A Small Guide to Winter Camping at Fforest Fields

Winter camping is a wonderful thing, provided you come prepared for a bit of weather. Here in the Radnor Hills, November, December and January can bring bright, frosty mornings, beautiful sunshine, thick mist, sideways rain and occasionally a good covering of snow.

Sometimes all in the same weekend.

The campsite is much quieter at this time of year, with acres of walking, big skies and plenty of room to yourself. We've put together a few practical notes to help you make the most of it.

First, the weather

We're around 700–1,200 feet above sea level, so it can be noticeably colder here than in the towns. The temperature often drops quickly after sunset, and even a lovely sunny afternoon can turn into a properly chilly night.

Rain is quite possible, mud is almost guaranteed, and strong winds occasionally sweep across the hills. But there are also those astonishing winter days when the air is clear, the paths are crisp and you can see for miles.

Our advice? Check the forecast but don't rely on it, pack for something slightly worse, and enjoy whatever turns up. If very severe weather is forecast, do give us a call before setting off.

What to bring

A few things make an enormous difference to winter camping:

• Good waterproof boots. Walking shoes are fine in dry weather, but proper boots will earn their place in your bag.

• Waterproof jacket and trousers. Both, ideally. There's nothing quite like a good walk in the rain when you know you'll stay dry.

• Plenty of layers. Thermals, fleeces, woolly jumpers and a warm coat. Layers are much more useful than one enormous jacket.

• Spare socks. More than you think you'll need.

• Hat, gloves and a warm scarf. Particularly if you're heading up onto the hill.

• A proper torch or headtorch. It gets very dark here, and in December the sun is down before 4.30pm.

• Warm bedding. An appropriately rated sleeping bag, a good insulated sleeping mat, and an extra blanket or two. Insulation underneath you is just as important as what's on top.

• Something to keep wet things separate. A bag for muddy boots and damp clothes saves a great deal of trouble.

• A flask. Tea tastes particularly good halfway up a hill in January.

If you're camping in a tent, make sure it's suitable for the forecast and that you've got good pegs and secure guy ropes. If you're bringing a caravan or motorhome, it's worth checking your heating, gas and water systems before leaving home.

Never use a barbecue, firepit or outdoor gas stove inside a tent or awning, even for warmth. Carbon monoxide is a very real danger.

Choosing your pitch

We have electric and non-electric pitches, including all-purpose gravel and hardstanding.

In wetter weather, our all-purpose and hardstanding pitches are particularly useful because they drain well and keep you off the softer ground. If you're tent camping on gravel, an extra groundsheet and suitable pegs can help.

There's usually plenty of choice in winter. If you're unsure where to settle, just ask us.

Winter campsite arrivals can check in from 10am. You may find us out working on the farm rather than sitting in reception, so we've got a simple self-check-in system and a contact number if you need anything.

The important business of getting warm and dry

We have hot showers, heated shower buildings, family washrooms, washing-up facilities, laundry and our much-loved drying room.

The drying room is a particularly good friend in winter. Bring your wet coats, waterproof trousers and boots, and give them a chance to dry before the next adventure.

There's also a fridge and freezer facility, drinking water points, and an honesty shop for useful essentials. You'll find firewood and kindling here too.

Our coffee shop and bar are seasonal, so won't be open in winter. Bring plenty of food, or plan a visit to one of the lovely cafés and pubs nearby.

Food, fires and early evenings

Winter is the season for easy, warming meals. A pan of soup, a good stew, sausages and mash, or something prepared at home that only needs heating through.

You are very welcome to have a firepit or barbecue, provided it is safely raised off the ground, well away from anything flammable and the weather allows it. We have firepits available to hire.

Do bring a good book, a pack of cards or a favourite game. The evenings are long, and that's part of the pleasure.

And remember, we ask for quiet after 11pm and no amplified music on pitches. In winter especially, the peacefulness is rather lovely.

Getting out and about

One of the best things about staying here is that you can set off walking directly from your pitch.

There are miles of tracks through the farm, woodland and up towards Aberedw Hill. Some are easy-going; others become muddier and more challenging as you climb. Take a map or familiarise yourself with your route, keep an eye on daylight hours, and turn back in good time.

The lakes are beautiful through winter, particularly on frosty mornings. Experienced cold-water swimmers do sometimes take a dip, but the water is very cold, there are no lifeguards, and solo swimming is not permitted.

For everyone else, a walk around the water with a flask is a perfectly wonderful alternative.

And finally, a good night's sleep

Winter nights at Fforest Fields are often wonderfully quiet. Once you've warmed up, eaten well and settled into bed, there's something deeply satisfying about being tucked up while the weather carries on outside.

The trick is to get warm before you go to bed, change out of anything damp, and make sure you've got enough insulation for the coldest part of the night.

If you wake early, it's worth looking outside. Frost on the grass, mist over the lake, a pink sky above the hills. Some of the loveliest moments of winter happen before breakfast.

You don't need to be a hardened adventurer to enjoy winter camping. Just bring the right things, allow a little flexibility for the weather, and give yourself time to enjoy being here.

Warm socks, muddy boots, fresh air and a very good sleep. That's winter camping at Fforest Fields.