Big Barn Camping

Carmarthen Bay might just be Wales' best-kept secret. While scores of tourists flood the Pembrokeshire Coast out west or scale the mighty peaks of Snowdonia in the north, this lesser-frequented stretch of South Wales promises hidden coves, sandy expanses and wildlife in abundance. The Three Rivers Estuary – one of Carmarthen Bay's two vast river openings – is where the rivers Taf, Tywi, and Gwendraeth converge. Overlooking this jaw-droppingly beautiful coastline lies Laugharne, a tranquil waterside settlement and former home of Dylan Thomas who described it as a 'timeless, mild, beguiling island of a [place]... there is nowhere like it anywhere at all' - a fitting appraisal that could well have applied to Big Barn Camping.

Based on a 36-acre smallholding a short stroll from the centre of Laugharne, Big Barn Camping is, for our money, one of Wales' best-located campsites. Offering family-friendly camping and glamping on a proper working farm, this rural retreat is easily accessible for some of the country's best beaches, famous tourist attractions and the charming seaside villages that make the Welsh coast so special.

Camping here is a peaceful affair, with a spacious paddock reserved for just ten individually cut prized pitches. There's no danger of overcrowding (in contrast to some of the other more commercial holiday parks along the coast) and group sizes are controlled. It's largely a tent-centric zone too, with just the odd campervan or retro teardrop caravan permitted meaning all are free to enjoy the unblemished views of the surrounding countryside.

For those looking to leave the tent at home there are two fantastic stargazing glamping domes with a double bed and two single futons beds in each and include there own private composting toilet and kitchen area, a trio of cosy pods are also available. These unique designs are a characterful alternative from the identikit versions found on many sites – more like bijou barns that fit seamlessly into the rural setting. Inside, one of these homely abodes there is a double bed with memory foam mattress , and the other two pods each have a include a dining space that effortlessly converts into a comfy double bed, and an adjacent kitchen shelter comes equipped with everything you could need for cooking up a feast. As for ablutions, eco-friendly composting loos are located in the camping field, while the titular Dutch barn houses showers and washbasins.

With a welcome for well-behaved dogs and campfires encouraged in the firepits, families can enjoy the key components of cracking camping holiday. Spotting red kites circling overhead, or seeing who can swing highest on the rope swing, kids will simply love it here. It's a proper working farm too with Herdwick sheep, Saddleback pigs, goats and assorted ducks and chickens, meaning little ones can enjoy an authentic slice of rural Welsh life.

Beyond the confines of the farm, an abundance of attractions await. Pendine Sands beach is just 10 minutes drive away while Oakwood Theme Park near Narbeth is around half and hour away if the kids demand rollercoasters. That being said, the lure of Laugharne might not see you stray far. The Dylan Thomas connection makes for a fascinating visit and needless to say the poet's presence looms large over Laugharne (not least with annual literary festival held every spring). Besides the boathouse museum and historic pubs, Laugharne Castle is well worth a visit or you could just plot up with a bag of chips overlooking the estuary and watch for cormorants catching cockles in this most magical of scenes.