Find UK campsites, glamping sites and touring parks at Campsites.co.uk

Cefn Coed

Penmaenpool, Gwynedd, Wales

Thumbs up

95%

would recommend

Penmaenpool, Gwynedd, Wales

HIGHLY RATED
HIGHLY RATED

See all 29 photos

Find UK campsites, glamping sites and touring parks at Campsites.co.uk

Cefn Coed, or 'back of the woods', is a charming, historical Welsh farm estate with roots dating back as far as the 16th century. Fancy a break from the fast pace and stress of the modern world? Offering both immersive woodland and picturesque field pitches, you're ideally situated to experience the idyllic beauty of Snowdonia, with both tent and campervan pitches available.

Why choose Cefn Coed


Secluded site surrounded by stunning woodland with an onsite shop and food truck/bar in high season

Perfect base for exploring Snowdonia, close to Cadair Idris and Cregennan Lakes

Just five minutes from the idyllic Mawddach estuary and riverside walks

About the site


You'll find heaps of character here, with nothing but the dramatic mountainous landscape for miles around. Tucked away along the famed Mawddach Estuary, the farm enjoys a woodland setting halfway between Dolgellau and Fairbourne, with Barmouth just over the other side of the water. The ideal base for experiencing the wonders of Snowdonia National Park, with so much to explore on your doorstep, from the staggering beauty of Cregennan Lakes to the towering peak of Cader Idris. Looking for a more relaxed stay? Simply kicking back and taking in your surroundings is just as rewarding, with stunning views all round and forest bathing at its best. Tent and campervan pitches are available in both field and woodland settings, making for a truly magical and unforgettable visit. The woodland pitches are secluded clearings within the site's own oak forest. The fields offer a communal experience, sunny with fantastic views all round. Also available are wooded campervan pull-ins, individual plots along the borders of the wood. All pitches are non-electric, as it's all about getting back to nature here! There's a reason guests come back here again and again. If you're looking for a wilder campsite with unique character and an experience to cherish, this is the place for you - make your trip a truly memorable one. Please note that this site is a part of the Greener Camping Club, and at least one person in each party must be a member. Membership is £12 for the year.

Cefn Coed is open from 01/03 to 31/10 in 2025 and 2026. Stay from £25/night for 2 people (2-night minimum).

"What an amazing location! A great step into nature"

Sam K

"We were incredibly spoilt with the views and even caught the stars one clear night"

Verity H

"The camp is so central to beautiful, majestic mountains, forests and lakes"

Alina C

"A fantastic little get away, the owners were wonderful, helpful people"

Paul S

"Would definitely recommend, we've found our new special place"

Chloe D

"Amazing place! The view of the mountains from our tent was incredible!"

Louise S

"The views and walks around the site are breathtaking"

Daniel B

"Unique set-up in the woodland pitches, felt like we could have been miles away from anyone at times"

Taylor P


What facilities are at Cefn Coed?

Accessible facilities

Allow commercial vans

Allow pets on site

Café / restaurant / takeaway

Drinking water

Family friendly

Shop

Showers

Toilets

W.C. disposal

WiFi

Bike hire

Fires allowed

Freezer

(In communal area)

Glamping

Near beach

Near pub

Open year round

Peaceful

Facilities include toilets and showers, a phone charging point, a communal freezer for ice blocks, and there are also a number of fresh mountain spring drinking water taps located around the site. There is an onsite shop stocked with essentials, along with an onsite bar and catering truck offering local ales, cocktails and wood-fired pizza during high season.

The site also runs regular events throughout the season, including guided walks and mountain climbs, forest sound baths, wood-fired sauna tents, bushcraft retreats and foraging walks. Bike here is available for £25 per day, plus fire pit and BBQ hire for £5 per night.

The Mawddach estuary is just five minutes from the site, and Dolgellau town is a short walk or bike ride away. The George III, Penmaenpool pub is a ten minute drive away.

Great for everyone

Get back to nature in a quiet woodland setting with Snowdonia's mountains surrounding you. Enjoy food trucks, onsite events, and nearby Barmouth Beach!



There are 56 accommodation options on-site

Bookable pitches and accommodation options

Non electric grass pitches
Non electric grass pitches with tree views
Non electric grass pitches
Non electric grass pitches

30 x Non Electric Grass Pitches

Max 5 people

Grass field pitches suitable for tents, roof tents and small campervans (under 6m).

