Snowdonia Glamping Holidays
North Wales Conwy Betws y Coed
- From £64 a night
- Shepherds Huts & Barns
- Shepherd’s huts
Boutique glamping in barns and shepherds huts in the Snowdonia National Park
Nestled in the hills above the pretty village of Betws-y-Coed, in Snowdonia's beautiful Conwy Valley, is a rather magical glamping spot. Already home to some cosy off-grid shepherds huts, owners Richard and Hazel also recently added a barn that takes glamping to a whole new level. Whichever option you go for, this is a place where you can really switch off: not only are the surroundings stunning, there's no mobile or wifi signal (urbanites, don't let that put you off).
Positioned above a bubbling stream, the huts and barn are half a mile from the road, along a farm track – a perfect, peaceful location where herons often fish in the stream, red kites whirl overhead and a family of hares lives nearby. You'll hear the resident owls hooting as you sit cosy by your fire in the evenings. Surrounded by beautiful countryside, there is superb walking and mountain biking on your doorstep.
The shepherds' huts are a favourite haunt for camping couples and it isn't hard to see why – painted in soothing shades of eggshell and tastefully decorated with the finest local woollens, and with a wood-burning stove to keep things cosy. There's a 'living' hut' and a 'washing' hut (with bathroom and sauna), and you hire both exclusively; plus there's a shepherd's hut 'tent' for 2 children if you need it. Campfires are allowed in the designated fire pit.
The boutique barn has been divided into two units, each sleeping four – ideal for both a family holiday and couples seeking a romantic break. Inside, wood-burning stoves, underfloor heating, super king-sized beds and freestanding baths will make you wonder where the camping aspect of glamping comes in. Head outside and there's your answer – each unit has a fully equipped outdoor kitchen, firepit and BBQ. The backdrop? Snowdonia National Park in all its glory, not to mention some wonderfully starry skies. The kitchen's covered by a glass roof, so even if it rains you can still sit out in one of the comfy chairs with a Welsh blanket and take it all in.
Nothing's too much trouble for Hazel and Richard – they'll put together a hamper for you (think Welsh mountain lamb and black beef), there are binoculars for wildlife watching, books and board games for when the weather doesn't play ball and maps for trip planning. The location is enviable, Snowdonia National Park's forests, lakes and mountains are right on your doorstep – head out on two-wheels down to the Machno Trail, a 19-kilometre loop, or hike the 12-kilometre Snowdon Horseshoe. Come evening, if you don't fancy cooking back at the barn, Ty Gwyn Coaching Inn is a great local place to eat Welsh fare, whilst Olif is popular for Welsh Tapas (yes, you did read that right). Then back to your peaceful retreat for some star-gazing.
Gallery
Details
Facilities
The two shepherd's huts, "the living one" and "the washing one" are rented together. There's a long (6 1/2 ft) double bed with luxurious bedlinen and a traditional Welsh blanket. There’s a Welsh Mountain sheepskin rug, a wood burning stove and a dresser plus small table and chairs. Hazel can also provide a crib/cot for couples with a young baby. The wash hut has a hot shower, wash basin and toilet as well as an amazing wood-burning sauna. There's solar powered lights, a cool box with ice packs, access to a fridge and freezer, and the water is the supplied by the farm's own spring water. Outside there’s a fully equipped outdoor kitchen under a canopy with a gas BBQ and a single ring, a firepit, deckchairs and a giant beanbag for star-gazing in comfort. The glamping barns each have a super-kingsize bed and two bunk beds and a bathroom with a hotel-style bath, toilet and sink. There's a modern log burning stove and underfloor heating. Inside, there's a dining table and chairs and tea and coffee-making facilities. Outside there's a covered kitchen with a gas stove and a gas barbecue as well as a fire pit and outdoor seating.
