It was back in March when there was all that hoopla surrounding Katie Holmes and hubby Tom planning a camping trip across America.  To share with little Suri the wonders of Mother Nature.  To get back to the basics.  To ‘rough it’ in the great outdoors. 

Well TomKat, if you’re reading this and want to camp some more, why not try an eco-friendly camping adventure in Britain.

We here at Unlabelled Britain are constantly on the look out for the cool and quirky.  Drumroll please.  We present to you the camping pod. 

No need to pitch a tent here.  These green camping pods are made of locally sourced timber (yay!) and insulated with sheep’s wool.  And starting next year, there will be more of them popping up throughout the UK. 

The UK-based Camping and Caravanning Club has sites in England and Scotland.  Pods go for around $60 and sleep up to four people.  That comes out to…carry the 1…$15 per person.  Not too shabby.

The Scarlet is a new adults only hotel on England’s north Cornish coast.  It’s been generating a lot of buzz here in the US and there are loads of reasons why.  This area of Cornwall is known for its surf’s up attitude with dashes of style with places like the Scarlet.

What stood out for me was its art collection.  Eighty percent of the pieces are from local artists and almost all of them are made from recycled material.  The hotel looked more like an art gallery than a hotel.  There’s one piece of a life size man made enitrely of tree bark.  Another sculpture that caught my eye was made of chestnuts that sits on a table in the lobby.

Take note of the furniture.   It’s modern without being stuffy.  There’s a room with cozy bean bags scattered around.  This may sound weird but the bathroom urinals are cool.  Apple red circular bowls.  Never seen anything like it.  I’m sorry to say that I didn’t get a chance to whip out my camera while I was in the john.  Head outside and you’ll see hot tubs that are heated by open fire.  Eek!

I can’t end this post without addressing the lengths the Scarlet goes to to be eco-friendly.  It has sea thrift growing on the roof and a pool filled with harvested rain water.  Mother Nature is smiling as we speak.