The woodland glamping destination features 13 units, most of them with their own private hot tub
The Keep unit has also recently been transformed at The Secret Garden Glamping site(Image: @secretgardenglamping)
A woodland stay might not typically be a trip you’d consider at this time of year, but there’s a glampsite near Manchester that visitors flock to whatever the weather.
That’s because The Secret Garden Glamping isn’t any old site and it offers a luxury stay all year round.
There are 13 units based at the company’s original location in Skelmersdale, Lancashire, and most of them have their own private hot tub.
And just recently there have been a number of upgrades to the site, including a new tiki bar and a huge transformation of The Lodge unit, which now features the country’s first outdoor salt sauna, along with a cold plunge, outdoor shower and hot tub.
All set within a beautiful private courtyard, it’s designed to feel like an open-air spa in the middle of the forest.
The Lodge unit now features the country’s first outdoor salt sauna, along with a cold plunge, outdoor shower and hot tub(Image: @secretgardenglamping)
The whole concept started out as a lockdown project for dad-of-two Derry Green, who, having found himself at a loose end back in 2020 when his European transport company could no longer operate due to Covid, decided to build a Love Island villa-style glamping pod complete with a fire pit, hot tub and sauna in his back garden for his kids.
Now a multi-million pound site, with each of the units having their own unique look, ranging from pods, lodges and yurts to a tree house, it’s become a hit with TV stars and Instagram influencers, and the ‘most viewed, most booked and most followed’ glamping site in the UK.
Having succeeded with his bid on BBC’s Dragon’s, with a request for £100,000 in return for a five percent share in this business and accepting an offer from Deborah Meaden, the business has gone from strength to strength.
The Lost Lagoon tiki bar is another new addition(Image: @secretgardenglamping)
Named Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year at the prestigious Visit England Awards for Excellence 2024, the business also includes a grade II listed manor La Mancha Hall in Ormskirk, which sleeps eight, and there are now additional sites in Cornwall, Devon and Ireland as well.
Founder Derry, recently named Lancashire Business Personality of the Year 2025 in the Lancashire Business Day Awards, said: “Every year we try to do something that pushes the boundaries of what glamping can be – and this time we’ve taken things up another level.
“The Lost Lagoon is our brand-new tiki bar hidden in the woods – a proper tropical escape where guests can enjoy handcrafted cocktails under the canopy. It’s completely unique in the UK and brings a bit of paradise to Lancashire.”
The Secret Garden Glamping site in Skelmersdale. The Lookout unit(Image: The Secret Garden Glamping)
He added: “We’ve also just completed a huge transformation of The Lodge, which now features the country’s first outdoor salt sauna, along with a cold plunge, outdoor shower, and hot tub; all set within a beautiful private courtyard. It’s designed to feel like an open-air spa in the middle of the forest.”
Stays have also been made more relaxing with the introduction of QR-code ordering, so guests can have drinks and food delivered directly to their unit, whether that’s cocktails from the Lost Lagoon, wood for the fire, or one of the grazing boxes.
“It’s all part of our mission to blend five-star service with the magic of the outdoors,” said Derry, who runs the business with his partner Chelsea.
Units at the Lancashire site include The Lookout, which is a popular choice for families. ‘A contemporary retreat’, it features a wood-burning hot tub, an expansive outdoor entertainment area complete with a bar and outdoor cooking facilities and a selection of ‘indulgent amenities to elevate your stay’, including a luxurious sauna, invigorating cold plunge and even a pool table.
The Lost Lagoon tiki bar has been a big hit with guests(Image: @secretgardenglamping)
The Keep unit has also recently been transformed. It features a six-person wood-burning hot tub, a cold plunge for the brave, an outdoor shower, a brand-new bar area, dartboard, and a new seating space. Inside, there’s also a freshly upgraded bathroom.
And the Tree Tops is another favourite – perched among the trees and featuring a hot tub, outdoor smart TVs, outdoor cooking facilities, a bar and dining areas, a fire pit, and again, an outdoor pool table.
For full price details, visit The Secret Garden Glamping website or visit the social platforms.