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Pytingwyn Woods

97%
·
· Brecon, Powys, Wales
3 acres hosted by David M.
6 motorhome/tent pitches
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David is a Star Host
Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.
Off-lead friendly
Pets can be off-lead at this Hipcamp.
Almost-wild camping on the banks of the River Honddu, edging the Brecon Beacons

There’s been an informal campsite of sorts in this grassy dell, bordering the Brecon Beacons, for five or six years now but it’s wild enough not to feature on any maps and (until now) it has been largely untraceable online. In fact, even to call it a campsite can feel like a bit of a stretch. It's really just a small field. Albeit a small field with a fantastic location. That all explains why, much of the year, you can have the place almost to yourself, particularly if you pitch in the light woodland, which covers around half of the four-acre space.

The River Honddu forms the boundary along one edge – it’s great for splashing but, in summer, only deep enough in a handful of places to swim – and you can try fishing for trout, if you’ve brought your tackle. George the horse nibbles at the other side of the campsite, always of interest to young children.

Things remain pretty much wild and unchanged here since the day the place first opened. Don’t expect showers or electricity and, if you’re not alone, you might have to wait to use the one composting loo provided – with only five or six pitches at any one time, it won’t take long.

Though the highest mountain in the Brecon Beacons is less than 10 miles from your doorstep, one of the best walks is an easy five-mile circular loop straight from the campsite. Follow the lane and a bridleway up to the top of Pen-y-crug, an Iron-Age hill fort overlooking the Usk Valley with striking views of Pen-y-fan to the south and the Black Mountains away to the east. Then tumble down into the charming town of Brecon, busy with fellow walkers and outdoorsy types, and back along the riverside footpath to your tent.

The site comprises woodland and grassland and people can choose either area.  There is a compost toilet but no mains water or electricity.  The river is clean for bathing, swimming, fishing (trout) and people do boil the water for drinking although most people bring own drinking water.
Activities
Fishing
Hiking
Paddling
Swimming
Natural features
Forest
River, stream, or creek
Mountainous
Field
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97%
17 Ratings · 14 reviews
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Paul K.recommends
November 12, 2023
Grass and woodland Pitches
Lifestyle Choice 2023
David met us on site and was helpful, informative and easy-going. We had a quick guided tour of the site and Dave left us to make our camp in the location of our choice. It’s as close to wild camping as you’ll ever need. We were given permission to use any fallen timber for firewood. Taking a decent saw and an axe would be useful if you want to take advantage of the available dead wood for a fire. The compost toilet is in good condition and there was a welcome supply of toilet paper, blue paper roll and cleaning spray as well as sawdust. The camping grounds are sizeable and easy to access by foot once you’ve parked up. Great trip. Lovely site and great value for money. We will be back.
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Sophie P.recommends
October 12, 2023
Grass and woodland Pitches
Love it here!
Such a peaceful spot! We had a wonderful couple of days here. Plenty of lovely walks from the campsite. I recommend walking through the woodland to Brecon! The morning we left was very rainy and it was tricky to get out as it was very wet, but a fellow camper helped us out. Just something to be aware of.
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Duncan J.recommends
September 27, 2023
Grass and woodland Pitches
Fantastic area to camp in. Very much left to my own devices in total peace. The dog loved playing in the river. Had a nice walk from ghe site up the mound for great views of Brecon. Thanks very much.
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Simon W.recommends
September 13, 2023
Grass and woodland Pitches
Lovely, quiet site.
I was really pleased to find this little campsite. Very much back-to-basics set up, with a sawdust loo and .. nothing else. It’s pretty much wild camping. No electricity and no running water, but it’s got that natural, in the wilderness feel to it, with a nice field and a woodland area and lively, babbling stream running through it. I hauled my 4 metre bell tent the couple of hundred feet from where I was able to park and pitched up in the woodland. It was beautifully peaceful. At night all I could hear were the sounds of owls. There’s no traffic noise at night, since the site is located on a tiny country lane. Yet, despite the sense of remoteness and solitude, it’s only a few minutes drive away from Brecon. I was only there for three nights. But I honestly wish I’d booked a longer stay. I’ll definitely be going back there for a longer trip, since it’s a really economical way to explore such a wonderful part of the Welsh countryside. The absence of shower facilities really isn’t a issue because there’s a swimming pool in Brecon where you can have a swim and a shower cheaply enough. Local butcher shops are a plenty and you really can’t do better than a traditional Welsh butcher for the highest quality bacon, sausages and free-range eggs. All in all I’d say Dave has got a great set up here. It makes such a welcome change to those all-singing, all-dancing kinds of campsite that are so popular with those with motor homes and caravans. Can definitely recommend. Simon
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Jonathan B.recommends
September 4, 2023
Grass and woodland Pitches
Lovely flat site located near a river with a clean, well-equipped compost loo
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Lisa Q.recommends
September 3, 2023
Grass and woodland Pitches
Great site just to pitch up and enjoy. Very relaxed environment. Beautiful scenery
Location
Brecon, Powys, Wales, United KingdomTraditional, ancestral territory of various First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by David M.Joined in September 2020
From the host
Almost-wild camping on the banks of the River Honddu, edging the Brecon Beacons
Nearby attractions

The highest mountain in the Brecon Beacons, Pen-y-fan, is 10 miles from the campsite and is, without doubt, one of the most popular walks in the area, usually finished off with a trip to a good café in nearby Brecon town. You needn't go that far, though. There's a good five-mile circular walk straight from the campsite to the top of Pen-y-crug, an Iron-Age hill fort overlooking the Usk Valley. This route takes in Brecon and also the banks of the Honddu. For rainy days, the town has the Regimental Museum of the Royal Welsh (01874 613310) and a handful of good art galleries and it's not far to the main National Park Visitor Centre (01874 623366).

Food and drink

Brecon has the closest pubs and everything else you need. Brecon Tap (01874 622353) is the place for real ales and a cosy atmosphere (and tasty pies), while The Hours Café and Bookshop (01874 622800) is a rainy-day joy. There's also a big Morrisons and a CoOp, for stocking up and plenty of takeaways.

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