Jones the Shepherd’s Hut
Couples and families looking for glamping holidays near Barmouth and Dolgellau in North Wales will be amazed by the cleverly designed space in our beautifully crafted shepherd’s hut.
Features
• Sleeps up to 4 • Private compost loo and hot shower • Private kitchenette • woodburning stove • Lighting & USB charger • Parking by hut • Fire pit outside • Dogs welcome
Relax in the unique shepherd’s hut we built in this wildly beautiful corner of Snowdonia National Park close to Cader Idris mountain. Jones the Shepherd’s Hut is in an off grid location in a tranquil and sheltered silver birch glade.The beautiful Mawddach Estuary is a short (but steepish) walk through Graig Wen’s woods and fields.
We built the high quality shepherd’s hut to sleep two in style or a family of three or four. The clever design means it feels roomier inside than you would imagine from the outside, with plenty of space for relaxing and storage.
There’s a full size double bed with proper mattress plus a day bed for chilling out which converts to bunk beds for two children if required. With well insulated walls and a wood burning stove, you’ll be warm and snug whatever the weather. The dining table seats 4 and you have a kitchenette with sink and cold water tap, gas hob, fridge and all the cutlery and plates you need to whip up simple meals.
We provide bedding for the double bed including a sheep wool “Baavet” duvet made on a Snowdonia farm. You’ll need to bring bedding for the bunks. There are warm Welsh blankets to snuggle under on cooler nights. Guests often tell us how warm and cosy the hut is.
We can welcome one well behaved dog (or a couple of smaller ones) to the shepherd’s hut.
Location
You can park right next to Jones the Hut. There’s a picnic table, chairs and a fire pit perfect for BBQs outside. The accommodation feels private although from March – October you will see your fellow glampers nearby in our Tommy yurt and two hand-built yurts which are a little further away through the mature silver birch and oak trees.
Loo and Shower
New for 2024 we have increased the size of the private shower room which is just a few step’s away by a nice clean compost loo – both exclusively for use by guests in Jones the hut. Further flushing loos with wash basins and hot water, and hot showers are about 100 metres away shared with the rest of the camp site.
A talented team of skilled local crafts people have built our bespoke Shepherd’s Hut. Set on sturdy authentic cast iron wheels it has a corrugated tin, slate blue exterior. The interior fittings have been crafted from an interesting mix of Welsh hardwoods and timber reclaimed from a local chapel by our friend Dan from Adventures in Wood. You can read more about how we built our dream Shepherd’s Hut here.
What’s a Shepherd’s Hut?
Shepherds used these simple structures to move with their flocks and stay close at lambing time. The tin huts could be towed from field to field by a horse as the sheep moved pastures. The shepherd would have slept and eaten here on the hillside, bringing weak lambs in to warm up by the stove. Mainly used in Wales and England in the nineteenth century, their agricultural use is now redundant – you occasionally see one fading away in the corner of a field – and the humble hut has transformed into a more luxurious beast for getting back to nature in comfort and style!
For many years our fields were grazed by Welsh Mountain sheep shepherded by the Jones family.
Off-grid living
The Shepherd’s Hut has electric interior lighting. You can also charge up phones in the hut. There are solar lights in the private compost loo and hot shower. We provide you with a lantern – we are in Snowdonia National Park Dark Skies Reserve so you’ll need it to find your way to the loo at night!
You may pick up 3/4G by the hut and there is also a wifi point in our camp site shelter for those who don’t want to switch off completely!
Travelling light
Our Shepherd’s Hut in Snowdonia is perfect if you fancy travelling light and trying a car-free holiday. It’s easy to get to Graig Wen and get around on public transport. Bike hire is available locally and we can arrange to collect you from the local train station at Morfa Mawddach. You can pre-order freshly baked croissants.
What we provide and what you should bring
Prior to your arrival you will be emailed a link to download our new Guest App. This will enable you to self-check in and gives you all the information you need to plan your stay, from what to bring and the wifi code to the best places for coffee and cake, local walks etc.
Inside the Shepherd’s Hut
- Easy pull down double bed with proper mattress, sheep’s wool duvet, non-feather pillows and cotton bed linen
- Day bed can convert to two optional single bunk beds for children – (please bring your own sleeping bags/bedding and pillows)
- Wood burning stove – we provide starter pack of logs, kindling and firelighters – more for sale on site
- Dining table and seating for four
- Sink with cold water tap
- Two ring Gas Hob for cooking
- Small chiller/Fridge
- Plates, cutlery, saucepans, mugs, glasses, fresh coffee dripper etc
- Hot water bottles
- Wool blankets
- Solar lighting and a lantern (but it’s very useful to bring torches especially if you are returning to your accommodation after dark)
- You will be emailed a digital welcome guide/app fun of local information
- 4G available for most networks (except 02). WiFi available near reception
- phone charging point – other devices can be charged in reception
- There is access to a fridge/freezer as well as the chiller in the Shepherd’s Hut.
