Deciding to camp at Ty Parke is quite the commitment. Situated near St David’s on the Pembrokeshire coast, it’s almost as far west as you can go and more than 50 miles from the nearest motorway. But it’s not only the potentially long drive that you’ll be signing up for by making a booking at this farm-based camping and glamping site. You’ll also be committing to keeping in touch with the new best friends your kids are about to make, to making return visits for years to come and, perhaps even, to finding any other holiday a bit of a disappointment.
Take a look at the reviews of Ty Parke and you’ll see this is sort of place that people return to time and again. And while there’s lots to love here, there’s one aspect of the site which justifiably gets more mentions than any other; the friendliness of farm and campsite owners, Gary and Annie. They meet you on arrival, welcome you to their famous pizza evenings during your stay and take the time to say a fond farewell when you leave. This couple watched their own children enjoy the freedom of growing up on a farm and then flung open the gates so that other families could have a taste of the same.
With 12 off-grid pitches and three yurts set out on their fully accessible 52-acre rewilding project of meadows and young woodland, there’s plenty of room for kids to run free or for campers to find secluded spots. In fact, pitches here are divided that way; with half the pitches in a car-free family camping meadow and half in more secluded spaces around the farm. Each has a picnic bench, a spot for a campfire and a barbecue grill. Likewise for the fully-furnished yurts which also have a composting toilet and undercover field kitchen with enough room to dine in if the Welsh weather turns wet or windy. Campers can also get out of the weather with shared space and facilities, including fridges, freezers and an electric kettle, in a large barn – not to mention the lovely family bathrooms which have hot showers, flushing loos and heated towel rails.
Perfect pitches, pizza and people might draw you back here but it’s probably Pembrokeshire itself that starts the love affair. Whether you’re considering a first visit or are a seasoned visitor to this stunning part of Wales, you’ll find the campsite’s location in the middle of the St David’s peninsula, a good one. Whichever way the wind is blowing, wherever the tide is at and whatever you fancy doing, there’ll be a beach within a few minutes’ drive that’ll suit your needs. And if you’re not sure which one to head for, Gary and Annie will not only point you in the right direction but will furnish you with wet suits, bodyboards and buckets and spades. When you’re not swimming, surfing and sandcastle-building; you could cycle to Solva, head to Porthgain for a harbourside lunch or take a mooch around St Davids. But don’t worry about trying to cram it all in. Chances are, you’ll be back next year.
Ty Parke is surrounded on all sides by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The renowned Pembrokeshire Coast Path, with its array of stunning beaches, is within 10 minutes’ drive. Get an adrenaline rush by coasteering, surfing or kayaking with Preseli Venture (01348 837709). The quiet country lanes make for pleasant cycling and Solva, six miles from site, is a nice destination for a short ride. The UK’s smallest city, St Davids, is a 15-minute drive away with its magnificent cathedral and the Bishop’s Palace.
The wood-fired pizza oven at the farmhouse is fired up for popular weekly pizza nights. The closest place to buy supplies is the little convenience store at the petrol station at Square and Compass, three miles away. For local produce head to St Davids or Fishguard, both around nine miles from site. St Davids has a small supermarket, a butcher, greengrocer and deli, as well as many eateries, including the popular Sound Café (01437 721717). The Farmers Arms in Mathry (01348 831284) is within walking distance if you fancy pub grub and a pint. The Sloop Inn (01348 831449) which overlooks the small harbour in the village of Porthgain, is just over four miles from site and is highly recommended as is award-winning seafood restaurant, The Shed (01348 831518), which is also in the village.