/glamping

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