15 x Non Electric Woodland Tent Pitches

Max 5 people

Secluded clearings hidden away in the site's oak woodland, for tents only. Maximum tent size 5m x 4m.

9 x Non Electric Wooded Campervan Pitches

Max 5 people

Wooded campervan pull-in pitches surrounded by trees. For campervans 6m and under.


Woodmans Hut

Max 2 people

Off grid, back to basics accommodation for two people, with a sofa bed and small kitchenette. Outside your own fire pit. Shared facilities nearby. Pets welcome.

Romany Vardo Living Caravan

Max 2 people

Off grid, back to basics gypsy caravan for two with private camp kitchen shed, and small double bed. Pets welcome. Access to shared facilities nearby.


Cefn Coed reviews

Thumbs up

95%

would recommend

Filter by: Review rating

Accommodation type

Travelled as

Popular mentions

...

Showing the most recent reviews from guests

Great showers and toilets

Deborah P

0

0

Medium Tent - Non Electric Woodland Tent PitchesSep 2025

Very friendly staff who responded quickly to our questions. Showers and toilets beautifully clean. Pizza on Friday was delicious. Lovely eateries in Dolgellau. Great local walks. We plan to go again.

It’s ok

Louise L

0

0

Roof Tent - Non Electric Wooded Campervan PitchesAug 2025

We loved the idea of the campsite, and much of it was brilliant. But there's only 3 showers and 4 toilets for the entire site, and they are mixed gender. Once the site provides better washing and toilet facilities, this site will be amazing!

New favourite campsite

Jason W

0

0

Small Tent - Non Electric Woodland Tent PitchesAug 2025

Had a great stay at Cefn Coed. The site was excellent and the location and surrounding areas were beautiful.

Share your feedback about Cefn Coed

Did you stay at Cefn Coed? Tell us what you thought!


Need to know

Frequently asked questions about Cefn Coed

Quick filters

Still have questions?

Ask a question and a member of the team will get back to you as soon as they can

Site rules

Yes, Cefn Coed is dog friendly, with up to two dogs welcome per pitch, provided they are kept on a lead whilst at the site. The Mawddach Estuary nearby is ideal for dog walks too.

Yes! BBQs and fire pits are welcome at Cefn Coed, provided they are kept raised off the ground. Both BBQs and fire pits are available to hire from the site. Firewood, logs and kindling are available to buy too.

Check-in at Cefn Coed is between 2pm and 8pm and you must vacate your pitch by 10:30am on your day of departure.

Yes, quiet hours at Cefn Coed are between 10pm and 8am. Please note, music is not allowed to be played on site as sound carries a long way in the woodland.

No, Cefn Coed does not allow day visitors/guests but the site can suggest many great local spots to meet up with friends and family.

Pitches

Yes, awnings, gazebos and pup tents are welcome at Cefn Coed, just make sure to choose them as an extra when booking.

Facilities

No, there is no WiFi at Cefn Coed.

Cefn Coed offers a shared freezer for ice packs. There is not a communal fridge, so bringing a cool box is recommended.

Yes, Cefn Coed does have an onsite shop which stocks camping essentials like wood, charcoal, snacks/drinks, tarps, toiletries, ice creams and more.

Yes, there is an onsite restaurant at Cefn Coed. The Wild Kitchen and Bar, open in high season on Friday and Saturday (6pm-9pm), sells a range of artisan wood-fired pizzas. You are also able to pre-order.

No, Cefn Coed does not offer EV charging. The closest electric vehicle charging points are the Evolt Network Charging Station and the Swarco Charging Station, 15 minutes away.

Most phone service providers should be able to access a phone and 4G signal at Cefn Coed.

Getting there

Local taxi companies to Cefn Coed include Tasci Tal Y Llyn (07775 562888) and Beaches Cabs (07555 280242).

What's nearby

Ponderosa Turn is less than a ten minute walk away from Cefn Coed and offers the G21 service to Dolgellau. The nearest train station is Morfa Mawddach which is a ten minute drive away.

The nearest pub to Cefn Coed is the George III pub, ten minutes away.

The nearest beaches to Cefn Coed are Traeth Abermaw Beach and Barmouth Beach, 25 minutes away.

