Pitch sizes on camping and glamping sites are usually measured in metres but we’ve found a place where acres are more appropriate. Sennybridge Shepherd’s Hut, on the Northern side of the Brecon Beacons, has one of them. Stay there and it will be all yours along with glorious views, easy access to the adventures of the National Park and a tiny, tidy home which has been made with a lot of local love.
Situated in a field between two villages within the Brecon Beacons National Park, Sennybridge Shepherd’s Hut has been a labour of love for local builder Martin and his partner Diane. It was first conceived as a getaway for their own personal use but the project evolved as they realised that their little home and their big field were just too good to keep to themselves.
The field has deliberately untamed corners; a wildlife-rich pond, a meadow area and newly-planted native fruit trees, but the hut is as neat as a hotel. Inside, it has whitewashed walls, a made-up double bed, a little kitchenette and its own shower room and toilet. Throw open the hut’s double stable doors and there’s a raised deck with a hammock and outdoor furniture; the perfect perch from which to watch the acrobatics of red kites which are fed nearby. Once they've gone home, you should grab some logs and fire up the Finnish-style hot tub, as there’s a nightly display which is just as impressive as the daily one. The Beacons is designated as a Dark Sky Reserve and the stars certainly dazzle on a clear night, reflected in the steamy water of the tub.
You can walk the leafy ‘back road’ to reach the local shop, cafe and pubs in Sennybridge or Defynnog. For picnic supplies that are fresh from the farm, take a short drive to Penpont with its organic goodies or pick your own at Aberbran Fawr, where you might find Diane at her day job, behind the farm shop counter. There are plenty of places to unpack your hamper from the banks of the Monmouth and Brecon Canal to the peak of Pen-y-Fan, the highest mountain in South Wales. But don’t overlook what might be the ultimate picnic spot – your very own field in the National Park.
Badminton, croquet and board games are provided on site and there are plenty of birds (including red kites) and wildlife to watch in and around the field and at the small on-site pond. The hut is within the Brecon Beacons National Park so there’s plenty of great walking, trail running, mountain biking, and just about every other adventure activity you can think of, nearby. It’s a 20-minute drive to the foot of Pen-Y-Fan. The historic market town of Brecon is nine miles away with shops, cafes and galleries along with the Brecon Museum and the start of the Monmouth & Brecon Canal. Craig Y Nos Castle (01639 731167) and Dan-Yr-Ogof, the National Showcaves Centre, (01639 730284) are also within 10 miles. Cantref Adventure Farm (01874 665223) is 12 miles from site and has a riding centre and an adventure farm that’s good for kids. The Llangrose Multi Activity Centre (01874 658272), 17 miles away, offers indoor and outdoor activities including climbing and horse riding. At nearby Llangorse Lake (01874 658226) you can hire boats, paddleboards, canoes and kayaks there to get out on the water.
Both Sennybridge and Defynnog villages are less than half-a-mile away. The closest pub is the Tanners Arms (01874 638032) in Defynnog but Sennybridge has a few more facilities. There’s The Abercamlais Arms, Usk & Railway Inn (01874 636101) and The Red Lion (01874 638265) as well as a couple of garages with general stores and outdoor goods including camping supplies and a cafe. There’s lovely produce at Penpont Organic Farm Shop (01874 636202), four miles away, and Matthews Fruit and PYO (01874 623301) is just a little further and has a little cafe too. The nearest supermarkets are in Brecon (nine miles away) where there’s also a good range of shops, cafes and eateries.