Suitable For
Couples and families – yes. Campers, dogs – no.Nearby
With Snowdonia National Park's forests, lakes & mountains on your doorstep, there's plenty of walking, cycling & wild swimming to be done. This is also proper mountain biking country, so head down to the Machno or Marin Trail for fun on two wheels. Almost on the doorstep, Go Below Underground Adventures (01690 710108) is one of the area's most challenging attractions - mine exploration with an edge! You can also bullet down the longest zip wire in Europe and the fastest in the world at speeds of 100mph at Zip World Penrhyn Quarry (01248 601444) or try one of the other adrenaline fuelled adventures at their other 2 sites nearby! Another cool place making waves in the region is the inland surf lagoon Adventure Parc Snowdonia (01492 353123) – the first of its kind in the world! No trip to the region would be complete without a visit to that most famous of photo ops, the Cantilever Stone. Conwy Castle is just 17 miles from the site and boasts spectacular views over the Conwy Estuary, with the dramatic mountains of Snowdonia as its backdrop. The outdoorsy village of Betws-y-Coed and historic market town of Llanrwst have plenty of places to eat, drink and historic sites to visit. For stunning broad empty beaches head west to Harlech or a little further down the Llyn Peninsula for hidden coves and top surfing.
Food & Drink
This part of the world is bursting with fantastic local produce and Hazel is happy to direct you to the local shops including great butchers selling Welsh mountain lamb and black beef. For great traditional Welsh fayre in an welcoming pub setting, the beautifully refurbished White Horse (01690 710721) in Capel Garmon is worth a visit - (currently being refurbished Spring 2021). The Ty Gwyn Inn (01690 710383) in Betws-y-Coed is a popular local restaurant. Or for something a bit different try the Welsh tapas bar Olif (01690 733942). You could also sample one of our two great pizzerias and help settle a long-running local dispute about which is the best Caban y Pair or palm-oil free Hangin’ pizzeria , the sister restaurant of the brilliant Alpine Cafe in Betws-y-Coed serving a wide range of lunches, teas and cakes. Stop off at Cadwalader's for a tasty ice cream cone on a sunny day or a pile of waffles if you've worked up an appetite in the hills. Llanrwst is home to the award-winning Asha Balti curry house, Tir A Mor fish and chip shop and restaurant and the most-photographed tea rooms in Britain Ty Hwnt i'r Bont.
Open
All year.
Pricing
From £95 a night for 2 for exclusive use of both huts during a midweek stay. 2-night weekends £220. 3-night weekends £300. Add £30 per night for 2 children with the tent (all bedding, towels included). For the barns prices start at £220 (for a 2-night break) & £320 (3 nights over a weekend or 4-night midweek break). A full week in low season is £450.Why Book Direct?
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The Owner Says
Our cosy shepherds' huts are designed to make the most of their superb location. Listen to the stream as you lie in bed at night, catch the warmth of the morning sun as you enjoy your breakfast, watch our resident barn owl as he hunts over the meadowland and remember to look up at night - there's no light pollution here so the starry sky is breathtaking. Both of our shepherds' huts are exclusively yours for the duration of your stay.
The "living" hut has a wood-burning stove for chillier nights, a double bed with luxury bed linen, Welsh blankets and a Welsh mountain sheepskin rug.
The other hut is your private wash hut where you'll find a toilet, shower, wash basin and wood-burning sauna so you can relax after fantastic days out exploring Snowdonia.
You’ll also have a fully equipped outdoor kitchen under a roof with a large gas BBQ & single gas burner, a cool box and a fire pit.
What you won't have is a mobile signal, internet access, TV or even radio. No traffic, no loud music from your neighbours - unless you count birdsong and baa-ing! Just peace, tranquility and the sounds of nature.
Virtual Tour
Location
Getting There
Follow the A5 south out of Betws-y-Coed. After about four miles turn left at the sign for Nebo and Capel Garmon. Follow the lane up the hill. After ¾ mile you'll see a sign post on your right for Snowdonia Shepherds' Huts. Follow the farm track downhill, past a house on your right and continue alongside the stream until you pass the shepherds' huts on your right. Cross over the cattle grid to find a grassy parking area on your right. To find the site, carry on along the farm track up the hill until you reach the house at the end.
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