A rural farm in Ceredigion could soon be home to a distinctive new camping experience featuring classic canvas tents, pending approval from local authorities. The proposal, put forward by Berthlwyd Farm’s owners, Jenni and Robert Jones, seeks to create a modest campsite and transform a currently unused farm structure into a resourceful facility for guests.
The application, submitted to Ceredigion County Council, details the intention to establish six traditional canvas tents within a paddock area on the east side of the farm buildings in Cross Inn. Alongside this, the Joneses are hoping to convert a dormant outbuilding into an ‘honesty shop’—where guests can purchase supplies on a self-service basis—and a storage area for camping gear and maintenance tools.
According to planning documents, the principal aim of this new venture is to bolster the farm’s sustainability and secure the business for future generations. “The campsite at Berthlwyd Farm will enable the farmers to secure the farming business for future generations by enabling family members to continue working on the farm,” the accompanying statement reads. This reflects a broader trend of rural diversification, as many Welsh farms seek alternative income streams amidst fluctuating agriculture markets and increasing operational costs.
The application’s details outline that the tents will be constructed in the traditional style, making use of canvas roofs and side walls stretched over a framework of poles, which are in turn anchored with guy ropes. Each tent will rest directly on the ground’s surface, with their green colouring allowing them to blend sympathetically into the surrounding landscape and weather naturally over time.
In keeping with modern tourism trends, which increasingly value authentic and environmentally sensitive travel, the developers believe the campsite would enrich the area’s appeal to visitors. The planning statement notes, “The proposed campsite would help meet the growing demand in the UK for this type of tourism and would provide a unique addition to the tourism offer in this area of Ceredigion.” This clearly demonstrates a vision to attract a clientele drawn to more traditional and sustainable holiday experiences, contrasting with the commercial feel of some larger caravan parks and resorts.
Flexibility appears to be a key characteristic of the design. The tents, all manufactured to the same high standard, are described as easily repairable and interchangeable, ensuring long-term use and minimal environmental impact. “The proposal is completely flexible in design. The tents can be moved from the site if the use were to change again,” the documents affirm, giving both the applicants and the council assurance that the campsite’s footprint could be reversed with relative ease if future needs shift.
Moreover, the inclusion of the honesty shop underscores the Jones family’s commitment to both convenience and rural tradition. Self-service retail units like these are commonplace in agricultural settings, often operating on an honour system that relies on trust between hosts and guests. For visiting campers, this would mean access to fresh produce or essentials without the need to leave the pastoral surroundings.
The application comes at a time when UK staycations continue to grow in popularity, spurred on by desires to support local businesses and enjoy the natural beauty of regions like west Wales. Should the proposal receive the council’s backing, Berthlwyd Farm’s canvas campsite could represent a meaningful boost for local tourism and set a precedent for other farms considering similar diversification initiatives.
Ceredigion planning officials are expected to review and debate the merits of the proposal in the coming weeks. Local tourism advocates are likely to monitor developments closely, keen to see if this ‘unique addition’ will help bolster the region’s agricultural economy while offering visitors a distinctive Welsh countryside escape.