Cosy Under Canvas

Twisting and turning along the winding country lanes, surrounded by undulating green and yellow fields deep in the heart of the Welsh/English borders countryside, it's almost impossible not to get childishly giddy about what treats await you at Cosy Under Canvas. As you slowly roll into the car park, offload your bags into the wheelbarrow kindly provided for you, and walk along the wooden pathway across a wild flower wetland, it quickly becomes apparent that when it comes to glamping, you can never underestimate a woman's touch.  Owner Emma has been running Cosy Under Canvas for twelve years now, and her experience and attention to detail resonates throughout the site – from the little welcome boards with your names written in chalk, to the homemade cakes left out for your arrival.

There are seven pitches, spread out in a small private woodland and cleverly hidden from each other by the trees, and they consist of five spacious geodesic dome tents – Holly, Oak, Beech, Hazel and Rowan – and two cosy domes – Willow and Ash. All come with their own wood-fired hot tub, firepit, chiminea, compost loo, indoor wood-burning stove, sheepskin rugs, super comfy double or king-sized beds, raised double futons, wood and kindling, lanterns and tea lights. There's a 'cosy corner' which is filled with board games and activities for kids, a 'cosy lounge' with comfy chairs, beanbags and low tables for chilling out, and a large communal sheltered kitchen – with full recycling facilities – equipped with everything you could possibly need for cooking up a storm over a campfire. There's also fresh drinking water and a handful of gas stoves in case the rain puts a dampener on things. The two communal showers are heated by the large wood-fired Aga in the kitchen – a nice communal touch, as it relies on everyone chucking in a log from time to time to make sure the water stays hot – but if you fancy a proper power shower (heated by a biomass boiler) then pop up to the main house. With all these green credentials, it's no wonder that Cosy Under Canvas is also the proud owner of a much coveted gold Green Tourism Award.

All in all it's a woodland retreat like no other. The kids will never want to get out of the hot tub, and couples will only want to cosy up with each other next to the fire and stare up at the starry dark skies above them. You're also close to the literary haven of Hay-on-Wye, with plenty of organic food shops, antique and secondhand stalls, and bric-a-brac gems to keep you occupied for a full day. Hay is also situated within the 520 square miles uninterrupted and truly outstanding natural beauty of the Brecon Beacons National Park.