Outside the Shepherd’s Hut
Picnic bench
Fire pit
Loos and Showers
There is a hot shower and nice clean compost loo a few steps away. For summer 2020 we have made these exclusively for private use by guest in Jones the hut. Further conventional loos with wash basins and hot water, and hot showers are about 100 metres away shared with the rest of the camp site.
What you should bring
- Towels
- Bedding for bunk beds if required
- Toiletries
- Torches – head torches are best
- Food
- Warm clothes (it can get cold at night even in summer), suitable footwear for outside and slippers for inside
- Insect repellant can be handy in muggy summer weather
- Download our Guest App
Shepherd's Hut Prices
PRICES
From £85 – £130 / night
Minimum 2 night bookings during low season, some off peak weekends and last minute
The rest of the time we book the Shepherd’s Hut and yurts for 3 nights Friday to Monday and 4 nights Monday to Friday.
Check availability for glamping and book online by searching for availability to arrive on a Friday to stay for 2 or 3 nights or Monday to stay for 2 or 4 nights. Week long bookings available from Monday or Friday. We are sorry we do not offer one night stays.
Tips for glamping in winter and wild Welsh weather!
A few words about what to expect in the colder months
The climate in North Wales during winter can be unpredictable. The first snow on the hills can fall in November and it has been known to snow in April, although we rarely experience much snowfall at Graig Wen as we are near sea level. Temperatures were unpredictable last year, so certainly be prepared for frosty mornings, strong winds and heavy rain!
On the plus side, conditions change quickly and though you might wake up on a wet morning, by the afternoon the hills can be bathed in sunshine, rainbows pop up and you can look forward to a clear night of star-gazing or a moon-lit wander…
The Shepherd’s Hut is robust and will keep you dry as the wind roars around on a stormy night, but remember you are camping (albeit with added luxuries including a woodburner!) and will need to pack plenty of warm /waterproof clothing and appropriate footwear.
Bring a sense of adventure and enthusiasm for outdoor life in winter and you will have a memorable experience – if this isn’t for you then you might like to consider booking one of our cottages with central heating or an en suite room in The Slate Shed B & B on site instead!
If you are aiming to climb a mountain during your trip, it’s always worth having a plan B in case of poor weather conditions. We’re very happy to advise on alternative walks and activities and cosy places to refuel afterwards…
What is provided in winter
The Hut has a woodburning stove, warm Welsh rugs, hot water bottles and a fire pit with grill for BBQing outside
There are plug sockets for charging phones
There is an electric point for plugging in hairdryers in the heated camp site showers. The wash block with loos is also heated.
Cooking utensils, pans, cups, plates, cutlery and utensils such as a grater, small cafetiere, BBQ tongs
Teabags, instant coffee and sugar
Fridge
Easy to pull down double bed
Bunk Beds with storage – upper bunk can be stored when not required to free up more space
Picnic table outside
Showers, toilets and washing up area a short walk away on camp site
Parking for one car by the Hut
Local Information Pack, wifi (rural!) near the showers, 4G coverage (not 02)
What to Bring
Torches / head torch battery lanterns – we are in Snowdonia National Park Dark Skies Reserve so it is very dark at night!
If required for bunk beds – Bedding and pillows (for double bed duvet, pillows and linen supplied)
Towels
Warm clothes for hanging out and sleeping in
Waterproof clothing for getting out and about whatever the weather
Food & Drink – or shop locally in Dolgellau or Fairbourne where there are excellent independent shops and 2 supermarkets. We also sell a range of local craft beers and wine etc on site.
We provide washing up liquid, bin bags, a dishcloth and tea towels
We provide a small fridge and you can freeze ice-packs on site if you wish to bring an extra cool box
Wellies / walking boots / slippers – wellies are useful but the hut is near gravel walkways so it is not too muddy.
Boots should not be worn inside so bringing your slippers is a cosy idea.
Books, games and stories for the camp fire or perhaps pre-download a movie
If you are bringing your dog – lead/long line, bed and bowls, dog coat for pampered pooches – see our guide to bringing your dog on holiday.
Tips for searching for availability
Check in days are shown dark green. To meet minimum stay requirements at peak time, please search for 3/7 nights from Friday check in or 4/7 nights from Monday check in. For shorter stays off peak/last minute (2 nights minimum) please call.
Glade Glamping Holidays in North Wales
