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Cilrath Wood Camping

100%
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· Narberth, Pembrokeshire, Wales
10 acres hosted by Peter S.
11 tent pitches
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Best in South Wales: Finalist
Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2023.
Private pitches
100% of recent Hipcampers say pitches are private.
Off-grid eco camping with campfires in a patch of Pembrokeshire that time forgot

Driving along the track to Cilrath Fach Farm can't help but bring a joyful flutter of anticipation. The Preseli Hills rise to greet you on the horizon before hedgerows create a leafy tunnel down into a time-forgotten vale below. Here you’re welcomed by an old hay meadow, an ancient woodland and a chocolate box 18th-century farmhouse. Time it right and you’ll be welcomed by the teasingly named 'Grumpy Farmer', Pete, or wife Jackie, too, complete with a suitably vintage Land Rover to take your belongings to your pitch.

There’s a wonderfully light touch to things here. Environmentally friendly and off-grid, the campsite takes a minimalist approach to camping. There are gas-powered showers, luxury composting toilets and a washing-up area, while camping pitches are sparsely dotted around, each with their own picnic bench and firepit. If the Land Rover isn’t to hand you'll find wheelbarrows at the site entrance, where local information, USB chargers, a fridge-freezer and everything you need to light a campfire can also be discovered in “The Shed”. There’s often an opportunity to buy free-range eggs laid by happy Cilrath chickens, too, or award-winning 'Mabel George’ fudge, freshly made in the on-farm Fudge Factory.

Whilst the time-warp may be modernised by surprisingly good 3G signal, beamed across from the Preseli Hills, this really is a campsite for forgetting about your phone. Brooks rise on the farm and tumble gently down to the wildlife lake and several footpaths guide you on a short amble through the farm's wood. Look out for dragonflies and butterflies, red kites and herons, and all sorts of reptiles. Wild orchids and yellow rattle grow, along with a carpet of bluebells each spring. Amongst it all there are two charming communal spaces – a silk parachute that hangs over a small bluebell-clad dell (an old 17th-century quarry) and a simple zinc-topped open barn where campers can socialise within view of the lake and earshot of a stream. The latter spot is particularly good for catching the last of the evening light.

Though it’s more than half a mile from the farm to the nearest road, once you escape the green embrace of the campsite, you’ll actually find it’s remarkably well connected. Located centrally within Pembrokeshire, pretty much every part of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is within a half-hour drive, with the nearest beaches, around Saundersfoot and Amroth, less than 20 minutes away. And, while Milford Haven, the Cleddau Estuary, Tenby and St David’s have their appeal, campers are just as well staying inland and exploring the wild Preseli Hills. The local town of Narberth, two miles away, is a good place to finish, with a choice of pubs and restaurants. The town was recently declared ‘the happiest place to live in Wales’. And, while we might not live in the area, it’s certainly our happy place to pitch for a week or two.

Activities
Biking
Boating
Fishing
Hiking
Natural features
Beach
Forest
Lake
River, stream, or creek
100%
40 Ratings · 43 reviews
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Catherine D.recommends
August 7, 2023
15 Woodland - Small Pitch
Great site. Space to camp without being overlooked. Great facilities. Really clean and organised. Tenby, good beaches and popular attractions within 1/2 hour drive from site. Definitely be back
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Helen C.recommends
September 8, 2022
Old Hay Meadow - Tent Pitch
Beautiful location and wonderful sunset views. Lots of space for everyone and really generous sized pitch. Will definitely be coming again!
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Beata C.recommends
September 5, 2022
Woodland - Tent Pitch
Great campsite!
We stayed at Cilrath Wood Camping for two nights during August Bank Holiday weekend. It was the greatest camping experience we've had so far. Opted for woodland pitch and didn't regret it. Quiet and secluded spot. Eco-friendly, clean and well-kept facilities. No problems communicating with (not at all) Grumpy Farmer. We really enjoyed our stay and will definitely visit again. Highly recommended!
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Elinor S.recommends
September 2, 2022
Old Hay Meadow - Tent Pitch
We will return!
We spent a lovely few days camping on a tent pitch in the big meadow. Very peaceful and out-of-the-way feeling, but the availability of a fridge and freezer, warm showers and clean compost toilets make the whole experience pleasant and comfortable. Grumpy Farmer is anything but and we appreciated the lift up and down the field with our stuff. Excellent location five minutes from Narberth and child-friendly too.
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Laura H.recommends
July 24, 2022
Woodland - Tent Pitch
Gorgeous site
Incredibly beautiful site with private pitches - all the facilities were spotless and the host was super friendly. We can’t wait to get back :)
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Helena T.recommends
June 14, 2022
Old Hay Meadow - Tent Pitch
Wonderful stay amongst nature
The site on Peters farm was stunning, full of wild flower meadows and wildlife. It is a very special place to stay, we have never camped anywhere so beautiful. All the pitches were spaced out and our pitch felt very private, we loved every second. The facilities were very clean and all in working order, the showers especially were fantastic! We will definitely be returning.
Location
Narberth, Pembrokeshire, Wales, United KingdomTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Peter S.

