Our values
Our mission at Llyn Gwynant Campsite and Barns is “To help people enjoy a beautiful place while protecting it.” The campsite and farm here belongs to the granddaughter of Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, (the youngest daughter of his youngest daughter). He is best known now as the architect of Portmeirion but was also an early and tireless conservationist and protector of the countryside, campaigning to establish the Snowdonia National Park, even gifting land above the mountain wall here to the National Trust to help achieve this. We too believe people need to spend time in beautiful natural places and the campsite is based on values inherited from him and from his biologist daughter Charlotte. These are our values:
- Conservation of the natural environment is essential: we care for one of the loveliest places on earth and know other people love this place too. We also care for the plants and animals who share it. The woodlands here were once very dense and we wish to make them so again, with rewilding and re-forestation, see our Conservation page. Water quality is precious and is preserved by our advanced waste treatment plant. Energy for heating is from biomass boilers burning sustainable local wood chip.
- Preserving nature means not overdeveloping the site so artificial light is limited to ensure the dark skies are preserved; built facilities are limited to the entrance; camping fields are separated from vehicles and are not divided into pitches so reverts to green fields and woodland when no-one is here; radios and sound systems are banned.
- Great staff who love this place are essential to campers’ enjoyment, and our team include many who have been here for years. We have long been accredited by the Real Living Wage foundation and believe minimum wages have no place in hospitality.
- We support the local community, paying business rates and using local suppliers and selling local produce in our shop.
- Real art made by real artists matters. Hand painted natural history tiles celebrate the wildlife here and Merlin’s story in the barns, where there is also a marvelous commissioned wooden bench, and stained glass window.
- Knowing history helps the present so the social and farming history of this valley matters and ancient stories of Wales also resonate here while the geological history is evident in the landscape all around. Nantgwynant, a bilingual history written by a local historian is sold on site.
- Helping people throughout the world who lack the opportunities we take for granted is also important to us. Regular fundraising has taken place over many years here for the International Red Cross, and this charity along with others is supported every year.