Garth Glamping, an off-grid retreat located on a family farm in Gwaelod Y Garth near Cardiff, has drawn steady interest since opening in May, with many visitors coming from the city itself seeking short breaks close to home.
Co-founder Jordan Lewis said the response has been stronger than expected, particularly from locals looking for a balance between rural tranquility and urban proximity.
“What has struck me since is just how many of our guests have been people from Cardiff itself or visiting the city – but they are keen to escape the daily routine and spend time on a traditional hill farm,” Lewis said in a guest column on BusinessNewsWales.
The 100-year-old working cattle farm, owned by Lewis’s husband Gerwyn’s family, developed just five percent of its land for the project. The site now offers five furnished bell tents and ten camping and motorhome pitches. The focus, according to Lewis, has been on providing space, quiet, and safety rather than density.
The bell tents, equipped with beds, sofas, and family accommodations for up to five people, have proven popular with visitors seeking comfort and convenience without traditional camping logistics.
Lewis noted that many guests view the experience as a first step toward camping or as an alternative to staying in hotels when attending Cardiff events.
Being within 20 minutes of the city has made Garth Glamping a draw during major concerts and festivals, including performances by Oasis, Stereophonics, and Tom Jones, as well as the Blackweir music series.
Accessibility has been another factor; the site is a 15-minute walk from the local train station, making car-free travel possible.
The retreat operates fully off-grid, using solar energy and water from a refurbished farm well. Guests are encouraged to disconnect—there are no power outlets in tents, and Wi-Fi access is limited.
Lewis said this has encouraged families to engage more with the natural surroundings.
Sustainability and community involvement are key aspects of the business. Garth Glamping recently achieved accreditation through the Visit Wales Approved Scheme, reinforcing quality assurance for guests.
The team is also building shepherds’ huts to enable year-round stays and has started hosting wellness retreats in partnership with local businesses such as Granola Girlies and PIAS Wales (Play It Again Sport), both of which sold out.
In September, the farm hosted its first Wild at Garth Festival—a one-day event featuring music, wellness, and family activities—organized with Gerwyn’s sister, Rhian. The goal is to make it an annual event supporting the local area.
The business also established the Wild at Garth Foundation, a community interest company supporting Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s charities, and offers monthly stay giveaways to families unable to afford holidays.
“This farm has been in Gerwyn’s family for generations, and Garth Glamping is our way of writing the next chapter,” Lewis said. “We want it to be rooted in sustainability, storytelling, and rural regeneration.”
For professionals in the outdoor hospitality sector, Garth Glamping’s model reflects a growing trend in accessible, sustainability-driven tourism that leverages local heritage and proximity to urban centers.
It demonstrates how small-scale, off-grid operations can meet rising consumer demand for authentic, low-impact experiences while supporting community and environmental initiatives.