Set deep within the Monmouthshire countryside is Hidden Valley Yurts and Lake House, a beautiful selection of Mongolian yurts and a brand new Lake House. Nestled among ancient woodland with a bubbling stream at its heart, it is a true back to nature experience. As soon as you arrive, you will notice the wonderful views, the greenery all around you, and the fresh clean air. A special place indeed. I was invited to review Hidden Valley Yurts – a luxury glamping site with views of the Welsh hills by day and a beautiful canopy of stars by night.
Not only is the natural setting beautiful, the owners have worked hard to make this a premier glamping experience. Set aside thoughts of wet, dripping canvas and muddy toilet blocks. Hidden Valley Yurts puts the ‘glam’ in glamping and I believe it hits its mark. Here’s my experience of luxury glamping in Monmouthshire, South Wales.
STAYING IN A MONGOLIAN YURT
At Hidden Valley there are five Mongolian yurts. Each is set on their own private decked area, with chiminea, built in BBQ and log store. You immediately notice the beautifully colourful doors of the yurts, all painstakingly hand painted in different colours. Beautiful. Each yurt sleeps between five and seven people, perfect for families, with plenty of space for everyone.
As you step through the brightly coloured doors of these yurts you will find that they are light, cosy and warm. Beautifully furnished and carefully thought out, with beds, chairs, rugs and wall hangings. Each yurt has a log burning stove at its heart. The yurts are spacious, each containing a king sized bed and single futons or day beds for the remaining guests.
Each yurt has a sky light which fills the yurt with natural light during the day. At night solar powered fairy lights come on automatically which provide just enough light to see what you’re doing. There are additional lanterns provided too. It is magical to be under twinkling fairy lights at night. I would however recommend, bringing a torch or lantern for extra light. Particularly useful if you need to make a trip to the toilet during the night!
A wonderful touch are the baskets of colourful ponchos available in each yurt to keep you toasty and warm while you enjoy your evening meal or sit around the campfire.
Outside you can relax on your own decking and marvel at the wonderful views during the day and the star-lit say at night.
KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS
Yurt 1 is the most private of the yurts, with its own mini kitchen, complete with fridge and freezer, microwave, kettle, oven, pots and pans, and cutlery and crockery.
The other yurts (numberers 2-5) have a large communal outdoor kitchen (although completely protected from the weather), fully equipped with all that you might need. There are two ovens, two hobs, freezer, microwave, dishwasher and coffee maker. Each yurt has its own fridge so you don’t need to worry about your food getting muddled up with someone else’s! There is a small herb garden just beside the kitchen, which you are free to pick and use in your cooking. The resident hens also lay eggs, so eggs are always available. An under cover seating area can also be found here with picnic style tables and benches.
There is also a BBQ area, complete with wood burning pizza oven and an outdoor eating area, perfect for a large family meal or get together. The custom built communal campfire makes a wonderful place to sit around in an evening and toast marshmallows. Just don’t forget the marshmallows….
There is also a badminton net and boules pitch, as well as a large grassy area for kicking a ball around.
THE LAKE HOUSE
If glamping isn’t for you then Hidden Valley Yurts have just finished their Lake House, a splendid property, perfect for self catering. This two bedroom, two bathroom property, with kitchen, can sleep up to six, in an idyllic location, right next to a lake. Set apart from the yurts this property promises complete peace and tranquility, enabling a back to nature stay without leaving modern conveniences behind.
The Lake House is beautifully furnished with custom made, top of the range fittings. Amenities include a television and WIFI. Outside is a huge verandah, perfect for sitting and whiling away the time in front of your own private lake. It comes complete with a BBQ for outdoor dining, and sun loungers.
The Lake House is available year round.
EXPLORING…
Hidden Valley Yurts and Lake House are located on 80 acres, so there’s plenty to explore. Wander through the ancient woodland, through fields of cows and sheep, or across wildflower meadows.
Children (and adults alike) are in their element, getting back to nature without the distractions of technology. Opportunities abound: building dens in the forest areas, playing hide and seek amongst the trees, splashing in the stream, meeting the farm animals and collecting the daily eggs.
For more to do in the area check out this post: 5 Things To Do In the Forest of Dean with Kids.
TOP TIPS FOR VISITING HIDDEN VALLEY YURTS
Clothing – as this is an outdoor, back to nature experience it is advisable to have plenty of warm clothing. Wellies and walking boots are also needed to explore the woodlands, streams and fields. Waterproofs are a must, as for any outdoor experience in the UK. Flip flops are also helpful for using the bathrooms and toilets.
Bedding – it is advisable to bring your own duvets and pillows or sleeping bags. Although bedding can be rented there is a limited supply.
