How to Light Fires At CastAWAY
There’s a certain kind of joy in making your own fire. A quiet satisfaction. The crackle. The smell of smoke on your jumper. That moment it catches and glows (as long as the embers don’t land on your jacket! 🫣) But we want you to be safe and know how to light fires at castaway, the right way!
Here at Llanthony Castaway, lighting the fire becomes part of the rhythm of your stay. It slows you down, grounds you and definitely warms your toes and your tea.
Whether you’re lighting the wood burner in the Railway Carriage, heating the wood-fired hot tub at the Hut, or getting the firepit going under the stars at the Dome, here’s everything you need to know to do it right.
Because while you can wing it, there’s nothing quite like a well-built fire.
🔥 1. Lighting the Wood Burner
There’s a wood burner in the Railway Carriage (and it gets lovely and toasty when it’s going). We leave you everything you need: kindling, logs, and firelighters.
Here’s how we do it:
Open the air vent and keep the door ajar
Pop a firelighter in the middle of the grate
Build a small tipi of kindling over the top
Light the firelighter and let the flames rise through the kindling
Once the kindling is burning well, add a log
Shut the door gently, leaving a crack open at first to help it draw
Keep the air flowing well for the first 10 minutes or so. Once it’s glowing, you can adjust the air vent and settle in.
Top tip: Smaller logs catch quicker. Don’t rush it! Let it build.
🪵 2. The Wood-Fired Hot Tub
Now this one takes a bit of commitment, but it’s worth it.
We’ll let you know if the hot tub is part of your stay (currently just for the Dome). You’ll find a tub full of water, a log pile, and your first lighting kit all ready.
To light the stove:
Remove the cover from the hot tub
Check the water level is just above the top of the stove pipe inside the tub
In the firebox (at the back), place a layer of logs along bottom of grid, on top use a firelighter and kindling to get it going
Feed the fire slowly. Add logs as it catches
Expect it to take around 2 to 3 hours to heat fully, STOP adding logs once hot enough otherwise the water will keep on heating
Stir the water with the paddle every so often for even heat, add cold water from the hose if it get’s too hot
You’ll get smoke to start with, that’s perfectly normal. Once the fire’s hot and clean, it’ll burn more quietly.
Top tip: Start early. Bring a book. Have a drink. Let it be part of the day.
Also, you don’t need to worry too much about this, as we alwasy try to get the hot tub going before you arrive. The only exepction is when the sheep have escaped and need rescuing! This rarely happens 🐑 (maybe just occassionally… I’ll have a word with the girls!)
🔥 3. Firepit Evenings
Nothing beats a firepit after dark. Especially with a s’mores kit and a sky full of stars.
To light your firepit:
Stack kindling in a pyramid with a firelighter underneath
Light and let it catch well before adding larger logs
Feed slowly – too many big logs too soon and it’ll smother
Keep the flames modest and lovely – we’re not building bonfires!
Chairs, blankets, and marshmallows all strongly encouraged.
Top tip: A flask of something warm helps while you wait. So does wine (but we obviously encourage you to enjoy your drink responsibly, especially around fire).
Fires Done Right
We want your fires at Castaway to be easy, enjoyable, and part of what makes your stay feel special. Everything you need will be provided, but if you get stuck, I’m always nearby to help.
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about slowing down, paying attention, and enjoying the process.
Planning Your Stay?
Whether you’re coming for the stargazing, the silence, or the firepit moments, we’ve got space waiting.
📅 Check availability
🛁 Use the Tropic Skincare borrow basket for extra pampering
🔥 Extras available – s’mores, sausages, burgers – or for Carriage only, pizza kits
🐾 Dogs welcome, as ever (Dome & Hut)
The kettle’s on. The logs are ready.
Stay Wild!