Plan your soothing escape to an off-grid, family-run glamping site in the rural heart of Hay-on-Wye, where everyone is welcome.
  • Sleeps: 2-6 per tent
  • Bedroom: 1-2 per tent
  • Bathroom: 1 per tent
  • Minimum stay: 2 nights

You can expect a warm welcome at By the Wye, a naturally luxurious, wildlife-steeped glamping site nestled on the border of England and Wales. Plan a fresh air-filled escape from everyday life… and as if that wasn’t enough, you’ll be surrounded by comfort and luxury of just about every description.

First, there’s the dream-like location; the family-run site is nestled amongst four acres of ancient, unspoilt woodland on the Wye riverbanks. Partly designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest, your friendly neighbours will include owls, dormice, badgers, bats, newts… and even the occasional otter!

Then there’s the off-grid, eco-friendly accommodation, especially designed to have minimal impact on the surrounding area. A range of thoughtfully positioned safari tents, sleeping between two to six guests, are gently elevated on stilts… so you get to sleep in the tree canopy, under a blanket of softly twinkling stars, and each comes with its own uniqueness.

Cwtch, for example, has a panoramic cedar barrel wood-fired sauna installed on the lower decking along with a fabulous outdoor shower. The sauna floats out above the woodland floor, offering breath-taking views of the river Wye below through the floor-to-ceiling glass end. Imagine lying in your private sauna, basking in the warmth, listening to the gentle crackle of the fire and watching kingfishers, herons and the occasional otter go by. For wellness lovers, this will truly be a unique sauna experience.

Meanwhile, Holly has an additional deck at the rear that has been transformed into a haven of tranquillity. On this private clearing in the woods there is a rainfall shower right beneath the trees, a hammock to while away the hours reading, and a dreamy outdoor bath where you can spend your evening soaking in the woods. For pure indulgence, private massages and reflexology treatments can be arranged, surrounded by just birdsong and the rustle of the trees.

River, the newest and largest of the collection, sleeps up to six guests.  Dreamily elevated right above the river Wye (hence the name!) you will wake up to incredible morning views, especially when enjoyed from the furnished decking.  Wheelchair-friendly and especially adapted for guests with limited mobility, there’s an indulgent wet-room style bathroom and a relaxed open-plan living space to unwind in all together.

The inviting safari tents at By The Wye sleep up to six people, but if you are looking for larger accommodation, there is a tree-top walkway connecting two of our safari tents; The Ivy and Meadow, so if you are a family group of (up to) ten people, this could be an ideal option for your next group glamping holiday.

Keep reading

At a glance

 
  • A luxurious, off-grid glamping site, family-run and perfectly positioned amongst four acres of unspoilt, wildlife-rich woodland on the banks of the River Wye.
  • Each safari tent features full kitchen and en-suite shower facilities:
    • The Cwtch – for couples, sleeps 2 in kingsize bed.
    • Holly and Meadow sleep up to 5. Kingsize bed in open plan living space, plus one bedroom with double and single above
    • River sleeps up to 6.  Wheelchair-friendly with ramped access and adaptations, 2 bedrooms with double and twin beds, kingsize bed in open-plan living space.
    • Ash and The Ivy sleep up to 5. 2 bedrooms, one with double, one with double and single above.
  • Meal boxes and fully tailored breaks are available on request – just ask!
  • There’s also the option of booking a scout-style tent on the decking of the main safari tent, for extra guests or to enjoy a more back-to-basics experience, or you can book The Ivy and Meadow for parties of up to 10.
  • The town of Hay-on-Wye is close by, and there’s plenty of fresh air adventure to be had in the surrounding area, from the Wye Valley and Brecon Beacons National Park, to Offa’s Dyke. There is also onsite fishing available.

Features

  • Disability Accessible
  • Family Friendly
  • Large Groups
  • Off-Grid

Facilities

Selection of elevated, off-grid safari tents, sleeping 2 to 6 guests. Seating, storage, USB charging points, kitchen with welcome hamper, two-ring gas cooker, sink, utensils, steel kettle, cool box, wood-burning stove, fuel, eco-friendly cleaning products. Luxury linen and blankets, en-suite bathroom with power shower, flushing WC, towels, eco-friendly luxury toiletries.  Outside: private decking, seating, firepit or barbecue, private parking.

