Admit it – you've always fantasised about ditching the rat race and hitting the open road in a cool, retro hippy van. That part of you that will forever be Haight-Ashbury circa '67 yearns for this wild abandon. Well, we say embrace the inner hippy; beseech your inner beatnik. And we know just the place to dig the 'vibes'...
It's a little known fact that West Wales is the cradle of British hippydom. The long-hairs of Dyfed (now Ceredigion) were freaking out the squares when Michael Eavis was just a mutton-chopped dairy farmer from a small town in Somerset. You can see why the original flower children bloomed round these parts: the endless pristine beaches of Cardigan Bay, the epic Elenith mountains, the meanderingly mystic River Teifi. A palpable air of Arthurian myth seems hued in the very rock – no wonder; Merlin was a Carmarthen boy apparently. Nestled within the spellbinding Teifi Valley, between Llandysul and Newcastle Emlyn, sits Spirals of Wellbeing.
Not a campsite in the traditional sense, Angie and Rob acquired this priceless spot in March 2012 and set about cultivating it into an eco-friendly, place of peace and tranquility. In addition to their hi-spec refurbished cowshed, camping guests get to bed down in the fabulously vintage Hippy Van. This chrome-tastic, spiral-illustrated (geddit?) warrior of the road is stationed within a clearing beside a lush, verdant meadow. It snugly sleeps two, with everything you could need to live out your own magical mystery tour (albeit a stationary one).
New for summer 2014 is Bella Bambino – a luxurious, romantic bell tent that's perfect for glamping couples. Sat atop pristine wooden decking (ideal for sunbathing/star gazing), this canvas palace features a double bed frame with thick futon mattress, large antique trunk to store your stuff, rugs and cushions for cosy comfort and a funky hand crafted table for your al fresco glass of wine and nibbles. Outside Bella is your very own camp fire, overlooking the two acre meadow that's exclusively yours. A separate kitchen-cum-adorable little shed sits adjacent. You'll find all the kit and caboodle and a two ring gas hob. There is a compost toilet and wash basin as well as a solar shower, where you can access running water. Bedding, wood for your first fire, candles, solar fairy lights are also provided. This is real eco camping in comfort.
There's a pleasingly lazy pace to life round here, with relaxation and reconnecting with nature about the height of labour. If you need any inducement to unwind, Angie and Rob are fully qualified and insured massage therapists with over 15 years worth of experience. Drop into the wooden treatment chalet for some holistic hands-on healing. For the more creatively-minded, Angie also offer silver jewellery workshops. Make your very own one-of-a-kind piece using recycled silver – the ultimate memento.
The boho hippy vibe is more than just affectation. Angie and Rob are keen to promote sustainable camping, whether through the solar shower or their own productive poly-tunnel where any excess veg is free for campers to purchase. Your convivial caretakers are also no stranger to a campfire singalong round the firepit ("African drumming every Tuesday in Llandysul, in case you're interested").
And even for those of you not looking to 'turn on, tune in, drop out', there's no end to the charms of this West Wales hideaway. Though with red kites gliding graciously overhead, and the tranquil babbling of the stream to meditate to, we advise going with the flow. As the song might have gone; "if you're going to Lla-an-dysul/Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair". Far out man...
