Cae Llwyd Farm

No availability at present on Pitchup.com 9.4 38 reviews
Visitor image of the site and the river
Visitor image of the site and the river
View of both camping fields
Communal outdoor space
Meet the lambs
The 2021 season
Pitch view
Loo with a view
Stepping stones at the bottom of the field to get into the village
1/64
View of both camping fields
Communal outdoor space
Meet the lambs

  • Off-grid wild site by the Machno river in Snowdonia National Park
  • A five-minute drive to Penmachno MTB Trail; 15 minutes to Betws-y-Coed
  • Pizza stall on site serving food every day
With peaceful meadow camping by the Machno river, Cae Llwyd Farm is on the edge of Penmachno village, five miles from Betws-y-Coed. This secluded spot is a great springboard for outdoorsy holidays for sporty types and adventurous families looking to explore Snowdonia and a quiet, peaceful site well-suited to stargazing. It's also a 15-minute drive from Betws-y-Coed, where there are bus links to Yr Wyddfa (the Welsh name for Snowdon). It’s heaven on wheels for cyclists, with several mountain biking trails close by – including the renowned Penmachno MTB Trail (five minutes’ drive). Attention all hikers and climbers – a stay here puts you in pole position for several Snowdonia peaks over 3,000 feet; kayakers, meanwhile, can navigate down pretty rivers, including the nearby Ledr. As this is an off-grid site with no electricity, amenities are simple (it's not luxury, but the composting toilet has been hand-built using reclaimed and recycled materials that blend in with their surroundings). There are no showers, so ask the team about where to track down public showers. This is a site that's been set up to help guests appreciate the wild beauty of Snowdonia – and there is a massive bonus in that this site is on a working farm, with local produce usually available (depending on the time of year). Talking of food, barbecues are allowed in the camping field, and there’s a convenience store in Penmachno (10 minutes’ walk) where you can pick up basics for the grill. There’s also a pub here, and you might just get tempted in for a restorative pint after all your Snowdonia adventures. Alternatively, stick around on site to pick up pizza from the food stall there.

Site type

Tent sites 30
Opens 22 May
Please note
  • This campground/park has no on-site shower facilities.

Admission

  • At least one of the party members must be aged 25 or over.
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.

Safety

  • Fires, barbecues and/or firepits will not be permitted in dry, windy and/or hot weather conditions.

Occupancy

  • No hen/stag parties permitted via Pitchup.com.

General

  • Please note that the toilet/shower facilities are unisex.
  • There are no bins onsite: all rubbish will need to be taken home with you.

Languages spoken

English

Welsh

Open from Fri, 22 May to

No availability here for your search criteria

Reviews

9.4

Overall rating from 38 Pitchup.com customers

  • 73%
    10
  • 13%
    9
  • 7%
    8
  • 2%
    7
  • 0%
    6
  • 0%
    5
  • 0%
    4
  • 0%
    3
  • 0%
    2
  • 2%
    1
Location
 9
Value for money
 9
Accommodation
 8
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 9
Cleanliness
 9
Wifi
 5
Peaceful

95% would recommend this site to a friend

92% would stay here again

What customers say

Quiet, scenic spot with great views and starry nights. Friendly owners and a popular pizza van. Basic but clean facilities (compost loos, limited water). Tricky car park entrance and carrying gear to car-free pitches noted. Short season was a common complaint.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews. Last updated 25/08/2026

Filter by topic

Reviews page 1 of 4
Arrival date (latest first)

The atmosphere was peaceful and chilled,…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 6
Customer service
 8
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 8
Wifi
 1
 Jenna-Leigh M. 1 review

Unpowered grass tent site

Liked The atmosphere was peaceful and chilled, wasn’t busy and the pizza van was great! Would go again!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Pizza van on site, friendly host,…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 9
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 7
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 1
 Saskia K. 1 review

Unpowered grass tent site

Liked Pizza van on site, friendly host, lots of space and respectful neighbour's on site

Recommend to friends Visit again

Lovely setting

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 9
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 9
Wifi
 No rating
Anonymous

Unpowered grass tent site

Liked Lovely location, friendly owners and wood fired pizzas were a real treat. The Eagle public house was a short walk away.

Disliked Should have brought a collapsible trailer for getting kit to tent. Not a negative for the site - just need to prepare differently next time.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Beautiful view, clean facilities, well-maintained, and…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Claire S. 1 review

Unpowered grass tent site

Liked Beautiful view, clean facilities, well-maintained, and delicious pizza!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Would not go back ever, worst camping experience of my life.

