Eryri (Snowdonia), The Go-To Glamping Destination

For an Eryri (Snowdonia) escape with a difference, give glamping a go. It’s the perfect fit for this outdoorsy destination. Glamping’s getting-away-from-it-all character chimes with many of today’s travellers looking to get closer to nature in a different kind of style than that offered by conventional places to stay. It’s a broad church, with an inventive range of options available. Across the region you’ll find unique accommodation of all shapes and sizes, including yurts, shepherd’s huts, log cabins and converted barns and cowsheds on working farms – even below ground in caverns.

Many of our glamping sites are tucked away in secluded spots, so going a little off-grid is one of the most immersive ways to get up close to our mountains, vales and coastline. They’re sustainable too, often drawing power and water from renewable sources, so you’ll be doing your bit to safeguard our environment for future generations. 

You’ll also be helping the local economy, especially if you shop at one of the many places that stock local produce. 

To help you get started on your next adventure, we’ve outlined a few of our glamping locations below.

Brook Cottage Shepherd Huts, Pwllheli 

Glamping for grown-ups only

Why book in?
Spending time with the kids is great, but everyone needs a little time off in their own space. Adults-only Brook Cottage is tailor-made for that romantic couple’s escape you’ve been promising yourself. There are five individually styled huts to choose from, each named after women from the dynasty of medieval Welsh ruler Llywelyn ap Iorwerth (Llywelyn the Great).

Joan (named after Llywelyn’s queen) is the grandest of the bunch, offering bountiful space in its meticulously crafted interiors. Or go for something cosier in Elen or Marared – smaller huts bearing the names of Llywelyn’s daughters. Whatever you choose, you’ll love the peaceful lakeside setting with views over the Yr Eifl hills that rise on the northern coast of the Llŷn Peninsula.

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The lovely Llŷn Peninsula, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is one of the most rugged and romantic landscapes in Wales. See its shores with a walk on the Wales Coast Path, hear the sound of Porthor’s ‘whistling sands’ and grab a waterside drink at the Tŷ Coch Inn, Porthdinllaen (voted one of the world’s best beach bars).

Forest Holidays Beddgelert

Accessible adventures with everything on your doorstep

Why book in?
This cluster of cabins dotted through woodland near Beddgelert combines rural seclusion with easy access to a huge range of facilities and activities. The timber chalets come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from cosy couple’s retreats to giant-size houses for fun family getaways. Each one has its own private hot tub where you can enjoy bubbling alfresco soaks beneath Eryri’s open skies.

You can prepare your own meals at the cabin’s kitchen and barbecue, or order deliveries from the on-site bakehouse – the wood-fired pizzas are particularly tasty. For the ultimate indulgence, treat yourself to a sumptuous selection of in-cabin massages and spa treatments.  

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There’s a forest full of fun activities to try for adventurers of all ages. Head out on foraging trips through the trees, abseil down rocky cliffs or conquer one of Eryri’s towering peaks on a guided walking expedition. There’s also on-site bike hire for two-wheeled action. The picturesque village of Beddgelert and spectacular Aberglaslyn Pass are close by (hop on the narrow-gauge Welsh Highland Railway from the local halt to get there).

Glampio Coed Glamping, near Aberdaron

Luxury pods in a stunning location

Why book in?
‘We’ve thought of everything,’ say owners Nia and Alun. It’s difficult to argue with that when you see the standards they have achieved at these immaculate pods. There are seven in all, wood-panelled and shaped like the upturned hull of a ship. They come in various sizes, ideal for that romantic getaway for two or for families. 

All have comfy beds, 100% Egyptian cotton sheets, fluffy towels, thick Welsh blankets, chic, contemporary furnishings, underfloor heating (except in the log-burning pods), TVs and Welsh produce hampers on arrival. Outside, you’ll find barbecues and firepits where you can snuggle up at night for a spot of stargazing.

