The Ultimate Packing List for Our Timber Lodges

We know that preparing for a glamping holiday is no easy task, and it’s even harder if you’re packing for the whole family! It often leads to a long list of items and a host of questions. How many pairs of shoes do I need for two nights? Will the lodge have a private bathroom, cutlery, and comfortable bedding? Is there a plug socket for my phone, or do I need to prepare for a more rugged camping experience?

To help you prepare for your next glamping adventure, we’ve put together this comprehensive glamping checklist. Our award-winning timber lodges in the Yorkshire Dales offer many of the comforts of home, but a few essential items will ensure you have an enjoyable glamping trip. Unlike a standard glamping tent, bell tent, or shepherd huts, our lodges are a unique hideaway designed for a more glamorous camping stay, more of a home away from home than a glamping pod. Because these are solid timber structures and not thin-walled pods, you have a bit more luxury to work with, but the right preparation still makes all the difference.

[Post updated March 2026]

Food and Drink for Your Stay

Our remote location in the one of England’s most beautiful national parks, the Yorkshire Dales, ensures peace, quiet, and a very comfortable experience. However, this tranquility comes with a trade-off: we don’t have a major supermarket just around the corner! Bringing your own food and drink for your stay is a great idea to ensure you can stay in your comfort zone without having to drive out for supplies too often.

While our lodges feature that classic wood burner style aesthetic, they also have a modern kitchen with a fridge, so you don’t need to worry about bringing a cool box or ice packs (unless you’re planning a picnic out in the Dales). You have the luxury of a full hob and oven, which opens up your options far beyond simple campfire food.

• The Essentials: Don’t forget reusable water bottles for your hikes. The water in the Dales is crisp, and staying hydrated is key when you are out on the hills. Also, remember to pack your favourite tipple for the chilly evenings on the terrace.
• Treats: Marshmallows for the fire pit are a must! There is something about the ritual of toasting treats over an open flame that completes the outdoor experience.
• Local Flavours: While you should bring your main supplies, remember we have the Love Brownies cafe right here for the finer things in life, like artisan coffee and award-winning chocolate treats.
• Added Luxury: You can add one of our BBQ or breakfast packs to your booking (72 hours’ notice required) to make life even easier. These packs are designed to give you a taste of the region without the stress of meal prep.

And if you realise you’ve forgotten something important? Don’t worry, we have a little shop on site with a few essentials including basic medicine, camping supplies and sweet treats. And if you fancy a real treat, just a few steps away from our glamping lodges we have the Love Brownies barn which serves up delicious breakfasts and lunches, as well as takeaway pizzas in the evenings, as well as their famous brownies!

Versatile Clothing for the Yorkshire Dales

The British weather at any time of year can be unpredictable, and the Yorkshire Dales sometimes feels like it has its own microclimate! Whether you are visiting in the warmer months, the summer months, and especially over the winter, the great outdoors requires some planning. We recommend versatile clothing and extra layers so you can adapt to changing conditions. Even on a beautiful day, the temperature can drop quickly once the sun dips behind the hills of the Wharfe Valley.

• Base Layer & Light Sweater: A good base layer is essential for moisture-wicking if you are hiking, while a light sweater is perfect for when the sun goes down and you’re enjoying the benefits of nature on your terrace.
• Waterproof Jacket: A light rain jacket is always a good idea in Yorkshire! Even a passing shower shouldn’t stop your outdoor adventure.
• Bathing Suit: This is perhaps the most important item on your list! Our lodges are famous for their hot tubs. Soaking in the wood-fired bubbles while looking out over the valley is the highlight of our glamping experience. We recommend bringing two sets of swimwear if you plan on soaking morning and night, so you always have a dry one ready.
• Casual Clothing: For relaxing inside the lodge or popping into nearby Grassington or Skipton, casual clothing that you feel relaxed in is the way to go.
• Footwear: We are lucky to have many outdoor activities and walking routes starting right from our site. Comfortable clothing should be paired with sturdy walking boots or wellies for the uneven terrain. If you plan on visiting the river Wharfe, wellies are a great option for a bit of paddling or splashing through puddles.
• 

Tech, Entertainment, and Lighting

While many guests come here to step out of their usual living quarters and go off-grid, we know you might still want your electronic devices to capture memories or navigate the trails. Our lodges offer a bridge between the rustic and the modern.

