Slow Stays | Fforest, Wales
Long languid days, walks through the woods serenaded by bird song, long swims in the river, golden hour drinks overlooking the meadows, the Strawberry moon rising behind a towering oak tree, the scent of flowers filling the air, finishing the day huddled around a crackling fire. I only spent two nights at Fforest, but I found myself wishing I could move in and make this my every day.
This wasn’t my first stay at Fforest (I visited back in 2017 for a retreat) but it was my first time staying there with my partner and I was delighted that it was just as magical as I remembered. The ancient stone pub beckoning us inside with its flickering candle light and impressive drinks selection. The deck below the main hub, lined with Adirondack chairs perfectly positioned for watching the sunset. The winding path through the woods that leads you to the most idyllic spot for swimming in in the Teifi River. Every little corner feels special and carefully considered, blending seamlessly with the neighbouring nature reserve.
We stayed in one of the three Garden Shacs, which are located up at the top of the site, close to the farmhouse. Nestled in their own private garden, brimming with large planters full of flowers, vegetables and herbs, the Garden Shacs were as if I had dreamed up my own perfect place to stay. Indoors, we chose one of the three bedrooms to nestle down in for the night, admiring the wooden walls and cosy Welsh blankets draped over the beds. But it was outside that we spent most of our time, lounging on the corner sofa, preparing meals in the kitchen and dining up to the table. I felt right at home here, spending hours just wandering among the plants, breathing in their fragrance and admiring the planting.
During the days, we took trips out to Cardigan and nearby beaches (I’ll share more in my next blog post) but wanting to make the most of our time there, we spent the majority of our time on site. Walks through the woods for evening swims in the river were the highlight of each day. The water was deep and clear, perfect for long swims or just floating on your back, taking in the scenery and listening to the birds. One evening, post-swim, we booked a slot in the barrel sauna, stoking the fire while sipping wine on the deck, before creeping inside to relax.
It’s hard to describe Fforest to someone who hasn’t come across it before. “Is it like a cool Centre Parcs?” one friend asked me, while others wondered how it differentiated itself from a ‘normal’ campsite. I would describe it as a rural retreat, surrounded by woodland and meadows, where you can choose between a wide range of cabins, shacks, domes, lofts and bell tents to sleep in. There is an emphasis on getting close to nature and slowing down, with most accommodations having their living spaces outdoors, allowing you to cook, eat and lounge in the fresh air. Communal spaces on site include Fforest’s own pub, the barn where breakfast is served and a large choice of places to sit and relax and stoke a fire. It’s a place for people who love the outdoors and have a creative eye. We came away bursting with ideas for how we could transform our own garden, as well as an urge to immediately book a repeat trip.