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The site has a fully equipped communal kitchen, though you might want to take a night off from cooking and enjoy Glampio Coed’s tasty homemade pizzas, washed down with local Cwrw Llŷn lager. The location is another plus-point, in the far west of the Llŷn Peninsula close to some of Wales’s best beaches.

Go Below, near Blaenau Ffestiniog

Sleep doesn’t get deeper than this

Why book in?
Quite simply, there’s no other camping experience like it. This one-of-a-kind subterranean expedition is a must for any adventure-seeker (though you may want to give it a miss if you suffer from claustrophobia). Following a 45-minute hike into the mountain, you’ll descend through disused mineshafts to a cavern 1,375ft/419m below the ground.

You’ll spend the night deep beneath the earth, either in one of the camp’s cosy wooden cabins or in the stunning grotto – a private cave carved out of the living rock. There’s even wi-fi available if you want to stay in touch with what’s happening on the surface.

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The descent to your subterranean stay takes around and hour, during which you’ll navigate old miners’ stairways, creaking bridges and scrambles over rough terrain. Don’t worry, your guide and instructor will keep you on the right track – as well as telling stories about the mine’s fascinating past.  

Graig Wen, near Dolgellau

A smörgåsbord of great glamping options

Why book in?
Whatever kind of glamping experience you’re looking for, Graig Wen has you covered. In a wooded glade overlooking the mountain-backed Mawddach Estuary, you can choose from three traditional yurts and a cosy shepherd’s hut. Or, for a more secluded experience, take your pick from a yurt or bell tent hidden away in Graig Wen’s furthest reaches. 

Alternatively, opt for a slightly more accessible adventure in one of two stylish quarry wagons located close to the site’s car park and main camping facilities. Regardless of where you choose to bed down for the night, you’ll find glowing wood stoves, snuggly sheepskins and roaring firepits to keep you warm. And on arrival, you’ll have a welcome pack featuring local produce.

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Go walking or cycling on the Mawddach Trail, which runs along the estuary (it’s packed with birdlife, so don’t forget to bring your binoculars). Up above, the idyllic, isolated Creggenan Lakes are a must-visit. If you fancy a more challenging stroll, ascend the rugged peak of Cader Idris which soars to a height of 2,930ft/893m above Dolgellau.

Getting to know you – Sarah Hayworth, Graig Wen

Sarah and her husband John opened Graig Wen in 2007, making them pioneers of the North Wales glamping scene.  

What was the idea behind Graig Wen? The idea was to offer people a different kind of camping experience. We were campers ourselves and were inspired by seeing the tipis and yurts at the music festivals we went to. We left our jobs in Brighton and started looking for a place where we could set up yurts. When we walked into Graig Wen, we knew we’d found it.

What’s makes Graig Wen special? We’ve always tried to offer people memorable, comfortable experiences that are rooted in the sounds and sights of the nature around them. Rather than memories of sitting in a hot tub with a glass of prosecco, our guests remember climbing a mountain, watching the bats flitting about and hearing owls while they sit round a campfire looking at the stars.

What’s your favourite part of the site? Our large yurt is the most spectacular. It was the first structure we built when we started and it was made from ash trees that grew on our land. It’s quite striking and it’s in a lovely spot in a silver birch grove.

Plas Weunydd, Blaenau Ffestiniog

Classy glamping in top-quality tents and shepherd’s huts

Why book in?
Lots of reasons. Let’s start with the location, a dramatic, heritage-rich setting in the slate landscape above Blaenau Ffestiniog. Then there’s the choice. The tents are spacious boltholes a long way from what you might be familiar with. While the roof is made of canvas, the polished wooden floors, en-suite bathrooms and log-burning stoves elevate a stay here far beyond that of a traditional camping experience. They open onto private decks overlooking the jagged slate quarries and soaring summits of Eryri. There’s also room for your four-legged friends and a wi-fi connection (just in case you don’t want to be too far off the grid).