• Staying Connected: We provide a plug socket in the rooms in our lodges and free Wi-Fi, so mobile phones stay in peak condition without needing a portable power bank or power packs. You can upload your photos of the alpacas or check the weather forecast with ease! If you’re heading out on a long hike, we would suggest bringing along a small portable power bank though, just in case.
• Evening Fun: After the sun sets, the Dales become very quiet. Bringing a good book, a portable speaker for low-level music, or a few board games is a great way to spend quality time together. We find that guests often rediscover the joy of simple things like a deck of cards or a long-form novel during their stay.
• Stargazing: Because we are away from city lights, we are in a dark sky area. You might even see the Northern Lights on rare occasions when the conditions are perfect, but you’ll always see a spectacular canopy of stars on clear nights. A pair of binoculars can be a great addition to your bag for both stargazing and spotting local birdlife like the red kites that often circle overhead.

Toiletries, Wellbeing, and Safety

Your lodge comes with a hot shower and high-end finishes, but you should pack your own toiletries and personal items to make the space feel like home. We focus on providing the infrastructure for a luxury stay, while you bring the items that make it personal.

• Skin Protection: Even in cooler weather, the sun’s harmful rays can be strong while hiking on the exposed limestone scars. Pack sun cream and some insect repellent or bug spray for trekking through the long grass or sitting out on your deck in summer.
• Basic First Aid Kit: While we hope your trip is purely restful, a basic first aid kit with plasters and antiseptic cream is a good idea for those who are planning a more rugged outdoor experience.
• Little Luxuries: If you’re someone who loves the finer things, a hot water bottle can add a touch of adventure and extra cosiness while stargazing. We provide the wood for your wood burners, but a few extra blankets from home can make a movie night in the lodge feel even more special.
• Comfort: We ensure our lodges are spaced out to give you your own comfort zone, but bringing a pair of slip-on shoes or flip-flops is a great idea for nipping between the lodge and your private hot tub.

Understanding the Difference: Lodges vs. Tents

Your upcoming stay at Howgill isn’t the standard camping experience. When you book one of our timber lodges, you are choosing a glamping unit that is a significant step up from a bell tent or a shepherd hut. Our lodges are permanent structures with full insulation, meaning they stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

You don’t need to pack a sleeping bag or worry about air conditioning units. The living quarters are spacious enough for the whole family to move around without treading on each other’s toes. This is glamorous camping at its best, where the focus is on the outdoor experience without the traditional hardships of sleeping on the ground.

Item Category	Provided by Howgill Lodge?	What You Might Like To Bring
Bedding & Linens	Yes, premium linens and pillows included.	An extra blanket for the terrace.
Towels	Yes, 1 hand towel and 1 large towel per person.	A separate towel for the hot tub.
Kitchenware	Fully equipped with oven, hob, microwave, and kettle.	Your own food, oils, and spices.
Coffee & Tea	Coffee machine with a starter pack of pods.	Extra pods if you are a big coffee drinker.
Starter Fuel	Wood, kindling, and firelighters for the hot tub.	A long-reach lighter if you prefer.
Bathroom	Private bathroom with a hot shower and toilet.	Own toiletries, shampoo, and soap.

Exploring Beyond the Lodge

While you might be tempted to spend your whole trip relaxing on your terrace, the surrounding area is a treasure trove of discovery. Being in the heart of the national park means you have access to some of the most famous landscapes in the United Kingdom.

If you are planning a day trip, a small backpack or carrier is a great addition to your packing list. This allows you to take your lunch, water bottles, and your waterproof jacket with you as you explore. Whether you are walking to the historic Barden Tower or taking the short drive to the Bolton Abbey estate, having a “go-bag” ready makes the transition from lodge to trail seamless.

For those who want to venture a little further, the North York Moors and the Yorkshire coast are within driving distance, but most of our guests find that the immediate beauty of the Wharfe Valley is more than enough to fill a week-long stay.

Final Tips for Your Upcoming Glamping Trip

Our lodges are a great option for those who want the outdoor adventure of a camping experience but with the luxury of a modern home. This balance of nature and comfort is what makes Howgill Lodge a unique destination.

Whether it’s your first glamping destination or you’re a seasoned pro, focusing on the simple things, like spending time with loved ones, breathing in the fresh air, and meeting our resident alpacas – that’s what makes a stay here a great time! We have worked hard to ensure that our glamping accommodations are ready for your arrival, so all that is left for you to do is pack your bags and set your sat-nav for Barden.

We can’t wait to welcome you to your next glamping trip and help you discover why this corner of Yorkshire is so special.