Erwlon

There is an element of camping that is all about surprises. The surprise, for example, of finding yourself eating crisps for breakfast. Or realising you haven’t had a bath for a week. Or waking up to a priceless view of a Welsh valley. And because camping can sometimes be a bit unpredictable (the moody weather, for instance) it can be rather soothing to arrive at a campsite that does exactly what it says on the tin. And that’s precisely what Erwlon does.

There are no frills and no surprises to be had here, but it’s a friendly, well-maintained and attractive little site in the bosom of Wales' loveliest countryside. Erwlon seems to strike that all-important balance of being relatively unspoiled, yet still feature the clean and cosy ablution facilities that makes camping comfortable. All this should hardly come as a surprise as the Rees family have been running the site since the 1950s. Brothers Peter and Huw are now the third generation to be involved, so it’s fair to say the Rees clan know a thing or two about running a successful, well-organised campsite. In addition to the 100-odd pitches spread over two fields (a peaceful adults-only section and a more lively family enclosure), the quartet of four riverside pods are a welcome alternative for those who like their camping with a healthy dose of luxury. With en-suite shower, a fully equipped kitchenette and fluffy duvets and pillows, these self-contained, cosy abodes means a hassle-free holiday for couples and small families.

Erwlon's real selling point has to be its location. Boasting twelve impressive castles (Carreg Cennen is a must-see), Carmarthenshire comes fabulously littered with the evidence of successive cultures and kingdoms that have been swept away by one invader or another. This dizzyingly diverse county includes some of Britain’s most scenic eye-candy. Climb towering peaks, meander through lush, ancient woodlands or simply lose yourself in the solitude of the vast countryside, ‘The Garden of Wales’ never fails to cast a calming spell upon all that visit.

Erwlon is the sort of place that ticks many boxes. It works for those wanting to get away from it all, with a quieter, adults-only area within the site, as well as families on their holidays, sharing the same facilities, but with a more social part of the meadow where children can run wild and make friends. Those wanting the challenge of the Brecon Beacons are well catered for, as are those wanting to discover some of Britain’s finest castles, villages and coastline. You don’t need to be eagle eyed to spot the charm of Carmarthenshire, and thankfully Erwlon, the campsite that does exactly what it says on the tin, provides the perfect base to go and explore it all.