What is it?
It does look great, but what is it? Well it's a rather well built, insulated wooden hut that provides basic accommodation much in the way of a tent. They are of a modest size with good headroom, an interior floor area some eight feet wide by nine feet long and a forward projecting porch to provide some shelter if the doors are open. In most cases there will be a raised area of timber decking extending the 'living area' and providing somewhere to sun-bathe, prepare food or when the weather is bad, lose the wet gear before going inside.
The POD is designed to be comfortable - the roofing material is designed to cut down the noise of heavy rain. The window and lockable French doors are double glazed to reduce condensation and provide sound insulation. The wood used in the construction is a naturally 'warm' material but to provide extra winter warmth we have installed sheep's wool insulation inside the walls while a special foil layer under the roof helps keep summer temperatures in check. There is a small, high level window in the back wall this not only provide light but will help keep the living space well ventilated and aid 'through draft' on hot summer days.
What you get provided with in your POD is the responsibility of individual site owners and whether there is an electrical hook-up available. At minimum there should be a roller blind to the entrance door, door mats and ideally some durable floor covering or carpet. If there is electricity you may find a small heater, a cool-box for perishables and possibly LED lighting. You may be provided with mattresses and a few cushions or you may have to provide your own bed roll or inflatable mattress. You are advised to ask the site what is provided when booking. The POD is different and far removed from staying in either a tent or a caravan, they are more akin to the experience of a traditional log cabin but without the wood-burner! How different? Well, you will just have to find out for yourself!
The great indoors in the great outdoors:
It may be that the time is right for the POD. Leisure time increasingly involves engaging with the great outdoors whether it's a test of stamina, prowess or just enjoying changing moods of beautiful scenery. There is something invigorating about the sights, the sounds and the smells of the natural world when you have real life all around you.
To really engage with the countryside there is little substitute for camping as a way of being close to nature, however we no longer limit our adventuring to the benign days of summer and with the outdoor equipment now available, anything goes. So what about the POD? Well given the choice of a wet week in a tent or a wet week in a POD with your own cosy space where you can relax and plan the next day's adventures - we think it's no contest! Why did it take so long?