The shepherd’s huts, specially designed for two people, are romantic retreats that score high on both style and seclusion. Inside these cosy cabins you’ll find soft king-size beds, well-equipped kitchens and warming wood-burning stoves. Step outdoors to your own gas-fired barbecue and seemingly endless views across Eryri’s peaks and valleys. Self-sufficient and powered by batteries charged with sustainable hydro-electric power, each comes with its own off-road golf buggy to help you navigate the rugged surrounding terrain.

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On arrival you’ll have a welcome pack featuring local produce. The accommodation is only a stone’s throw from adventure attractions like Zip World Llechwedd and Antur Stiniog bike centre. You’re also perfectly placed for inspiring walks in the North Wales Slate Landscape, one of the UK’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Go underground at the Llechwedd Caverns for a glimpse into the industry that once roofed the world. Then go riding on the narrow-gauge Ffestiniog Railway, or visiting the Italianate village of Portmeirion. And when night falls, your accommodation is ideal for a spot of stargazing.

Snowdonia Glamping Holidays, near Betws-y-Coed

Glamping where you can really get away from it all

Why book in?
With no phone signal, wi-fi, TV or even radio, Snowdonia Glamping Holidays offer a complete escape from the distractions of modern life. For couples’ escapes there are two shepherd’s huts with wood-burning stoves and covered outdoor kitchens. It’s more than just a digital detox. Each hut also has its own wood-fired sauna where you can sweat out that daily stress.

Larger parties can opt for one of two boutique glamping barns, with striking central fireplaces and underfloor heating. Grown-ups will love the expansive king-sized beds, while younger visitors will enjoy a night or two in bunks ingeniously tucked away in wooden hidey holes.

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The off-grid location makes this a great place for stargazing and nature spotting – watch out for the resident barn owls swooping through the fields. Or head to the Alpine-style village of Betws-y-Coed, the gateway to Eryri and starting point for countless outdoor adventures across the region.

Zip World Camping Pods, Dolgarrog, near Llanrwst 

Woodland camping without the canvas

Why book in?
Love camping, but hate putting up tents and sleeping on a leaky air mattress? If so, Zip World’s Camping Pods are just the ticket. Tucked way amid the trees in the green Conwy Valley, these cosy timber pods – complete with heating and electricity – get you back to nature without the need to sacrifice home comforts. 

There are more than 30 pods, each sleeping up to four people (they’re dog-friendly too, so your four-legged companion doesn’t have to miss out on the fun).  

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The pods’ location at Zip World Conwy makes them the perfect base for adventures and exploration. Zip World’s range of indoor and outdoor activities include climbing walls, high ropes and the exhilarating Adrenaline Drop, a pulse-pounding freefall from a 40ft/12m tower above the trees. And you’re on the edge of the Gwydir Forest, an area latticed with walking and biking trails.

Zip World Forest Lodges, Betws-y-Coed

Hot-tub hideaways in the heart of the forest

Why book in?
The ever-enterprising Zip World has done it again. These one-of-kind cabins pull off the impressive trick of being both visually striking and blending perfectly with their forest surroundings. The curved timber structures almost merge with the trees, while the floor-to-ceiling glass walls that separate the living areas from the expansive deck keep the forest in view at all times.

The best way to enjoy this wonderful woodland setting is with a soothing dip in the hot tub. It’s perched in a prime position on the deck, with views over the trees and on to the slopes of Moel Siabod.  

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The woodland is a draw in itself, but there’s also a host of activities to enjoy at Zip World Betws-y-Coed. You can traverse the canopy on the treetop Zip Safari, test your nerve with a 100ft/30m freefall through Plummet’s trapdoor or ride the gravity-powered Fforest rollercoaster. And as a bonus, the lively mountain resort of Betws-y-Coed, stuffed with shops (it’s a great place to buy outdoor gear), cafés and attractions, is close by.