Hidden Valley Yurts – exactly what it says on the tin. Invisible to, and inaccessible from, the outside world, these homely canvas abodes freckle the green face of a picturesque Monmouthshire valley overlooking a gurgling stream and shielded by trees.
There are five yurts altogether, stretching higgledy-piggledy along the field, two sleeping five and the other three accommodating up to seven. The yurts’ felt roof and wall linings are 9mm thick and made from pure sheep’s wool. Step through one of the brightly coloured doors of these innovative homes to find it lovingly decked with beds, rugs and wall-hangings and equipped with a wood-burning stove and copper kettle, with a bag of kindling for fuel.
The comfortable feel of each yurt entreats you to curl up and unwind, having spent the day wandering around the magical woodland, flower-peppered meadows and fields belonging to the farm’s 80 acres. You may even spot one of Amanda’s eco-friendly ‘pretty lawnmowers’ on your travels. No, these aren’t machines painted pink, but doe-eyed, woolly alpacas that will happily keep any lawn from getting out of hand.
A designated area of outstanding natural beauty, this corner of Wales, often overlooked in favour of better-known Pembrokeshire and Snowdonia, has been blessed by Mother Nature, and wildlife abounds here. Hidden Valley is home to many species of butterfly, including the uber-rare ‘Dingy Skipper’ (its name doing this little critter’s pretty, patterned wings a disservice) as well as bees, spiders and bats, so be sure to pack your bug boxes and spotters’ guides to do the whole Bill Oddy.
A large wooden, communal kitchen and bathroom area boasts the kind of veranda that would make Gone-With-The-Wind-type southerners jealous, and provides just the spot for whiling away evenings lying in the hammock playing a board game. Below the veranda there’s a boules pitch, campfire area, wood-burning pizza oven and help-yourself herb garden; just some of the thoughtful touches that make this place one of those extra-special camping experiences that Cool Camping can’t get enough of.
Within easy reach of Monmouth (Trefynwy), Tintern and other visitable spots along the picturesque River Wye, Hidden Valley is a well-located base for taking in the kind of sites that made the likes of Wordsworth and Turner produce creative masterpieces. But once ensconced in this beauteous valley, snuck away from the outside world, it’s hard to tear yourself away. So hard, in fact, you might just wish that the buggy runs out of juice before it takes you back to your car.
