Glamping is a blend of glamour whilst camping, hence the name ‘glamping.’Away from the hustle and bustle from a city lifestyle, I spent my weekend in a hamlet at Samlesbury Hall which is set on quiet country grounds, however only a few minutes’ drive away from the city of Preston.

Upon arrival, I was warmly greeted by a member of staff and settled into my shepherd’s hut.

Lanterns are dotted around the hamlet adding a rustic touch and cosy atmosphere.

Within the historic grounds you will find a cluster of colourful shepherds’ huts, all which offer an alternative to a traditional hotel room.

The huts sleep up to four people, and offer bunk beds, an en suite bathroom, and tea and coffeemaking facilities.

Swiftly after unpacking my suitcase – my stay was for only two nights; however, I pack for every occasion – there was a knock at my door, and I was delighted to discover supper was delivered to my hut.

Scrumptious northern pie and mash was served, which I thoroughly enjoyed on a picnic bench just outside my hut. It was a sensational moment eating a hot meal whilst sitting under the stars with my companion and being surrounded by the heart of nature.

The weather was perfect throughout the day - the sun was out; the sky was clear and there was a light breeze. Despite the warmth during the day, the temperate abruptly dropped in the evening.

A fire pit was available for guests to use, while complimentary marshmallows and ginger biscuits were also provided. A night time campfire, with marshmallows and biscuits can only mean one thing – s’mores! S’mores are a traditional treat around a campfire which originates from America and Canada.

The Samlesbury Hall restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.

As I was out and about during the day, breakfast was the only meal I ate at the Samlesbury Hall restaurant. They serve fabulous food in a homely environment, with a roaring fire was right by my side.

Breakfast was a treat and there was a vast selection to choose from, including cereal using fresh milk from the cow’s next door, a Full English using Samlesbury Hall’s very own free-range fried hen’s egg, and also plenty of vegetarian options.

The Full English was stunning for £7.95 – and it was even better knowing the eggs were locally sourced.

The following morning I enjoyed the house cured salmon, scrambled egg on a toasted bloomer priced at £6.95.

With so much to explore in the local area, it was an

action-packed weekend and I made sure to visit an array of locations close by to digest the true northern experience.

As recommended by staff, I paid a visit to Brockholes Nature Reserve just down the road from my stay. It was a fantastic opportunity to explore the outdoors and absorb the nature. There are paths provided for guests to take a stroll around the lakes, with viewing points designed for walkers to watch the wildlife without disturbing it.

I also took a drive to the coast at Lytham St Anne’s which is a seaside resort on the Fylde coast of Lancashire. The seaside town has four golf courses, the most notable being the Royal Lytham and St Annes Golf Club.

On my final day, I ventured to Clitheroe, which is a market town in the Borough of Ribble Valley in Lancashire – it is a unique town that offers something for everyone.

A perfect place for a meal was the The Millstone pub in the village of Mellor, which was just a five-minute drive away from Samlesbury. It was a charming inn with an impressive menu full of wholesome classic dishes.

My companion and I both ordered a platter each – I know, how greedy – but we were both feeling hungry after our long walk around the lakes.

The Millstone butcher’s platter consisted of salt and pepper chicken wings, mini sausage roll, slow cooked Pendle roast beef, wild boar chipolatas, duck spring roll, pork pie, piccalilli, pickled gherkins and ciabatta bread priced at £16.

The Fishmonger’s platter at £17 included Scottish smoked salmon, Panko breaded calamari and devilled whitebait, Thwaites ale-battered fish goujons, North Atlantic prawn cocktail, smoked anchovies, caper berries, lemon and ciabatta bread.

It is safe to say we lay off the s’mores that night.

There is an opportunity to explore the medieval grounds and take part in activities at Samlesbury Hall. Samlesbury Hall is a historic house built in 1325. The Grade I listed manor house attracts more than 50,000 visitors each year, where guided tours are proven to be popular.

The setting is fantastic for history lovers who like to indulge in antiquity, a family break for the children to play and explore, or a romantic weekend escape.

A perfect way to round off the trip included a walk round the grounds to find out the history of the medieval rooms over the centuries.

Guests can visit The Bee Centre which is onsite, where you can learn all about how bees work and how they produce their honey. There was even an opportunity to wear a bee suit and open up the hives.

Before hitting the road after my weekend break, I decided to pop in to Dottie’s Wafflery to dazzle my taste buds. I was surprised to discover Dottie’s Wafflery was England’s first every wafflery.

It was a sensational café onsite, serving fresh mouth-watering waffles and other special treats, such as ice cream sundaes, milkshakes and old-fashioned sweets.