Aberdovey or Pwllhelli?

[TheGirlOnTheLanding]

We are looking at self catering in North Wales. We like a good beach, pretty scenery: not too busy but not too rural that DD1 moans about being bored. U.K. holidays that we have enjoyed have been Northumberland, the East Neuk of Fife, Whitby.

So far, we've found a couple of lovely looking seafront places in Pwllhelli and a nice apartment in Aberdovey that's not on the front but has seaviews. Where is nicer?

Don't know anything much about Pwllheli but the Aberdovey area is really great for families. Nice safe beach with activities (crabbing, boating etc), three great family-friendly pubs, a few more restaurants etc. And the surrounding area has plenty to do - lots of things in Machynlleth and Aberystwyth, or north up the coast on the train towards Tywyn, Barmouth, Harlech. Great golf course in Aberdovey too if that's an interest.

And of course the scenery is stunning. Gets busy in summer, but not so it doesn't cope.

Sounds great, @TitsForBrains. All we need now is the weather!

Aberdovey is lovely. In wet weather there is Corris craft centre, with craft shops and an underground boat trip, and a tour of a mine. Swimming pool at Machynlleth has a flume. Tallylyn railway is a nice trip. Nearby Tywyn has a couple of arcades and amazing honey ice cream factory.
There are markets in Tywyn on a Monday and in Machynlleth, I think but not sure what days they are.
Depending on how old your dd is, Dyfi Donkeys hold open days throughout the season where kids can groom them etc.

Pwlleli is more of a town than a seaside town. There are plenty of things to do in the area but its beach isn't as popular as a few really nice beaches a short drive away at Abersoch or Llanbedrog (or a little further west you have loads of coves as well as Aberdaron with the best pub terrace in the western world at the Ty Newydd). In Pwlleli you're also not far from the Ffestiniog Railway( Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog), Bounce Below and Zipworld (both in Blaenau Ffestiniog)and Zipworld Fforest (Betws y Coed)or from Snowdon and a lot of outdoorsy stuff in Llanberis.