The charming summer’s beer garden of The Ty Gwyn pub does much to encapsulate the blissfully rural village of Rowen, in North Wales, and 400 yards down the road its quaint Snowdonia charm is echoed in a new campsite at Cefn Cae Farm. Enclosed by traditional dry-stone walls and surrounded by Wales' most famous hills, this small campsite is an unpretentious bolt hole in a fabulous setting.
Composed of one spacious camping meadow, just 15 pitches boast level, grassy surfaces and nearby modern ablutions that are clean and well kept. A barn in one of the farms out buildings has been converted into a simple kitchen area with a fridge, freezer and microwave for communal use. It is here you will also find leaflets and information about the local area as well as a notice encouraging you back to the pub on Friday nights, for traditional Welsh singing.
Those looking for less hassle and a few more comforts can opt for one of Cefn Cae Campsite’s two pre-pitched bell tents, which come with inflatable mattresses, tables and chairs. The tents can sleep up to six people, making them an easy option for families, and the farming feel of the site makes it a popular choice with kids. In spring the chickens and sheep are accompanied by bouncing young lambs and while their presence is always fascinating, walls and fences keep little ones protected from the working areas of the farm.
Older members of the camping fraternity who still need to placate their boundless energy can take to one of the numerous footpaths that skirt the campsite and head into the mountains. Hike up Drum, via the summit of Pen y Castell or take in the views from the summit of Foel Lwyd. Those back on ground level will still find sights close at hand. Bodnant Garden boasts 80 acres of National Trust managed beauty, a mix of formal and informal gardens, while attractions like Conwy Castle and seaside Llandudno offer further activities. Half a mile away, Conwy Valley Water Gardens is perhaps the closest attraction at hand. And then, of course, did we mention that there’s also a nice pub around the corner?
Half a mile away Conwy Valley Water Gardens (01492 650063) is an excellent spot for anglers, while heading a few miles further south will rewards those more horticulturally-minded with the National Trust's Bodnant Garden (01492 650460). In the opposite direction lies Conwy, with its famous suspension bridge (01492 573282) and sturdily fortified castle (01492 592358). The town has three unique buildings open to the public; both the oldest house in Conwy (01492 592246) and the smallest house in Great Britain (07925 049786), along with Plas Mawr (01492 580167), a fantastically preserved Elizabethan townhouse. Elsewhere, seaside resort Llandudno (01492 577577) and the lively town of Bangor offer something different from the inland countryside. Here it's the folding mountains of Snowdonia (01766 770274) that dominate, with a smorgasbord of excellent walks, mountain biking trails and outdoor activities on offer. Some of which pass directly by Cefn Cae Campsite.
There is a small post office and shop in the village, 400 yards away, along with The Tŷ Gwyn Coaching Inn (01492 650232), serving simple but hearty meals. An idyllic beer garden has trees and a small stream running through, perfect for a summers drink or a game of hide and seek with the kids. The Tŷ Gwyn is also dog friendly. There is a large supermarket in Llandudno Junction which is about a 15 minutes drive.