If you’re toying with the idea of trying ‘wild camping’ in the new year – but you’d still like to have some creature comforts available if you need them – I reckon you’d love a bit of Digs in the Wig.
This eco-friendly, luxury campsite is set in an ancient Welsh woodland in the heart of Pembrokeshire, and it’s all within easy reach of stunning beaches and national parks.
What is Wild Camping?
Wild camping involves setting up camp (outside of a managed campsite or caravan park) and sleeping in your own tent, out in the wilderness. It’s a way of experiencing the outdoors that has become even more popularised by aspirational instagram accounts like @wildcampinguk.
However, in the majority of England, Wales and Northern Ireland, campers have no legal rights, so it’s vitally important to check what’s allowed before you set up camp, or get the landowner’s permission. You can’t simply pitch up a tent wherever you fancy.
For this reason, many people opt for a ‘wild camping’ experience at a managed camping site – as close as you can get to going ‘off grid’ without actually doing it.
One of the best sites I have found for this is Digs in the Wig in rural Pembrokeshire.
‘Wild-ish’ camping at Digs in the Wig
The site is made up of only five pitches set amongst 25 acres of woodland which run along the perimeter of a Pembrokeshire family farm. Nestled in the heart of the county, the farm sits in the shadow of the Preseli Hills, with the beautiful Pembrokeshire coastline just a short drive away. It’s also a Greener Camping Club site, part of a network of camp sites that genuinely care about sustainability and the environment.
Each pitch at Digs in the Wig comes with its own fire pit and a provision of fire wood, as well as a covered outdoor kitchen / dining area (essentially an open-sided shed) with a drinking water tap and a gas hob. You also get your own eco-friendly compost loo – simply do your business, then cover with a scoop of fresh sawdust to absorb odours and moisture.
Something most of us worry about when planning a camping trip, is how we’ll stay clean. Here, there are three, solar-powered hot showers in little wooden pods, which are shared between everyone on the site.
Into the Wild
The best thing about this site, without a doubt, is that you really feel like you’ve got your own little camp in the wilderness, away from everyone and everything. The tawny owl we spotted in the trees at dusk was the absolute highlight for us; I wasn’t even bothered by the hooting that kept us up at night, it was a privilege to listen to him.
And by an absolute fluke, we also managed to book (arguably) the best pitch on the site, called ‘treetops’. The pitch size is 7 x 6m, split over two levels, and far as I can tell, it’s the only one with its own rope swing!
Pricing & info
- One pitch at costs £250 for the week (up to 5 people). Extra adults cost £10 per night.
- There is a minimum 2 night stay; it’s £40 per night for each pitch. We stayed for two nights, which was lovely.
- There is a minimum 4 night stay in school holidays.
Digs in the Wig is located at Parc yr Eithin, New Moat, Clarbeston Road, Pembrokeshire SA63 4RJ.
The nearest village, Maenclochog, is two miles away, where you’ll find a newsagents, a café and a petrol station. The nearest train station is Clarbeston Road, 3 miles away.
To find out more, visit: https://www.digsinthewig.co.uk.
How to be a responsible wild camper
It’s important to create a minimal impact when camping in the wild, whether on a managed site or not. You should aim to leave the site in such a way that no-one could tell you’d ever been there. Some key things to remember:
- Ensure you collect all of your rubbish and take it with you.
- Leave the site as you found it – don’t leave holes, fire damage, or litter, and take care not to damage vegetation.
- Many sites don’t allow fires, so do your research. Don’t burn things that will leave a mess or create toxic smoke.
- Keep group numbers small. This will minimise the impact on surrounding wildlife, which you can also do by reducing noise and light wherever possible.
Finally, if you’re looking for a simple dish for your next camping trip, here’s my spicy campfire harissa chicken recipe:
For more ‘wild-ish’ camping inspiration, check out this book: Almost Wild Camping: 50 off-grid-style campsites in some of Britain’s wildest locations.
