You can stay on a former slate mine with glamping tents, shepherd’s huts and a revamped hotel is set to open next year
ONE place where Brits can escape into the wilderness is Plas Weunydd, a glamping site in north Wales.
Located on the mountainside just outside of Blaenau Ffestiniog, Plas Weunydd describes itself as an “adventure base” where guests can explore nearby sites like Zip World and Eryri National Park (Snowdonia).
The adventure base is set on The Slate Landscapes of North West Wales – a former slate mine turned UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Plas Weunydd is home to two glamping sites, including Llechwedd Glamping, which is open year-round.
Every glamping tent is dog-friendly and sleeps up to five people.
The tents come equipped with kitchen facilities, a wood-burning stove, a BBQ, a pizza kit and a private bathroom. Prices start from £150 per night.
Guests can also book to stay in the Barlywdd Shepherds Huts for six months of the year.
Despite being closed until March, the huts come equipped with a wood burner.
Other features include a kitchenette, an ensuite bathroom, a complimentary on-site buggy and access to site’s sauna.
The dog-friendly huts sleep two people, with prices starting from £120 per night.
The Plas Weunydd Hotel is set to reopen in April following an extensive refurbishment.
The hotel is set to feature artwork from local artists that reflect the mining history of the local area.
There will also be several pet-friendly spaces, accessible rooms and family suites.
Other amenities are set to include a garden, a terrace, a restaurant, a bar and a 24-hour front desk.
Visitors have praised the adventure base in online reviews on TripAdvisor, with one person writing: “We stayed in the glamping pods for two nights and it was the most unique and magical adventure”.
Another person wrote: “We had the best time. We had a very warm welcome and our tent was very comfortable, clean and well-equipped”.
A third person simply wrote: “This was an amazing place to stay”.
What is there to do nearby?
Plas Weunydd is just minutes away from Zip World, where the UK’s first zipline rollercoaster can be found.
The Aero Explorer ride opened last year and offers thrill-seekers a “high-speed journey across the quarry” like no other.
Its overhead track is connected to a harness on the ride, enabling visitors to glide around as if they’re on a rollercoaster.
The track is located high above the quarry, offering views of the landscape from the aerial circuit.
Riders move at speeds of up to 30mph while zipping through the 400m track, which has three loops as well as plenty of other twists and turns.
The Zip World website promises: “As you go, you’ll soar above the rugged terrain, taking in breathtaking views of the quarry landscape”.
It’s also a 15-minute drive from Eryri National Park (Snowdonia), which is home to beautiful scenery like lakes, waterfalls and of course Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon).
A hiking trail called the Watkin Path has been named one of the most beautiful spots in the whole country.
Just outside of Snowdonia National Park, holidaymakers can visit the Italian-inspired town of Portmeirion.
Conwy Castle and Caernarfon Castle are also a stone’s throw away.
Three camping tips from an expert
David Scotland owns camping equipment retailer Outdoor World Direct and knows all about how to make a camping trip run smoothly.
When visiting any campsite this summer it’s important to make sure you’re not making simple mistakes that could ruin your holiday.
Check your tent
David recommends putting your tent up a couple of weeks before you’re due to travel to give you enough time to repair or replace any damaged parts.
He told Sun Online Travel: “You’d be surprised how many people turn up with broken tents.”
Test the ground
Picking a good spot to pitch your tent is difficult, with lots of things to consider.
One of those should be the condition of the ground you’re putting your tent on top of, according to David.
He said: “Once you’ve found the perfect spot, test the ground with your pegs before you commit to camping there to make sure the ground is soft enough.”
Don’t nap in your tent
It may seem the perfect place for it, but a nap in a tent could end badly, if it’s done at the wrong time of the day.
David explained: “If the sun’s shining and it’s hot inside your tent – don’t do it!
“One of our friends nodded off in his tent during a heatwave at Glastonbury and ended up at the medical tent with heatstroke.”
Instead, he recommends finding some shade outside or somewhere well ventilated.
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