Glamping at Top of The Woods, Boncath, Wales

So nice we did it twice! I have to say it's not often that I rebook a place, simply because I love to try new places but Top of the Woods , in Boncath West Wales is worth a revisit, in fact, I can see it becoming somewhat of an annual tradition especially as it offers family and dog-friendly accommodation. Perhaps because you really can switch off here, phone reception doesn't exist and only the thinnest slither of wifi can be found near the main farmhouse and it's patchy at best but that's not why you come somewhere like Top of the Woods, you come to make real connections, with nature, your family with new friends, in a gorgeous rural location completely off-grid. Top of The Woods offers 3 glamping options - Pioneer Camps, Nature Domes and Safari lodges, all of which are comfortable and high-end with private & undercover cooking areas but some offer more facilities.  On our first visit, we stayed in a Nature Dome and our second in a Pioneer Camp, so I will focus on......

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5 budget friendly glamping spots in Southern Wales

While camping may not be for everyone, Glamping does have a big appeal as while it still offers a back to basics feel it's more comfortable and suitable for all ages. Some glamping options can cost in the hundreds and for good reason when it's an exceptional  location or unique experience such as a treehouse or converted double decker bus but there are a lot of fun budget friendly options, even during the summer months, which can make for a perfect weekend getaway.  My boys and I have tried an array of glamping options over the years and it's something we really enjoy as each place is different, some have more facilities and amenities than others, ranging from high end to basic but that is all part of the adventure. So I thought I would share 5 of our favourite budget friendly options in South and West Wales which are perfect for families and 4 our of 5 of the sites are dog friendly as well.   1. Cwmcarn Forest Pods Cwmcarn Forest is a great location for family adven......

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The perfect adventure weekend at Mendip Basecamp, Somerset

*Thanks to Mendip Basecamp for inviting us to stay for 2 nights in exchange for an honest review. This was an unpaid press trip and all words are my own.  If you are looking for off-grid, back-to-basics camping in a truly fantastic location that still has everything you need and more than you need to check out Mendip Basecamp in the Mendip Hills, Somerset. Surrounded by ancient woodland which waiting to be explored, this very spacious campsite is perfect for families looking to get away and enjoy the simple things this summer. This family-run campsite may be off-grid but still has plenty of hot showers and clean toliets as well as a well-equipped camp shop with a big sand pit for children to play in, along with a cosy country lodge on-site only a few minutes walk through the woods, which serves up hearty meals and offers family-friendly live music on the weekends along with a big fire pit perfect for smores.  But don't worry if camping isn't your thing, they also offer privat......

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6 Awesome UK family friendly Festivals 2022

I don't know about you but I am excited about the prospect of festival season finally being back after a very bumpy two years which saw many festivals and events being cancelled (which was the right reason at the time). While of course the virus has not gone away it does to an extent appear to be more manageable and therefore summer festivals have finally got the green light to go ahead again.  I've taken my kids to festivals ever since they were babies, in fact my youngest went to Just So Festival at the tender age of 5months. It's something we love to do as it offers a break away from normality and a chance to indulge the senses in music, art, creativity and street food, along with camping and a sense of getting back to nature while also connecting with others.  Of course there are some festivals which are simply not tailored for the younger audience and others which main focus is children - I like to find a good balance between the two, a festival that offers something f......

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Micro Festivals and Weekend Gatherings 2021

I've been going to music festivals since my teens and have taken both of my boys each summer since they were babies, but of course, the past year has thrown a real spanner in the works and like everyone else in the UK we gladly stayed home last summer but as the vaccine roll-out keeps going from strength to strength and restrictions are slowly easing and as long as infection rates don't rise then there is the possibility that small weekend festivals and gatherings may go ahead this year. All of the festivals and gatherings mentioned in this guide are running with a Covid protocol in place, with limited numbers in spacious settings, but of course, going to any sort of gathering this year may not be for you at this time and that completely understandable as we are all navigating this pandemic in a way that feels comfortable for ourselves but for those that are trying to capture that festival feeling on a much smaller scale, here are my top picks. 1. We are not a festival summer s......

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How to reduce your carbon footprint while travelling

*This post contains affiliate links  We’re all excited by the prospect of leaving the local area we’ve been more or less bound to for the past 12 months and heading away to explore the world again.But one important lesson that’s been confirmed to us since the pandemic struck is that when people don’t travel, the world is a cleaner place. So how can we continue to see and love our planet without creating a huge carbon footprint? Here are some tips... Use green transport Obviously, there are times when avoiding taking to the air is impossible, such as travelling from the UK to New Zealand. But for shorter journeys to other European destinations consider taking the bus or train. After all, why the rush? You’re on holiday! The easiest way to minimise the carbon footprint from the transport you use is to holiday within the UK and take public transport to your destination . It can be a much more relaxing way to travel than by car, and you tend to see more of the landscape through which y......

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Glamping at Castle Knights Usk

Like a lot of people we had to cancel a lot of travel plans this year, in fact, I was more organised this year than previous ones and had a road trip through Italy on the cards as well as a short break to France and the Channel Islands in the diary but just goes to show you never really can plan because who would of expected a pandemic in 2020, not me! The one big positive about 2020 has been discovering and thoroughly enjoying the fantastic countryside we have on our doorstep in South Wales. We have been spending quite a lot of time in the Brecon Beacons slowly ticking off mountain summits and forest walks and it's an area of Wales we love and we had looked for a quick glamping getaway in the area but everywhere was booked out. The boys had been keen to do some canoeing on the River Wye this summer so instead, we changed tack and came across the wonderful Castle Knights camping glamping in the grounds of Usk Castle and near Monmouth and the Wye Valley, it was perfect. ......

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A night in Tylau Yurt, Hay-on-Wye

Near the end of summer I decided on a whim to book a night in a Yurt as we have done all sorts of glamping from Bell Tents, Pods , converted horse van and a converted WW1 wagon but we had yet to stayed overnight in a Yurt. So I did a quick search on Airbnb and discovered a family-friendly Yurt within walking distance of Hay-on-Wye, the market town famed for it's many bookstores and literacy festival. It's also well located to the Brecon Beacons and offers tons of outdoor pursuits, we had been hoping to kayak down the river why but due to heavy rainfall a few days prior to our mini-break meant the river levels were too high, but on the flip side we decided to do a waterfall walk which was fantastic. Back to the Yurt, even though I had booked it on Airbnb I discovered it was part of Outdoors@Hay which offers outdoor adventures and accommodation. The Yurt looked perfect for a quick break away from reality and has some modern facilities without taking away too......

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A Guide to Glamping with Kids This Summer

The summer is winding down and you and your family are looking for one last fun adventure to set off on before school is in full swing. Glamping is an excellent way to dip your toes into camping, without sacrificing all of the modern comforts. You and your family can take a weekend to explore, inspire, and enjoy the final days of summer on a budget! If you’ve never been camping, or glamping with your little ones, then don’t fret! Taking your children out of their element and into the elements can be a bit tricky but kids usually adjust much quicker than adults. This guide will take you through all the best tips to try out glamping with the kids this summer! Planning Ahead Planning ahead for your glamping trip is key to staying organized, keeping the kids busy, and really enjoying your time together, although if you don't mind winging it you can find last-minute availability at some places even during summer. If you do have the time it's worth breaking down your t......

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