Bryn Bettws Lodge

View prices & book 9.3 245 reviews
The café (added by manager 19 May 2022)
Looking down at our camping field
Views
7

  • Relaxed campsite opposite mountain bike trails in Afan Forest Park
  • Beach 25 minutes' drive away; 45 minutes to Gower Peninsula
  • Café/bar and food vans often open on weekends; barbecues permitted
Bryn Bettws Lodge is a family-run site deep inside the Afan Valley. With stunning views, this gorgeous spot is set at the top of a mountain inside the Afan Forest Park, surrounded by mature trees and green scenery. The ground isn't too step, but if you're looking for flat pitches, they're limited and can't be guaranteed. Accessible by lumpy and bumpy forestry roads, the site has a field with real toilets (and toilet roll) and a washing-up cabin with cold water only (boil some to get it hot) and fairy liquid and sponges. Want a shower? The shower block is 300 metres from the field and costs £2 per adult. Fires and barbecues are permitted as long as they're raised from the ground, or there's an under-cover barbecue area with hanging barbecues and tables in the field. Bryn Bettws Lodge does have a few catering options too. The main café and bar is open on weekends for breakfast (8.30am to 9.30am) and evening meals (3pm to 7.30pm); it sometimes opens during the week when there are enough guests, although during bad weather, it may be closed. There's a burger van open on weekends between 10am and 3pm, as well as an outdoor bar and pizza shack in the field open on weekends between 6pm and 9pm (again, this is weather dependent). Make your way to the hand-built wooden kids' park. The site is handily surrounded by mountain biking trails and tremendous walks. This is a fab spot for mountain bikers, hikers or anyone who wants to wake up to great views. There's a minimum noise policy after 10pm, but this applies to music only. If you expect to be in bed for 10pm in silence, then note that Bryn Bettws Lodge does not enforce a no-fun policy… expect people to be having campfires, barbecues and making the most of the experience with families and friends.

Campground type

Tent sites 50
RV & Motorhome sites 10
Lodges, cabins, pods or huts 6
Open all year
Opens
Please note
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
  • The campground/park does not accept breeds/crossbreeds listed in the Dangerous Dogs Act (i.e. Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro) and/or any of the following: Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Rottweiler, any Mastiff or Tosa.
  • Group bookings of 2 or more units (e.g. tent, caravan, motorhome or accommodation hire) travelling together are not permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • Group bookings of 4 or more adults are not permitted (couples and immediate family members excepted).
  • No hen/stag parties permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • A charge of GBP2.00 ($3.87) applies for the use of the shower.
  • Guests are advised to bring a good quality torch with them as parts of the campground/park are unlit.
  • There are no bins onsite: all rubbish will need to be taken home with you.
  • There is no reception building on-site: on arrival please contact the number provided on your booking confirmation.
  • Fires, barbecues and/or firepits will not be permitted in dry, windy and/or hot weather conditions.

Languages spoken

English

Reviews

96%

would recommend this campground to a friend

93%

would stay here again

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Only showing reviews for the last 30 months.

Excellent, cheap, friendly & quiet

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Ian Christopher L. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Unpowered grass and earth tent or motorhome site

Liked: Everything, great location for mountain biking. Toilets and washing up facilities were spotless. Motorhome pitch was flat, hardstanding. No hassle, just turned up and set camp. Even have a jet wash to wash the bikes down before leaving. Will certainly return!

Disliked: Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

This Campsite is in a fabulous location with stunning views and an…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 8
Facilities / Activities 8
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Sam L. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Unpowered grass and earth tent or motorhome site

Liked: This Campsite is in a fabulous location with stunning views and an exciting fun long a walk away 4 stunning waterfalls and a drive away from the breath taking Brecon Beacons. Bryn Bettws Lodge is welcoming and accommodating, shout out to Ellie whom's warmth, kindness and willingness to show generosity in any area we needed help to make our trip as enjoyable as it was. It has all the facilities a campsite needs, the washing up/information hut has all the info you need about any activity or adventure you want to embark upon. Had such a god time here, can't recommend the campsite and area enough xx

Recommend to friends Visit again

Lovely stay

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Lorraine L. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Unpowered grass and earth tent or motorhome site

Liked: Good facilities, toilets with toilet paper, wash room with washing up liquid. Bar/burger van, bbq area etc. Easy booking and check in. Able to park car at pitch. Beautiful location and views. Really nice set up. Good value for money

Disliked: Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

Fantastic site. Glorious views and an amazing sunset. Perfect. Service in the bar…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness No rating
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Jo D. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Unpowered grass and earth tent or motorhome site

Liked: Fantastic site. Glorious views and an amazing sunset. Perfect. Service in the bar and restaurant was great. Food was amazing. The consciousness to the environment and water use.

Disliked: Nothing.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Beautiful location, simple facilities but everything we needed

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Unpowered grass and earth tent or motorhome site

Liked: This was a lovely simple site with stunning views. The facilities are quite simple, but everything we needed. The bar was well stocked and though we didn't have pizza, someone walked past with a stack and they smelled amazing! We will definitely be back, there's loads of space to pitch and a lovely location

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great campsite, staff were very welcoming and literally went above and beyond…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Unpowered grass and earth tent or motorhome site

Liked: Great campsite, staff were very welcoming and literally went above and beyond for my young children. We went for lunch in the lodge, my daughter has ASD and I explained that she is fussy and they were really helpful in accommodating for her. My daughter even left saying 'i like that lady!' Campsite had beautiful views, toilets and washing area, including a freezer which was great for us. Also a phone charging port. My kids loved the playground and were there every day. Also very dog friendly, dogs are allowed in the cafe too which was lovely. We will love to come back next summer!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Rough and ready, could be amazing

Overall 6/10
Location 10
Value for money 6
Accommodation 2
Facilities / Activities 4
Customer service 6
Child friendliness 6
Cleanliness 2
Wifi 4
Kerri B. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Unpowered grass and earth tent or motorhome site

Liked: We arrived in our campervan in the evening so unfortunately there wasn't anyone around but I called the number and spoke to a lovely woman who was very helpful and told us to choose our spot. We set up between the toilet blocks and hanging firepits. I think its a good site and can see the love they're putting in. I would say though the lack of hot water was challenging when it came to washing pots and with it being so remote, without staff around, the toilets and pot washing area were really grubby. We only stayed one night and as everywhere was locked up, can't comment on the cafe or showers etc. Kids liked the park and wandering around the fields.

