You’re not, strictly speaking, ‘camping’ at a Feather Down Farm. You’re staying in ‘tented accommodation’. It’s a small distinction, but it acts as a good indication of what you can expect at this mini-chain of boutique campsites. This is Luxury Camping in roomy three-bedroom pre-erected tents, perfect for the ‘not sure about this camping lark’ section of the community, who might baulk at the idea of trying to put up a tent in the rain. Or for families looking for a good-value alternative to renting a holiday home. Or, indeed, for just about anyone, really – these tented palaces are cool, comfortable and fun.
Feather Down Farms recruit farmers with excess, redundant land, then they transport and erect their high-spec, custom-designed tents at the farm, organise the marketing and reservations, and let the farmers take care of the day-to-day management. The Feather Down team and the farmers share the proceeds appropriately; and everyone’s happy.
You’re guaranteed a warm, Welsh-speaking welcome at Glanmor Isaf – in fact the hosts were very pleased when one of their past guests commented that “the family here do everything to make your stay a happy one, from coming to find you when a lamb is being born to encouraging you to watch them shear the sheep and even trim their toenails!” And the owners do pride themselves on their hospitality. The tents are buried away in a cosy orchard behind the 150-year-old farmhouse, with stunning views back across to Snowdon and its slopes, where the farm’s sheep and cattle are grazed.
This is wild Britain at its finest – mountain biking, climbing, vigorous walking and a private pebble beach that is both a nature reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, stacked with cockles and mussels for your campfire. Your neighbours live in Penrhyn Castle; stray just a little further afield and you’re at the crenellations of Caernarfon and the sandy beaches of Anglesey. The owners have farmed there for four generations and are certified organic for Welsh Black cattle, hardy mountain sheep, pigs and chickens. Lambing is a particular early season attraction here too.
