The ‘amazing’ £12-a-night beach campsite where families flock every summer

With the warmer weather, families will no doubt be looking for a place to escape for a few days.

If you’re looking to cut costs this year, then you might be thinking about camping, or you might already have all the gear but no idea where to go.

Well, there is one campsite that is proving particularly popular with families and that is Shell Island in North Wales.

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With 300 acres of Gwynedd’s 450 acre site set aside for camping, it is believed to be the largest campsite in the UK and has 800 pitches. And with such a unique location in North Cardigan Bay in Snowdonia National Park, it attracts families from miles around.

Some people just visit for a day – there are plenty of activities including fishing, crabbing and boating – but many holiday there, especially in the summer months and it gets busy, so it’s advisable to book online in advance .

Pits aren’t allocated, so you’re left to explore and pick up wherever you like. And there are various areas where you can camp, from being right next to the beach, listening to the waves, hidden in the trees or closer to all the amenities.

Most facilities are centrally located in the middle of the island behind the leisure complex.

Camping is the cheapest option, with peak prices (July to September) £12 per night per adult and £6.25 per night for children aged three to 15. During busier periods, such as public holidays, there may be a two or three night minimum.

If you don’t fancy camping, there are beach huts and apartments that you can book for up to six people.

People who have stayed on the site have mostly given it very good reviews.

One visitor, from earlier this year, said on Facebook: “Thank you, we had a fantastic first camping weekend of the year. Easter was a lot of fun. Great to be back on the island and the new snack bar looks fantastic. “

Another said: “When the weather is good this place is unreal, you could be abroad with Snowdonia overlooking the sea. Always a favorite to come back to.”

The place has an overall rating of 4 out of 5 on Tripadvisor too, where one visitor said: “Stayed in Shell Island for the first time this weekend and I have to say I can’t believe I’ve never been to this little one. hidden gem up front, beautiful and stunning views, plenty of room for everyone to ride without being cramped, such good value for money, absolutely everything you could ask for or need.”

As well as the beach, there are sand dunes to play on, a harbour, restaurant, snack bar and Tavern Bar, with an outdoor area next to the children’s playground so you can keep an eye on the little ones.

The shells that give this place its name are there in abundance to be collected – around 200 different types of shells can be found washed up on the beaches – with the best time to see them between January and June.

Dogs are allowed on Shell Island, but not in certain areas such as the snack bar or bar area.

The toilet blocks include a spacious family unit, children’s baths and changing units, and the showers include a changing area and a seat.

The women’s showers have a large make-up/hair room with mirrors and separate outlets and there are two free hair dryers in both the women’s and men’s showers.

The children’s play park is located outside the bar and snack bar area, which has a games room next to it with pool tables and other activities for children.

No RVs are allowed on the site, but RVs and campers are accepted. The nearest train station is Llanbedr, which is a 30-minute walk away. For more details or to book visit the Shell Island website or find out more on the Facebook page here.