Powys Pods
UK Wales Mid Wales Powys Hay-on-Wye
Powys Pods try to avoid the term ‘glamping’ because they still very much class themselves as a camping site – albeit a campsite with some very wooden looking tents. “We cater to the muddy boots brigade”, owner Jess tells us, “you need to bring everything you would for camping, but can leave the tent at home”.
It may sound unusual, but it’s a simple idea and one they pull off to perfection. Comprised of just three wooden pods, each with electricity and a heater, the site’s accommodation is simple yet more than comfortably adequate. Unlike those bells and whistles glamping sites, they haven’t clogged every space with spangled chandeliers and layers of fancy bedding, but instead offer the convenience of simple and sturdy accommodation that allows you to have a more traditional camping break, without the worry about the weather. Outside there’s room to sit in the sun and while away the hours, while the essential joys of star gazing and late night campfires are still very much encouraged. It really is camping without the peg-pushing, pole-snapping, nylon-fighting hassle.
On a tiered slope in rural Radnorshire, the pods are located on semi-organic Grug Farm, home to 200 sheep and half a dozen Welsh Black cows that graze either side of the winding, local lanes. Two of the three units are in the lower camping area – where separate wooden buildings featuring toilets and modern, power showers can also be found – while the third pod is hidden away further up the slope, in a field of its own. The winning factor for all three is undoubtedly the view. In the foreground, below your camping space, a block of trees spreads throughout the valley bottom, while behind it hills climb up gently towards the sky. The higher pod, meanwhile, overlooks a stretch of open fields, the Black Mountains visible in the distance on a clear day.
In the way all good views do, it can’t help but draw you out. No sooner have you sat yourself down and you're drawing a line with your finger across the nearest hillside. Jess will help answer all your questions and can direct you to nearby Offa's Dyke footpath, though simply taking off to explore will quickly reveal a host of local treasures. Less than a mile down the road, Bryngwyn Riding Centre can saddle you up (both beginners and the experienced) for a pony trek through the local area – options vary from half hour routes for children to two-hour or whole day hacks across the Welsh countryside. An easy 20-minute car journey brings you to famous Hay-on-Wye, its quirky independent book and antique shops giving it an enjoyable buzz that lasts well beyond the annual Hay Festival.
Our Coronavirus Booking Guarantee
Book with complete confidence at Powys Pods with the Cool Camping Coronavirus Booking Guarantee. We guarantee the following clear policy for your booking:
- A low deposit of 30% to secure your booking
- Balance due 30 days before your holiday
- Complete flexibility to move bookings up to the end of 2021 in the event of Coronavirus restrictions
- Due to the flexibility provided we are unable to offer refunds
- This guarantee supersedes any other policies
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Details
Facilities
2 luxury showers and 3 toilets in separate pod units, along with a drying room with space to hang clothes. The pods all have electricity, with sockets for charging essentials and a small oil-filled radiator/fan heater add to the cosy feeling. One of the pods (Ardwyn Pod) also has built-in beds with mattresses and storage underneath, which can either be set as two single beds or converted into a double. The site has a fantastic lawn area (subject to tents) for playing games and there is a firepit, under-cover seating and BBQ area.Suitable For
Glampers and additional tents (to have alongside your pod booking) and well behaved dogs that adhere to their strict dogs policy – yes. Caravans – no. Groups: family groups occupying more than 1 pod allowed, but non-family groups occupying more than 1 pod must book the whole site (all 3 pods).Nearby
A mile down the road there's a horse riding centre (01497 851669). They offer half hour routes for kids and beginners and longer hacks for the more experienced. The local, heather-clad hills are covered in bridleways and it's a fantastic way to cover the ground. Also popular is a drive to the river Wye. Here you can hire canoes (07414 935965) and drift your way down stream, another great way to explore the area! For something a little more sedate, a drive to Hay-on-Wye leads to a wealth of good independent shops – particularly antique and book shops. The town also marks the northern edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park, another real hub for outdoor pursuits.Food & Drink
BBQs are permitted and there's a large barrel barbie available for use. The nearest pub, The Roast Ox (01497 851398), can be found at Painscastle (4 miles away) and there is also a good bar and restaurant at Rhosgoch Golf Club (3 miles; 01497 851251). For the maximum choice head to Hay-on-Wye.Open
Easter–October.Pricing
Pods sleep 2–5 people and are £40–£48 per night.Why book with Cool Camping?
