Author
Michael Charboneau
Whether you’re looking for history, backcountry treks, or just a taste of quaint countryside, Wales deserves a spot on your European hit list. This unique corner of the United Kingdom (like Scotland and England, Wales is one of the constituent states that make up Great Britain) has rugged landscapes and a distinct culture that set it apart from the rest of the country. Booking a stay at a glamping site is a great way to get off the beaten path and experience this incredible region—and Wales has plenty of enticing stays to choose from.
First, a little geography: Wales covers just over 8,000 square miles (an area smaller than Massachusetts), but the Welsh countryside includes a striking diversity of landscapes, from towering mountains to river valleys, rolling hills, wild meadows, and seaside cliffs. There are two main mountain ranges in Wales: the Brecon Beacons in the south, and Snowdonia in the northwest (home to Snowdon, which reaches 3,560 feet and is the region’s highest peak). These mountains are protected by Brecon Beacons and Snodownia national parks, and they’re both top destinations for hiking.
Prefer some salty sea air? Head to the Pembrokeshire Coast to scramble around caves, cliffs, and beaches. The activity is an actual Welsh sport known as coasteering, invented by intrepid surfers in the 1980s. You can also stretch your legs on the Welsh Coast Path, which meanders 870 miles along the shore and connects all kinds of great destinations, including Chepstow (the oldest surviving post-Roman stone castle in Britain) the urban center of Cardiff (the Welsh capital), the beaches of Pembrokeshire, and more. Paddlers can go kayaking in the picturesque Wye Valley (a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and further north, you can even take a boat ride across a soaring aqueduct that spans the River Dee.
Wales has been inhabited since the Stone Age so its cultural roots run deep. The region has notable Celtic literary flair: the Welsh language enjoyed a revival in the late 20th century, and the tradition of Welsh heroic poetry dates back to the 6th century and is still going strong. If you like architecture and history, definitely make time to visit some castles—Wales has 641, more per square mile than any other country in Europe.
Spring is a great time to visit (the flowers are in bloom), and fall is ideal if you want to avoid summer crowds. Whenever you go, expect rain. Wales receives lots of precipitation year-round, and higher elevations get snow in the winter.
Ready to plan your trip? Start by browsing our guide to the best glamping sites in Wales.
13 Best Glamping Sites in Wales for an Unforgettable Holiday
Nantseren Glamping — Llanddeusant, Carmarthenshire, UK
Vibe: Glamping for Groups
Located within Brecon Beacons National Park, Nantseren's luxury glamping site has four canvas safari tents—book them all if you’re traveling in a group—scattered along a stream in a secluded meadow. Each tent sleeps four and includes a small deck area with patio furniture along with an off-site shower and toilet. The shared kitchen and common space (housed in a converted barn) offer a cozy spot to lounge on rainy days, and there’s a hot tub if you really want to unwind. But adventure waits just beyond the property: the waterfalls, swimming holes, hiking trails, and mountain peaks of Brecon Beacons are nearly at your doorstep.
Rate: £400/night
Graig Wen — Nr Dolgellau, Gwynedd UK
Vibe: Glamping With Options
No matter how you like to camp (or glamp), there’s an option for you at Graig Wen: This traveler-friendly farmstead offers several yurts (including two hand-built with locally sourced wood), a shepherd’s hut, two quarry wagons, and a bell tent, as well as numerous sites for traditional tent camping. Our pick? The Jones Shepherd’s Hut, a tastefully appointed wagon that sleeps four and includes a kitchenette and a small dining area. Campers have access to hot showers and toilets, and there’s even a small “camp shop” with snacks and beer for sale (there's also Wifi at reception). The sprawling property covers 45 acres of woods and meadows and offers views of the Mawddach Estuary, but the best part of this listing is what lies beyond. The glampsite is located within North Wales' Snowdonia National Park, so stellar hiking is close by, and you can ride your bike to access beaches along the coast.
Rate: Starting at £80/night
Ty Barcud — Trawscoed, Ceredigion, UK
Vibe: Wake Up to a View
This wooden glamping pod has a Mid Wales location that’s hard to beat. It’s the only glampsite on the property, and it offers sweeping views of a wooded river valley—enjoy them from inside, through the pod’s massive circular window, or outside on the spacious deck. The hideaway includes a comfy bed, a toilet, a shower, and a small kitchen area, as well as a swing and fire pit for outdoor lounging (visitors also get a complimentary basket of local produce). Want to get out and explore? The charming town of Aberystwyth is just a 20-minute drive away; head into town to explore its beach, castle, and picturesque harbor.
Rate: £105/night
Bach Wen Farm — Caernarfon, Gwynedd, UK
Vibe: Between the Mountains and the Sea
Bach Wen Farm offers two rustic camping pods with a pretty ideal location: sandwiched between the sea and the foothills of Snowdonia National Park. The wooden pods are simple—just a double bed with a mini kitchenette and a wood-burning stove—but they have a secluded feel and stellar views of the countryside and the water. They're also dog-friendly, so bring your dog along on your getaway if you like. Snowdonia is within driving distance, but you can also walk to a cobblestone beach, an ancient burial chamber site, and the Wales Coast Path.
Rate: £60/night
Celtic Woodland Holidays — Maesmynis, Powys, UK
Vibe: Glamping x Hostel
This glamping compound is located smack in the middle of Wales in the county of Powys, and Brecon Beacons National park is less than an hour’s drive away. The wooded seven-acre site includes five solar-powered, wigwam-style glamping pods that the owner built himself using local timber and sheep’s wool insulation (there’s also a larger treehouse that sleeps six). Each pod features a wood-burning stove, large windows, and a generous porch for lounging and taking in the views. While you’ll have your own place to sleep and relax, the shared common spaces are enticing: in addition to hot showers, there’s an air hockey table, a cold-plunge shower, and a wood-fired sauna for a fully unique glamping experience.
