Camping in Wales

There are many fantastic camping opportunities in the UK, and camping in Wales in particular is hugely popular with the hiking and rambling community. This is mainly due to the fact it has such a wealth of excellent hikes, trails and paths covering most of the country. Snowdonia for example, is rarely ever free of walkers traversing its many hills and mountains, even in the winter months!

It is testament to the outstanding natural beauty which attracts hikers and campers from across the UK. Camping in Wales need not be restricted to the better known, more famous regions though, and in fact it really pays off to opt for some of the lesser known but equally beautiful areas. This may be heaven, especially if you're looking to get away from the hassle and bustle of city life.

There's a broad and appealing range of places to hike and camp which tend to be quieter and more peaceful during the peak periods. It really is worth trying somewhere new and exploring for yourself next time you decide to camp in Wales!

Here are three places which come particularly highly recommended, both for their natural appeal and for the tourist attractions and facilities within an accessible distance.

The Gower 

The Gower Peninsula measures only sixteen miles long and seven miles wide, however, in spite of its relatively diminutive stature, it is remarkably rich in historical landmarks and attractions. It was also one of the first places to be awarded as “An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty” under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.

Places to visit in this area include the Clyne Valley Country Park and Three Cliffs Bay, which contains the 800 year old hill fort Pennard Castle. This is a particularly good place for families with younger children. Camping can add that extra element of excitement and will make a trip to the Gower Coast extra special.

Betws-y-coed

Betws-y-coed is a very small village located near the Eastern edge of the Snowdonia National Park in the Conwy Valley. Founded on a monastery sometime in the sixth century, Betws-y-coed's population has never officially risen above 1000, and at the last count in 2001 numbered only 534!

This is by no means a bad thing for potential visitors, who will find the town relatively unspoilt by huge tourist influxes. Attractions nearby include numerous caves and mountains in the Snowdonia area along with Criccieth Castle and Caernarfon Castle, both of which are impressive in their own right. This area offers fantastic hiking routes and has a challenging path for all abilities. Once again camping in Wales is easily arranged as there are many sites offering campers the great outdoors with the facilities of showers and toilets.

Brecon

Brecon was originally established as a Roman cavalry base during their invasion of Britain. It is a relatively large town, and camp sites nearby provide an excellent starting point for anyone wishing to explore the Brecon Beacons National Park- home to the highest peak in Southern Britain, Pen-y-Fan.

Brecon itself provides some of the best views of Beacons available anywhere. Aside from the obvious attraction of the national park, Brecon also has its own cathedral and Norman castle, which overlooks the town and was built in the late 11th century. If you decide to visit in August, there's also a Jazz festival which is worth visiting if you enjoy that sort of thing! This is more suited to adult groups and more serious campers. It's not that children can't visit the region; it's just that the area lends itself more towards the serious hiker and camper with a plethora of difficult and exhilarating walking routes.