Tipis at Ponty, Greener Camping

Set in a secluded spot on the Powys-Shropshire border, Ian and Jane Whyte's stunning six-acre smallholding plays hosts to Tipis at Ponty, a wonderful new adults-only site that welcomes campers and glampers alike (not to mention well-behaved dogs). This peaceful pocket between Oswestry (on the English side of Offa's Dyke) and Welshpool (on the Welsh) is bordered by the River Cain, making it a magnet for all sorts of wildlife, with kingfishers, herons and cormorants in attendance, and even the odd visiting otter.

Besides these curious creatures, there are few other guests who share the space. With just three spacious tent pitches, pair of tipis and the cabin, there's never any danger of overcrowding. The site is strictly a car-free zone (wheelbarrows are thoughtfully provided so you can trundle your gear to camp) so peace and quiet is all but guaranteed, while the trio of pitch-your-own plots range from riverside spaces to more elevated pitches with views to die for. All come with firepits and rustic seating, a fine addition for those who want to admire the unblemished night skies beside the warmth of a campfire.

The titular tipis (Mary and Mavis) are perfect for couples (although a third guest can be accommodated in Mavis). With a wood-burning stove, comfy double bed and bean bags to collapse in, there are few cosier settings to cwtch in after a day spent exploring. Facilities-wise, a pair of newly constructed wet rooms with hot showers and proper flushing loos provide ample ablutions for guests. Campers have use of the communal kitchenette, while the tipis boast their own kitchen shacks with gas ring stove.

Hosts Ian and Jane were chefs in their former lives and still run outside catering events in the area. Their culinary nous is evident in the range of homemade goodies available in the on-site honesty shop. Whether you're indulging in these delights or cooking your own freshly caught trout from the River Cain, 'The Sunset Shack' is a welcoming communal shelter in which to dine – set in the elevated upper copse it is, as the name suggests, a fantastic spot to watch the sunset over the Shropshire Hills.