Local walking routes to Cefn Coed include The Mawddach Trail (5 minutes), Torrent Walk (15 minutes), Penmaenpool and the Mawddach Trail (20 minutes), Torrent Walk (20 minutes) and Precipice Walk (20 minutes), all located in Snowdonia National Park.

Still have questions?

Ask a question and a member of the team will get back to you as soon as they can


A note from the site themselves...

I couldn't put it any better than the words of one of our guests, "there is something magical about Cefn Coed" and another quoting an old Welsh saying "Lle i enaid gael llonydd."....a place for the soul to find peace.

In a place steeped in so much history, there is a real sense of being a custodian rather than the owner. We don't try to manicure or improve on the perfection that nature creates without the need for human interference. Cefn Coed is a place to disconnect and take pleasure in simple but life-affirming things.

Rest and recharge by the light of a flickering campfire among the stillness of Ancient Oaks. Gaze in wonder at nights of a billion stars where the silence is broken only by the hooting of owls.

Walk down by the meandering River Gwynant and absorb the astounding views of the glorious Mawddach estuary, follow its course along the bank to watch the sunset over the ocean or maybe you would be tempted by the shorter walk to the George III for a different kind of refreshment!

For the adventurous, right on the doorstep, there is Cader Idris to conquer, often snow-capped in winter, as well as nearby enchanting lakes and waterfalls to explore. This is the place where we are fortunate enough to live and work, although we do say that we feel like we are on holiday every day!

Nothing brings us greater pleasure than to share our home and see the effect when our guests also feel the magic of Cefn Coed.

Cefn Coed is ideal for...

Couples
Duke of Edinburgh Award
Older children (13+)
Peace and quiet

Things to do on site and in the Penmaenpool area

A casual walk around the campsite and through the forest is a beautiful experience in itself, with a whole host of natural sights and diverse wildlife including glow worms, badgers, and owls.

From the campsite, you can head down to the Mawddach estuary within just 5 minutes, with fabulous views en route. The local pub is only a 30 minute stroll down the trail where you can enjoy food and drink whilst taking in the scenery over the estuary!

You can walk or cycle to the historical market town of Dolgellau, the coastal village of Fairbourne and even the famed town of Barmouth.

There is also a lovely mild circular walk right above the farmhouse, passing above and around the estuary for fabulous landscape scenes.

Fantastic walks such as the Panorama, the Precipice and the New Precipice are all within a short drive as is the famous Cader Idris, the second highest peak in Wales after Snowdon (which itself is only an hour's drive away).

Creggenan Lakes deserves a special mention, a renowned beauty spot with unparalleled views over the lakes and coast with walks all around. Other water based gems include Arthog Falls, the Blue Lagoon and Bala Lake, home to a range of watersports.

If cycling is your thing, Coed Y Brenin Mountain Biking Centre has world class trails as well as a visitor centre, cafe and walking paths too! Road biking is also very popular with long, winding smooth roads all throughout the mountains.


The listing for Cefn Coed was last updated on November 28th, 2025 at 9:48 AM

Similar sites

Ffosygrafel Isaf Camping

Ffosygrafel Isaf Camping

Borth, Ceredigion (19.4 miles)

Eco camping and glamping site surrounded by newly planted woodland. Close to the coast, 15 minutes to Aberystwyth!

Graig Wen

Graig Wen

Dolgellau, Gwynedd (1.3 miles)

Small and tranquil Snowdonia glamping and camping site with direct access to the Mawddach Estuary and cycle trail.

Bwlchgwyn Farm Campsite and Pony Trekking Centre

Breathtaking views of Mawddach Estuary, with sandy beaches, bike rides, horse riding and Snowdonia's Blue Lake.

Sarn Faen Farm Camping and Touring Park

Sarn Faen Farm Camping and Touring Park

Tal-Y-Bont, Gwynedd (6.1 miles)

Simple camping and touring site on the Snowdonia National Park Coast. A ten minute walk to Tal-y-Bont sandy beach.

Dan Y Ser Glamping Under The Stars

Dan Y Ser Glamping Under The Stars

Llanidloes, Powys (24.5 miles)

Adult only, dog friendly camping and luxury bell tents with private hot tubs. Five minutes to Llanidloes!