To say that The Canvas Hamlet Anglesey provides visitors with a luxury glamping experience is something of an understatement. A mile from the beach, on the estate of Carreglwyd House, a Grade II-listed Georgian building constructed in 1634, this Canvas Hamlet site is a rarity. Though entirely temporary and around for just a couple of months this summer, the place is, as the name suggests, a veritable settlement of under-canvas dwellings and amenities, with comfortable bell tent accommodation, a floating restaurant and more activities than a small town might have, let alone a tiny hamlet.
Just over 50 different bell tents make up the accommodation offering, each kitted out with memory foam mattresses, carpets, a mirror and warm fairy and battery-powered lighting. Some are designed for couples, while the family bells are suited for four, with space for a fifth child to stay for free if you don't mind bringing your own bedding (and choosing who has to sleep on the floor). Guests don't have private bathroom facilities but you're certainly still well supplied – there’s a luxury shower for every five tents, along with eco loos dotted around and you can hire a hot tub by the hour if you want some extra luxury. There’s even a dedicated pamper tent with mirrors, hair straighteners and dryers for those who want to fix themselves up before a night out on the hamlet.
The floating restaurant is certainly one of the most stand-out features, on the edge of the estate's small lake, with a wooden platform that sticks out into the water and houses tables under tipis. If it's busy or you're looking for a quicker fix, a couple of street-food-style vendors also visit the site, so you might find stone-baked pizzas one evening or the truck serving authentic Mexican tacos the next. And, if you genuinely want a night out, there's a silent disco on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, giving the place an almost-festival feel. In fact, with all the activities, including axe-throwing, den building, bushcraft and yoga, a stay here is a very credible alternative to visiting a family festival. Albeit a festival that still doesn't disturb those who prefer a good nights sleep and a quiet day out on the coast.
Near the most northerly point in Wales, it's just a mile from the Canvas Hamlet to the beach (a 20-minute walk if you follow the nearest footpath). Dunes give way to the pebbles of Porth Trwyn, overlooked by little more than a couple of small cottages, and, when the tide's out, there are rocky areas and pools where you can hunt for crabs. Head a little further up the coastal path, meanwhile, or hop in the car, and Church Bay Beach is also on the doorstep, with a café a hundred yards or so from the waters edge and tables across the road that overlook the sea. It's just one of numerous little bays and inlets that shape the rugged Anglesey coastline, usually backed by a couple of white-washed cottages or a cute hamlet of the not-so-canvas kind.
Bookable on-site activities include tree climbing, axe throwing, bushcraft, and a giant catapult war (available Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday), while the Explorer Trailer can be booked on Wednesday and Saturday. Off-site activities including coasteering with Anglesey Adventures (07896 239951), rock climbing with Anglesey Activities (01407 769 351), and surfing with Gecko Surf (01407 811247), both of which are a 20-minute drive away. The nearest beaches are the secluded Porth Trwyn, which is a 20-minute walk or five-minute drive, or Porth Crugmor and Porth Swtan (also known as Church Bay), which is a 25-minute walk or five-ish minutes in the car. It takes around 20 minutes to walk the footpath from the estate to the coastal path, which then follows the entire perimeter of Anglesey – a great way of finding quieter coves and seaside picnic spots.
Two alternating street food vendors work on-site, including a pizza vendor and a taco vendor. The site's own floating restaurant is set to debut this year too, with part of the restaurant on the lake shore but the dining area floating out on the water. For eating elsewhere, Church Bay Inn (01407 730 867) provides alcohol with a sea view and is a 10-minute drive. The Wavecrest Cafe (01407 730 650) provides locally sourced food and is just a few hundred yards back from Church Bay beach.