On the edge of Snowdonia National Park, the village of Llanddoged is a place that contrasts the big with the small. Big mountains dominate the horizon, big fields unfold on every side and big birds glide on big thermals in the big, blue, sunny sky. But the tread of humans around here is light and small. Though the local church dates back to the 13th century it looks, from the gateway, almost like a village cottage with a little bell tower tottering on its top. The roads are narrow and quaint, paralleled by tiny streams that run down to the river Conwy, and there’s a wonderful sense of remoteness about it all, even though there’s an A-road just a mile away.
Ffrith Galed Yurts has a similar style about it. Though they keep their numbers small – there are just two yurts on site with a private bathroom for each – the site itself is big. The 18ft abodes have room inside to sleep up to five people, while outside they’re each located in their own private field. That’s an entire field each! It’s the perfect marriage of space and snugness. Wood burners warm the traditionally designed Mongolian structures, their smoke spouted away to the central crown that washes the interior of the yurt in natural light. At night, you can switch off the fairy lights and enjoy the starry night skies too.
Inside the yurts, guests are provided with gas burners, crockery and cooking utensils and everyone has access to the washing up block where there’s a fridge and kitchen units for use. Not that you need to cook everything onsite. Though there are BBQs and campfire pits, you can, instead, follow the parish footpaths that lead you a scenic mile down the hillside to Llanrwst, a neighbouring market town where you can indulge yourself in at of the local artisans. Developed along the riverbanks, the town was once the centre of the UK’s wool trade with the surrounding hill farmers gathering their sheep in the centre each week. It’s success was partly owed to King Edward I who, having built famous Conwy Castle further north, prohibiting Welshmen from trading within 10 miles of it, leading this 12-mile distant village to flourish.
Today it’s a mere 20 minutes drive to the castle, which is amongst the finest surviving medieval fortifications in Britain. Two fortified gateways, eight massive towers and a great bow-shaped hall all occupy its narrow rocky outcrop above the river – a magnificent sight to behold. To the west, however, is the most imitate draw to this glampsite. Vast Snowdonia National Park, spreads in wavy peaks like a heaving, green sea, with Mount Snowden itself hidden behind Carnedd Llewelyn. Footpaths weave along the ridges and around the pooling lakes that fill each valley. Away in the distance, it all provides the big backdrop and perfect views for Ffrith Galed Yurts, a location that just begs to be explored.