The Chicken House

View prices & book 9.6 27 reviews
Views
Camping area looking north.
View south from the top of the field.
The beautiful chicken house building with a stone peg tile roof

  • Peaceful adults-only site 15 minutes’ drive from Caerphilly
  • National Museum Cardiff half an hour’s drive; Splott Beach 40 minutes
  • Pitches on wildflower meadows; walks from the site
The quiet and peaceful wildflower meadow pitches at The Chicken House in Glamorgan are tucked among trees, giving guests plenty of privacy and a remote, back-to-nature vibe. This off-grid pop-up campsite has basic facilities and its countryside location seems far removed from the hustle and bustle of life, but it’s also surprisingly easy to access, being 15 minutes’ drive from Caerphilly and Junction 28 of the M4, as well as 35 minutes from the museums and shops of Cardiff. Mountain-biking and walking tracks (handy for walking any dogs that might be with you) surround the pitches, while there’s also fishing, golf and horse riding for active types within 15 minutes’ drive. You can spark up your own barbecue and snap up goodies to grill from the convenience store in Machen (five minutes); there are also a couple of pubs and cafés in the village too, if alfresco cooking is not for you. Those concerned with safety will also be pleased that the entrance and exit to The Chicken House are covered by CCTV from 7:30pm to 7:30am every night.

Campground type

RV & Motorhome sites 1
Tent sites 10
Open now
Opens 3 February
Please note
  • This campground/park has no on-site shower facilities.
  • The campground/park does not accept breeds/crossbreeds listed in the Dangerous Dog Act (i.e. Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro).
  • Guests under the age of 18 are not allowed on site.
  • Commercial vehicles (vehicles used for work-related purposes, carrying goods or fare-paying passengers) and sign-written vehicles are not permitted on site.
  • Guests are advised to bring a good quality torch with them as parts of the campground/park are unlit.
  • Please note that the toilet facilities are unisex.
  • If reception is closed on arrival: please contact the number provided on your booking confirmation.
  • The maximum vehicle dimensions allowed are 5m length x 2.3m width x 2.4m height.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Mon, 3 Feb to

Open from Fri, 6 Feb to

Site types & availability

Reviews

  • 92%
    10
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    9
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    8
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    1
Location
10
Value for money
9
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
9
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
9

96% would recommend this campground to a friend

96% would stay here again

What customers say

A quiet, peaceful campsite with a "wild camping" vibe, private sites & lovely scenery. Owner Matt's hospitality is outstanding - friendly & helpful! Basic but functional facilities; note some slippery slopes & no showers (but improvements planned). Great location for exploring. Ideal for a tranquil, nature escape.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews

Reviews page 1 of 3
Arrival date (latest first)

Super quiet, lovely owner. Basic amenities but everything worked well and it…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
Tia K.

Unpowered grass and earth trailer tent or tent site

Liked Super quiet, lovely owner. Basic amenities but everything worked well and it was great for a short stay!

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thanks very much Tia, both. Much appreciated, stay anytime you're down this way.

My best, Matt - CH

Hospitality from host was exceptional. Very much enjoyed our time away from…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
Paul C.

Unpowered grass and earth trailer tent or tent site

Liked Hospitality from host was exceptional. Very much enjoyed our time away from home and shall definitely come back. The grounds were well maintained, surroundings are beautiful. Thanks again from Paul & Philip

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thanks very much for the kind comments. Glad you both had a great time. Nice to meet you and welcome back anytime, my best, Matt - CH

Matt is a legend, would strongly recommend to anyone

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
Anonymous

Unpowered grass and earth trailer tent or tent site

Liked Matt is incredibly attentive, approachable, and friendly. The best campsite experience I’ve ever had - start to finish, Matt was on hand to address any queries, suggest local attractions, or just have a chin wag.

The best host you could ask for, in a beautiful location - plenty of mobile signal and WiFi too!

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Massive thanks for this G&S. I am over the moon. Hope to see you both again soon. All of my very best wishes, Matt - CH

Excellent site, Matt was very freindly and gave us tips for Cardiff

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
9
Facilities / Activities
7
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
Anonymous

Unpowered grass and earth trailer tent or tent site

Liked The location was excellent and the pitches where very private which meant we didn’t have to worry as much about keeping others up in the later hours of the day

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Hi D, many thanks for this, nice meeting you all, stay anytime. My best wishes, Matt - CH

Lovely little camping site on the farm

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
1
Rafal A.

