With pubs closing at an alarming rate, landlords and ladies have been forced to think of ways to entice punters back in.

One such business is The Woolpack Inn in Yalding, which has introduced three luxury glamping pods in its grounds as a way of surviving post-pandemic.

"We needed a way to diversify after Covid," says Dave Bastable, who runs the Shepherd Neame-owned pub at Benover with wife Renata.

"We opened the pods in August and were fully booked for six weeks. They've been really well-received."

The quirky accommodation attracts all sorts, from families (each pod sleeps four) to Londoners keen to escape the city.

It has gained rave reviews on Airbnb so far, but as a glamping cynic who usually prefers the range of amenities offered by hotels, I'm initially unsure if it will be for me.

My husband and I arrive at The Woolpack on a wet and misty Saturday afternoon, having wound our way along country lanes and through the pretty, festoon-lit village of Yalding.

It's a grey and miserable day, but a friendly face is there to greet us.

Dave leads us to a secluded two-acre plot behind the pub, surrounded by picturesque countryside, which has long been used as a campsite.

Out of the corner of my eye I spot wild rabbits skipping about, and hear the sound of geese flying overhead.

On the edge of the field, a row of three rustic cabins are neatly lined up.

The half-cylindrical huts look quite simple from the outside - small, even - but they are truly Tardis-like inside.

The first thing that hits you upon entering the French doors is the smell of pine, like a brand-new shed or a Swedish sauna. And the décor is suitably scandi-chic, with a calming blue/grey colour scheme and cosy touches like a Nordic blanket.

A four-seater dining table with benches, a double bed, sofa bed and small kitchen area fit comfortably.

The use of space is clever, with certain elements having multiple functions (a dining bench doubling up as a bedside table, for instance), or reconfigurable depending on different guests' needs.

The ceiling strip light is perhaps a little too harsh, but again, makes the best use of the space available. And a table lamp is provided for ambience.

There is no TV, and phone signal is patchy at best, but that is no bad thing when looking for a relaxing getaway - although USB plug sockets are a welcome bonus.

As for the toilet and shower facilities, I'm pleasantly surprised. Hot-footing it across a field to a communal block at all hours is not my idea of a holiday. But luckily, each pod has its own private en-suite and shower, with plenty of hot water and perfect pressure.

We pack thick jumpers and socks, anticipating that sleeping in a shack in late-November will be a little on the chilly side. But with two electric heaters in the fully-insulated cabin, it's lovely and toasty.

Outside, it's another story. As darkness falls, we sit on the picnic bench outside (each hut has one, as well as a firepit), and regret not coming in the summer when the idyllic surroundings can be enjoyed in their full glory.

We wander across the field to a path leading to the Woolpack's spacious beer garden, and then through to the pub for dinner.

It's a Saturday night and the log burner is roaring (as are a large group of elderly diners on the next table).

On the menu is classic pub grub, reasonably priced and served in generous portions. We browse the options written on a blackboard above the fireplace, which include a selection of fish specials.

I go for goat's cheese on toast to start, followed by ham, egg and chips and then sticky toffee pudding with ice cream for dessert. My husband opts for the breaded brie wedges, ranch burger with chips and salad, and a brownie to finish. We share a bottle of Malbec, before practically waddling back to our hut.

The 16th century pub's remote location would usually mean having to forego the wine, or fork out for a taxi home. But thanks to our on-site room for the night, we were able to walk from bar to bed in less than a minute.

We wake the next day to the sound of peaceful silence, other than the rain tapping gently on the curved roof. We return to the pub for a cooked breakfast, before reluctantly packing up and leaving - as true glamping converts.

For more information, visit the Woolpack Glamping website.

The pods cost £125 a night to hire, with a minimum stay of two nights.