A Pembrokeshire campsite has benefitted from a £205,000 loan to help buy and develop it as an eco-friendly site offering quality camping at affordable prices.

Grassroots Caravan and Glamping opened this summer at Waterston near Milford Haven thanks to a loan from the dedicated Wales Tourism Investment Fund administered by the Development Bank of Wales.

The 4.2-acre site , a mix of hard-standing and grass pitches with on-site facilities, has been bought by outdoor lovers Chloe and Neal Priestley and their five children.

“We’re keen travellers and love to explore the world but have realised over the years how beautiful our home county is and what is has to offer,” said the couple who are born and bred in Pembrokeshire, and keen campers.

“We decided that in 2023 we wanted to take on a new challenge and give Pembrokeshire a brand-new camping experience,” they said.

Milford Mercury: Grass roots Caravan and glamping also hires out luxury bell tents.

When the couple met Neal was living off grid on 30 acres of land, something he was always passionate about.

After a year in a modern town house the couple realised that they needed the outdoor space and freedom that Neal’s previous lifestyle afforded.

Neal has been a postman in Pembrokeshire for over 30 years and Chloe currently works for the NHS.

“We have both always strived for more and what better way than to start a business we are both passionate about, something we have great passion for, camping,” they said.

 

“One day we came across this beautiful barn conversion with acres of land. It was already a campsite but needed a lot of work.

“It was a long eight months of solid graft to get our dream across the line but with the help of the Development Bank, we have finally done it.

“Our mission for this campsite is to make sure that visitors of all ages have an affordable stay with us and enjoy our surrounding countryside.”

Other projects in Pembrokeshire that have benefited from Development Bank of Wales loans include Tenby Golf Club and The Rising Sun Inn and Pelcomb Bridge Holiday Park.

Nine tourism projects have secured over £3million in the first half of 2023/24 from the dedicated Wales Tourism Investment Fund which has supported 17 different companies with £15.3 million made up of £13.81 million in loans and £1.1 million grant funding from Visit Wales since its launch in 2020. Co-investment is £6.7 million.

Launched specifically to support stand-out tourism projects that add value to the rural and local economies of Wales, the Wales Tourism Investment Fund offers loans between £100,000 and £5 million with up to 15 years payback terms.

Dawn Bowden, deputy minister for arts, sport and tourism said: “Tourism is an economic, social and cultural asset which is why we want to grow tourism for the good of Wales.

"This means creating a first-class holiday experience that delivers real benefits for people and places with attractions and accommodation that meet the needs of visitors and locals alike.

“I’m delighted that the collaborative approach by the Development Bank of Wales and Visit Wales is enabling more tourism businesses to get the funding that they need to invest in new and existing projects that are helping to put Wales on the map.”

Clare Sullivan, regional manager with the Development Bank added: “The tourism sector is getting back on track post Covid and we’re definitely on an upwards trajectory with this bespoke fund able to meet demand from the sector.

“The flexibility of the fund means that we can support specific projects that will benefit our local and rural economies by mobilising public money where it can make a real difference and add to the tourism facilities that Wales has to offer.

“Smaller projects like the development of Tenby Golf Club have a real benefit for local and rural economies. It’s all about adding value and doing what we can to put Wales on the global tourism map. The message is simple - if you want to invest in the tourism sector in Wales then come and talk to us.”