Overall

1 out of 10
Location
 1
Value for money
 1
Facilities / Activities
 1
Customer service
 1
Child friendliness
 1
Cleanliness
 1
Wifi
 1
 lucy r. 1 review

Unpowered grass tent site

Liked The view

Disliked No water when we arrived, couldn't wash my dishes , water pumped out about 10 ml of water each pump , toilet facilities (if you could call it that ) were vile ! Think the dungy on I'm a celebrity get me out of here that has not been emptied it god knows how long 🤢 sheep poo all over the field too.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: We’re sorry you didn’t enjoy your stay!

We’re proudly off grid, and unfortunately sometimes we do need to refill the water tanks as there’s no mains water pipes anywhere near the campsite. But we do apologise that the refill coincided with your arrival.

I assure you the toilets get emptied when they’re full. composting toilets do exactly what their name suggests, and decomposing is one of those things. We do however get many compliments and comments of how pleasantly surprised people are when they realise they’re much better than anticipated, we do everything we can to keep the smells down, and do a pretty good job of that in all honesty. But I would suggest to anyone that ‘looking down’ isn’t advised, and taking your phone out of your back pocket is a must! (That’s happened, and a shoe, somehow)

If these issues were raised in person I would have loved to explain, and proudly crowned you ‘queen of the jungle’ for surviving your rural expedition.

Unless, that is, if your stay ended with a -
“Get me out of heeeeeerrrrrreeeeeeeee.”

Also the neighbouring sheep are unfortunately out of our control, with the lack of water in streams/rivers, fences that would’ve once contained them, are now just floating fences above a dry river bed. But we do shoo them out when we spot them.

I hope this clears up some of your concerns raised!
(Readers - Please see all other reviews for positive feedback on the toilets)

How peaceful it was, pizza on…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Joana H. 2 reviews

Unpowered grass tent site

Liked How peaceful it was, pizza on site was delicious, owners friendly. My children loved the open field the nature walks and seeing the horses up close and the sheep.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Compostable toilets and pizza van on…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 No rating
Wifi
 No rating
Chloe O. 1 review

Unpowered grass tent site

Liked Compostable toilets and pizza van on the weekend! They even put the vegan cheese I provided on a pizza for me. Super friendly staff :)

Recommend to friends Visit again

Location, natural setting, friendly hosts and…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 2
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 8
 Martyn J. 1 review

Unpowered grass tent site

Liked Location, natural setting, friendly hosts and pizza!

Disliked Limited facilities including no drinking water

Recommend to friends Visit again

Back to this absolute gem after a few years. See you again soon 5⭐️

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 10
 Ben G. 2 reviews

Unpowered grass tent site

Liked Brilliant setting.
Owners are lovely.
Back to proper camping 🏕
Pizzas.

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

I look foward to camping there again

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 No rating
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Sally W. 3 reviews

Unpowered grass tent site

Liked Beautiful location,friendly owners an delicious pizza

Disliked Nothing to dislike

Recommend to friends Visit again

Features

Pop-up campground

Dogs allowed

Campfires allowed

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 Portable toilet Pub toilets Public telephone Shower available Toilet block Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

Family friendly Motorcycle friendly 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 Wild camping Wildlife haven

Utilities

Charging facilities 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 Public transport nearby

Type

Farm Pop-up campground Small (11-25 sites)

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby Climbing nearby Cycle hire nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horse riding nearby Indoor pool nearby Leisure/theme park nearby Mountain biking nearby Outdoor pool nearby Restaurant nearby Surf school nearby Tennis nearby Watersports nearby

Location

Cae Llwyd Farm

Yspyty Road

Penmachno

Conwy

Wales

LL24 0YR

Directions

Timezone

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

GPS

53.03426°N
3.80638°W

Route directions

Turning off the main road by the Machno, an old pub, follow the small lane directly ahead – not following the road up the hill. When driving down the lane, look out for signs for the car park on the left, then the campsite on the right. Please do not drive onto the campsite. Please note that the signal is intermittent on the campsite. If you need to call for directions and can’t get through, send a text and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.

