Missed out on a camping holiday in Wales this summer? Don’t put your camping gear into storage just yet – Wales is full of fab sites for tents, campervans and touring caravans that stay open to guests throughout the year. And don’t get the idea that camping in Wales in autumn, winter or spring is somehow a second-best version of summer camping – outdoor holidays at less popular times of year are a great experience in their own right and come with a few advantages you may not have considered.
We’ve gathered the most important information about what kinds of all-year campsites are available and what you could get up to on your off-season adventures – keep reading to find out more.
Year-round accommodation in Wales
We’ve got well-maintained hardstanding pitches for touring in all weathers, secluded spots to pitch a tent and a good range of year-round glamping options available in Wales. There are places to stay all around the country, including in the most popular areas like the Snowdonia, Brecon Beacons and Pembrokeshire national parks. Lots of dog-friendly campsites are available in Wales all year round, and there are plenty of family-friendly holiday parks open for October and February half term and the Christmas holidays too.
Cheaper nightly rates, the lack of crowds and the fact that the Welsh hills are generally more accessible (and less snowy) out of season than their chillier Scottish counterparts means that you can look forward to active breaks in the Welsh countryside throughout the year. And in the evening, there’ll be a warm Welsh welcome waiting for you at a cosy country pub…
Where to go in Wales off-season?
Seal spotting in Pembrokeshire
Snowy white seal pups can often be seen on the beaches off Pembrokeshire in the autumn months (between September and November). Boat trips to remote offshore islands like Grassholm and Skomer (which run regularly until the end of October) are a great way to observe these cute creatures up close before heading back to base to compare photos over a campfire.
Castle tours across the country
All of the country's 44 castles managed by Cadw, the Welsh public heritage service, are open throughout the year, meaning you can see many of Wales’ most iconic buildings whenever you happen to be visiting. Camp in Wales over October half term to explore ghost stories and spooky kid-friendly craft workshops at haunted spots like Caernarfon and Oystermouth, or head to Cardiff Castle in December to experience its impressive Christmas light displays and ice walk.
Wales’ autumn festivals
Abergavenny Food Festival, which is held in the Monmouthshire town every September, has made a name for itself since it started in 1999, and is now widely recognised as one of the best in all of Britain. If you’ve missed it this year, there are lots more special events in Wales throughout autumn, from the October Laugharne Weekend for Dylan Thomas fans to the Barmouth Walking Festival. Pick a pitch to be near the heart of the action – and to have some spare cash left over in your holiday budget for food, drink and good times while you’re away.
Winter waterfall walks
Find a Welsh campsite in the Brecon Beacons and get out on the Four Falls Walk, a ramble around some of the area's most spectacular waterfalls that’s particularly pretty when there’s frost on the ground. You might also like to pick a pitch in Snowdonia National Park to visit Aber Falls, which occasionally freezes solid, or to take snaps of Swallow Falls near the cosy pubs and shops of Betws-y-Coed.
