Today’s interview is with Beth Jones from Cwtch Camping.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I am 28 years of age and I grew up in Pembrokeshire just up the lane from the Cwtch Camp at Great Westfield Farm.
I moved away to Falmouth to study Garden Design at University before returning to Pembrokeshire after working for a short time in the south west of England.
Have you always wanted to run a glamping site? How did you get interested in it?
After graduating I had a number of different jobs working as a waitress, shop assistant, restaurant manager, life guard, marketing assistant and a short spell as an interior and garden designer.
It was only after my dad came up with the idea of putting a cabin in his woodland that the idea of the campsite took shape although neither of us had heard of “glamping” at the time.
What made you pick the location for your glamping site?
Having grown up on a fairly large working farm, when my Dad sold up he kept three small paddocks and planted them down to trees. This was in 2001 and now the trees have matured offering a sheltered and protected area, a peaceful haven for getting away from it all.
Dad’s philosophy is from the Greek Proverb “Society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they will never sit in.”
Do you get a wide range of different people from different walks of life or are there certain types of guests who come to stay at your site?
Most visitors enjoy the outdoor life and it seems to attract all ages as we currently have people staying who are in their seventies alongside a young family and another couple on their first wedding anniversary.
When guests stay, do they usually cook on site or do you find a lot like to go exploring and eat out at local places?
A lot of people do cook at the campsite and if the weather is good then the barbecue is always popular. There are barbecues and fire pits on site and there is access to wood, kindling, charcoal, matches and firelighters. The kitchen is well equipped and there is a double gas hob and a gas fridge.
However, many people do like to go out and explore the surrounding area and one of the most popular restaurants is The Bar at Neyland Marina which is within a 20 minute walk along the Brunel Track through Westfield Pill Nature Reserve.
If there was one activity to participate in, landmark, or place of interest that you would recommend guests visit while staying at your site, what would it be and why?
It is really difficult to think of just one place to recommend as we are surrounded by a stunning coastline with a number of award- winning beaches. My favourite beach would be Barafundle which is also situated near to the Bosherston Lily Ponds with lots of beautiful walking.
If you were visiting in the month of May then a trip to Skomer to see the puffins and the profusion of wild flowers would definitely be highly recommended.
What do you think sets your glamping site apart from others?
The comment that we get most from our visitors is that we pay attention to detail and this is something we aim to do. Other aspects seem to be that the site is very peaceful, secluded and very natural.
The atmosphere is easy going and relaxed with no pretentious airs and graces.
What has been the most memorable moment that has happened on your glamping site?
We held a Foraging Day last year which was hosted by local forager Julia and concluded with a delicious and most unusual picnic back at the camp site.
There have been a number of wedding proposals made at Cwtch Camping as well as a few honeymooners. As a result we are now intending to host small weddings offering the whole site with additional bell tents or yurts available.
Do you provide any services/entertainment/activities onsite or elsewhere for your guests?
We like to allow visitors space and privacy but we are happy to make suggestions as to the many activities available in the area such as surfing, climbing, kayaking etc.
We can also arrange bike hire so that guests can make full use of the nearby cycle route. Aromatherapy and reflexology treatments can also be arranged.
What plans (if any) do you have for your glamping site in the future?
We have already opened another site near Lamphey which is very different from the Cwtch Camp as it comprises open fields and countryside vistas. We offer 20 pitches with electric hook up, alternatively, we can provide well-equipped bell tents and camping cabins.
This year we held a Festival in Giant Tipis on the Easter weekend with a view to hosting festival style weddings/events on both Dewslake and Cwtch Camping Sites.
