Things to see and do on your Glamping holiday

At Strawberry Skys Yurts we hope to provide you with a perfect glamping holiday that you will always remember. As we enter our tenth season providing glamping holidays in Wales we know that relaxation is number one reason for coming to staying in our yurts. However, getting out into the countryside for some fun and adventure is a pretty close second.

There really is nothing like stoking the woodburner to make sure the yurt is nice and cosy whilst sitting outside round your own open campfire for banishing any stresses and strains. Throw in some good company, a loved one, the children, or family group and you have the makings of great glamping experience, be it a short break or longer yurt holidays.

If you are only here for a few nights then after a lie in and breakfast a walk down to the village to gather supplies, maybe something from the local butcher and a visit to the pubs to meet some of the locals before heading back to get the BBQ going might be all you really need for a perfectly chilled weekend.

If you are planning a longer yurt holiday you may want to explore the countryside and get some fresh air, or simply knacker-out the kids then we are perfectly situated to access and enjoy all of the activities and scenery that mid-Wales has to offer.

Here are a few suggestions that we and our previous yurt guests of all ages have tried and enjoyed. Please follow the links, where highlighted, for more information.

Our nearest village (5 mins by car) is well served with a petrol station and Londis market; a Butcher; Spa grocers; Banwy Bakery, for bread, cakes, hot meals, refreshments and great breakfasts; Post Office;  three pubs The Black Lion, the Goat and The Red Lion and Just 3 Drops (a bistro taking private bookings only). The Goat and The Red Lion provide meals, as does the Banwy Bakery which also does a great breakfast and Tha Black Lion provide an amazing Sunday carvery! Please be advised that Just 3 Drops cater for advance bookings only. Free cash can be withdrawn from the Post office in the Spa. It’s a 2 mile walk across the fields, or a three mile walk along the quiet lanes which should take between 40 mins to 1 hour. Taxis are avalable for the return journey, or a friendly local might even drop you back!

A truly magical and spectacular setting high in the Berwyn Mountains. The falls are one of the severn wonders of Wales. Children love the scramble up to the top which at 240ft is higher than Niagra! You can walk for miles from the top or bottom of the falls and the leisurely walk down gives you time to reflect on the excitement of the top.

You won’t believe you’re in Wales! Simply enjoy the stunning scenery, or take a picnic down to one of the secluded lake-side coves. It’s great place to come and tire the children out and you can also hire bicycles to really enjoy the 11 mile lake circuit which is perfectly flat and very easy for all abilities. For the more adventurous we suggest hiring some Canadian Kayaks and getting out onto the lake itself for a brilliant afternoon. Or park at the farthest car park and follow the trail (easy, about 40 mins) to another set of waterfalls.

Kayaking & sailing – Bethania Adventure

Cycle Hire – Artisans Cafe Cycle hire – Old Barn Cafe Cycle Hire

Bird Watching – RSPB Lake Vyrnwy

Our favourite beach. Crab fishing from the pier; sandy beach; miles of dunes and sandy coastline; award-winning ice creams; great places to eat and drink, we love the Penhelig Arms and the best ice cream for The Sweet Shop (pink building on the front). What more could you want from a seaside town!

A beautiful set of waterfalls and cascades. An hours drive away, but it’s a spectacular drive and these are well worth a visit. Either in their own right or as a stopping off point on the way too or from the coast, or as a picnic place when taking the Tallyllyn Railway (see below) these make a great day out.

Whatever you call it and whatever your ability we have a massive choice. What do you fancy? Hills? Mountains? Forests? Rivers? Coastline? We have it all. Starting with the very easy and short (30mins) stroll to the village, though this can be extended to a two hour loop, we are perfectly situated to easily access well known walks such as Offa’s Dyke Path, Glyndwr’s Way, Anne Griffith’s Walk.

Rodney’s Pillar on the Breidden Hills just the other side of Welshpool offers spectacular 360 degree views of the Severn Plain and north to Snowdon.

The Stiperstones Ridge near Shrewsbury on the England/Wales border is a five mile ridge crowned by several jagged quartzite tors. A great walk and you can reward yourselves with a visit to the Stiperstones Inn.

The bigger stuff on Dinas Mawddwy, Snowdon & Cader Idris (see below) is all there if you want it and we have a number of O/S maps and guide books for you to borrow/peruse. We are happy to answer questions we can and advise on suggested itineraries when you are here.

We wouldn’t recommend cycling on the roads around us as they are fast, narrow, bendy and with many steep climbs. Better to get off the road and on to some trails.

For a leisurely ride you can cycle the tow path of the Montgomery Canal from either Welshpool, or Berriew. Or the perfectly flat and but stunningly picturesque 11 mile lap of Lake Vyrnwy. The Mawddach Trail also provides perfectly flat riding for all the family and provides the option of a 14 mile ride to Barmouth and back.

Machynlleth the old Welsh capital is 30 miles away (about 40mins) and home to the ClimachX trails which will take you out as far into the wilderness as you want to go on natural trails that go on forever.

Coed-y-Brenin: This is mountain bike heaven with stunning mountain views and trails of all lengths for all abilities.

Bwlch nant yr Arian Forest Centre (Nr Aberystwyth)

For more information: MBWales.com – The official mountain bike website for Wales.

A few minutes by car, or you could take the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway and walk through the deer park from the centre of Welshpool. Whether you visit the castle, just the gardens, or walk the grounds this is a lovely day out. Though be advised the castle itself opens at 1:00pm. The gardens which are spectacular and worth a visit alone open at 11:00am.

Opened originally as a small community putting sustainable living to the test the centre now welcomes 50,000 visitors a year. Based just outside Machynlleth and about an hour away. Go, explore and learn all about sustainable living for yourself

There are many to choose from. Here are the nearest:

The Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway runs passed the bottom of our lane and you will more than likely cross the tracks on the way here. Some families have even purchased and annual pass and used the train as a taxi service into Welshpool. See here for more information, time-tables and fares.

Talyllyn Railway – the world’s first preserved Railway and original inspiration for the Thomas the Tank Engine stories. A great day out and you can picnic at the Dolgach Falls. See www.talyllyn.co.uk for timetables and fares.

Llangollen Railway –  heritage line running seven miles upstream from Llangollen to Carrog followoing the river Dee.

A must for all fans of The Prisoner. Take a drive through Snowdonia to visit the Clough Williams-Ellis masterpiece of an Italian village on the Welsh coast.

More information at gigrin.co.uk

Some feel compelled to visit Snowdon whether to walk, or take the train up and the potential rewards for your efforts are great, though be advised it is a long drive (2hrs plus) and always busy. At peak times the surrounding roads and mountain itself can get very crowded.

Perhaps a better idea is to beat the crowds with a visit to Cader Idris. (via Pony Path) (via Minffordd Path). The summit at 2,927 feet offers panoramic views of the Snowdon Massif, Lleyn Peninsula, Long Mynd and Shropshire hills. On a clear day you can even see Ireland!

The above is a compilation of things our guests seem to have most enjoyed whilst staying at Strawberry Skys Yurts. many of which we have done ourselves so we are able to recommend them without hesitation. Of course, this is not a comprehensive list of activities/places to visit. It would take a life time to find them all. And it does represent the more out-doorsy type of activity which our guests seem to appreciate. But please don’t be put off if none of the above seems like your thing. There’s plenty of scope for less arduous days out with many small villages/towns to visit in the surrounding areas and great a selection of food & drink to enjoy in a variety of locations.

We always try and find new places that we can pass on and share with you, so we hope the list will grow and develop the longer we are here.