Help me plan a camper van tour of Wales.

[GothDetective]

I've got a week off work next August, though as I work part-time I can probably arrange my shifts the week before and after so I can have about a 12 day break. Will be me and DD (9) and the dog.

We live in the Midlands so will probably start at the top and head down. Places we know quite well so probably don't want to bother with are; Snowdonia, Tenby area, The Gower.

I'm interested in visiting the Llyn Peninsular and also Hafren Forest as that looks very beautiful. Would also like to go somewhere round the Cardigan Bay area where we might be able to see dolphins, either from the coast or a boat trip.

We can be self sufficient in the van and the plan is to wild camp so I don't need to plan the journey round campsites.

So any ideas of places to go/see/do?

The alternative energy centre here is a good day out.

Llangollen for the railway and a visit to the amazing taxidermist next door?

Barmouth for a Victorian seaside town?

Barmouth and the Energy place are on the itinery as definates. Langollen as a maybe. Thanks for that.

Has anyone been to Shell Island, is that worth a visit for a day or will it be horrendous in August?

I went to shell island as a child and i still remember it as a magical place. i looked it up on ukcampsites a while back and it sounded like the campsite was a bit overpopulated - but suggest relooking. brecon beacons are fab - we went along the canal for a day - beautiful. there are also lovely walks to see waterfalls - you can walk behind one (too hot when we visited). this year we are going to pembrokeshire which sounds lovely - if you've already done tenby you could do the north - beaches sound good and restaurants. a lot of my relatives have been to the big pit i think its called - deep mine at the top of the valleys in south wales.

Yes I've read bad reviews of Shell Island on a Camper Van forum. Hoards of drunken chavs I believe was the expression used.

Shame.