Easter trip to Elan Valley

Plas Y Cadno turned out to be exactly the sort of campsite that suits a trip in Vanilla. It was peaceful, relaxed and refreshingly simple, with none of the over-the-top entertainment or packed rows of caravans that you get at some larger holiday parks. Instead, it felt like proper Mid Wales camping – rolling hills, fresh air, sheep in the distance and the occasional reminder that Welsh weather can change its mind every ten minutes.

The site is set on a working farm just outside Llanwrtyd Wells and feels pleasantly rural without being too isolated. One of the best things about it is that the town is only around a ten-minute walk away, which meant we could leave Vanilla on site and wander into Llanwrtyd Wells for food, drinks and a look around without having to pack everything away and drive.

## The Pitch

The pitches were spacious and there was plenty of room around us, which always makes life easier with a campervan. There was no feeling of being crammed in door-to-door with other people. It was much more relaxed than some sites where you could practically borrow your neighbour’s teabag through the window.

The ground was decent and there was a proper path around the field, which was useful after rain. In Wales, a dry path is worth its weight in gold. Nobody wants to spend a weekend looking like they have walked across Cannock Chase in football boots.

For Vanilla, it worked very well. Even without electric hook-up, the setup was more than enough. The Exide AGM battery, Jackery units, built-in solar and Webasto heater meant everything still felt comfortable and civilised. The fridge stayed cold, the lights stayed on, the music still played and the kettle still boiled. That is the beauty of having a proper campervan setup – you can stay somewhere simple and still feel like you are travelling with your own little luxury lodge.

## Facilities

The facilities were very good for a smaller, quieter site. The showers were clean and hot, which is one of the main things people care about after a day of wandering around Welsh hills and reservoirs. Nobody wants a lukewarm dribble when they have spent half the day being blasted by wind near Elan Valley.

The site also had a relaxed atmosphere where you could properly unwind. There were fire pits available, which gave the place a nice outdoorsy feel in the evenings. It is the sort of campsite where you can sit outside with a drink, listen to the birds, watch the light disappear over the hills and feel like the whole point of having a campervan suddenly makes sense.

Llanwrtyd Wells

Being so close to Llanwrtyd Wells was a real bonus. It is one of those quirky little Welsh towns that has much more character than you expect. There are pubs, cafés, small shops and a nice old-fashioned atmosphere. It feels like the sort of place that still belongs in a simpler time.

The town is known for its unusual events like bog snorkelling and the Man versus Horse race, which tells you everything you need to know about the local sense of humour. It may be tiny, but it definitely has personality.

## Best Things About Staying Here

* Peaceful and quiet location
* Easy walk into Llanwrtyd Wells
* Great base for Elan Valley and the Brecon Beacons
* Spacious pitches
* Clean hot showers
* Good value for money
* Perfect for campervans like Vanilla
* Relaxed atmosphere without noisy entertainment

Anything To Watch Out For

* Limited or no electric hook-up on some pitches
* Weather can make the grass soft after heavy rain
* Not the place if you want lots of entertainment or on-site facilities
* You need to be reasonably self-sufficient

Final Verdict

Plas Y Cadno is a cracking little campsite if you want peace, scenery and easy access to Llanwrtyd Wells without spending a fortune. It suits campervan owners particularly well because you do not need loads of fancy facilities when you already have everything you need on board.

For Vanilla, it felt like exactly the right sort of stop – quiet, practical and surrounded by proper Welsh countryside. It is the kind of place where you can wake up, make a brew, open the sliding door and instantly feel glad you came.

Overall rating: 8.5/10 🌄Read more