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Gyfyng Smallholding

100%

· Garndolbenmaen, Gwynedd, Wales

31 acres hosted by Max B.

2 lodging sites

Private sites

100% of recent Hipcampers say the sites felt private.

Magical, off-grid, riverside campsite on a private smallholding in Snowdonia

There's more than one story behind this magical, pop-up, off-grid riverside campsite in Snowdonia — and the space and seclusion to unravel its mysteries and revel in the surroundings. Looking for a different way of life, long-time documentary-maker Max has set up two 'almost wild' camping pitches on his 31-acre smallholding in the glorious valley of Cwm Pennant, beloved of walkers and mountain-bikers. Here, in your own slice of riverside heaven, in the shelter of ancient, moss-covered walls, you get a place to engage in your own back-to-nature adventure — and, who knows, create a different kind of holiday story.

The set-up for each pitch is simple — a spacious bell tent on-site, grass space for another tent or two if you like, a hammock and a fire pit, and a Robinson Crusoe-style cookhouse that's far better equipped than you might at first expect. There's no glam in this camping — unless you count the tea-light chandelier in the largest bell tent — but it's cosy, rustic, and entirely in keeping with the surroundings. You share a couple of nearby compost loos, and an electric shower up by the farmhouse, which is suitable given that the total capacity on the smallholding is just ten campers. Water comes from the crystal-clear river, which you're asked to treat with respect — which means you can swim in it (it's refreshing or, as some might say, freezing cold), but only without wearing sunscreen.

And what else will you do in this quiet, calm, remote corner of Snowdonia? River-scrambling, sheltered woodland picnics, or a clamber up the hill for a sunset sundowner, just for starters. There are pigs and chickens to meet, while Max has plans to create veg gardens and wildflower meadows and run artisan craft workshops in the future. In good weather, and with the right gear, you can hike straight into the mountains from the site, or at least walk as far as the head of the valley — considered one of the most beautiful in Wales — for stunning views of Ynys Môn (Anglesea) and Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon). Further afield and action-adventure Snowdonia is close to hand, from zip wires and bike trails to wild swims and mountain ascents.

But probably, for much of the time, you'll do as Max intended, which is to soak up the gentle vibes from the babbling river and shady woodland and enjoy the solitude. This peaceful, unspoiled retreat brought him here from London in the first place and charmed him into staying, and there's no guarantee it won't work the same magic on you.

Activities

Biking

Boating

Fishing

Hiking

Natural features

River, stream, or creek

Mountainous

Field

Farm

100%

7 ratings · 7 reviews

Sarah S.recommends

August 29, 2024

Paulo's Pitch - Bell tent

Quiet river valley camp

Lovely valley location with beautiful Bell tent and river next door for paddling. Max is an excellent host, very welcoming and helpful throughout our stay. I would highly recommend this magical spot for a peaceful and relaxed stay.

Maria M.recommends

August 10, 2024

Olimpio's Pitch - Sleeps 5

Stunning scenery and lovely site with a gorgeous bell tent (with a camping wardrobe and several camping mattresses), a fully equipped kitchen shed with a view of the murmuring river (gas cooker, pots and pans, cutlery, plates and bowls, mugs, glasses, tin opener, cafetiere, anything else you might need & complimentary tea, coffee and sugar), and a fire pit. Agree with previous review, this is the kind of secret spot you'd like to keep to yourself as the setting is unbelievably beautiful and remote - ideal base for exploring Eryri National Park, but plan in a day to just stay local and enjoy your private fairytale valley, read in the hammock among the ferns and acient trees, and enjoy dips in the shallow crystal-clear river.

Will R.recommends

August 10, 2024

Olimpio's Pitch - Sleeps 5

This is a truly lovely campsite/bell tent that really feels remote and private. Max is a wonderful host who will strike the perfect balence of being available for any issues should they arise but also leaving you to enjoy the wonderful setting and scenery in peace. A great base if you want to explore snowdonia.

Bijil B.recommends

August 31, 2022

Olimpio's Pitch - Sleeps 5

Perfect Getaway for serene weekends If you are a nature lover who would wish to listen to streams and breeze then this heavenly spot is the ideal location. At first, we were skeptical about the stay as the host mentioned about no cellular network coverage in and around the location. On the first day of our stay, we arrived a bit late so it felt a bit like hiking for 10 mins as we had to carry our stuff in wheelbarrow from the car parking to the bell tent(which is quite spacious to accomodate 6-7 members and also had a wardrobe and mattresses. There is a separate compost toilet allotted for each bell tent(only 2 bell tents were there). There is a separate shower room as well if you need one. And the list is not over yet. There is a separate kitchen as well with basic utensils like glasses, pans, gas stove and ingredients- coffee/tea, sugar, oil. Even few airbnbs dont provide these in good condition.You wake up to mountains on one side and stream on other side where you have to pass time only by chilling out with your group as none of the man-made distractions are out there. Bell tent is just in one corner of the land and the rest of the land can be utilized as playground if you have kids. Max, the host is both kind and a good craftsman(he constructed the kitchen by himself). Stream is open for bathing as long as you dont contaminate it with cosmetics. We definitely cant turn back time and become nomads but we can experience a bit of their lifestyle in this spot for few days.

