fforest - camping and more, Wales, Pembrokeshire
fforest farm, Cilgerran, Pembrokeshire
The fforest experience aims to bring a genuinely new "camping" experience for the whole family. It's more like a Boutique Hotel but under canvas; you get a fabulous bed and your breakfast, but it really couldn't be further removed from the traditional concept of either a hotel or B & B!
Accommodation
Accommodation varies - you'll be pleased to hear there's no "Standard Room" instead there are Crog lofts, Domes, Swedish kåta, Bell tents and Nomad tunnel tents to choose from. Beds / Mattresses are provided for all members of your party. Bedding is provided in the Crogs and for the king size bed in the Domes.
Crog lofts sleep 4 and are the newest addition to fforest's accommodation offer. Originally a large farmyard barn, the four Croglofts have been traditionally restored using natural materials while combining a bit of extra luxury with under-floor heating and wet rooms.
Dome tents: (sleep 4: 2 adults + 2 young children) Looks a bit like a spaceship but actually it's a tardis for the mind. The domes are hugely spacious, light yet cosy with log burning stoves and warm Welsh wool blankets or reindeer hides. The dome tents are fully furnished with a king sized bed, lounging chairs and sacks.
Kåtas - (sleep up to 6) the Swedish tipis include mattress pads, reindeer hides or Welsh woolen blankets and giant lounging sacks. The kåtas also have their own custom-built wood burning stoves.
Each tent is sited on an elevated timber deck which incorporate fully equipped (and covered) camp kitchen, dining and seating areas. Gas hob, chiller and all cookware and tableware are provided.
Facilities
At the centre of the camp, fforest lodge serves breakfasts of local produce each morning - breakfast is included in the price - as well as communal barbeques or dinner from local produce two evenings each week (peak season only). Highchairs are available from the lodge at no extra charge. The lodge lounge is available in the afternoon for guests to relax or chat with a fair trade coffee, read a book from the small library, or dry off in front of the wood burner.
And then there's Y Bwythyn the onsite pub which offers a range of local spirits, ales and ciders, a small selection of wines and wholesome soft drinks.
As far as possible all facilities are designed and constructed to minimise energy consumption, pollution and waste. Service buildings are constructed from locally sourced timber. All refuse, where possible, is recycled or composted on site. Fforest are working to recycle rainwater, create composting field toilets, and supplement energy requirements by using alternative energy sources.
The main shower and wc building, constructed from recycled and green timber, is sited in a woodland area above the lodge. Tucked away in the woods we have a six person cedar barrel sauna and cold shower (compulsory after sauna use... see camp rule no 372(c)).
Activities
There is plenty of space for the kids to run around, make friends and explore – there’s plenty of space for the adults too.
Onsite activities include Walking, including combined routes with the Wildlife Reserve, Cilgerran & Teifi Gorge; cycling, with designated routes around fforest connecting to touring routes through the adjoining reserve, villages and countryside; canoeing and kayaking in the Teifi Gorge; archery; orienteering and bushcraft. During winter/spring special courses in woodland crafts, in partnership with the neighbours, Coppicewood College.
Offsite activities include introduction courses in abseiling, climbing and high ropes and mountain-biking; surfing and surf kayaking; rafting; coasteering; advanced mountain biking; hill walking and advanced orienteering, quad-biking and paintballing.
Fforest will send out details of all activities available during your stay with your Welcome Pack. There will always be some activities available for booking during your stay, but it’s always best to pre-book places on your chosen activities prior to arrival.
It's camping of old - so inevitably the rain will get you, sometimes you might just go and get wet! You can spend your evenings sitting around a roaring log fire with your cool pint telling flamboyant stories but you don't have to go back to your roll mat and sleeping bag. You're enjoying the fforest experience - let us know how you get on ...