From London to Rural Wales
Adam and Lou Bourns made a surprising decision to leave their busy terraced street in London and relocate to rural Carmarthenshire, Wales. After repeatedly feeling drawn back to Wales during campervan trips, they chose to abandon their Brixton life and start anew in the countryside.
Over the past 14 years, the couple has transformed their 80-acre nature reserve into an award-winning sustainable glamping retreat. They have built everything from the ground up, sharing the hills with Exmoor ponies, and their once hectic London lifestyle now feels like a distant memory.
"We just kept on getting drawn over the bridge [to Wales]," said Lou.
"Every opportunity we could dash out of London in our campervan and come west, we would."
Background and Motivation
Adam, originally from rural Norfolk, worked as a sound engineer, while Lou, born in the Netherlands, had a career in arts education in London. Despite their professional success and raising young children amid the vibrancy of city life, they sensed something was missing.
"The business was always part of the dream," Lou explained.
"It was kind of our way of changing our pace of life, having something a bit more gentle for the kids, living closer to nature."
"We just kind of had this strong feeling that it felt like a time for change."
Finding the Land and Community
After several years of searching for the right property, the couple, united by their passion for nature, camping, and outdoor activities, discovered an 80-acre plot in the Carmarthenshire countryside. While their family and friends were initially shocked by their decision to move to Wales and open a glamping retreat, Lou and Adam felt reassured when their new neighbors began visiting to introduce themselves and offer help with unpacking.
"Moving from a big city where you quite often don't know anyone, this has just been so precious," Lou said.
Building the Retreat
With assistance from friends and family, Adam has gradually constructed the retreat from scratch over the years. The site now includes two cabins, a shepherd's hut, and a barn.
"The whole thing's been really slow and organic, but it works well that way," Adam noted.
The accommodations are designed with eco-conscious principles, operating completely off-grid. They feature rainwater collection tanks, solar panels for electricity, and gas bottles for cooking.
The couple manage all cleaning, washing, and maintenance themselves, supported by four Exmoor ponies residing on the land. These ponies contribute to land conservation by grazing, which encourages the growth of wildflowers.
Wildlife and Sustainability Efforts
Since 2017, the land has hosted several beehives, maintained by a local beekeeper. Their honey is sold at the retreat's on-site honesty shop.
In 2020, Marsh Fritillary butterfly larvae webs and Brown Hairstreak butterfly eggs were introduced to the retreat and continue to thrive. Both species are declining due to habitat loss, making their presence at the site particularly significant.
The retreat has received multiple awards for sustainability, including the Silver Sustainable Tourism Business of the Year by the Carmarthenshire Tourism Association in 2018, and in 2025, it was recognized as the best stargazing accommodation in Carmarthenshire.
Life on the Land
The family, including Rosemarie, Jasper, Nora, and Bear, live on the land full time, embracing the slower pace and natural surroundings.
"I can't believe we actually lived in such a busy, fast-paced place because I don't know that I would be happy there now," Lou reflected.
When asked if they miss anything about London, Adam mentioned his previous cycling routine.
"You get a bit more headspace if you're on your bike rather than being jammed in the Tube with someone's armpit in your face," he said.
