Glen Helen glamping and Swiss chalet restaurant
My lovely school friend Stuart told me he was starting a glamping site a while ago and I knew it would be great! He very kindly let us stay at one of the pods last night to try it out (no string attached!) but I couldn’t not write a review could I?!
The site is described as ‘nature without the rough’ and that’s exactly what you get.
With a power shower, toilet, comfy beds, snuggly duvets, linen and towels provided, underfloor heating and kitchen area inside and outside decking with BBQ / fire pit and seating, this is certainly not your average camping experience! There will be wireless access in the near future but it’s not set up yet so a perfect opportunity to switch off from social media (or use your 4G 😂)
We enjoyed playing board games in the evening with the girls.
No matter the weather or the season these pods are fit for purpose.
There are 6 pods there currently with a further 2 in the planning. They have loads of plans on how the site is going to evolve but for now it’s looks beautiful with wild flowers growing between the pods to attract butterflies.
It’s set in the stunning Glen Helen with a great play park for kids and a stunning waterfall at the end of a lovely walk. The DOI are currently resurfacing all the footpaths and have repainted the play equipment. It’s already looking great! The kids will love walking over the big bridge with the river rushing below. They can play ‘Pooh sticks’ or pretend to be a little goat gruff crossing over the trolls bridge 😍
The newly managed Swiss chalet is part of the complex so we tried there for breakfast the following morning too. It was INSANELY GOOD! ( we paid for our own breakfast)
The notoriously picky mr Babytoddlerfoods said the breakfast was the best he’s ever had. And the girls who had said they weren’t hungry because they’d already had waffles and berries in the pod stole all his sausages!
I contacted them a couple of days before I visited to see if there was any chance of a vegan option? WOW! The best vegan meal I have had in a long time! No usual avocado on toast here! The chef whipped me up falafel pancakes with grilled tomatoes, sautéed mushrooms and spinach and fresh rocket with a tomato and chilli jam! I can’t wait to go back!
The restaurant is open in the evenings but we decided to get chips from peel with the kids instead. The lovely @foodieguideiom has visited for evening service and described it as the ‘closest food to Michelin Star on the Isle of Man.’ I know EXACTLY what they mean now and we only had the brunch!! Go and check out their blog post on the restaurant here-
https://thelocalloves.wordpress.com/2019/08/05/new-restaurant-swiss-chalet-glen-helen/
Would I recommend? YES!! it’s certainly not a camping experience, it’s far more luxurious than that. A perfect base for visiting peel or ramsey for days out and if you’re into motorbikes then there’s probably no better place to watch the bikes fly by then the car park.
I would imagine that celebrating a special occasion could not be better done than by a lovely meal at the Swiss chalet and then an overnight stay in the glamping pods.
My friend has attended a hen party staying in the pods with a buffet from the restaurant and she thoroughly enjoyed that.
There’s is also a new event area with stunning views across the glen which would be perfect for a wedding venue 😍
Thank you Stuart and team! We will defo be back! A winter night in the pod would be perfect for snuggling up in 🙌�
babytoddlerfoods 