Disliked: No hot water or staff to clean the toilets and pot washing area. I had to unblock the sink in the washing up area before using.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Loved the freedom to pitch where we wanted to and the relaxed…

Overall 8/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 8
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 8
Wifi 6
Nicola L. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Unpowered grass and earth tent or motorhome site

Liked: Loved the freedom to pitch where we wanted to and the relaxed atmosphere. Brilliant views and good facilities, though a little basic.

Recommend to friends Visit again

This was my first ever time camping and had an amazing experience.…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 10
Lindsey M. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Unpowered grass and earth tent or motorhome site

Liked: This was my first ever time camping and had an amazing experience. The staff were so friendly, amazing facilities, lovely area and view. The breakfast in the morning was really nice and great value for money. I will definitely be coming back.

Disliked: Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

Excellent view…

Overall 10/10
Location 8
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 8
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Unpowered grass and earth tent or motorhome site

Liked: Excellent view

Disliked: Rough road to campsite

Recommend to friends Visit again


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 Car parking by site/unit 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

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

Themes

Budget/backpacker Bush Lake and/or mountain Peaceful Remote location Spectacular scenery Walkers' paradise

Utilities

Charging facilities Dump point Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby

Type

Medium (26-50 sites)

Accessibility

Disabled facilities

Nearby leisure

Cycle hire nearby Cycling nearby Mountain biking nearby Restaurant nearby

Location

Bryn Bettws Lodge

Gyfylchi Farm

Pontrhydyfen

Port Talbot

Glamorgan

Wales

SA12 9SP

Directions

Timezone

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

GPS

51.64598°N
-3.72444°W

Route directions

If arriving by caravan, do not follow sat nav up to Penrhys Farm. Instead, continue on Tonmawr Road and you will see the signs on the right for Bryn Bettws and Afan Bike Park. Follow the forestry road for just over a mile and Bryn Bettws is on the left hand side at the end of the forestry road.

Nearest transport

Coach
6 km Railway Station
7 km Bus Station
15.7 km Bus Station
Rail
6 km Neath Rail Station
6.3 km Maesteg Rail Station
6.6 km Briton Ferry Rail Station
Ferry
14.5 km Swansea Queens Dock Ferry Terminal
41.6 km Barry Waterfront Ferry Terminal
41.6 km Cardiff Castle Waterbus Stop
Airport
24.3 km Swansea Airport
38.4 km Cardiff 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

If you need a little bit of relaxing time to recover from all the activities at the forest park, how about a trip to the beach? It’ll take you about 25 minutes to drive to Aberavon beach or around 40 minutes to Ogmore-by-Sea, where you can also stop by at the castle. That said, there’s still scope for activity down at the coast: Ogmore has horse riding outings, while Rest Bay (half an hour’s drive) is well known for surfing and bodyboarding. Keen to keep the adventures coming? How about ziplining from a former colliery tower at Zip World Tower (35 minutes), tackling the trails of Bike Park Wales (45 minutes) or walking behind a curtain of water on the Four Waterfalls Walk (45 minutes)? After all that you might just need a little tot of whisky from the Penderyn Distillery Visitor Centre (35 minutes), or perhaps just a leisurely walk along one of the beaches of the Gower Peninsula (45 minutes).

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020 2019 2018 2017
Aberafan 8.7 km Estuary N/A Good Good Good
Swansea Bay 16.7 km Estuary Good Good N/A Good
Rest Bay Porthcawl 17.5 km Sea Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Sandy Bay Porthcawl 18.8 km Sea Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Trecco Bay Porthcawl 19 km Sea Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Aberdulais Falls 5.3 km

National Waterfront Museum 15.2 km

Penderyn Distillery Visitor Centre 19.2 km

National Showcaves of Wales 20.5 km

Carreg Cennen Castle 27.5 km

National Trust

Aberdulais Falls 5.3 km

Aberdeunant 32.4 km

Rhossili Visitor Centre and Shop 40.1 km

Dolaucothi Gold Mines 47 km

Watersmeet 47.4 km

Cycle routes

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

Other

Abercregan - Glyncorrwg - Abercregan 4.3 km

Abercregan - Coed Morgannwg Way - Pontrhydyfen 4.3 km

Treherbert to Aberdare 13.3 km

Kenfig Pool - Kenfig Burrows - Sker Beach 14.5 km

Pontneddfechan - Scwd Einion Gam Waterfall 15.2 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 sites.

Want to know more about camping in Glamorgan?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Bryn Bettws Lodge have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Bryn Bettws Lodge dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Bryn Bettws Lodge? If you need a little bit of relaxing time to recover from all the activities at the forest park, how about a trip to the beach? It’ll take you about 25 minutes … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Bryn Bettws Lodge?
    Camping and caravan
    Arrive:  1 p.m. –  9 p.m.
    Depart by:  noon
    On-site accommodation
    Arrive:  1 p.m. –  9 p.m.
    Depart by:  noon
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Bryn Bettws Lodge? From $42.90 (for 1 night, 5 people) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.