Brilliant bunkhouses in Wales

Treks Bunkhouse commands vast views across the Moelwyn mountains and it's ideal for thrill seekers. It's slap bang in the middle of Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, so there's world class hiking on the doorstep for starters. But mountain bikers will also love the hair raising descents at Antur Stiniog a 10-minute drive away and adrenaline junkies will be thrilled by the crazy zipwires, nets and traverses at nearby Zip World Llechwedd. Treks sleeps up to 13 over five rooms, including single, one-person room with wide, wheelchair-accessible areas. There's a pub a ten minute walk away too.

If you want it all done for you Arete Outdoor Centre ticks all the boxes. It's a fully fledged outdoor activity centre with bunk rooms sleeping from two to 10, with over 100 beds. There are organised activities of all sorts: climbing, caving, coasteering, scrambling and canoeing with all the gear provided. As it's such a big set up, you're bound to meet other people and if you don't want to cook they can cater too. 

The epic castle town of Caernarfon is around ten minutes in one direction, mighty Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) ten minutes or so in the other.

Platts Farm family-run camp site and bunkhouse is nicely located for exploring our lovely north coast and The North Wales Way. It's within easy striking distance of sandy beaches, the castle town of Conwy and the historic isle of Anglesey. The village pubs and shops of Llanfairfechan are five minutes away on foot. The bunkhouse is a converted farm building with two snug five-person rooms upstairs and a well equipped kitchen and diner below. Want to blow away the cobwebs? Try a high speed RIB boat ride through the Menai strait at the nearby Plas Menai Outdoor Centre!

Hidden away in a secret cove on the Wales Coast Path in Ceredigion, Tŷ Cwch is a funky bunkhouse comprised of three cool sleeping pods. Each has huge bi-fold doors that open to give unrestricted views of the golden sandy beach. It's glamping meets bunkhouse and we think it's great! Along with the fully fitted kitchen and comfy sitting room there's naturally WiFi and a beer fridge! But it's the beach that people come for - kayaking, swimming and surfing are all on offer. If you're lucky you may even see seals!

Perfectly located for exploring the rolling hills and hidden waterfalls of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park, Penstar's bunkhouse is a converted historic barn. You can still see the centuries-old wooden beams, but it's cosy and comfortable and sleeps up to 20 in two, six and 12-birth rooms. Some have disabled access as well. You're in the midst of pristine nature here on a working farm with the long distance Taff Trail right outside.

The Lodge was purpose built as a base for the many outdoor activities in the Cambrian Mountains, where you can go mountain biking, sailing, fishing and walking. It is a brilliant Dark Sky location with fabulous mountain views from the communal lounge. The mountain chalet style lodge accommodates 35-40 guests in a variety of rooms, including two suitable for people with mobility issues. It can be booked out whole, or you can stay on a bed and breakfast basis. There's a flexible studio space for group activities, a bike workshop and it's dog friendly as well.

Stay here and you'll be doing you bit for the local community. The Rhossili Bunkhouse is run by locals for the benefit of their village. Occasionally there's a social event in the adjoining hall - so you can even get to know them. You're literally a five minute walk from one of the UK's best beaches here. Rhossili regularly tops the polls. It's a vast expanse of perfect sand which has featured in lots of films and TV ads (including ours!). The waves are regular and the sand slopes gently so it's ideal for learning to surf.

You're right on the farm here. The Rees family have some 3000 sheep roaming these green and pleasant hillsides. But they've also converted two of their old stone barns into bunkhouses. Coed Owen sleeps up to 25, whilst smaller Ysgubor Bach sleeps 10. Both have well equipped kitchens and comfy dorm rooms. But the real draw is the location. You can step outside straight into the spectacular surrounds of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park. Best walk of the lot? The three hour yomp up Pen y Fan, the highest mountain in South Wales.

There's a story to this place. Tyle Morgrug was originally an abandoned farm. A team of hard working volunteers from a youth charity have worked hard to renovate it over several decades. The result is a great base for outdoor adventures for people of all ages. It's been a real labour of love, but now there's a cosy cottage with log burning stove and an adjacent bunkhouse that sleeps up to 16. Here too you have the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) outside the window. So pull on your walking boots and get out there!