Pitchup's Ultimate Mid Wales Camping Guide

Outdoor breaks in the Brecon Beacons

Our top tips for camping in Mid Wales

Stretching from the edge of the Shropshire Hills across to Cardigan Bay, Mid Wales covers an impressive spread of landscapes. Between them, the counties of Powys and Ceredigion have the Brecon Beacons National Park (also known as the Bannau Brycheiniog), green valley lowlands, dramatic hilly uplands including the Cambrian Mountains and a spectacular Atlantic coastline.

It's not just the scenery you should come for, though – the people of Mid Wales are rightly proud of their history, and there's an array of castles, hillforts and ancient standing stones dotted around the landscape. On top of all that, there's a great range of family-friendly attractions, opportunities for walks, traffic-free cycle paths and a fab local food scene.

Once you've settled on a break in either Powys and Ceredigion, give a moment's thought to the kind of break you're trying to make happen. If reconnecting with nature is what’s in order, then sleeping out under the stars with a classic Mid Wales tent stay could be a good pick – as could be a woodland pod, mountain lodge or meadow yurt in Ceredigion or Powys. Unsure about whether to camp or glamp? Read this short guide to help you make the right choice.

Essential Mid Wales Camping Checklist

Even if overplanning isn't your thing, it’s worth packing some of the following most important things to take camping in Mid Wales:

Antibacterial wipes or hand gel.
Blister plasters (seriously, these can be a real lifesaver).
Gaffer tape (for patching up everything from waterproofs to your tent).
Going off-grid? Leave your phone at home and take a disposable camera to record your holiday memories the old-fashioned way.

If you’re heading to Ceredigion, you’ll likely be spending a fair amount of time on the beach, so make sure to pack enough UV-resistant clothing and plenty of spare change for car parks, ice creams and other seaside sundries.

Looking for a more detailed list of things to bring? You’ll find a detailed camping checklist here, plus a special run-down on what to pack when camping with dogs. Once you’re all set, it’s time to take a look at the top spots to stay and explore in Mid Wales.

Guides to camping in Ceredigion

Why Ceredigion? With 60 miles of coastline, scenic resorts like New Quay and Aberaeron, the buzzing university town of Aberystwyth and plenty of options for spotting wildlife (dolphins and red kites? yes please…), the western side of Mid Wales has a lot going for it. About half of the population here can speak Welsh too, so Ceredigion is a great place to come and explore Wales' Celtic connections.

This is also a handily located part of the world, sandwiched between Snowdonia National Park to the north and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park to the south if you’re thinking of roaming over a wider area.

Places to stay and explore in Ceredigion

Browse every single one of Ceredigion’s campsites with availability.
Check out the very best beaches in Ceredigion.
Pack some sturdy footwear and a map – we’re taking you to explore Ceredigion’s top scenic walks.

Ceredigion’s best things to do

Gather together your clubs and pack a smart sweater – you’re heading to the best golf courses in Ceredigion.
Browse more of the best things to do in Ceredigion for a mix of outdoorsy, active and laidback family activities.

Guides to camping in Powys

Powys is easily the largest county in Wales. Covering a mix of fertile valleys and dramatic mountains – including the rugged hilltops of the Brecon Beacons National Park – the region is often viewed as the green heart of Wales, a halfway house that blends elements of the Shropshire Hills to the east and the high mountains of Eryri/Snowdonia National Park to the north and west.

Highlights here include the reservoirs of the Elan Valley, Hay-on-Wye and its literary heritage, wildlife-spotting along the Severn Way and top market towns like Builth Wells, Machynlleth and Llanidloes. Keep reading to explore more and discover the best things to do, places to visit and campsites to stay at in Powys.

Places to stay and explore in Powys

All about handsome old buildings? Base yourself in or around one of these historic Powys towns to visit.
Head to one of these 7 must-try walks in Powys and let the scenery blow away the cobwebs.
Happy to go where the wind takes you? Browse our full list of Powys campsites and glampsites and see what takes your fancy.

Top-rated Powys activities to try

Explore the best places to go fishing in Powys for a bit of solitude or some quiet family time.
Check out our list of the top things to do in Powys and mix it up with a range of different activities.

Ready to start exploring Mid Wales? Once you’ve done your research, pick your travel tribe from the list below and find camping deals with availability for your dates.