What is a Stay at Botswicky Like? A Guide to Staying in a Yurt in the Wiltshire Countryside…
Oak Yurt - our first yurt, built from beautiful Norwegian Oak - it is 10 years old and demonstrates how strong and sustainable yurts can be
If you’ve never stayed in a yurt before, you might be wondering what the experience will be like.
Is it comfortable? Is it warm and cosy? What do you sleep on? Where do you shower? And what happens when you need the loo in the middle of the night?
A yurt stay is a little bit different from both a hotel and traditional camping in tents. At Nordic Glamping at Botswicky, our four hand-crafted yurts give you a beautiful and comfortable place to stay in the English countryside, within the meadow and close to woodland and the wildlife around you.
There is no reception or rows of pitches and no long list of rules to navigate. Instead, you have your own secluded space, proper beds and mattresses, a wood-burning stove, an outdoor fire-pit/BBQ and the freedom to spend a few days outdoors, in nature, at your own pace.
Here’s what you can expect:
What does it feel like to stay in a yurt?
The first thing people often notice is the space and the shape, along with the colour of the Ash or Oak wood that we have lovingly treated over the years.
A yurt is a round, open-plan structure with a natural sense of warmth, shelter and belonging. Our yurts are handmade by us, with traditional steam-bent framing, beautiful crowns that let the natural light in, raised insulated floors, proper beds and lockable doors; they are more like a small home than a tent.
There is also a different relationship with the outdoors and the natural world surrounding them. You can hear the raindrops on the roof. You notice the changing light through the day. In the evening, you can sit by the wood-burner as the meadow outside gets dark and the stars come out in a non-light polluted sky.
This isn't a hotel room transported into the countryside; there are other accommodation providers that offer this. We aim to offer a truly immersive nature experience, rather than simply somewhere to sleep for the night.
They are a wonderful and secure place to bring your 4-legged friends too, several of our yurts on site are pet friendly.
Are yurts warm?
All of our yurts have a wood-burning stove inside, ideal for cosy evenings and warming up in the morning when the air is crisp outside
Yes, although you will still notice the changing seasons and you will need to be prepared for this.
There is something really grounding about gathering up wood, stacking it inside the wood-burning stove and then watching the fire glow warmly. In Spring and Autumn you might need warm PJs and a cosy blanket or two. In Winter, wool layers will keep things toasty under the covers, even in outside temperatures down to freezing.
In Summer, the yurts can feel wonderfully airy, particularly with the doors open and back panels opened up to let the breeze pass through. In exceptionally warm and dry weather the crown cover can also be removed for a genuine sleeping under the stars experience (whilst still sleeping in a comfortable bed).
What are the beds like?
This is one of the biggest differences between yurt glamping and camping, you have a proper bed rather than a sleeping mat on the ground.
Our yurts have handmade beds and wooden futons, all with comfortable mattresses and organic cotton or linen bedding, so you can enjoy the experience of sleeping outdoors without giving up a good night's sleep.
You'll find the details of the sleeping arrangements for each yurt on their individual pages, as they are slightly different.
What are the bathroom facilities like?
The bathrooms form part of the off-grid experience.
We use composting toilets rather than conventional flush toilets. They are simple, clean and designed to work with the countryside around us without the need for mains drainage.
There are also hot copper showers with large changing rooms, so you don't have to choose between being close to nature and having a proper shower after a day outside. Our largest yurt has its own private shower and loo and the remaining 3 yurts share two large showers and two loos between them. There is a tap and sink area close to the toilet and shower block for washing hands; this also provides drinking water which is chalk-steam and UV filtered. There is no need to bring along your own bottled water. The local farm use this water for their organic herds and kindly allow us to bring it into Botswicky.
If you've never used a composting toilet before, don't worry. We'll explain everything you need to know when you arrive and there are instructions inside each loo. We do not have long-drop toilets with all our facilities only having a one or two steps to access. We are looking into providing ramps and handles to increase the accessibility of our facilities in 2027.
What about cooking?
There is a shared covered outdoor kitchen where guests can prepare meals. Inside this area there is a professional steel work-top, a butler sink, cold running and filtered drinkable water. There is a cupboard containing crockery, cutlery, mugs and glasses.
For cooking we have several gas powered hobs and a large BBQ/fire pit by the kitchen. There are also individual fire-pits/BBQs by each yurt.
You will find basics such as freshly ground coffee (we love our coffee), tea bags, salt and pepper, cooking oils and our growing collection of hot-sauces.
We have an ice-powered, insulated and covered fridge as well. This has been very popular during the heat-waves we have experienced. We can top up the ice in this on request.
What should I bring for a yurt stay?
We provide the main comforts you need for your stay, including bedding, blankets and wood for your first nights stay but you'll want to bring clothing and footwear that suit the countryside and the time of year/season.
Useful things to pack include:
Light layers for changing weather
Swimming things and a towel for cold plunge/hot tub, plus a towel for using the showers (we can provide towels on request)
Waterproof jacket and trousers in wetter months
Walking shoes, boots or wellies especially if you plan on wondering up to the Ridgeway or to the local pub
Warm socks or slippers to change into when inside the yurt, flip-flops do the job in the summer
A torch or head-torch for moving around after dark
Comfortable clothes for evenings around the fire
Personal toiletries (eco-friendly if possible)
Food and drinks for your stay
You can purchase additional wood for subsequent nights staying with us, as we maintain our wood supplies ourselves we have to ensure that there is enough for everyone
How is a yurt stay at Botswicky Copse different from a traditional campsite?
One of the biggest differences is the amount of space.
Nordic Glamping at Botswicky has just four yurts across 10 acres of meadow and ancient woodland. There are no traditional camping pitches and no rows of tents or camper-vans.
The yurts are spaced well apart, giving you room to settle into your own corner of the site.
There are no cars allowed into the meadow either, so once you've arrived and unloaded, the meadow is a place for walking, playing, exploring and simply being outside in nature.
Should you need any assistance getting to and from your car to the yurts, we are more than happy to help with this.
We can also arrange collections and drop offs from the local train station in Swindon with a bit of notice.
What does off-grid actually mean?
“Off-grid” can mean different things to different people.
For us, it means creating a stay that is less dependent on the infrastructure and conveniences you would normally find in a hotel or traditional holiday park.
Resources such as water, wood and gas are used respectfully rather than being treated as unlimited. There is no electricity or hook-ups on site, so no harsh lighting, wifi or modern distractions.
It means being more aware of where you are and appreciating just this.
You might notice a kingfisher on the chalk stream, hear an owl after dark or see a much clearer night sky than you are used to.
The ancient woodland and meadow are part of the experience, rather than simply scenery outside your accommodation.
Is a yurt stay right for you?
A yurt stay with us isn't quite camping and it isn't a hotel.
It sits somewhere in between: a comfortable base from which to experience the countryside without having to give up a proper bed, warmth and a hot shower.
If you like the idea of waking up surrounded by meadow and woodland, cooking outside, lighting a fire in the evening and having space to slow down for a few days, you may find that a yurt stay is exactly the kind of break you've been looking for.
If you're not sure what to expect, that's part of the fun.
You don't need to be an experienced camper. You just need to be happy spending a little more time outdoors and a little less time rushing from one thing to the next.
Staying in a yurt at Botswicky
Our four yurts are set across 10 acres of meadow and ancient woodland in the Wiltshire countryside, close to the Ridgeway and the North Wessex Downs.
Each has its own character, but they share the same approach: handmade accommodation, simple comforts, plenty of space and a closer connection with the land around you.
Take a look at Our Yurts to see which one might suit your stay.