Unpowered grass and earth trailer tent or tent site

Liked It is very quite and beautiful spot with stunning views. You can relax listening to singing birds and feel close to the nature. Perfect place if you like basic semi wild camping experience without to many people around you. The owner is very welcoming, helpful and hospitable. We had lovely stay and we will be coming back to this beautiful and tranquil place again soon.

Recommend to friends Visit again

I found this campsite online and went with my mother. We found…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
9
Value for money
9
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
Beate G.

Unpowered grass and earth trailer tent or tent site

Liked I found this campsite online and went with my mother. We found that the owner was lovely and very helpful making sure we wouldn't get lost when we had a route change (we took public transport from Cardiff). There are lovely walks all around and shops close-by if needed. The campsite itself was nice as well, a field kept as wild as possible to help encourage wild-life to come by, which was evident from the butterflies we saw! But also maintained in a way that is comfortable for guests, such as mowing long grass to make space for tents and putting in concrete steps to the toilet so guests don't fall.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Hi Beate, both,

It was lovely to have you here and thanks for the thoughtful comments. You're very welcome to stay here again anytime. My best, Matt - CH

Basic campsite with friendly owner. Back to nature, perfect stop for Cambrian…

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
8
Value for money
8
Accommodation
No rating
Facilities / Activities
No rating
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
Sarah G.

Unpowered grass and earth trailer tent or tent site

Liked Basic campsite with friendly owner. Back to nature, perfect stop for Cambrian Way.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Hi Sarah, thanks a lot for staying. You're very welcome back here anytime. I hope you've had a great walk! My best, Matt - CH

100% would recommend for a peaceful place to pitch :)

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
Kirsten O.

Unpowered grass and earth trailer tent or tent site

Liked Peaceful campsite, felt like wild camping (just with a portaloo! Hidden in the wooded area though), location felt very safe and private, ideal for walking (10 mins drive from Caerphilly mountain).
Greeted by Matt who was super friendly, fantastic communication via text before arriving & during our stay.
Our spaniel joined us and there was plenty of space for him to walk around for a stroll on the lead and lots of space around the tent too.

Disliked Nothing.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Hi Kirsten,

Thanks a lot all for staying and also for leaving the place spotlessly clean. It was a pleasure to meet you and you're all very welcome back anytime. Best wishes, Matt - CH

Perfect way to enjoy the peace of walsr

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
6
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
Leena S.

Unpowered grass and earth trailer tent or tent site

Liked 1st off perfect customer service with a text before traveling making me aware of difficulties with navigation to the site. On arrival show to where i can pitch. While there were no wash facilities and rudimentary toilet facilities this was ll on the website so I was prepared water was sorted by mat from the house beautiful welsh spring water. While I am very independent and self sufficient he offered assistance every day. If you fancy wild camping and not sure if it's forntou this site is perfect I will definitely be going again

Disliked Slippery slop to the toilet but he said that is a work in progress. So next time it shouldn't be an issue

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Hi Leena,

Thanks so much for this review and your kind words. You're very welcome back anytime. I was nice to meet you. I'll have a nice path to the toilet, matching the driveway stone done this week 🫡 See you again soon! My best, Matt - CH

5 * from us. Great hosting, great atmosphere.

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
Matthew L.

Unpowered grass and earth trailer tent or tent site

Liked Always a pleasure to stay. Can't fault,Matts hosting. Very welcoming, very attentive. Nice and peaceful, can't wait to come back in summer!

