camping in wales

[bea]

been all inspired to look into possibility of camping with a 2 yr old (and an over enthusiastic dh!)... we live in birmingham so would like somewhere pretty close 2-3 hours away... but would love a lovely campsite... which either is right next to the sea... or has views over the sea... is this possible???

my geog is crap and my estimation of car journeys to one end of the country is even worse so forgive my ignorance!!!
Ta! Thanking you fellow campers in advance!!

Avoid the North Wales Coast stretching from Rhyl-Prestatyn-Conway area - really awful - I would recommend the Llyn Panninsula, which is the most westerly tip in north Wales - great beaches - if you stayed around Llanbedrog/Abersoch area you are spoilt for long sandy beaches - the north coast is a little more rugged, but again some great beaches round Whilstling Sands area - but more facilities in the south. But that does also mean it's busier. Lots of campsites in the area.
Grew up there, so know area pretty well if you need any more advice. I reckon the drive time would be slightly longer (3-4 hours), but worth it to avoid the hell that is north Wales coast resorts.

Try Angelsey very quiet big beaches and cheap camp sites, or further south try Tenby, Manorbrier, Lydstep, Saundersfoot, or camp near a place called Barafundle Bay absolutely breath taking.

bea,

If you really can't estimate car journey distances/times, why not let the computer do it.
If you don't have the likes of Auto Route package in your system, try the RAC online. Their route planner is very good:

Route Planner

HTH

butterfly

I'd recommend the Tenby or Saundersfoot area - in fact anywhere on the Pembrokeshire coastline is beautiful. (says she who's just booked a hol in cornwall!)

Three Cliffs bay on the Gower peninsular is great! It will be really easy to get to from B:ham and the beaches are wonderful for kids. The local pubs are all child friendly with good food and if it does rain (no surely not?) Swansea is close by with good shops, a brilliant swimming pool with slides etc and lots of other attractions.

Enjoy!!

Port Eynon, also on the Gower, is great too - we camped there 2 years ago. The Gower is lovely all round, lots of beaches, all different, and 2 or 3 are Blue Flag.

dyyfryn in Gwynedd has a lovely camp site just by the beach, big and sandy lots of dunes etc. It is a couple of miles past Barmouth so not comercial, just one pub close etc. I will look for the number for you if you like, I am just north of birmingham and it doesnt take us very long to get there.

Barmouth is lovely fio, I grew up in Wales (having 'emigrated from Manchester) and we used to spend many a summers day in Barmouth. I live in Worcester (sth of Birmingham - M5 J6) and my Mum lives in mid Wales, it takes us about 1h 45mins to get there and generally about another 45 on top of that to get to B'mouth. So you're prob looking at a 2h 30 journey ?

Isn't Barmouth just down from Harlech? If so Shell Island is great for camping. The whole mile long island is a campsite with all facilities and Harlech has a wonderful castle. I know it gets busy though and there are loads of other great sites in that area too. The beaches are amazing.

Yeah, I used to love going to Hralech castle and playing about in the ruins !

Sorry, HARLECH !

Criccieth is nice too, lots of little restraunts to eat at. I have been to a few camp sites there, but none right on the beach.

bea, Birmingham - Gower is a much easier journey than N Wales - mostly motorway. (I just checked this out on butterflymum's link!)

The site we stayed on in Port Eynon has views over the sea and there is a short walk directly to a sandy beach without crossing any roads. It fills up at weekends but is v peaceful during the week.

It's also an easy walk into Port Eynon itself, which has little shops and cafes/restaurants.

Gower campsites

yes jan but its lovely drive to mid wales- sooo much beautiful scenery (but not many places to stop for the loo)

This is very true, fio - most of Wales is beautiful anyway - not only that but I was judging it by eye - and in fact Barmouth is quickest from Brum (I was looking at Anglesey before!)

I wonder which is quickest from Lancs? (Not Gower!)

many many thanks for all the advice... i've been trawling hundreds of camp sites and beginning to feel like a real camper!...

i even registered at uk campsites... as they have a very informative message board... what did we do before the internet hey!

still umming and ahhing! Gower sounds like a good idea for distance wise.. keep it coming though you hardened travellers!!!!

Ta!