Why we love glamping in Wales

Glamping in Wales puts you at the heart of some of the Uk's finest hiking country, with trails for all levels of fitness and enthusiasm. For an easy ramble, join the Offa’s Dyke Path, a 177-mile route along the remains of the ancient fortification that can be broken up into shorter stages. It broadly follows the border, starting at Sedbury Cliffs and ending at Prestatyn, where you can prise off your boots and dip your tired toes in the sea.

Elsewhere, the Llangollen canal walk is a six-mile stroll that starts at Horseshoe Falls and winds up at the pretty town of Llangollen, where you'll find a few places for a welcome pint. If you’re afraid of heights, give this one a wide berth, as the route takes in Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, a 200-year-old beauty with 19 arches that rises to 126 feet. If you positively love heights, then Pen Y Fan, the highest peak in the south of the country, is a rewarding climb to 886 metres along a well worn trail. And then there’s Snowdonia National Park, home of Wales' highest peak but also criss-crossed with far less crowded routes in its wilder southern region.

While you could happily stay inland among the hills and valleys, hitting the beach is one of the delights of glaming in Wales. Surfers will adore Rhossili Bay, the westernmost beach on the Gower Peninsula, though swimmers should avoid its brutal waves and powerful Atlantic swells. For sedate sunseeking and swimming, Tenby South has been named as one of the most beautiful, and photogenic, beaches in the world.

For a more peaceful and private day on the sands, Barafundle Bay in Pembrokeshire is a remote, sandy beauty that’s part of the Stackpole Estate, and kept in pristine condition by the National Trust. The busier Mwnt beach on the Ceredigion coast is one of the best beaches in Wales, beloved by families, walkers, and dolphin watchers. Last but not least, Porth Lago, one of the lesser-known North Wales beaches, is a sweet, sandy cove on the Llyn Peninsula that’s well worth a visit while you're glamping in Wales. The beach itself is a sheltered spot that’s ideal for a delightful dip, while the rocks on the northern side are popular for a spot of sea fishing.

There are plenty of seasonal events that make great centrepieces to build an itinerary around when you're glamping in Wales. The Hay Festival, which runs through May and June, is a world-famous annual literary event that brings together over 200 of the world’s greatest writers, thinkers, and performers at Hay-on-Wye. For music fans, there's the world class line up of the famous Green Man Festival, held in August in the Brecon Beacons, but it's foodies that have the most options.

September’s Abergavenny Food Festival is an extraordinary gastronomic event where chefs, food businesses, journalists, farmers, and food producers come together to help people from all walks of life learn about and sample some fantastic food. Then there's the Cardigan Bay Seafood Festival, held annually in July at Aberaeron in Ceredigion, which has grown to be one of the highlights of the Welsh food calendar. Finally, Caerphilly holds The Big Cheese Festival in July, featuring live music, food and drink, cookery demonstrations, a funfair, and - bizarrely - mediaeval reenactments.

Organic family distillery Da Mhile is well worth a visit for connoisseurs of the spirit, with ingredients sourced from the beautiful plot on which the distillery stands. Take a tour and learn how the good stuff is made, or simply pop in and buy a bottle or two. If you prefer clear spirits, Silver Circle Gin Distillery in the Wye Valley is another popular attraction that can add a warm glow to your glamping in Wales. While it's open as a bottle shop, you can also take a tour of the site, which is based in the pretty village of Catbrook, not far from the Wye Valley Walk as it passes through Bargain Wood. Watch out for a calendar of special events, and grab a slice of delicious homemade pizza before you leave.

Staying on the pizza trail, Pizza Tipi in Cardigan is the ideal spot for some comfort food. Run by four Welsh brothers and their merry band of mates, this is hand-made, stonebaked pizza at its finest, accompanied by Welsh craft beers and wine in a gorgeous riverside courtyard. The Cellar at Aberaeron, set in the town’s beautiful harbour, is another unmissable eatery but for something simpler, try The Beach Hut at Llangrannog. The deceptively simple little shack, serves fish and chips cooked up by a local family, Welsh beers and wines, and coffee you can sip as you cosy up to enjoy sunsets over the bay.

What is glamping?

Glamping is the chance to get into the great outdoors without having to carry a tonne of gear on your back. It offers the opportunity to holiday in a luxurious, comfortable, and quirky space, while keeping the wild aspect of traditional camping. Glamping in Wales with Canopy & Stars will bring you as close to nature as is humanly possible while enjoying your creature comforts, with an eclectic range of unique locations, cherry picked by our discerning team (we test them all personally - it’s a tough gig).

What can I expect from Glamping?

Our glamping spaces in Wales are perfect for off grid, eco friendly relaxation and recharging. You'll find log cabins in the Brecon Beacons, treehouses in Powys, and converted barns in Cardiff. Each site is memorable and unique, with fun and luxurious features like hot tubs, al fresco eating areas for moonlit dining, and more. Whether you’re spending a romantic weekend with a partner, or catching up with a friend, we have a range of unique places to stay in Wales for your adventures.

Why book with Canopy & Stars

Whether you’re glamping in Wales or another UK location, our cosy cabins, gypsy caravans, and shepherd’s huts are all set against stunning natural backdrops, bringing you close to nature, yet within reach of local amenities and amazing activities. Our accommodation is hand-selected with great care and attention, an attitude which we also extend to our staff, accommodation owners, and suppliers. We’ve also established a charitable trust into which we channel a percentage of our profits, supporting climate change projects around the world.

About Canopy & Stars

We’re a small, independent travel business, part-owned by its employees - a true group effort, where everyone is valued and has a say in what goes on. We also donate a portion of our profits to environmental projects around the world, with a focus on supporting sustainability. Glamping is one of the most environmentally-friendly travel options, and we’re proud to offer a range of unique, memorable, and special destinations and spaces that connect our guests to the natural world, without having a negative impact on it.