9 places you can stay in complete peace for free but there's no water or power

If you're looking for a break from the noises, stresses and burdens of everyday life, this is about as far away from it all as you can get.

Dotted around Wales in rural and remote locations are a handful of isolated shelters, called bothies. But before we go any further, it’s worth pointing out that if you’re looking for a holiday home these are not the best place for you.

It’s closer to camping - but without a tent. When visiting a bothy, it’s important to assume that there will be no facilities whatsoever. That means no tap, no sink, no bed, no lights and, even if there is a fireplace, perhaps nothing to burn. And because there is no booking service, there is no way to know in advance if someone else is already using it so you may turn up to a full house.

What's more, few bothies have toilets so you’ll have to walk at least a couple of hundred metres from the bothy and 60 metres from the water supply with your spade and dig a hole in the ground.

Arenig Fawr

The bothy in Eryri sleeps a maximum of three people, has no fuel on site and doesn’t allow any dogs. It is around a 2.5-hour walk from Llyn Celyn. There are no readily identifiable footpaths but the route is marked by an old boundary fence.

Dulyn

Llyn Dulyn, or Black Lake, is on the edge of the Carneddau range in Eryri The steep approach can be difficult in winter.

Grwyne Fawr

This small bothy is in Bannau Brycheiniog, roughly halfway between Hay-on-Wye and Crickhowell and by the Grwyne Fawr reservoir. It is very remote, very small and sleeps a maximum of three people.

Moel Prysgau

This bothy is a former shepherd's dwelling in forestry that was re-roofed not too long ago. It has several sleeping platforms and a wood burning stove. Vehicles should not be taken to the bothy or the surrounding forestry roads. Also, the bridge over the stream shown in the picture no longer exists.

Nant Rhys

Another former shepherd dwelling, this bothy has an open downstairs but a closed upstairs. it has a multi-fuel stove and sleeping platform but no vehicle access and you should not light any fires outside. It's in a remote spot between Llanidloes and Aberystwyth.

Nant Syddion

This bothy is in roughly the same area as Nant Rhys above, another former shepherd's dwelling with sheep grazing locally. There is a multi-fuel stove but dogs must be kept strictly under control and there is no vehicle access.

Penrhos Isaf

This is an old farmhouse with a long history in the middle of a beautiful forest in Eryri, not far north of Dolgellau. As a result, there is a fire risk to the surrounding forest and no fires are to be lit outside. The bothy is equipped with a stove. Users are told to respect the privacy of a nearby smallholder and keep dogs on lead.

Lluest Cwm Bach

This bothy is near the Craig Goch Reservoir a few miles north-east of Rhayader. It's a former shepherd's hut which was restored in 2013. There is no local fuel source, so be sure to bring some along.

Cae Amos

Cae Amos is a former hill farm which has since been occupied as a climbing club hut for around 50 years. The upstairs is closed off until at least spring 2024 because of a need to replace the entire upstairs flooring due to woodworm. This significantly limits the space for accommodation. There is no vehicle access and most approaches have a strong likelihood of you ending up with wet feet. In fact, approach it in the dark and you could end up in a bog so be careful. The surrounding land is active sheep pasture and dogs should be kept strictly under control at all times. There is no fuel supply locally but there is a multi-fuel stove.

What might I need for one of these trips?

Start with all the equipment you would take when camping, minus the tent: sleeping bag, first aid kit, stove with fuel, matches, food, potholders, can/bottle opener, cups, toilet roll, clothes, shoes, warm coat, rain coat, toiletries, towel, torch, penknife, maps, batteries.

For more information visit: http://www.mountainbothies.org.uk/index.asp