If you need to escape the pressures of everyday life, step away from your devices, and step into nature. Camping can be a great way to do this, living minimally and fully embracing life outdoors.
However, if living without modern amenities isn’t quite to your taste you may find a glamping holiday a little more relaxing. Across the country, people are repurposing spaces or creating new ones to provide luxury holiday accommodation that perfectly balances comfort and nature.
We’ve found some of the best outdoor spaces in Wales that can help you unwind and reconnect with your roots. Each of these unique properties have been impeccably designed and accentuated with our high-quality ironmongery. Aside from being incredibly practical and hardwearing, our unique designs and finishes add an abundance of character and fit flawlessly into these authentic, quirky spaces.
Here we invite you to explore some wonderful outdoor areas that truly make the most of their outdoor spaces, including Squirrels Nest, Hobbit Homes, By the Wye, and Shepherd’s Huts.
Squirrels Nest
Squirrels Nest is a hand-crafted, family-run hideaway situated in the heart of Wales. The owners, John & Laura, run this contemporary glamping retreat atop a 900-acre hillside called Maelinaidd, in the company of a herd of sheep who graze on the surrounding farmland. Squirrels Nest consists of three magical treehouses which each boast a delightful open plan living space designed with care and creativity.
John and Laura built this retreat with sustainability and luxury in mind, using locally sourced wood for the bulk of the build. When it came to finishing details, the couple prioritised high-quality and durability, and decided to use From The Anvil ironmongery throughout the property.
In the kitchen area, they opted for our decorative Regency Concealed Drawer Pulls as seen below. Their curved shape is not only ergonomic but also incredibly stylish, particularly in this sophisticated Pewter finish which contrasts stunningly against the matt grey cupboards.
To further elevate the design, the couple matched their Pewter cabinet pulls with Avon Lever Door Handles and bolts on the exterior doors, and Pewter Patina Penny T Hinges & Bean Thumblatch on the interior doors. The cohesion of these products creates a sense of harmonisation which flows effortlessly through the property. Such thorough attention to detail exudes grandeur and the same level of care is achieved by our blacksmiths who hand-craft all our From The Anvil ironmongery.
For consistency in the design, the owners coordinated their Pewter accessories with our Curved Shelf Brackets and Hat & Coat Hooks in Natural Smooth finishes. This combination works well because of the subtle yet ever-present differences between the textures and overall sheen of the finishes, both of which blend seamlessly with the space’s natural woodwork. By cleverly selecting their ironmongery, the couple have created a spectacular space which offers a modern living experience.
To book your own treetop getaway, or see more images like this, visit Squirrels Nest online!
Hobbit Homes
These enchanting Hobbit Homes are the epitome of a hidden gem. Nestled in the heart of Wales just outside of Rhayader, this delightful cluster of homes is just a short distance from the beautiful Elan Valley.
Built from recycled plastic, each cylindrical structure is covered with turf and fitted with timber doors and windows to create a quaint, subterranean den. For the finishing touch, these family-run lodgings have been furnished with From The Anvil ironmongery sure to last throughout the ages.
Before stepping inside, it’s easy to confuse Mid-Wales with Middle Earth, but the impeccably designed open plan living space offers luxuries you’d only find in the modern day. This property boasts a variety of well-chosen ironmongery which elevates the space, including our Arrowhead T Hinges used to accessorise the natural ledge and brace doors in the bedrooms. These hinges have been chosen in a Pewter Patina finish forged from a sturdy base of steel suitable for both internal and external use with very low maintenance requirements.
To tie in with the hinges, the door was fitted with a Gothic Thumblatch in the same Pewter finish, giving an air of affluence and lustre. When contrasted against the panelling of these classic timber doors, the Pewter Patina adds a subtle, modern twist.
The charmingly round windows flood the property with natural light, making it feel deceptively bright and airy, but when it’s time to settle down in this tranquil, countryside den, simply draw the curtains and you’ll feel truly hidden away in the hills.
To reflect the property’s timeless aesthetic, the owners chose our From The Anvil Beeswax Curtain Pole adorned with our Beeswax Hammered Ball Finials. Our Beeswax range is the most authentic finish for steel and each product is dipped into hot beeswax after forging, allowing them to retain their rich colours ranging from blue to deep ochre. This combination looks fantastic hung against the exposed brick work found in these Hobbit Homes.
If you’d like to make your own visit to The Shire, visit Holidays Wales for your choice of Hobbit Huts!
By the Wye
By the Wye is an award-winning woodland camping accommodation run by a small family of adventurers in Hay on Wye. The owners have worked hard to create a space that combines the rustic eco-friendly practicalities of a campsite with the luxury of a boutique hotel.
