Fforest Fields nr Builth Wells, Powys

[deskjetian]

If you're looking for a well orgainsed and well run site in a quiet country location then have a look at Fforest Fields.
We recently stayed there and found it excellent. Lots of walks, a lake with canoes that are free to use plus fishing . Check out the web site....
Fforest Fields - Welcome to Fforest Fields

[Mabels Old Man]

The XRV forum had a meet there a few weekends ago. Really good place

[Jenna]

widely used by both the the Baja GB and Rally Wales speccies/competitors.

never heard any complaints about it.. pub at Hundred House is nice too, it was the home for the Rally GB reccie crews many years back.

[deskjetian]

The XRV forum had a meet there a few weekends ago. Really good place

Oh no, how did I miss that? If xrv go there again I'll like to tag along on.

[Mabels Old Man]

Oh no, how did I miss that? If xrv go there again I'll like to tag along on.

Keep your eyes on the XRV calendar and ride out forums. Next one in February

[DaveS]

This looks a great site and will be on our list.

[TWIN BURNER]

One of my favourite site Katie and george who own and run the site are fantastic, Next XRV meet there will be the kids weekend at the end of July.

[Former Scout]

This is also one of my vary favourite campsites. It has been a couple of years since my last visit to Fforest Fields, but if you have not already been to this campsite then do take the time to find out about it.

Fforest Fields is in a beautiful location. In fact we felt that our holiday had started even during the drive to the campsite, the scenery was so lovely (we drove southwards along the A481). The site is nestled at the foot of hills and there is a delightful perspective, especially from the large field. In the sunshine it is little short of glorious.

There are several walks available in the locality, of varying degrees of difficulty, and the site is far enough away from what is not a busy road to prevent the outside world from intruding on the tranquillity. Should you wish to wander off site there are some small towns and tourist attractions a relatively short drive away.

The other factor that makes this site special is the owners, George and Katie. Their emails to you are warm and personal not perfunctory; no deposit is demanded when you book; you are simply asked to advise them of any change in plans; unlike some sites you are not asked to pay up as soon as you arrive nor are you hassled about it once you are set up (I put my cheque in the honesty box on the morning we were leaving).

There is a fridge and a freezer available for campers to use and photocopied maps of local walks, all free of charge; there are some basic provisions (local eggs, bacon and bread and milk) available which you pay for via the honesty box. There is a washing up room with hot water and there are washing machines and tumble dryers available for a nominal fee, again payable via the honesty box). Out side the washing up area is a large map of the area and weather reports are posted daily. There are also recycling units alongside the waste bins.

Bottled gas canisters can be bought/exchanged and, for a small fee, you can rent television aerials (proceeds to Air Ambulance). Fire Pits are also available to rent on a first-come-first-served basis. Alternatively you can bring your own and there is plenty of wood available on the farm site for you to collect to burn.

All in all, the site has a lovely, friendly atmosphere; a sense that you are visiting friends rather than entering a financial transaction for goods received.

The campsite is divided into two sections. The first is a carefully though naturalistically landscaped area with ponds, streams and hedges which provides an environment for a healthy variety of wildlife; our children thoroughly enjoyed tadpole fishing and also caught a newt. All ponds are shallow thus allowing children to paddle safely and any of the streams that may flow quickly when the rains fall are fenced or hedged off. All this means that parents can feel reassured in allowing their children to go off and play. In this part of the site the pitches are numbered/signed but not individually bordered. Because of the careful landscaping you could be a few yards from another and yet not feel that your space was being intruded upon. The second section of the campsite is a large-ish open field that lends itself to ball games, etc. The pitches are not marked out on this field and so there is more opportunity to spread out.

The owners have built/dug/constructed two lakes. The largest lake, Long Lake, I believe has Brown Trout for those who like to fish. I believe that there are a number of kayaks that can be borrowed for a row across the lake or you use your own inflatable. There is a small jetty and many benches around the lake to sit and enjoy the view. The second lake, Round Lake, has a number of cascades and has been stocked for Course Fishing.

There is an abundance of flora and fauna. As well as the sheep and lambs there are Red Kites and many other birds, squirrels, rabbits, and so on. In the spring, birds nest in the eaves of the washroom area.

Apparently there is a pub about 10 minutes away but as you need to go over fields or along road with no footpath you will need to take a torch.

It would only be fair to point out one or two negatives.

The toilet/shower block, though clean, functional and free is looking a little tired and, I suspect, insufficient for the size to which the campsite has grown especially at the busiest times. To be fair, however, George and Katie acknowledge this and have received planning permission for new facilities which, in keeping with their ethos for this site, will further extend the site's ecological and environmentally-friendly credentials.

Also, we experienced an inch or two of standing water in certain areas (in particular the lower areas of the large field). Admittedly, this was after several days and nights of rain when the ground was probably saturated and the water did drain away within a few hours after the rain had stopped. (We all remember how wet recent summers have been!!) In reaction to this there are now available a number of all-weather pitches.

Finally, at its busiest over the Bank Holiday I felt that some units had to pitch a little too close together for my liking. By Sunday afternoon and especially Monday, however, the distance between units became much more comfortable, especially on the large field which was, frankly, very spacious.

Fforest Fields is an excellent site in many ways, thoroughly deserving the praise heaped on it by those who go, and we hope to return in the near future. In pretty much every respect it is everything that I look for in a family campsite: it is in a natural, quiet, tranquil setting with no intrusion from the outside world; there are the basic, necessary facilities of toilets, showers and washing up; there is no club house, playground or the like and yet there is plenty for the kids to do within a safe environment; finally, the owners clearly enjoy and take a pride in what they do.

Very Strongly recommended.