Glamping near hiking trails in the Brecon Beacons

Stay in a converted early 20th-century railway carriage that combines period charm with modern comfort, particularly in the form of the grand Victorian cast iron bed strewn with mountains of pillows. Danyfan can’t chug down the tracks anymore, so it’s your job to do the travelling instead, starting with the spectacular circular hike that takes in all four majestic peaks of the Brecon Beacons. The sweeping views over the Usk Valley are well worth the climb. Your friendly little carriage will be waiting to welcome you home after a day of big skies and outdoor adventures. Dip aching feet in the babbling brook then linger under a piping hot shower, before settling down for an evening in front of the wood burner. If it’s a clear night, borrow the telescope for a view of the stars with virtually no light pollution.

The stunning views of the Black Mountains are the main event in Wanderoo, a converted horse box perched on the side of Fan Frynach, the northernmost peak of Fforest Fawr. The big balcony and private hot tub are the best places to soak up the scenery. When it’s pasture bedtime (no more horse puns, we promise), just clamber up into the huge king-size bed above the cab where you’ll be blissfully snug, even on chilly nights thanks to sheep’s wool insulation. There are superb hiking trails all around and you can climb the highest peak in South Wales, Pen-y-Fan, from the end of the drive. From the cairn at the summit, you’ll have views of the Bristol Channel, Gower Peninsular and the Cambrian Mountains.

A good night’s sleep is practically guaranteed when you’re staying on a lavender farm. Swing open the swish glass doors of this transformed removal van and let the relaxing scent waft through the space. The truck is effortlessly cool, decorated in repurposed, upcycled creations including a table made from what used to be the side of the van. For walks, the Epynt Way footpath is close by, cutting through a unique upland environment that skirts MoD training land, while The Brecon Beacons are a twenty-five-minute drive away. Cool off after a hike by leaping from the jetty into the wild swimming pond back at Pantechnicon Powys. At 1,100 feet, the views down the valley are as exhilarating as your hilltop dip.

In a secluded spot on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park, The Snug is probably what you’d come up with if someone asked you to draw the world’s most idyllic shepherd’s hut. Surrounded by emerald fields and mountain views, it’s beautifully furnished with the luxury of a sheltered outdoor copper tub, softly lit by lanterns. The distant sounds of the working farm will soon lull you into a slow, contented rhythm with nothing more demanding to do than explore the country lanes, river paths and local villages. For more of a challenge, Pen-y-Fan is only fifteen minutes away or you can venture further and complete the beautiful Four Waterfalls Walk, a challenging circular trail with the chance to go behind the cascades. Just be careful if it’s been rainy as the rocks can get very slippery.

The hut at Argoed Barns is a haven of tranquillity, set on a hill above the little village of Talachddu. The vast sky arching above the Brecon Beacons has been granted International Dark Sky Reserve status and on clear nights you might spot the Milky Way, constellations and even meteor showers as you soak in the outdoor wood-fired tub. When the sun rises, the sight of Pen-y-Fan will tempt you towards the hiking trails, which stretch out in every direction from the front door. Owners Amanda and Barney provide guests with books, maps and suggested routes (usually with a local pub to refuel in) and the well-thumbed visitor’s books are a great source of inspiration. For a day out, visit the buzzy towns of Hay or Brecon or simply stroll to the bottom of the hill to the award-winning Felin Fach Griffin for some delicious seasonal fare and a cosy table by the log fire.