For a truly sustainable holiday in Pembrokeshire’s Preseli Hills, head for Gwersyll Brithdir Mawr. This August-only campsite pops up for a few weeks every summer on an 85-acre farm that’s host to an eco community. It gives its visitors a chance to get back to basics in a beautiful location—and to get a little insight into the workings of a farm that’s been managed in harmony with nature for more than 25 years. As the folk at Brithidir Mawr will tell you, this is a campsite that’s basic but beautiful.
Water is from a spring, power is from the sun and wind, the community’s food is grown organically on site, as far as possible. There are ducks and chickens who help keep slugs off the lettuce and cats and dogs to keep the foxes away from the poultry. You might also meet sheep, goats, horses and, of course, some of the humans who live on site while you’re here. Joining in with the community is part of what’s on offer and there are sometimes communal fires on Friday and Saturday nights. The site also has a stone circle and a woodland that you’re welcome to explore and it’s all in view of Mynydd Carningli, a 346-metre peak in the Preseli Hills that’s got evidence of human occupation from prehistoric times.
It’s about a 45-minute walk to get to the top from where there are far-reaching views. It takes a similar time to walk into seaside Newport, some two miles away. There you’ll find a beach, shops, eateries and a place to join the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path. This is a campsite that's offering a chance to get away from it all in a special part of West Wales. At the same time, though, it's location means you are not too far from anything you might want and surrounded by inspiration that you might need.