Nearest transport

Coach
24.9 km Market Square
24.9 km Tesco
24.9 km Sportsman
Rail
5.1 km Pont-y-Pant Rail Station
5.6 km Dolwyddelan Rail Station
6.4 km Betws-y-Coed Rail Station
Ferry
38.8 km Barmouth Ferry Landing
39.1 km Porth Penrhyn Ferry Landing

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

Being based in Eryri National Park has plenty of perks, such as tremendous hikes and other outdoor pursuits being just a short drive away. To the south, make your way to the National White Water Centre (35 minutes’ drive) and Bala, which has a fierce reputation for all things outdoorsy. Aiming to top the biggest peak in Wales? Trails to Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), as well as Crib Goch and Glyder Fawr, are around half an hour’s drive from the site. Keep driving in that direction and you will soon happen upon Llanberis, a lakeside destination at the foot of Yr Wyddfa. Get stuck into a crafts shop or watersports on the lake, or pick up some new knowledge in the National Slate Museum. The Snowdon Mountain Railway (40 minutes) departs from Llanberis for a scenic, hiking-free trip up the mountain. To the west is the Welsh coast and the characterful village Portmeirion (40 minutes), which has a distinctly Mediterranean vibe. Perhaps squeeze nearby Harlech Castle (45 minutes), a famed Welsh fortress, into the same outing while you're in the area.

Food and drink

  • Eagles Pub 0.5 km
  • Silver Fountain Inn Pub 4.1 km
  • Ty Gwyn Coaching Inn Restaurant 5.7 km
  • Elen's Castle Hotel Pub 5.8 km
  • The Bridge Restaurant 5.9 km
  • The Gwydyr Bar Pub 6 km
  • Hangin Pizzeria Restaurant 6.4 km
  • Stables bar and bistro Restaurant 6.5 km
  • The Stables Pub 6.5 km
  • Olif Restaurant 6.5 km

Groceries

  • Co-op 9.6 km

Parks and play

  • inki 3.3 km
  • Conwy Falls Forest Park 3.9 km
  • Hendre Rhys Gethin 6.5 km
  • Municipal Garden 9.9 km

Family days out

  • Go Below Visitor attraction 4 km
  • Conwy Falls Visitor attraction 4 km
  • Capel Garmon Chambered Tomb Visitor attraction 5.1 km
  • Tomen Castell Castle 6.8 km
  • Dolwyddelan Castle 7.1 km
  • Tree Top Adventure Visitor attraction 7.5 km
  • Plummet Visitor attraction 7.5 km
  • Skyride Visitor attraction 7.5 km
  • Fforest Coaster Visitor attraction 7.6 km
  • Ugly House Visitor attraction 8.2 km

Public transport

  • Penmachno, Eagles Hotel 0.5 km
  • Penmachno, Shops 0.6 km
  • Ysgol Penmachno 0.7 km
  • Carrog 3.2 km
  • opp Penmachno Mill 3.2 km
  • Conwy Falls 4 km
  • Bron-haul 4.8 km
  • Waterloo Bridge (after) 5.7 km
  • Waterloo Bridge 5.7 km
  • Waterloo Hotel (o/s) 5.9 km

What’s nearby

  • Betws y Coed Golf Course 7 km

Local services

  • Shell Fuel station 5.7 km
  • BP Pulse Charging station 6.4 km
  • D. Powys Davies Pharmacy 9.6 km
  • Moelwyn Pharmacy 9.6 km
  • Ffestiniog Memorial Hospital Doctors 9.8 km

© OpenStreetMap contributors

Must see

Bodnant Garden 22.2 km

National Slate Museum 22.8 km

Snowdon Mountain Railway 22.8 km

Portmeirion Gardens 23.7 km

Ffestiniog Railway 24.7 km

National Trust

Ty^ Mawr Wybrnant 3.2 km

Bodnant Garden 22.2 km

Aberconwy House 27.4 km

Plas Newydd Country House and Gardens 33.5 km

Cycle routes

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

Other

Dolwyddelan Railway Station - Betws-y-coed 5.5 km

Dolwyddelan and the Castle 5.8 km

Dolwyddelan and the Lledr Gorge 5.8 km

Dolwyddelan and Sarn Helen 5.8 km

Dolwyddelan and Y Ro Wen 5.8 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.

Want to know more about camping in Conwy?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Cae Llwyd Farm have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Cae Llwyd Farm dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Cae Llwyd Farm? Being based in Eryri National Park has plenty of perks, such as tremendous hikes and other outdoor pursuits being just a short drive away. To the south, make your way to the … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Cae Llwyd Farm?
    Camping and caravan
    Arrive:  noon –  9 p.m.
    Depart by:  10 a.m.
    Read more