Gwersyllt Rhos y Gallt Campsite

Just five caravans or motorhomes and a maximum of ten tents populate the green fields of Rhos Y Gallt Campsite at any one time. And the nearest neighbours? Well, those are sheep. This is a rural campsite in a couple of farmer’s fields, one of which is bounded by a river that you’re welcome to swim or fish in. It’s not too far off the A-road that takes people from the Midlands to the Welsh coast at Barmouth but there’s no particular reason to stop here. Unless, that is, you fancy camping in peaceful countryside with campfires allowed, dogs welcome and wild swimming on the doorstep.

The main two-acre field offers hardstanding pitches and electric hook-up but if you’re coming with a tent and you can live without power for a day or two, we’d suggest you wander further. A second field borders the river where a wilder kind of camping is allowed. Pitch up riverside and you can enjoy the sight and sound of water flowing by and wildlife visiting. But of course, wild as it seems, this is not wild camping and everything you need is provided including loos, showers and a freezer for your ice blocks in a little facilities block. This is a simple site for campers who can look after themselves. Farmer John calls in once a day to check all is running smoothly and his son may come around to see if you want to hire a fire pit and buy some logs but otherwise you are left to enjoy the place with your camping neighbours – and the sheep.

There’s a handy shop, cafe and pub a couple of miles away and there are footpaths everywhere – including the not insignificant Glyndŵr’s Way National Trail, just a mile away and the 11-mile route around Lake Vyrnwy, a half-hour drive from site. It’s the same distance to the southern edge of Snowdonia National Park with that coast that others are whizzing past Rhos Y Gallt to get to, less than an hour’s drive from here.