Arymwny in Pembrokeshire

If you are looking for a camp site with home comforts and all the mod cons then read no further. If on the other hand you want to be on a peaceful, chilled out site that has only a handful of secluded pitches, stuck in the middle of nowhere, where you can have camp fires, walk to the coast through rolling fields, and, if you're lucky, watch the sun go down over the sea then this is the place for you. It's also very reasonably priced, at £8 per night per adult and £4 per night for children (4-14 years old), under 4's are free. There are no additional charges for cars, dogs, etc. Norman, the owner of the site , is incredibly laid back and seems like he doesn't have a care in the world and why would he when he lives in such chilled out beautiful surroundings?

The campsite is not signposted so unless you have done your research before leaving home you may struggle to locate it as it is well off the beaten track. A decent OS map or a look on Google Maps should do the trick though. My best attempt at directions would be to say come off the A487 at the sign which says 'Trefin 1' and which also has a brown sign for the 'Weaving Centre'. Follow this road for about a mile and then you should see a road that shoots off on your right with a tiny sign for Abercastle nestled in the undergrowth, follow the road around the corner and then just as it bends the other way you should see a farm track directly ahead of you - take this track for about three quarters of a mile and it will get you to Arymwny!

There are around 15 good sized and fairly secluded pitches in total on the site spread between two areas. The lower area is below the main house and has a gentle slope to it but nothing severe enough to affect your tent pitching and probably has the slightly better views. The upper area I would say is flatter but if anything has bigger pitches. All are separated by natural flora and fauna banks which give a definite air of privacy from your camping neighbours. There are no allocated pitches - you just rock up and choose your spot.

The two big plus points about each pitch though are the stone fire pit and the stand pipe with cold running drinking water plus bucket - really useful and as I say found on every pitch. There is good quality seasoned firewood aplenty that Norman has available to campers at £9 for a huge trug of logs or £6 for a smaller one. As a guide we took a large trug off his hands and it lasted three days which included evening and breakfast time fires.

As I've said earlier on if you're expecting modern camping comforts then this is probably not the site for you but that said it doesn't mean you are completely roughing it - in fact one of the showering options is verging on the luxurious in camping terms! There are two showers, one a port-a-loo type offering which was always spotlessly clean with hot water and then there is a downstairs bathroom in the main house that Norman makes available to campers - this even has a bath in it and has plenty of room for manoeuvre! That's the luxurious bit! There are also two other port-a-loo toilets on site which were quite possibly the cleanest port-a-loos I have ever come across!

There is a fridge/freezer available for ice packs, etc. and Norman will even charge phones and any other electronic gadgets you can't bear to be without! There are recycling facilities for your rubbish which you are encouraged to use and a trampoline for the kids but that's it. All the basics covered without making you feel you're on a designated camping site- actually, it's like you're camping in someone's garden in a strange sort of way but without feeling awkward about doing so!!

One of the lovely things about this campsite is you don't really need to do anything as it's so relaxing just looking out to sea and watching the landscape in the peace and quiet. However, if you want to stretch your legs you can walk from the campsite, across a couple of fields and you're on the stunning coastal path at Abercastle or you could maybe walk to the Ship Inn in Trefin for a pint - strangely we didn't do this! The coastal path is highly recommended with towering cliffs and accessible sandy coves all local to the campsite. We did walks west to Abereiddy and roughly east to Abermawr along some of the finest coast line in the UK in my opinion spotting seals and their pups along the way. In the evenings we did little more than sit around the campfire with our BBQ dinner and a glass in hand though! The night skies were so clear it meant there was some amazing star gazing on offer with no light pollution to speak of the stars were mesmerising - awesome.

There are other places to visit along the coast such as Porthgain or Whitesands and if you fancy it a trip to Ramsey Island which can be booked in St David's. The cathedral in St David's itself is impressive and well worth a visit.

Norman has a selection of leaflets and flyers of other things to do in the local area should you need them.

This part of Pembrokeshire definitely has the feel of a much less commercialised Cornwall and, dare I say it, as if you are stepping back in time - not in a backward way but just in a much slower pace of life way! If you make the effort to travel there you will not be disappointed - it really is a terrific camping spot which ticks all the boxes of what you might want for a simple, chilled out camping trip whether for just a few days or for a longer stay. The location is idyllic, Norman is extremely helpful without intruding on your stay and it really makes you feel like you are getting away from it all. Admittedly, we were lucky with the weather but if you can pick the time right I am confident you will have a cracking time and not be disappointed. Will I be back? You bet.