A business that provides “a little slice of paradise” in rural Wales with its luxury safari tent glamping holidays collected an award at the inaugural Mid Wales Tourism Awards.
Canvas & Campfires from Lampeter was presented with the Best Glamping/Quirky Accommodation Award at a glittering ceremony at The Hafren, Newtown.
Designed to celebrate and showcase the region’s exceptional tourism industry, the biennial awards brought together 42 finalists in 13 categories. The event was attended by Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Lord Elis-Thomas and compere for the evening was Welsh tourism personality Jonathan Jones, CBE.
The Mid Wales Tourism Awards were organised and managed by MWT Cymru on behalf of Mid Wales Tourism Forum and supported by Visit Wales, the Welsh Government’s tourism arm. A dedicated Tourism Awards Advisory Group was established specifically to assist with the awards.
Canvas & Campfires’ owners Ellie Waters and Dan Neale said:
“We are delighted to have won this award and really pleased that the quality and breadth of the tourism offer in in Mid Wales is being recognised. We think it is a fantastic place to live and work and love sharing it with our glamping guests.
“These awards are excellent as they highlight all the brilliant things that are happening in Mid Wales”
Canvas & Campfires’ mission is; “To provide awesome holiday experiences in beautiful, relaxed surroundings.” Whether it’s the majestic views from the decks of the tents, which are positioned to best capture the beauty of the Welsh countryside, or the level of finish and attention to detail inside the tents and barn, guests are ‘wowed’ by the experience.
Hotel quality beds, luxury linen, toilets that wouldn’t look out of place in a five-star hotel, handcrafted oak and slate kitchen units and reclaimed agricultural machinery repurposed as dining tables are designed to inspire and surprise guests.
The smallholding that is home to Canvas & Campfires provides a beautiful mix of history, tradition and luxury, a perfect place for kids to explore and adults to relax. Whilst on site, guests can help to run the farm, which has a flock of rare breedsheep, a trio of friendly pigs and some ‘surprisingly plucky’ chickens.
Children can roam free and their tales of the day’s adventures recounted around a campfire, whilst adults relax and unwind, enjoying sunsets from the decks of the tents, which accommodate up to six adults.
Ellie and Dan aim to do the big and little things well. Quality accommodation is coupled with well thought out touches, such as homemade jams and biscuits on arrival.
“We are keen to open up access to all the delights of rural Wales which is why we recently built and opened Wales' first accessible glamping tents,” they said. “We have tried to create a little slice of paradise hidden in the Welsh countryside and hope that it is the little things that make a real difference to our guests.
“We have tried to reflect the very best of Wales’ rich talent, culture and history in all that we do on the farm and we are proud of the country we now call home and excited to share it with those that visit us.”
The couple has developed links with other food and tourism businesses locally, recommends itineraries and suppliers to customers and stocks locally sourced products and art in their farm shop.
Target markets are families in the peak season, couples, groups and inclusiveholidays where family members have additional needs or disabilities.
Runners up for the award were Upper Gelli, Welshpool and Angharad@Meurig Cottage, Lampeter.
Granted an Awards Trust Mark by the Independent Awards Standards Council, the awards were open to all businesses, organisations and individuals who contribute to tourism within Mid Wales.
MWT Cymru is the regional destination marketing and membership organisation for Powys, Ceredigion and Meirionnydd district of Southern Snowdonia. As a not-for-profit social enterprise company, MWT Cymru supports and represents more than 550 tourism businesses and organisations across the region.