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you very much Matthew, guys. It's a pleasure having you staying and massive thanks for being our first repeat guest. So glad you like it. See you again soon, best wishes! Matt - CH


Features

Leisure on site

Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Games room Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Play area TV room Take away Tennis Watersports

Amenities on site

Bath available Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Laundry Parent & baby washroom Pick-up from public transport Picnic table Portable toilet Pub toilets Public telephone Shower available Toilet block Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

D. of E. welcome Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Rallies welcome Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

Adults only Barbecue provided Barbecues allowed Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all year

Camping 2.0

Jumbo tent sites

Themes

Bush Lake and/or mountain Peaceful Remote location Spectacular scenery Walkers' paradise Wildlife haven

Utilities

Charging facilities Communal fridge Dump point Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available No drinkable water point No hot water No running water Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Convenience store nearby Dog walk nearby Nearby farmers' market Public transport nearby

Type

Pop-up campground Tiny (1-10 sites)

Accessibility

Uneven terrain; gravel or loose mud

Nearby leisure

Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horse riding nearby Indoor pool nearby Mountain biking nearby Restaurant nearby

Location

The Chicken House

Ysgubor Fach Stables

Ysgubor Fach Lane

Machen

Caerphilly

Glamorgan

Wales

CF83 8QE

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London +0100 (GMT+01:00)

GPS

51.59841°N
3.14519°W

Route directions

There is a low bridge (of seven feet and three inches) on the main satnav route. For vehicles above this height, visit via Lewis Street and then Sunnybank Terrace, or the streets above, as they all lead to the same place. Please note that the entrance is only 20 metres north of the low bridges; the satnav suggests going further up the mountain. Turn right into the drive 'Ysgubor Fach Lane'.

Nearest transport

Coach
10.2 km Queensway Q1
10.9 km Trussel Road
12.9 km Kingsway
Rail
2.8 km Crosskeys Rail Station
3.8 km Risca & Pontymister Rail Station
5.5 km Rogerstone Rail Station
Ferry
12.3 km Newport (S Wales) Ferry Terminal
13.3 km Cardiff Castle Waterbus Stop
14 km Taffs Mead Waterbus Stop
Airport
26 km Cardiff International Airport
38.3 km Bristol International Airport

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Local attractions

Local attractions and activities include: - Fourteen Locks Canal Centre: 15 minutes’ drive - Caerphilly shops: 15 minutes - Walnut Tree Farm Park: 20 minutes - National Museum Cardiff: half an hour - A Welsh Coal Mining Experience: 35 minutes - St Fagans National Museum of History: 35 minutes - Splott Beach: 40 minutes - South Wales Aviation Museum: 45 minutes.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Jackson'S Bay Barry Island 24.4 km Sea N/AGoodN/AGood
Whitmore Bay Barry Island 25 km Sea GoodExcellentGoodExcellent
Cold Knap Barry 25.4 km Sea ExcellentExcellentExcellentExcellent
Clevedon Beach 26.3 km Estuary N/AGoodGoodGood
Weston-Super-Mare Sand Bay 28.8 km Estuary N/AN/AGoodGood

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Caerphilly Castle 5.8 km

Castell Coch 10 km

National Museum Cardiff 12.7 km

Cardiff Castle 13.2 km

Caerleon Roman Fortress & Baths 13.3 km

National Trust

Clevedon Court 28 km

Tyntesfield 34.3 km

Blaise Hamlet 36.6 km

Westbury College Gatehouse 38.2 km

The Kymin 39.3 km

Cycle routes

Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.

Other

Machen - Rhymney Valley Ridgeway Footpath - Machen 0.5 km

Draethen - Ruperra Castle 2.5 km

Rhyd-y-gwern Woods 2.9 km

Cardiff Ridgeways 3.8 km

Cwmcarn Visitor Centre - Mynydd Maen - Nant Gwyddon - Cwmcarn 4.7 km

Local events

  • Green Man Festival (Thursday 14 August 2025 – Thursday 14 August 2025)

    Crickhowell, Wales 30 km

  • Bristol International Balloon Fiesta (Friday 8 August 2025 – Friday 8 August 2025)

    Bristol, England 37.1 km

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Nearest campgrounds

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable campgrounds.

Want to know more about camping in Glamorgan?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does The Chicken House have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is The Chicken House dog friendly? No View all features
  • What attractions are near The Chicken House? Local attractions and activities include: - Fourteen Locks Canal Centre: 15 minutes’ drive - Caerphilly shops: 15 minutes - Walnut Tree Farm Park: 20 minutes - National Museum Cardiff: half an hour … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of The Chicken House?
    Camping and caravan
    Arrive:  Anytime –  7 p.m.
    Depart by:  noon
    On-site accommodation
    Arrive:  Anytime –  7 p.m.
    Depart by:  noon
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at The Chicken House? From $51.15 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.