If you’re looking for a fantastic glamping holiday, then look no further than Drover’s Rest, near Hay-on-Wye. They have actually just won Caravan/Camping Site of the Year at the inaugural Staycation Awards, and after our visit earlier this year, I would 100% agree they deserve it!
Located at the foothills of the Black Mountains, Drovers Rest is definitely off the beaten track, set down winding country lanes. Beyond the stone farmhouse building is a large field where the safari tents sit (all with sheep-related names!). With a woodburning stove, proper beds complete with electric blankets, and a sofa with sheepskins these tents are definitely luxury glamping!
Each tent also has its own bathroom with proper flushing toilet and monsoon shower in the brick stable block, alongside a washing up area and communal barn. The lovely owners of Drovers Rest host pizza, curry and BBQ nights throughout the week, which was fantastic for having a break from cooking or to meet other fellow glampers.
Our Black Sheep tent was set at the top of the field which was lovely for a little extra peace and quiet (and when it rained and the water drained downhill!).
However, despite being such a remote, peaceful location we were within a stones throw of the famous book-town Hay-On-Wye, and the majestic Brecon Beacons National Park. This means there is plenty to do in the area if you can tear yourself away from reading books by the fire, feeding the micro pigs and alpacas (you can join the farmhands every morning for their rounds), or grabbing a glass of wine from the honesty bar and playing board games in the barn.
Climbing Pen Y Fan
The second tallest mountain in Wales (after Snowdon), climbing Pen Y Fan was definitely on my list of outdoor activities when we visited the area. We followed one of the most popular paths from the Pont ar Daf car park, which climbs slowly from around 440m to the peak at 886m.
Known as the ‘motorway’, it’s a pretty manageable route – definitely suitable for children – and with some awesome views, despite the mist on the day we hiked up. You even get to wade through the River Blaen Taf Fawr at the start, jumping across the stepping stones (or opting to cross the bridge if you’re feeling on the safe side).
There’s an opportunity to tick off another mountain as well, with the 873m high peak of Corn Du situated along the route to Pen Y Fan.
The final ridge walk to the summit was rather cold and windy, and with the apparently spectacular view unfortunately obscured by cloud, but I still took lots of photos! The cairn used to be a Bronze Age burial chamber, now adorned with a National Trust plaque.
We opted to retrace our steps and descend back down the way we’d come to the car park, but there are many options to make this a circular walk or even continue walking the Beacons Way as part of a multi-day adventure. I’d love to come back when the sun is shining properly!
Have you visited the Brecon Beacons? What makes a glamping site ‘top-notch’ to you?
If you’re interested in some of our other glamping adventures why not check out:
- Glamping in Wales and hiking the Offa’s Dyke Trail
- Glamping in the Lake District (and climbing Catbells)
- Glamping in Dorset for beach adventures
- Glamping near Cheddar Gorge
Beki x
