Hungarian Lakeside Miracle – The First Family Weekend in Wales

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More Than Just an Event – A True Homecoming

That was the sentiment many shared during the June weekend, when several hundred Hungarian families gathered among the green hills of Spring Valley Lakes in Wales.

A campsite transformed into a Hungarian village for a few days. A gathering that may become a tradition.

Family weekend in Wales

A place where the Hungarian word found a home:

Spring Valley Lakes is already a popular destination for nature and watersports lovers, but this weekend it shone in an entirely new light:

• Hungarian flags

• the scent of traditional foods

• laughing children

• friendly conversations

• and a unique communal atmosphere – a rare treasure when living abroad.

  
  

The campsite was nearly full, with tents and caravans lining the lakeside. Participants arrived from various parts of England, Scotland and Wales – many met for the first time, yet spoke as if they were old friends.

Flavours and aromas – a taste of home

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Gastronomy naturally took centre stage:

Lángos, kürtőskalács (chimney cake), gulyás, pörkölt (stew), stuffed cabbage – everyone found their personal favourite.

Hungarian drinks were not missing either:

special beers and pálinka made the experience complete.

The food was not just about taste, but evoking memories:

for many, it brought back childhood, festive lunches or the kitchens of grandparents.

Programmes for young and old alike

Programmes for young and old – The organisers thought of every age group

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Children’s activities:

crafting, face painting, bouncy castle, lakeside games, storytelling.

Culture and tradition:

a demonstration by the vitéz György Boldus Hussar Detachment, historical exhibition, Hungarian bookstand thanks to the Hungarian English Cultural Society.

Watersports:

the more adventurous could try kayaking, paddleboarding or boating.

Evening atmosphere:

fire, music, community

The Friday evening bonfire and bacon roasting had one purpose:

being together. Guitar music, singing, long conversations and lots of laughter – precisely the kind of warmth one rarely experiences on an ordinary weekend.

How the winning beef stew was made

On Saturday evening, the atmosphere reached new heights.

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Several bands from the Hungarian diaspora performed, followed by a fantastic Hungarian retro disco to close the night, where generations danced together to classics by Edda, Neoton and LGT.

The cooking contest – where the cauldron took centre stage:

One of the highlights of Saturday was the cooking competition. The teams began their preparations early in the morning. Fires crackled under the cauldrons, and the air filled with the smoky scent of stew. The team of the Vitézi Rend (Order of Vitéz) won first prize – their spicy, rich beef stew was unanimously praised by the judges.

The team of the Vitézi Rend won first prize

The afternoon raffle brought much joy:

over 100 prizes found new owners – including children’s toys, wine selections and Hungarian handcrafted gifts.

A sentence that sums it all up

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On the closing day, vitéz Tamás Sáfrány said on behalf of the organisers:

“It’s hard to put into words what we experienced here. This weekend was more than a gathering – it was identity, community, and love all at once. To see hundreds of Hungarian families celebrating, laughing and remembering together – it’s a deeply uplifting feeling. Now comes a little rest, but soon we’ll begin organising again: we continue in 2026!”

vitéz Tamás Sáfrány

A tradition is born:

Those who were there know they didn’t just attend an event – they were present at the birth of a living tradition. From now on, Spring Valley Lakes in Wales is not just a beautiful campsite – it is a symbol. A place where the Hungarian community found each other again.

See you in 2026 – the shore turns Hungarian again!

Author: v. Attila Babenyecz, seat captain