Camping in Newtown

Camping around Newtown means making the most of the Severn Valley's gentle hills, riverside meadows and the quiet towpath of the Montgomery Canal, rather than the dramatic coastal pitches found elsewhere in Wales. As everywhere in Wales, wild camping is not a legal right and pitching up on open land, riverbanks or common ground requires the explicit permission of the landowner; campers should stick to established campsites and caravan parks, of which there are several dotted around Newtown and the neighbouring villages, offering both touring pitches and tent camping.

The terrain here is markedly gentler than the mountains of Snowdonia or the Brecon Beacons further south, making it well suited to family camping, canal-side dog walks and easy cycling rather than serious hillwalking, though the Cambrian Mountains and the source of the River Severn on the slopes of Pumlumon are within a manageable drive for those wanting wilder scenery. Sites along the Severn Valley often make a feature of river or countryside views, and several welcome caravans and motorhomes as well as tents.

Late spring through to early autumn is the most comfortable window for camping in this part of mid-Wales, when the ground has dried out after the winter rains and the valley's farmland and woodland are at their greenest; midweek and shoulder-season visits are typically quieter than peak summer school holidays. For those who prefer a roof over their heads without giving up the outdoor setting, a growing number of glamping options in the area, including shepherd's huts, pods and safari tents, offer a more comfortable alternative to a traditional tent while keeping the same rural, riverside surroundings that make camping near Newtown appealing.