Lleyn Peninsula, a viable holiday?

[ChrisJB]

Dear Folks, I'm trying to weigh up potential camping holiday destinations for this summer and am wondering about the Lleyn Peninsula. My only experience of the place is Bardsey (great) and Pwllheli, briefly (not my cup of tea). We have two young kids (1 and 3), so we need nice, safe sandy beaches, preferably with rockpools. Boat trips would be handy, but not essential. Nice countryside for walks is a must, with some good coastal scenery. I like doing a spot of lure fishing from the coast on my holidays, so somewhere where I can do that would be handy. Also, are there any nice coastal resorts, ones that don't remind me of Blackpool? Aberdaron, what is that like? It has a nice name! other places to visit would be good, eg stately homes, gardens, National Trust places, etc. Finally, if anyone can stretch to this, what about any good campsites, with electric hook-ups and decent family facilities?
I know it's a lot to ask, but it's a part of Great Britain I don't know much about. Thanks in advance.

Regards, Chris

[Dorts]

Hi Chris. To my mind you could not do better than Morfa Bychan between Porthmadog and Criccieth. Lots of Camping Sites, some right beside the beach at Black Rock Sands, (our local beach!). Sea Caves, cliffs, sand-dunes and rock-pools for 'crabbing'; the beach is vast and even though it can get busy in high summer, there is always plenty of space along the 2 miles of very wide beach. Plenty more larger rock-pools along towards Criccieth just round the corner. Good beach fishing. The sea is very safe and clean.
(It is where I photograped the rock-formation posted in the recent Geology thread).
It is also in a prime position from where to explore Snowdonia and the Llŷn Peninsula.

There is also camping on Shell Island near Harlech (Llanbedr). Bit comercial, but plenty of space.
If you want total peace and quiet, there are small campsites at Treheli - Rhiw at the far end of the Llŷn Peninsula and along to Aberdaron, a rather quaint little village on the coast;. good fishing. Abersoch is a very popular large village; the main beach is probably the most popular beach in that area of the Llŷn. Lots of boating, wind-surfers, jet-ski's, and good bathing etc.

Hope that helps.

[ChrisJB]

Originally Posted by Dorts

Hi Chris. To my mind you could not do better than Morfa Bychan between Porthmadog and Criccieth. Lots of Camping Sites, some right beside the beach at Black Rock Sands, (our local beach!). Sea Caves, cliffs, sand-dunes and rock-pools for 'crabbing'; the beach is vast and even though it can get busy in high summer, there is always plenty of space along the 2 miles of very wide beach. Plenty more larger rock-pools along towards Criccieth just round the corner. Good beach fishing. The sea is very safe and clean.
(It is where I photograped the rock-formation posted in the recent Geology thread).
It is also in a prime position from where to explore Snowdonia and the Llŷn Peninsula.

There is also camping on Shell Island near Harlech (Llanbedr). Bit comercial, but plenty of space.
If you want total peace and quiet, there are small campsites at Treheli - Rhiw at the far end of the Llŷn Peninsula and along to Aberdaron, a rather quaint little village on the coast;. good fishing. Abersoch is a very popular large village; the main beach is probably the most popular beach in that area of the Llŷn. Lots of boating, wind-surfers, jet-ski's, and good bathing etc.

Hope that helps.

Brilliant Dorts! You have just sold it to me. I'm glad you mentioned Abersoch too, that was the other place I was trying to think of and couldn't remember.
Many thanks.

Chris

[Dorts]

Do let me know later in the year how you got on and where you eventually went.
Quite happy to take a 'slap on the wrist' if any of my suggestions were not to your liking.
Dorts.

[ChrisJB]

Ha ha, no worries! If I do follow your advice and go there (which I fully expect to, barring any unforeseen circumstances), this will (hopefully) be our second camping trip of the forthcoming summer. The first we have planned is north Devon (another area I don't know very well) with parents in tow on this one. For the past few years our 'second' summer camping trip has always been Northumberland, but we have done there to death now. The Lleyn Peninsula looks good, with the added bonus of it not being a colossal drive.
Last summer's 'first' holiday was Pembrokeshire and as much as I loved the place and will definately go back, it was a long and tiring drive, towing a folding camper, with two kids.

Regards, Chris