A Welsh welcome
In conjunction of the 2017 Year of Legends theme for Welsh tourism, Epic Retreats – a partnership between Best of Wales, Cambria Tours and George+Tomos Architects – is creating a unique way to experience the rugged beauty of the Welsh countryside.
Unfolding over summer 2017, Epic Retreats consists of eight boutique pop-up cabins that will be set up at three different locations across the country – one by the sea, one in the mountains and one in a heritage location. The exact sites will be kept a mystery until just before camp Epic Retreats opens, but rest assured that they will have a unique window into Wales, along with traditional experiences including sea fishing, beer tasting and meals by top Welsh chefs.
Clues that the pop-ups will be in West Wales (5 June-3 July, 2017), the Llŷn Peninsula (10 July-7 August, 2017) and Southern Snowdonia (14 August-11 September, 2017) offer a tantalising hint of what to expect. And we already know what the camps themselves will be like, since the designs of the cabins have been unveiled. Travelling along with the camp will be Arthur’s Cave, a boxy haven inspired by the legend of King Arthur and Black Hat, complete with a domed roof for stargazing. Cabin in the Woods explores the theme of an ‘animated forest’ while Dragon’s Eye is a scaly pod made of recycled plastic. Little Dragon is derived from Welsh’s industry, while Miner’s Hut sources its inspiration from the coal mines deep below the surface. Sky Hut simulates the experience of sleeping out under the night sky, and finally Slate Cabin references the very material the country of Wales is built on – slate.
Stays are packaged into 3-, 4- and 7-night stays, with less than 200 bookings overall available. Often overlooked in favour of enigmatic England and sweeping Scotland, let this be the year that you open your eyes to wonderful Wales.
