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Discover the Best Van-Friendly Campsites in Wales

Trying to recommend the best campsites in Wales is a bit like trying to recommend the ‘best movies on Netflix’ or the ‘best restaurants in the world’. They’re diverse in nature and incredibly abundant — spread over the country’s 20,779 sq kilometres (8,023 sq miles) of land are nearly 600 of them. In and outside of the three National Parks (Snowdonia, Pembrokeshire Coast and Brecon Beacons), you can find secluded woodland getaways and beachfront pitches on the coast. There are bustling centres of family fun with onsite dog parks and activities for kids, as well as peaceful adults-only retreats ensconced in tranquil nature. Not all of these sites are campervan-friendly, but it’s fair to say that van-dwelling campers are still quite spoilt for choice. Bottom line: No matter where in the country you are going and what kind of atmosphere or experience you’re looking for, there’s a campsite (or twenty) to suit your style. Below are some (hard-picked) stand-outs among them.

Plassey Holiday Park (Dee Valley, North Wales)

If you’re looking for all the luxuries of a resort, Plassey Holiday Park is top-of-the-list. Swimming pool, Nine-hole golf course, Shopping, Restaurants, Adventure playground (complete with a castle) for kids, Disabled-accessible facilities and much more. There’s even a garden centre and a hair salon. The 250-acre park isn’t exactly back-to-nature, but for activities and amenities it’s hard to beat. Outside the park, there’s tons to do and see in the area, including mountain biking, ziplining, a 10-mile steam-train ride and an 18th-century heritage estate to explore.

The Clwydian range and Dee Valley area is set to become Wales’ fourth national park in the coming years.

Ideal for: Families with kids, multigenerational groups (you could bring 3 or 4 generations of family members here and everyone would be comfortable and entertained), people who hate camping but have been dragged along anyway.

Aberafon (Gyrn Goch, Caernarfon)

If you want to be close to the ocean, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better spot to camp. The view is stunning and the aptly named “Beach Field” is almost on the (private) beach. The waters are safe for swimming and boating. And with Snowdonia National Park nearby, you’re certainly not limited to beach activities.

Ideal for: Ocean and beach lovers, families with kids, anyone who likes to fall asleep to the sound of waves (turn off the app and listen to the real thing!).

Coed-y-Llwyn Caravan Club Site (Snowdonia)

This site near the town of Blaenau Ffestiniog is located in Snowdonia National Park. The area has earned a well-deserved reputation as the “the adventure sport capital of Wales”. In addition to exploring the park, there are a ton of unique experiences to be had in the area. At Zip World, the historic Llechwedd slate mine has been repurposed as a giant underground playground for all ages featuring ziplines, rope bridges, slides, and trampolines. They also offer a deep mine tour which takes you 500 ft into the earth on the steepest cable railway in Europe to learn about the mine’s history. The Antur Stiniog Mountain Biking Centre boasts 14 trails suitable for a variety of skill levels and the best uplift service in the UK.
The campsite itself caters to families and welcomes members and non-members, with or without children or dogs.

Ideal for: Adventurers and thrill-seekers, mountain bikers, outdoor sport enthusiasts, hikers, families with kids.