We traded our London terraced home for an 80-acre nature reserve in Wales

It was a decision that shocked their friends - quitting life on a busy terraced street in London for rural Wales.

But after being continually drawn back in their campervan, Adam and Lou Bourns decided to leave their life in Brixton and start afresh in Carmarthenshire.

They have spent 14 years turning their nature reserve into an award-winning sustainable glamping retreat.

Everything has been built from scratch, and as they share the hills with Exmoor ponies, their busy fast-paced lives in London seem 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.

"It's a very special place."

Adam grew up in rural Norfolk and worked as a sound engineer, while Lou was born in the Netherlands and had a career in arts education in London.

Despite both being successful in their chosen jobs, and having young children growing up surrounded by the buzz of the city on a London terraced street, they felt something was missing.

"The business was always part of the dream," said Lou.

"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."

Lou added: "We just kind of had this strong feeling that it felt like a time for change."

After spending a few years looking at properties, the couple, who bonded over their love of nature, camping and outdoor activities, came across the 80-acre piece of land in the Carmarthenshire countryside.

While family and friends were initially shocked the couple were moving to Wales to open a glamping retreat, Lou and Adam felt they were vindicated in making the life-changing decision when their new neighbours started popping around to introduce themselves and offer a hand with unpacking.

"Moving from a big city where you quite often don't know anyone, this has just been so precious," Lou said.

Since then Adam has slowly built everything from scratch over the years, with help from friends and family.

There are now two cabins, a shepherd's hut and a barn.

"The whole thing's been really slow and organic, but it works well that way," he said.

It has all been made as eco-consciously as possible, with the cabins completely off grid including tanks for collecting rain water, solar panels for power, and gas bottles for cooking.

The couple do all the cleaning, washing and maintenance - with the help of four Exmoor ponies who live on the land.

Their grazing helps with land conservation and encouraging wildflowers to grow.

Since 2017, the land has also been home to several beehives.

These are cared for by a local beekeeper, with their honey available at the on-site honesty shop.

In 2020, Marsh Fritillary butterfly larvae webs and Brown Hairstreak butterfly eggs were laid at the retreat and continue to thrive there.

Both species are in decline due to habitat loss, making their presence even more important.

The retreat has won awards over the years for their sustainability.

In 2018 they were named Silver Sustainable Tourism Business of the Year by the Carmarthenshire Tourism Association, and in 2025 they won an award for being the best stargazing accommodation in Carmarthenshire.

The couple couldn't imagine living anywhere else.

Lou added: "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."

But do they miss anything at all about London?

Adam, who used to cycle to and from work regardless of the time of day, something that isn't always possible in Wales, said: "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."