Ed L.recommends

August 22, 2022

Olimpio's Pitch - Sleeps 5

We had the best time in the bell tent!! Max was so welcoming and the area was incredibly beautiful. We relaxed in the river each morning and evening. Will 100% be back asap. One of those reviews you don’t want to write, so no one else finds out about it… 10/10

Annabel N.recommends

August 17, 2022

Paulo's Pitch - Bell tent

Amazing weekend away

I absolutely loved this camping experience! Max was such a lovely host and set everything up so wonderfully. The scenery around the campsite was breathtaking and the stream by the tents topped off the experience! Would definitely come back again!

Location

Garndolbenmaen, Gwynedd, Wales, United KingdomTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking

Hosted by Max B.

Joined in August 2021

From the host

Gyfyng Smallholding is thirty-one acres of river bank, woodland, open sheep grazing fields and a small upland saddle with views out to the sea and up the mesmerising Cwm Pennant skirted by Moel Hebog and the Nantlle Ridge. We are just starting out this year and just launching with two beautiful pitches. Each one takes a maximum of 5 people but there's a 10% discount if there's just two of you!. Each pitch is built against the mossy, old stone walls that border the crystal clear waters of Arfon Dwyfor. Each pitch has a bell tent, space for your own tent(s) a sheltered cookhouse with gas ring, tables and benches, a fire pit. The cookhouse are fully equipped with gas rings, pots pans, a kettle, cups, cutlery, plates & bowls, colanders, bottle openers etc. There's even tea and coffee on the house! Just bring your own pillows, duvets / sleeping bags. Everything else is here!

Nearby attractions

Basically, bring hiking gear or a mountain bike to get the best out of the immediate surroundings, like the Cwm Pennant trail up to the Nantlle ridge or Moel Hebog. You do need to know what you're doing though, so the best place to start for information is the Snowdonia National Park website (01766 770274), which also has lots of other hiking and biking trails to download. There are dozens of other ways to challenge yourself in this neck of the woods too, like the world's fastest zip wire at Penryhn Quarry – that's down a one-and-a-half-kilometre zip line at speeds of up to 160 kilometres per hour. Suddenly that hammock back at the riverside pitch seems like a nice idea. It's an hour's drive away, around the northwestern edge of the national park, if you're tempted.

It doesn't all have to be about hardcore adventure though, with the wonderful beaches of the Llyn Peninsula, Harlech, and Barmouth all within an hour's drive of the site. By the way, expect even the shortest of journeys to take longer than you expect in this part of the world. Criccieth (03000 252239) is the closest seaside town, eight miles and 25 minutes south, a Victorian charmer with two beaches and a castle on the headland, and some nice little cafes and coffee shops, like Tir a Mor (01766 523084).

If you had to choose one beach destination, then make it Harlech — a 40-minute drive away — which has great sands, some amazing walks, and the spectacular, crag-bound fortress that is Harlech Castle (03000 252239).On the way there or back, you could call in at Portmeirion, the Italianate folly-village that was the setting of the cult TV show 'The Prisoner' — and it's hard to find a bigger contrast than between your off-grid rustic base and the surreal, sub-tropical stylings of Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis.

Food and drink

The nearest pub is a good ten-minute drive from Gyfyng, the Goat Inn (01766 530237), out on the A487 at Garndolbenmaen, but it's well worth the trip for some traditional pub cheer and a good menu. The other way down the A487, more like a 20-minute drive, the attractive, crag-ringed village of Tremadog has more good pubs, such as the Union Inn (01766 512748) or the Welsh gin and real-ale specialist the Golden Fleece (01766 512421). For a fancier night out, Y Sgwar (01766 515451) in Tremadog is a contemporary Welsh bistro – clean lines, slate floor, stone fireplace – with an inventive, locally-sourced menu, from seabass and hake to Welsh Black Pen Llyn steak.

The closest big supermarket for supplies is just beyond Tremadog, a 20 minutes drive away at Porthmadog — you should treat yourself while you're at it with excellent fish and chips from Porthmadog's Allports (01766 512589).

Video

https://player.vimeo.com/video/585720348

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