Bring a torch – needed to get around after dark as there are no street lights!
Phones and WIFI – there is phone signal at the site though it does depend on which network you are with. There is no WIFI which all helps with the back to nature experience. Pack a book and some games to enjoy instead.
Food – Stock up on food prior to arriving as there is plenty of storage space for all your goodies. A fridge (for each yurt) and freezer are provided in the communal kitchen. There are large supermarkets in Chepstow. Food orders can also be delivered direct to Hidden Valley Yurts.
HIDDEN VALLEY YURTS: MY VERDICT
I spent a wonderful few days at Hidden Valley Yurts and can’t wait to return with my boys. The combination of the beautiful yurts, quiet Welsh countryside location and the extremely well thought out facilities make it a winner for me.
If you enjoy camping and outdoor holidays and are looking for a five star experience or want to give glamping a go for the first time, Hidden Valley Yurts is the ideal place to book.
FOR MORE ON WALES READ:
Amazing Things To Do In Wales with Kids
How to Spend Three Days in Snowdonia With Kids
Hiking Snowdon with Kids: the Highest Mountain in Wales
Walking the Wales Coastal Path on the Gower Peninsula
Have you ever been glamping? What was your experience?
Disclosure: I received a free stay at Hidden Valley Yurts and Lake House in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed, are as always, my own.
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26 Comments.
This looks fantastic! We’ve only tried glamping once – in a horse box in Herfordshire, and this looks so much fun but with enough comfort and luxury to suit everyone in the family. Great area to explore too by the look of it. Thanks for sharing on #FarawayFiles
Like the sound of a horse box…how was it? Hidden Valley Yurts were fantastic. I’d always wanted to stay in a yurt and it lived up to my expectations. Definitely prefer glamping to camping.
My camping days have long been over, but I might be convinced to try clamping at some point! I think I like the idea of a communal kitchen, seems like a fun way to meet the other “clampers!” #farawayfiles
Glamping is definitely far easier then camping! Camping with home comforts.
I’ve just discovered some of these in the US from another post and they look so fun and cozy! I would love to do this and we really want to go to Wales, so we will have to save this! #CityTripping
Yurts are such fun and unique places to stay. The log burners keep everything warm and cosy. Definitely look them up if you come to Wales.
Wow, this looks amazing! I wouldn’t mind going there 🙂 #mondayescapes
Oh my goodness, yes, that’s my kind of camping!!!
The yurts are absolutely amazing, so warm and cosy. Definitely a glamping experience.
This looks lovely and I’d love to go back to Wales with my boys! We had our first glamping experience in Normandy earlier this year at a cabin in the woods – me and my boys absolutely loved, my other half still needs to be convinced. So I reckon we should try the Mongolian yurts soon!
I would definitely give the yurts a try. Such a unique, family friendly experience and in the beautiful Welsh countryside.
We went camping over half term and I’m still in the process of unpacking and cleaning. The idea of glamping with all the leg work taken care of has never felt more appealing than it does right now! The yurts look so well equipped and cosy and the surrounding countryside looks beautiful. Thanks for linking up with #FamilyFriendlyStays.
Totally empathise, certainly been there…hopr you don’t have a wet tent to dry out and clean?! The yurts were fantastic, definitely recommend.
Looks like a lovely area and the benefit of glamping is that you don’t have to lug all that camping gear with you.
Agree…much less work than going camping!
This sounds absolutely heavenly! I love how they have embraced a back-to-nature feel and the yurts look wonderfully cosy. Thanks for linking up to #fearlessfamtrav
I would definitely recommend staying in a yurt. Perfect with kids.
Aah, no wifi and a poor phone signal – lovely! It’s nice to get some peace and quiet sometimes. And I love the look of the communal kitchen. #FamilyFriendlyStays
Real break from electronics. Communal kitchen was great for meeting and chatting to other people staying. All very sociable.
This looks lovely!! Definitely putting on my list of future places to stay #familyfriendlystays
Would definitely recommend a visit. My first yurt and definitely won’t be my last. Loved it.
What a beautiful place to stay! I loved out yurt experience last winter and these looks just as lovely – proof that camping doesn’t have to be a wet or uncomfortable experience in the UK! #MondayEscapes
It was your yurt stay in Devon that made me want to stay in a yurt, so thank you. Glamping is definitely the way forward.
Oh wow this looks amazing, I have never camped but this could convince me, thanks so much for linking up #MondayEscapes x
Try glamping – its a definite step up from camping.
This sounds very luxurious, cosy and relaxing and I’m sure that your kids would enjoy staying there too.