I spent a weekend glamping in a bell tent at Cae Lal tenting & glamping web site in Bangor, North Wales. The location has robust eco credentials and has a superbly laid again vibe. Right here I share my stick with you…
The place did we go?
Cae Lal Tenting & Glamping
Brithdir Mawr, Lon Wern, Bangor LL57 4BY
caelal.co.uk
What we thought
Just some minutes off the North Wales Expressway, I flip onto a tiny lane and instantly really feel my blood strain drop. SatNav dutifully leads me down winding lanes earlier than a proper flip the place I see an indication saying I’ve arrived at Cae Lal.
Parked up, rain lashing down, I’m hurriedly battling a water-resistant over my head once I’m greeted by proprietor Bethan who explains the positioning to me and provides me a fast tour.
A row of cheery vivid pink wheelbarrows can be found for company to move tenting gear from their automotive to their lodging or chosen pitch, which may be accessed by way of a raised wood boardwalk.
Regardless of staying in a completely furnished bell tent and touring alone, I trundle up and down the boardwalk a full 3 occasions earlier than my automotive is empty and I’m able to launch myself from my soggy jacket.
I replicate that lengthy flared denim denims most likely weren’t the neatest selection for moist climate. What do I do know although, it’s not like I do that for a dwelling.
As soon as settled inside I take all of it in and hungrily fall on among the native produce welcome presents inside. The inside of the bell tent is gorgeous. Comfortably furnished, all calming colors and filled with pretty reclaimed items that echo the ethos of Cae Lal.
There are two huge inviting butterfly chairs which have snuggly fake fur throws and cushions and make for the best studying spot and the inside usually seems like a welcoming hug. The rain solely serves to accentuate this sense which I describe to Bethan later as one thing akin to hygge.
She tells me there’s an area phrase meaning precisely the form of feeling I’m describing, the place you may hear the weather raging exterior however you’re cosy, protected and content material. Not sure of the spelling, phonetically, the phrase is ‘wo-ze’ which seems like a stunning, becoming phrase to make use of.
Because the rain slows I unzip the tent and peer out, watching tall grasses and wildflowers swaying within the breeze as I take heed to birds and ponder the duty of constructing myself a night meal.
The subsequent morning is obvious and dry, and an hour after I first peer exterior, the solar is blazing, the sky clear and blue. I’ve deliberate to make the brief 15 minute drive to Llanberis to swim in Llyn Padarn and I’m buzzing with pleasure.
I spend a gradual and lazy morning ingesting espresso, wandering across the web site, capturing video and soaking all of it in. I’m feeling tremendous relaxed as I pack my swimwear and head off in direction of the peaks of the Snowdon vary.
I’m delighted to take the final free parking house I spot and spend the following couple of hours swimming, meditating and studying within the sunshine beside considered one of my favorite locations within the UK to swim.
I journey again to Cae Lal by way of Go Outside in Bangor, considering whether or not to cross the bridge over to Angelsey to have a stroll at Newborough Warren, however a way of contentedness has settled on me, and my instincts inform me to get again to the campsite and profit from the attractive, peaceable environment there.
I return and settle exterior of my bell tent within the sunshine with my Kindle, my crochet and a bottle of Prosecco. I proceed to spend the following 3 hours doing little or no, having fun with being nonetheless and having time to do precisely as I want.
Because the afternoon stretches into night, extra tenting company arrive. I’m struck by how pleasant everyone seems to be and I consider the saying “your vibe attracts your tribe” and determine that it’s simply as related for locations as it’s for individuals.
There’s been nice effort right here to permit individuals to come back collectively outdoor, with an enormous communal campfire space, loads of outside seating and a wonderful massive indoor house which incorporates comfortable seating, foosball and a kitchen space the place company can use the fridge, kettle and toaster.
Once I lastly muster the power to maneuver once more, I determine a bathe is so as earlier than dinner, and I’m wowed by the amenities. It’s actually not usually I’m capable of describe campsite amenities as stunning, however at Cae Lal, the eye to element and the overall aesthetic actually is gorgeous.
With the whole lot being off-grid right here, the positioning has been designed to have minimal impression on the setting. Constructions just like the bathe block are all movable and the offered handwash, bathe gel and even cleansing spray are all-natural and natural to make sure there’s no nasty chemical run-off generated by the positioning.
In addition to bell tents, there are different glamping lodging choices that will likely be able to e book very quickly. Whether or not you’re bringing your personal tent or glamping, the positioning feels joyously wild and as a result of tall wildflower meadow, company have loads of privateness.
The decision
I beloved my weekend at Cae Lal and I at all times know I’ve been someplace particular once I’m trying ahead to creating a return reserving as a paying visitor.
The bell tent I stayed in was snug and superbly furnished and the on-site amenities have been equally pretty.
The placement of the positioning makes it tremendous simple to discover North Wales, together with areas like Conwy, Llanberis, Snowdon, Angelsey, Aber Falls, Caernarfon and extra.
I’ll positively go to once more.
DISCLOSURE | Thanks to Cae Lal who invited us to remain. We weren’t paid to jot down this evaluation.