Rate: Starting at £80/night
Away From It All Domes — Llwyndyrys, Gwynedd, UK
Vibe: Geometric Glamping
Want a taste of Welsh farm life? Away From It All Domes is an ideal choice. This North Wales property is set centrally on the Llŷn Peninsula and has easy driving access to the many beaches and seaside towns along Bae Ceredigion. It features three geodesic dome-like glamping tents scattered around a working farm. Each one sleeps four and features a wood-burning stove, a decked patio, a picnic table, a fire pit, and a BBQ for whipping up meals (there are shared shower-kitchen-toilet facilities as well). Wake up and enjoy your morning coffee from the deck, and be sure to grab supplies for breakfast—the owners encourage guests to collect fresh eggs from the farm.
Rate: Starting at £160/night
Frankshore Shepherds Hut — Penally, Pembrokeshire, UK
Vibe: Live Like a Shepherd
Shepherds' huts are relics of Britain’s agricultural past, when many farms relied on flocks of sheep to fertilize the fields—and shepherds to watch over them. The sturdy hut on wheels gave the shepherd a place to rest and eat while moving between fields and pastures with the flock. This one has been lovingly renovated into a cozy hideaway for a unique glamping holiday. The handsome green corrugated metal exterior gives way to a nicely finished interior with white wooden walls, a wood stove, a small kitchen, a bed, and your own private bathroom. Curl up on the bed with a book, enjoy a bonfire outside in the fire pit (the hosts provide complimentary firewood), or get to know the bovine neighbors—the hut is surrounded by cow pasture. For adventures farther afield, the town of Tenby is minutes away, there are plenty of beaches on the nearby South Wales coastline, and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is a 45-minute drive.
Rate: £120/night
Gwalia Farm — Cemmaes, Powys, UK
Vibe: Quiet Lakeside Retreat
While many Welsh glampsites are set on farms, this cabin offers a wilder, more secluded setting tucked into the woods beside a small lake. The decor is spartan, but the cabin does offer a double bed with a comfy down-filled duvet, an outdoor kitchen, and a wood stove to ward off the cold on chilly nights. (There’s also a composting toilet and an outdoor shower.) Chill out with a beer on the deck, soak in the private wood-fired hot tub, or hop in the canoe and explore the lake.
Rate: Starting at £250/night
Penhein Glamping — Llanvair Discoed, Monmouthshire, UK
Vibe: A Taste of Persia in Wales
The family-run Penhein glampsite is near the border and offers eight beautifully decorated alachigh tents, a type of tent traditionally used by the nomadic Shahsavan people in Iran. These large domed tents have high ceilings and a central skylight (perfect for stargazing as you fall asleep) that washes the interior in natural light. They also feature running water and ensuite kitchens and flush toilets. Traveling with kids or in a group? You’re in luck—each tent can sleep up to five people. All the tents have the same layout, but we’d opt for the Cae Solomon, Castroggi, or The Park tents, which have their own private showers. The other tents utilize shared shower spaces.
Rate: Starting at £345/2 nights (rates vary depending on tent and number of nights)
Hengoed — Cemmaes, Powys, UK
Vibe: Hobbit House in the Trees
It’s hard to beat sleeping high above the ground and waking up amid the leaves and branches of a forest, and that’s exactly what you’ll get at Hengoed, a glamping compound set in northern Powys in Mid Wales. This adults-only glamping site has six treehouses. With their circular windows and natural tree limb furniture and columns, they’ll make you feel like you’ve stepped into the world of J.R.R. Tolkien. Each one has a dedicated living and dining space with a kitchen, an outdoor terrace for taking in the views, and a private hot shower and composting toilet. Be warned: they’re only accessible via a short hike, but the trek is worth it.
Rate: Starting at £127/night
The Cabins Conwy — Conwy, UK
Vibe: Cabin and Castle
These rough-hewn cabins in North Wales are definitely rustic, but the simple interiors are tidy and they offer everything you need for a pleasant stay: a double bed, a galley kitchen with a sink, stove, and refrigerator, and a composting toilet in a separate on-site outhouse. They’re set on a 3.5-acre property that the owners have carefully rewilded—ideal for wildlife viewing—and Conwy Castle is located just three miles away.
Rate: Starting at £115/night
Damselfly — Boncath, Pembrokeshire, UK
Vibe: Glamping Times Two
The Damselfly gives glampers the chance to sprawl out across two tastefully renovated shepherd’s huts—both handbuilt by the owner. In one hut, there’s a comfy double bed, woodstove, and lounge chair, and in the other, there’s a kitchen and private bathroom with a toilet and sink. This is a great pick for camp chefs—in addition to the typical fire pit and grill, guests also have access to an outdoor pizza oven. There's lots to do nearby, from exploring beaches, walking the Golden Road track, kayaking, fishing, and more.
Rate: Starting at £77/night
Castaway — Llanthony, Monmouthshire, UK
Vibe: Carriage to Cabin
Ever wanted to spend the night in an old boxcar? The Castaway glampsite sure makes it look appealing. Located on the eastern edge of Brecon Beacons National Park, this cabin consists of two former railroad cars that have been converted into one stylish living space. The cabin features rich wooden surfaces throughout, and the amenities list is long—king-size bed, ensuite bathroom, full kitchen with fridge and freezer, deck with leather deckchairs, fire pit, and even an underfloor heating system (but no wifi or cell service). While it might be tempting to lounge inside, make sure you venture out after dark—the cabin sits inside the Llanthony Valley Dark Sky Reserve, so the stargazing should be incredible.
Rate: Starting at £99/night
Published 11-28-2022
