While camping may not be for everyone, Glamping does have a big appeal as while it still offers a back to basics feel it's more comfortable and suitable for all ages. Some glamping options can cost in the hundreds and for good reason when it's an exceptional location or unique experience such as a treehouse or converted double decker bus but there are a lot of fun budget friendly options, even during the summer months, which can make for a perfect weekend getaway.
My boys and I have tried an array of glamping options over the years and it's something we really enjoy as each place is different, some have more facilities and amenities than others, ranging from high end to basic but that is all part of the adventure. So I thought I would share 5 of our favourite budget friendly options in South and West Wales which are perfect for families and 4 our of 5 of the sites are dog friendly as well.
Cwmcarn Forest is a great location for family adventures, with the forest drive, walks, hikes, cycling trails, lakes and play parks it's perfect for families and is also dog friendly. They offer both furnished and unfurnished pods and both have heating and electricity. We stayed in the furnished family pod which had a cosy double bed (you can also hire bunk beds) and a fridge, kettle and seats to relax as well as a picnic table and bbq area outside. Furnished pods start from £58 and unfurnished pods from £42 and they also offer camping pitches and luxury lodges. You can read more about our stay here.
2. Tylau Yurt, Hay-on-Wye
Tylau Yurt is run by Outdoors@Hay which also have a variety of other glamping options including a bell tent, cabin, camping pitches and bunkhouse accommodation and is within a short walking distance of the famous bookshop town of Hay-On-Wye. We just love this location and the Yurt is fantastic with everything you need to be comfortable including great indoor and outdoor cooking facilities, log burner to keep warm at night and soft bedding. It's also a great location for those who love the outdoors with safe wild swimming nearby, waterfalls, the Brecon beacons and plenty of trails to explore. The yurt is around £90 per night over summer and you can read more about our stay here.
3. Castle Knights, Usk
Castle Knights glamping and camping is such a unique experience with and array of different glamping options but also being on the grounds of the private Usk Castle makes it extra special. We stayed in Glyndwrs Fort which comfortably sleeps four and has electric but you can also stay in Tom's Barrel, shepherds hut and a yurt, they also offer camping pitches and are dog friendly. Usk is a beautiful town near the River Wye and the Castle is a lovely place to explore. Camping starts from £10 and Glamping from £80 and you can read more about our stay here.
4. YHA Manorbier Pods
We love the YHA which offers basic but comfortable accommodation in amazing locations across the UK and helps the charity do amazing work for getting young people outdoors. the YHA Manorbier is only a few minutes walk away from Church Doors Cove which is a beautiful cove to explore and you can also join the heritage coastal trail. Our pod had a everything we needed with heating, electric and very comfortable beds with decking, seating and outdoor cooking space. The hostel also offers additional facilities such as warm showers, toilets, budget friendly cafe and wifi. The site also offers camping pitches, Land Pods and Bell tents - both of which are dog friendly, along with their bunkhouse accommodation (not dog friendly). Camping pitches start from £13 per night and you can read more about our stay here.
5. Top of the Woods, Boncath
We have actually stayed at Top of the Woods twice which says something about how fantastic it is with a stunning location, facilities and dog friendly makes it a hit, plus luxury glamping options. We have stayed in their nature domes and pioneer camp tents and both come with cooking facilities, log burner to stay cosy, bedding, seating and solar lights. They also have a cinema barn, hammocks, a games barn and a waterfall walk on site. They are a little bit more expensive than the other options in this list but thats down to the additional facilities and they are still very reasonable with 2 nights during summer holidays around £280 for a Pioneer tent. They also offer camping pitches.
It’s cool to see these glamping spots in Wales, and budget friendly too. I’m most drawn to the yurt and the second pods. They are so unique and look cozy too.
ReplyDeleteI love the diverse types of glamping opportunities and would probably love trying a sampling of these sites from the bubble to the more organic wooden styles that I'm drawn to and staying in comfortable digs like this looks like a lot of fun to visiting the area.
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to try glamping. It looks like there are some lovely options if we ever get to Wales. I love the idea of glamping on the Usk Castle grounds. The Manorbier Pods look like such a cool experience. Some fun options for sure.
ReplyDeleteThese clamping places look so comfy and well equipped and the locations seem pretty enticing. I like that most of them have cooking facilities as leisure time is usually more enjoyable when you can cook your own food. I understand why you have stayed more that once at "Top of the Woods", I could not resist from sleeping in those futuristic looking like tents. Great guide and thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI want to go glamping at some point as it sounds like so much fun! I love the idea of the pods, which look so futuristic.
ReplyDeleteWhat I have always loved about UK is that the travel facilities for tourists like me are always fantastic.Wales would be nice to visit and now your post opens me out to the ideas of doing some glamping as well when we visit. The options look super. Top of the Woods, Boncath be our pick seeing the lush green behind the cottage.
ReplyDeleteI can totally agree that glamping can be fun and more comfortable than camping. I tried camping with a large group of people. It was easy because the task divided into many people, but for a small family can be tiresome. Thus, glamping is the better option. You mentioned some good options here to consider.
ReplyDeleteI've been bitten by the Camping/Glamping bug recently and I'm always looking to new places to go. True, glamping is much more comfortable and easier for newbies. Cwmcrn forest pods and YHA Manorbier look so good. I'm been looking into these pods near my place too. Hoping to stay in one soon. Top of the Woods bubble sphere looks so awesome. Good that they have hammocks too. But does sound a tad expensive.
ReplyDeleteGlamping is the way to go! I love the outdoors, but require a few creature comforts. These glamping spots in Wales are right up my alley! I'm obsessed with the look of the YHA Manorbier Pods. How cool to stay in these unique accommodations along a beautiful cove and the heritage coastal trail. Love that they do charity work as well - that's a plus!
ReplyDeleteThese budget friendly glamping options in Wales is indeed out of this world with all the facilities needed both outdoors and indoors.Also it's great to know that they have both cinema barn and games barn with cozy interiors. And each of these glamping options are unique in shape and variety having eco-friendly solar lighting.
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