Joined in May 2020
From the host
Cilrath Wood Camping has fifteen pitches hidden away on a Grade Two Listed traditional Pembrokeshire farmstead. The campsite is focused around a rare haven of old pastures with uninterrupted views of the countryside and Preseli Hills, semi-ancient woodland rich in fauna and flora and a beautiful wildlife lake fed by two babbling brooks; all of which are far from any dwelling or roadway. For the last 30 years Pete, a.k.a. “ the grumpy farmer” and his lovely wife Jackie, have had the privilege of being the ‘steward and guardian’ of this rare and environmentally sensitive landscape and now it is their joy to share this space with discerning campers. Wherever possible the ethos of being off-grid, sustainable and green, is applied to the campsite without compromise to comfort and quality of facilities. Whilst remaining a secret tranquil haven Cilrath Wood Camping is only two miles from the renowned town of Narberth with its small independent shops and numerous eateries. It is also centrally placed on the map offering excellent access to every part of the Pembrokeshire peninsula and all that it has to offer visitors. Cilrath Wood Camping is a Greener Camping Club Site.
Nearby attractions

The campsite is on the ancient Landsker border, a historical boundary running through Pembrokeshire that divides Welsh-speaking heartlands from the area known as “Little England beyond Wales", an area which was linguistically and culturally English for centuries. The line is marked by a series of frontier castles, the nearest of which is the ruined 13th-century castle in the local town of Narberth, a half-hour walk or five-minute drive from the campsite. There’s also a decent little museum in the town (01834 861719), while some of the most notable other nearby castles include Picton Castle and Gardens (8 miles, 01437 751326) Carew Castle (11 miles), Manorbier Castle (16 miles) and Pembroke Castle (16 miles, 01646 681510). Travel north from the campsite for the Preseli Hills which is superb hiking country. Similarly, there are 186 miles of superb walking on the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path. Amroth, Saundersfoot and the beautiful harbour town of Tenby are the closest seaside spots, the latter full of excellent cafés and independent shops all running down to the sweeping bay overlooked by the ancient town walls. Sandy beaches like Barafundle, Freshwater West and Marloes Sands are also great for days out, while beaches at Newgale and Whitesands are famed for particularly good surfing.

Food and drink

It's a five-minute drive or half-hour walk into Narberth where there's an excellent Spanish deli and café Ultracomida (01970 630686) and an all-Welsh one, Fforc Welsh Produce (01834 861994). You can also try locally-produced gin, cider and homemade ice cream at Fire & Ice (01834 861995), or the veggie options at local's favourite, Plum Vanilla (01834 862762). For restaurants, try the high-end seafood at Mad Tom’s (01834 860506) or trendy bistro the Pepper Corn (01834 861778). Pubs include the Dragon Inn (01834 860257), the Dingle Inn (01834 861806), and, just out of town, the Snooty Fox (01834 891300) which has a great outside area. The Plash Inn (01437 563472) in nearby Llanfallteg Village is also recommended. Further afield, Tafarn Sinc (01437 532214) is an atmospheric, community-owned Welsh pub up in the Preseli Hills with corrugated roofing and a sawdust-covered floor. If you're on the coast, try The Sloop Inn (01348 831449) at Porthgain for seriously hearty pub food or the Milton Brewery pub (01646 651919) and the chip shop opposite.

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