New House Farm Cs

Builth Wells, Powys, Wales

There’s no point beating about the bush here, because Cool Camping readers are a discerning bunch and honesty’s always the best policy. So it’s probably best to point out now that the camping at New House Farm, situated about a mile down a road heading nowhere and quietly tucked among the Radnorshire Hills, is a pretty basic affair. Consisting simply of a sloping field to the left of the farmhouse, the campsite is a no-frills setting surrounded by hedges on two sides and a fence separating the neighbouring field, home to several rather bored-looking sheep, on the other. It starts to get exciting when you spy the campfire corner at the top of the field; a communal area to save the grass from suffering outbreaks of burnt dark spots, which provides a nice opportunity for campers to get together and bond over a shared marshmallow or two. It gets even better, though, for hanging near the gate on a notice board is an invitation to come and enjoy the home-cooked food served up in the farmhouse’s conservatory. And the food in question isn’t just any old grub picked up at the local supermarket (actually, this place is so remote, it’s unlikely that there’s a supermarket within a five-mile radius), but fresh ingredients straight from the farm itself. As much as you may feel like it, you shouldn’t really spend your whole time here waiting for the next meal, as there’s plenty to do around the area and an activity-filled day is only going to increase that appetite, allowing you to chow down on a few forkfulls more. The surrounding Radnorshire Hills are well worth getting your boots on for. Blissfully quieter than their rich relations, the Beacons, they retain more of an ‘uncharted territory’ charm and you won’t find nearly so many fellow ramblers to bump into during your wanderings. Basic the campsite may be, but that’s half of its charm; simplicity, peace and campfires in the middle of almost nowhere – aren’t they what camping’s all about? They certainly provide the key ingredients for a Cool Camping dish. Mix in a few spicey extras, like unspoilt countryside surroundings, activities galore and culinary delights on tap, and you’ve got yourself one recipe you’ll turn to time and again.

Contact: +441497851759