Situated in four acres of woodland, this campsite is an idyllic retreat with five unique safari tents elevated above the forest floor. After designing the charming interior, the owners needed finishing touches which were aesthetically pleasing without compromising quality or durability. After doing their research, they decided to use From The Anvil products to enhance the spaces’ charming interiors.
Each open plan space has been lovingly designed in a warm, rustic style, making them the perfect place to relax and unwind. The contemporary wooden doors have been embellished using Penny End T Hinges from our Blacksmith range. These hinges are hammered into shape from mild steel using traditional anvil and fire production methods to provide an impressive sense of robustness and strength.
The T Hinges have been paired with our Cast Thumblatch Set in a matching Black finish which works well with the muted colour scheme and earthy tones within the property. The understated sheen of the Black ironmongery contrasts boldly with the unpainted timber and the manufacturing process of this finish gives it durable corrosion resistant properties suitable for both internal and external use. Our Black finish ties the whole room together and its dramatic juxtaposition against the light-coloured wood creates a striking focal point within the space.
To explore more of these glamping pods, or book your own trip, visit By the Wye online!
Shepherd’s Huts
Nestled in the heart of Bronllys, the Shepherd’s Huts are romantic glamping retreats ideal for a peaceful couple’s getaway. Situated in a private meadow are three enchanting huts called Dafad Du, Glöyn Byw, and Cwch Gwenyn.
Deceptively roomy, these small spaces have all the essentials for an enjoyable vacation and have been considerately designed to maximise aesthetics and comfort. From The Anvil ironmongery has been deliberately used throughout the properties to reflect these values.
Dafad Du
Dafad Du, meaning black sheep in Welsh, has been fully equipped with From The Anvil ironmongery. Keeping in line with its theme, this delightful accommodation makes use of our Shepherd's Crook Window Stays and Fasteners whose intricate and unique shape is inspired by authentic shepherd’s crooks. This delicate design is only achievable through the skills of our master blacksmiths who hand forge each product from mild steel to provide unrivalled strength and durability.
The owners paired this stylish window furniture with our Regency Lever Lock Set, all in a matching Pewter finish. Against the rich wooden doors these Pewter products really stand out, proving that ironmongery can be both functional and elegant. The corresponding Pewter Patina Cabin Hooks used to hold the double doors open further demonstrate this point.
Inside the property our Celtic Single Robe Wall Hooks have been used ingeniously as cup storage to truly make the most of this small space, and have been coordinated with the Bean Pull Handle on the window shutter in a classic Black finish. Matching cabin hooks and bolts have also been fitted to the window frame as a practical solution to keep the shutter in place.
Cwch Gwenyn
Cwch Gwenyn, the Welsh name for “beehive”, is the second Shepherd’s Hut in Bronllys, whose name aptly reflects its incorporation of traditional Beeswax ironmongery.
Upon entering the property, you’re greeted by an inviting stable door which has been lovingly adorned with our Black Cottage Lever Lock Set, loved for its pleasing design and hardwearing qualities. The door has also been fitted with our Shepherd's Crook Universal Bolt to allow each half of the door to open and close individually, and the same bolt has been used on the windows to add a cosy, countryside feel to the space.
Cwch Gwenyn also makes use of the rest of our Shepherd’s Crook window furniture, including our window stays and fasteners, serving as a major focal point within each property. Our signature Beeswax finish is the ultimate choice for this setting and contrasts beautifully with the calm, neutral interior.
In the bathroom, the copper undertones of the slate walls are enhanced by the presence of our Beeswax cabinet furniture. As products from our Blacksmith range, the union of our Ringed Cabinet Knob and Butt Hinges is a winning combination, adding a stylish flair to the space. The intricate detailing of the Ringed Cabinet Knobs is simple, yet eye-catching and blends well with the modern stone tiling.
Glöyn Byw
Glöyn Byw translates to butterfly in English and is named after the various species found fluttering around the wildflower meadow.
The exterior door of the hut showcases our Straight Lever Lock Set in a traditional Black finish. Its angular shape is attractive and sleek and chosen to match the Black Hat & Coat Hooks and Forged Cabin Hooks fitted to the front of the hut.
Inside the property, the ironmongery has been selected in a matt Beeswax which is our most authentic finish for steel. Our range of Plain Drawer Pulls and Ringed Cabinet Knobs have been used to decorate the inventive storage solutions surrounding the bed. The ornate details on the surface of these fittings are suitable for both modern and traditional settings and work wonderfully in this property, highlighted by its pale green cabinetry.
Once again, the Shepherd's Crook collection of window furniture steals the limelight with its mesmerising curvature achieved through the unrivalled skills of our master blacksmiths.
Book your glamping holiday at Shepherd’s Huts with Black Mountain Bespoke Breaks here!
If you love the look of these places and would like to update your own outdoor space, explore our range of From The Anvil Ironmongery, or take a look at our Gallery for more information.
Email: info@fromtheanvil.co.uk
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