- Coronavirus Booking Guarantee
- Best Price Guarantee, with no fees
- Instant booking confirmation
- Trusted for over 10 years
- A chance to win prizes in our regular competitions
The Owner Says
Powys Pods is situated in an undiscovered part of rural Radnorshire, tucked away in the hills of Wales close to the Welsh-English border with Herefordshire. From your camping pod you will have views of the valley and the open hills beyond, just waiting to be explored by foot, bike or on horseback. Whether you want to be active during your break or just have a relaxing getaway, staying in one of our cosy pods could be just the thing for you. The camping pods are great for families, couples or groups of friends, for those wanting exclusive romantic getaways, an affordable weekend break or maybe just a stress-free alternative camping holiday without the worry about the weather.
When staying at Powys Pods you will have the luxury of modern facilities with the unique atmosphere of a camping holiday. We offer something a bit different to the usual glamping with all it's bells and whistles, we offer something more affordable; it's camping, but without the tent. We wanted to create a low-cost no-frills glamping campsite where you could bring your kids and your dogs along, or have a go at camping without the worry of the weather. Think of it as comfortable camping.
Social Distancing Measures
Pre-allocated washroom, space in kitchen area (with cupboard, fridge, hotplate & kettle) and a firepit or BBQ. All non-shared. More details available on request, and will be emailed before your stay. Also see our website for full details.
Please enquire about disabled facilities or baby changing facilities before you book. Cycle rack, drying room and outdoor tap may also not be available. Please enquire. Camp beds: still available to hire, quarantined for 72 hours before use so we may not be able to fulfil every request.
Checklist showing what has been cleaned and sanitised prior to arrival displayed outside each Washroom, Pod and in the Facilities Area. In-stay cleaning will be guest's responsibility.
PLEASE NOTE: WELSH COVID RULES APPLY [CLICK HERE]
This site offers our Coronavirus Booking Guarantee
Offers & Deals
The best offer will automatically be applied to bookings on Cool Camping
Accommodation
We have just three camping pods (and a separate tent pitch above Ardwyn pod):
Bryn-Gwyn pod is the 'family' sized pod, suitable for up to 5 adults (or 2 adults & 2-3 children), and is suitable people with disabilities too.
Allt Dderw pod is suitable for 3 adults or 2 adults with 1-2 small children (under aged 8).
Ardwyn pod is suitable for 2 adults and 1-2 infants (with own beds). It has built-in beds with foam mattresses that can either be configured as a double or single bed.
Bryn-Gwyn Pod
Allt Dderw Pod
Ardwyn Pod
Cae Bell Secluded Tent Pitch
Group Booking (exclusive use)
Location
Contact Powys Pods, Grug Farm, Bryngwyn, Kington, Powys. HR5 3QN
Getting There
Reviews
Add Your ReviewRated ★★★★★ over 8 reviews
Perfect
A beautiful stay!
Brilliant, secluded, friendly, lovely
Tranquil
Hidden gem
Response from Powys Pods
Pods with a view
Best pod experience so far
Myself and my girlfriend stayed here for two nights, last minute one summers weekend. The owners were more than accommodating in letting us arrive late Friday night, allowing us to enjoy the two day break to the full. Arriving in the dark meant we could only really scope out the communal kitchen area. However this is the first great thing about Powys pods. Sat between the accommodation and sheltered from the rain, it has everything you need to brew a tea or cook up a feast. Sat at the picnic benches with your freshly brewed hot chocolate is the perfect place to plan your morning hike. When you wake up in your little heated pod you open the doors and are smacked in the face by the most amazing view of the valley, you could easily stay forever. Parking is plenty and access to the trails comes easy. Playing catch with the owners dogs or huddling around the fire this campsite ticks all the boxes. Can't wait to visit this summer.
We'll be back!
We stayed for one night at Powys Pods and absolutely loved it. It was our first time 'podding', having camped many times previously and we were converted. We were a party of four adults and nine kids, aged from nine to 15. We stayed in the two larger pods (three in one and four in the other) and our four teenagers pitched a tent nearby. The layout for us was absolutely perfect as we were all near to one another - but not too near! The extensive covered area is a really bonus as we could bbq without consideration for the weather with all mod cons there - hot/cold water, big worktop and a fridge and freezer nearby. The fire pit enabled us to stay up longer socialising and the tent pitch just in front of the pods meant that we didn't have to worry about being too far away from the teens. The three pods housing the two showers and extra loo were very close by and spotlessly clean. It really felt that we had our own private farm for the night. Owner Jess's help in finding us a walk directly out of the farm was much appreciated and the two farm dogs kept the younger kids entertained. It's a beautiful part of Wales and waking up with a view of the hills and the sheep nearby was priceless. We will definitely be back - but for longer next time!
Why book with Cool Camping?
- Coronavirus Booking Guarantee
- Best Price Guarantee, with no fees
- Instant booking confirmation
- Trusted for over 10 years
- A chance to win prizes in our regular competitions
Related Guides
See Campsites in the Brecon Beacons National Park
See Campsites in the Wye Valley
See Glamping in the Brecon Beacons