Local Activities

Walking, mountain biking, nature watching, rivers, Wye Valley, Brecon Beacons, Black Mountains, Offa’s Dyke, historic sites, bookshops, cafés, restaurants, gourmet stops, castles, gardens, tourist hotspots.

Accommodation Options

The Cwtch

  • Adults Only
  • Off-Grid

Holly

  • Family Friendly
  • Off-Grid

Ash

  • Family Friendly
  • Off-Grid

The Ivy

  • Family Friendly
  • Large Groups
  • Off-Grid

Meadow

  • Family Friendly
  • Large Groups
  • Off-Grid

River

  • Disability Accessible
  • Family Friendly
  • Large Groups
  • Off-Grid

More information

You’ll also enjoy the benefits of a fully equipped kitchen – with a wood-burning stove and a welcome food hamper provided – and your own en-suite bathroom (well, this is glamping after all!) with piping hot running water, a flushing loo, and a power shower.

Head outside, to find an enchanting covered deck area that will help you make the most of those magnificent, shimmering river views. And if you’re in the mood for an al fresco supper, no problem. The picnic table and firepit (or barbecue) will help you welcome that blazing sunset in style.

If you’re in the mood for some extra pampering, there’s even a range of mouth-watering, locally sourced meal boxes available for your stay, from tasty breakfasts to barbecue banquets!

You can also accommodate any extra guests, or enjoy a more back-to-basics experience in nature, by booking a scout-style tent on the decking of the main safari tent. Simply bring sleeping bags, and a keen sense of adventure.

Speaking of adventure, you can get blissfully lost in exploring the beautiful Wye Valley, the Brecon Beacons National Park, the Black Mountains, or the mesmerising 8th century earthworks of Offa’s Dyke – the choice is utterly yours.  Closer to home, there is fishing available onsite, so it is the ideal venue for a relaxing fishing break.

Meanwhile, Hay-on-Wye, the famous town of books, is a mere stone’s throw away from the site, and there’s a soul-soothing plethora of restaurants, cafés, tea rooms, delis, and farmers’ markets close by, that promise to transport you to straight to foodie heaven.

We can’t imagine you’re going to need any more convincing to book a stay at By the Wye… so as the Welsh say, “brysiwch” (hurry up) and claim your favourite tent!

Things to note

Check in from 3 – 5pm, check out by 10am. Choose from a 3 night stay (Fri-Mon), a 4 night stay (Mon-Fri) or a 7 night stay (Mon-Mon or Fri-Fri).  In low season, 2 night stays are possible for check-ins on Mon, Wed or Fri.  The site is in a protected natural area, so you will be provided with eco-friendly, chemical-free bathroom and washing-up products – please don’t bring your own.

Current Offers

Fantastic deal on Woodland Glamping in Hay on Wye, Wales this year. 4nights for the price of 3 Monday - Friday until May Visit our website to book. Quote HostUnusualOffer on booking. **Excludes School Holidays**

Where you'll be staying

Hay-on-Wye, Herefordshire

What the guests of By the Wye say

“We spent a fabulous weekend here during the Summer and would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a break to get away from it all but still enjoy the comforts of home! The welcome basket on arrival was a lovely touch and Edith was on hand to deal with any queries we had. We ordered a meat pack which was so generous it lasted us two nights! We really enjoyed cooking this on the firepit/bbq and finishing off toasting some of the marshmallows from the welcome basket. Hay-on-Wye is only a short walk away and after venturing in on a hot afternoon we were very glad to be able to jump into the river for some wild swimming to cool off once we were back to our tent.”

“The treetop tents are wonderful, the location is fantastic and the hospitality from the owners is superb! If you are reading this and wondering whether to book…do it!! you won’t be disappointed. We will be going back.”

“I’m not usually one for going anywhere I can’t plug in a hairdryer but we stayed in one the safari tents earlier this year and were so well catered for I didn’t even notice! Very comfortable beds, a power bank and local welcome hamper (including the best crisps I’ve ever had…I actually ordered a box to arrive when I got home) all await. I’d also recommend a BBQ box, it was ready and waiting for us in our cool box and was super tasty. What’s also brilliant is that, although you feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere, you’re actually only a few minutes’ walk from the town centre. Perfect location and a really lovely stay.”

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