If you’ve ever had the urge to run away to a cabin in the woods then you’re going to love Celtic Woodland Glamping in Powys. Hiding away in a remote cabin in the forest is something I dream about a little too often! Sometimes a full sized house feels like too much and I crave the rustic simplicity of a cabin within a magical woodland where dappled sunlight streams through the trees.
I’d spend my mornings drinking coffee on my deck within the trees, surrounded by the chirping of birds and the scurry of woodland creatures.
Afternoons would revolve around keeping the fire burning, long walks in the woods and cooking hot meals over the stove before returning to the fire to snooze.
This is exactly what I got during a recent two-night stay at Celtic Woodland, a glamping retreat in Powys in Wales.
I was staying with my three children, George (9), Joseph (7) and Alba (4) along with our new puppy Wanda (14 weeks!) So I’ll admit that it wasn’t quite as serene as I’d imagined but it was a lot of fun.
Celtic Woodland is home to six raised glamping pods. Each pod is similar but also unique and they sleep between 2 to 7 people. You can also camp or stay in the treehouse.
Each pod is nestled in the trees amongst the birds. They’re not quite tree houses but they’re raised up so they’re the next best thing.
We stayed in Bedw, a 4-person glamping pod. The cabin was basic but so cosy with a small kitchen (no running water but there’s a sink and a hob and big bottles for water), a log burner and two seating areas that converted into double beds. I’ll admit that it was a bit of a faff to convert the beds, especially on your own with three children who were trying to ‘help’, but it was manageable and it’s a nifty use of space.
A real bonus for Celtic Woodland was the communal areas where there was a huge games room with pool table, air hockey, games, books, big sofas and a TV and DVDs. This could really save the day if you’re staying when it rains, particularly with young and energetic children.
There’s a big communal kitchen which was well equipped with plenty of fridge space. The bathrooms were also nice, clean and warm which is a real luxury when glamping. Lots of glamping sites have outdoor showers and composting toilets which are often cold and a bit pongy so I definitely prefer a shared indoor bathroom.
There’s a big playpark where the kids gathered and made friends (another major bonus!) Further into the woods there’s a communal fire pit where you can toast marshmallows and make s’mores.
Celtic Woodland is in a great location to get out and see some local attractions.
We weren’t exactly blessed with the weather when we visited but we made it to Elan Valley Visitor Centre where there are four incredible dams you can visit. If you’re up for a big walk you can walk to them but we did a short walk to the first dam and then drove to see the others.
Here are some other things you could do nearby:
- Hike up Pen y Fan (the highest peak in South Wales)
- Visit Sgwd yr Eira Waterfall
- Visit Powis Castle
- Ride the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway
- Visit Lake Vyrnwy
- Visit Hay-on-Wye – The ‘Town of Books’
- Hike part of the Offa’s Dyke Path
Overall thoughts from Celtic Woodland Glamping
I’ve done a lot of glamping and Celtic Woodland definitely stands out as a favourite. I loved the communal areas which definitely made it easier to entertain three children when it rained. I was impressed with the indoor shared bathrooms and communal kitchen and I thought the pods were wonderfully unique whilst also being practical and comfortable. I did find it a bit fiddly to put the beds out the first time so I would have appreciated a quick run-through when we first checked in to quickly tell me how this was done.
As with any camping/glamping trip, the space can feel a bit small when it’s raining. But I really appreciated having a covered porch area so the pod didn’t get muddy. It was also an easy space to have a dog as I tied her up to the decking outside and she had plenty of space to roam about.
I thought that for the price this was a brilliant two-night break with the kids. I loved the area and I’m sure we’ll be back!
Read more about my other glamping trips here: