Lakeland holiday park unveils insomnia cure for softies

Experts have advised sheep-counters that a weekend’s camping can be a cure for insomnia – but now a Cumbria holiday park has announced an even softer option.

Skelwith Fold near Ambleside says that people who don’t want to flap about erecting a tent can enjoy the same benefits from a few days glamping.

In fact, says park owner Henry Wild, its light-proof and sound-proof Hideaway pods from Swift could even be more effective than canvas, and much more luxurious.

Henry’s tiredness tip follows a recent study in Current Biology which found that a couple of nights in the great outdoors could re-set the body’s internal clock.

As a result, insomniacs would be able to fall asleep more quickly, wake up brighter in the morning, and enjoy a raft of other health benefits.

The reason, said researchers, is that modern living is increasingly depriving people of sufficient natural light, causing the timing of their circadian rhythm to slip.

But Henry says that the report’s suggested cure might not chime with the lifestyles of people who are more accustomed to their creature comforts:

“Camping is great fun, but unless you are a lifelong fan, it’s unlikely that you will take immediately to bedrolls, sleeping bags, and possibly chilly nights,” he says.

“Tents have the drawback of letting in light which, in summer, could mean your body telling you it’s time to get up rather too early in the morning.

“Dawn is also the waking time for birds, and their morning chorus might not sound quite as sweet with four hours still to go before breakfast.

“But our Hideaways provide a more practical solution as they have curtains which can be drawn, and an outer shell to baffle the song of even the loudest lark.

“Neither are you likely to wake up shivering with cold in the night – which might defeat the whole object – as Skelwith’s Hideaways also have internal heating,” said Henry.

But in all other respects, he says, the experience will offer exactly the same prospect of a sleeping solution as spending nights in a tent.

The park’s Hideaways are sited in a forest glade which, after sundown, provides just the degree of more intents darkness suggested by the study.

Skelwith’s pods even have their own loos, solving the dilemma of campers who must face a yomp to a distant toilet block if the need arises in the night.

Accommodating two people, they also feature a comfortable double bed, shower, kitchen zone, fridge, TV, and large picture windows with exterior decking.

“We have long known that falling asleep in the great outdoors is a great remedy for getting quickly off to sleep, and not waking up feeling groggy in the morning,” said Henry.

“Even better, as many of our guests know, you take those benefits home with you – and can re-set your body clock any time by making a return visit.

“But, of course, there is a risk – and if anyone finds that the cure is working too well, we’ll happily arrange on request a gentle morning tap on the door!” said Henry.

There is more information about the Hideaways at Skelwith Fold at www.Skelwith.com