A step, a leap and an icy plunge into the blue lagoon at an old slate quarry make the splashing finale to coasteering, at its Pembrokeshire birthplace. An alternative way of exploring the coastline, ‘coasteering’ involves using bare hands and trainered toes to scrabble along rocky cliffs, interspersed with jumps into the waves from varying heights. Not for the fainthearted!
Coasteering is one of many endorphin-inducing activities offered by the fforest outdoor team, as part of their ‘active relaxation’ philosophy; a clever concept that helps clear the mind through learning new skills and the physical demands of a tough day’s play.
fforest outdoor is the brainchild of James and Sîan, who own fforest at Cilgerran, a slice of tastiest rural pie, which they thankfully saw fit to share. Sitting in a peaceful pocket of the Ceredigion countryside, this family-run former farm is only a couple of miles’ trundle upriver from colourful Cardigan (Aberteifi), where the activities team is based.
Fascinated by what makes a dwelling ‘home’ rather than simply a place to sleep in, James toyed with the idea of installing eco-lodges, before settling on stylish canvas accommodation in the shape of nomad tunnel tents, bell tents, kåtas (tipis) and grand domes. An old barn has even been converted into four croglofts – maisonette lodges with beds, sofas and bathroom.
At night, muted tangerine glows from lanterns lead down to the lodge, which is the communal hub of the place, before folk head to the fire pits to watch hypnotic flames over a tasty local beverage from the onsite ‘pub’. Adjoining the pub is a makeshift cinema, with straw-stacks providing rural pews for guests to enjoy weekly film nights.
This is not just camping; this is fforest camping – a relaxed and comforting tonic to everyday life that easily slips into your being. Every possible need has been considered here: each nomad, tipi and dome has its own ‘kitchen’ and sits on sturdy wooden decking, from which you can admire postcard views of fields of green and gold sprinkled with languid deer. There’s wi-fi for those that can’t go without and a sauna (flatpacked from Sweden, where else?) is tucked among the trees. Oh yes – camping in style.
In terms of sanctuary, celeb ‘rehab’ haunt the Priory has got nothing on fforest. The trowel-loads of care and pride that James and Sîan have put into the place will transform your breathing into long, contented sighs as soon as you arrive. Visiting fforest is one Welsh plunge that’s definitely worth taking.
