We live in our self-converted, long-wheelbase sprinter van. We are totally self-contained and off-grid and spend as much time exploring new places as possible. For us, living in our van is our lifestyle, not a holiday. As such, we rarely need to stay at campsites. That is unless they can offer us something unique, something special (like a pitch with a hot tub), or something we need.
After being introduced to Kip & Nook by a family member, we knew this was one of those special rarities. A campsite we just had to visit. We promptly booked into the Kip Pitch to celebrate my birthday. Why did we choose to spend our hard-earned cash on this campsite, above all others? Let’s dive into it.
Table of Contents:
A Pitch With a hot tub: The Kip.
The pitches at Kip & Nook do not offer a campsite as you know it. This is luxury boutique camping. With only six pitches, you each get your own secluded little spot. The 7m x 10m pitches are hard-standing and equipped with electricity and water. So, that’s the basics covered.
Did we mention the pitch with a hot tub? Three of these perfect pitches come with a wood-fired hot tub. For us, this was the main draw. The extra element of luxury and relaxation makes this a pitch like no other. When you arrive, your hot tub is pre-lit, so you can dive right in. Giving yourself time and permission to relax is paramount when dealing with the stressors of living on the road, making this little slice of heaven just what we needed.
The Facilities at Kip & Nook
In addition, this campsite offers all the facilities you’d expect. Toilets, showers and a washing-up area. But not as you might expect them…
Simply put, the facilities are beautiful. Care has clearly been put into every design decision. We especially loved the showers, which were built for two. Long glass cubicles with two showers within make it perfect for couples, with the choice of rainfall or standard shower heads. What we weren’t expecting was the view. Large windows let in tons of natural light as well as a view of uninterrupted nature. A far cry from your usual campsite shower block!
Although they do not have facilities for waste, it is not an issue for us as we use a composting toilet, or you can take advantage of the onsite facilities.
Our Arrival
On the day we arrived, I had booked a yoga class in the morning. (Yes, this campsite even has its own Yoga Studio!) We arrived a little early and tucked ourselves away in the car park. When you arrive, the first structure you’ll notice is The Workshop. The Workshop is home to a bar and lounge area that is effortlessly cool and full to the brim with vintage curios and memorabilia. This is where you can check-in, and trust us: this isn’t like any reception you’ve seen before.
Yoga Class & Coffee
The yoga class at Kip & Nook is the perfect way to start the day. Leanne led a simple, stretchy flow that was perfect for beginners and regulars alike. After the yoga, the sun was shining, and we decided to enjoy a coffee in the shade of The Workshop. The vibe was friendly and relaxed, with guests and yoga attendees relaxing in the sun. This is a place that doesn’t make you feel rushed to move on to the next thing. So we took our time and planned the rest of our day while enjoying a divine flat white.
Visiting the Local Area
As check-in wasn’t until half two, and we arrived at 10 for the yoga, we decided to head offsite to explore and stretch our legs. Our usual experience with campsites is that arriving before check-in time is a big no-go. However, as we went to leave the site in search of a hike, we were spoken to by two separate members of staff who gave us the option to check in early. “Why not stay and do one of the walks on-site?”.
Here, we learned two things about Kip & Nook. Firstly, they have a wide range of walks you can do from the site. Secondly, this is a (campsite) luxury camping experience that actually wants you to stay, enjoy what’s on offer, and have the best experience possible. This became more and more evident as our stay went on. Not only have they thought of everything and have everything you could want or need on-site, but it’s also apparent in the thoughtfulness of the staff.
Buffet & Hot Tub
After a stroll, we got set up at our pitch. Being on-site with such a spacious pitch gave us the opportunity to do something we don’t do very often: get out the table and chairs. We popped a bottle of bubbly, set out a birthday buffet, and spent the afternoon in and out of the hot tub. As far as birthdays go, this one was already hitting perfection.
Dinner & Games Night
Finally, as evening began to draw in, we managed (with difficulty) to tear ourselves away from the cosy embrace of the hot tub and spruced ourselves up to head to The Workshop for stone-fired pizza and cocktails. This was such a treat for us for two reasons. Within our home on wheels, we don’t have an oven. We cook only using a hob. So, pizza is out of the question. Secondly, as we spent the majority of our time on the move, wild camping and staying off-grid, cocktails are a rarity. Liam is our only driver, so if we need to be ready to move on at short notice, drinking cocktails isn’t really an option.
In addition to delicious food and cocktails, The Workshop also offers a ton of games to try, including pool, table tennis, Jenga and more. Despite our full bellies, we gave the table tennis a good go! (Why is it so hard?). We spent the evening laughing and chasing little orange ping-pong balls around the Workshop between sips of old fashioned’s and Cosmo’s, respectively.
To end what will definitely go down in the books as one of my favourite birthdays, we grabbed a couple of cocktails for the road and jumped back into the hot tub. If you know a more glorious way to end the day, we’d love to hear it.
Feeling well-rested and enjoying the stillness of having a place to call home for a little while, we decided to stay a few more days. Check out our wellness experience at Kip & Nook here.