Pwllyn Farm Camping

If you wanted to wild camp in the Brecon Beacons it used to be possible to get a list of landowners from the National Park Visitor Centre and ask the farmer for permission. Today it's not so easy. But, quite honestly, why would anyone bother with all that when you can just pay a small fee and relish the hassle-free semi-wilderness of somewhere like Pwllyn Farm Camping?

Set on a 37-acre smallholding of gently sloping, south-facing wildflower meadows with horses, sheep and dogs, this is camping that ticks the boxes for those who just want to park up, pitch a tent and marvel at the world they find themselves in: peace, space, gigantic skies and staggering views of twin-topped Pen y Fan mountain. It’s not wild camping but you wouldn’t exactly call this an established campsite either with pitches are set around the edge of hay and wildflower meadows. All of which adds up to a sense that you're not really on a campsite at all but parked, as you are, on a farm, where native woods and wildlife are the real residents of the place.

That said, essential facilities are still provided. There are a couple of hot showers, decent loos and a very handy communal fridge and a freezer for ice-packs shows that Ian and Theresa are in tune with the vital needs of campers. They also understand what's not vital; there's no WiFi and you're pushing your luck if you hope for 4G but they've still provided a phone charging point so you can capture pictures of the sunset over 1,000-foot Cefn Llechid.

The end result is a campsite in the thick of the Brecon Beacons that's great for walkers and those seeking a bit of peace and quiet. Children under the age of 14 are not permitted and the only big groups might be clutches of interesting insects camping in the long grass in the height of summer – the wildflower meadows are maintained for their biodiversity and the farm itself sits on the edge of a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Information about this is detailed on the map board, which is also annotated with good walks onto Mynydd Illtyd common and up the surrounding hills. A glance reveals there's a footpath yards from the farm gate and it's a little over a mile to the long-distance Taff Trail. It's also around a mile to the National Park Visitor Centre, where you can find more maps and info and tell them not to worry, you've sorted yourself a good campsite for the night.