the Campsite
The site is easily accessed from the main, A470, road and is all on level ground. With the sound of the stream in the next field and expansive views of hills and fields, it is a very relaxing place to stay. The site only has a ‘Ty Bach: Chemical Toilet with wash basin and cold running water’, chemical waste and recycling point and a drinking water tap. You can have a BBQ or, weather permitting, a campfire using one of our fire pits and logs. We are generally pretty relaxed, all we ask is that you respect everyone else on the site and our neighbours. The ‘house’ rules are only there for your safety as it is a working farm. You may also like to know that there is bus stop, about half a mile away, if you want to leave your campervan on site. Its quite possible to head to the coast or visit the local towns of Rhayader and Llandrindod Wells. From Llandrindod Wells you can catch a train on the Heart of Wales line if you want to use the campsite as a base for travel further afield.
the Farm
James and Liz came to live at Doliago in 1984. The farm had been in the family since the 1970’s when James’ parents, Billy and Jean, bought it from relations. We farm in a partnership with James’ brother, Owain and our sons, John and Bleddyn. Tom, the second of 3 sons, is a furniture designer. He uses one of the buildings at Doliago to make contemporary commissioned pieces from sustainably sourced British hardwoods. The furniture is designed and made by hand using a combination of traditional and modern techniques. http://www.tom-pugh-bespoke-furniture.co.uk We consider ourselves very lucky to be living in such a spectacular part of Wales.
The Cambrian Mountains is almost Wales’ best kept secret. Doliago is one of our two farms. The other, Parc Farm, is on the other side of Rhayader, close to the mountain road to Aberystwyth and the Elan Valley. As with Doliago, our sheep spend a large part of the year grazing on the open hill following the traditions that have been handed down from generation to generation.
We also keep cattle. The cows have their calves in the spring. So March and April are pretty hectic because we are also lambing. It’s great if the weather’s good, like it was this year. By the beginning of July the sheep are ready shear and we take it turn with our neighbours to gather the hill. After shearing is finished we hope that the weather will be good so that we can get the harvest out of the way before the Royal Welsh Show. We’re lucky that we don’t have to travel far, it’s only 7 miles away. September is a lovely time of the year its starting to be a bit more relaxed and by October we will dipping the sheep. The sheep are still out on the hill so we gather again and the ewes will stay in the fields with the rams. The cattle are housed in the sheds. It’s beautiful time of year as the colours change and the landscape takes on a new look as autumn turns into winter.