We are planning to go to the Barmouth area camping next week. We stayed at a lovely campsite last year but it was a bit expensive for what it was. So now we are looking at Shell Island, it looks beautiful and a friend enjoys it. BUT having read reviews, it sounds as though there are a few problems with erm how shall I say this? Unsuitable people? Playing loud music and driving around until dawn in their boyracer cars.
Does anyone know if it is as bad as all this?
Or if there are areas you can go that they stay away from?
Post last edited on 05/06/2009 15:23:48
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We stayed at a camp site near by, and we had a look at Shell island was not my cup of tea, you could tell they was alot ot unsuitable people kids just running around while they mum and dad had a drink. but that was my though.
If you travel slightly further past Llanbedr (where the turning for shell island is) & Harlech there are quite a few really nice looking sites. We were up that way last week and wondered why we hadn't ventured a bit further up the coast before. If you want to stay closer to Barmouth and don't mind a basic site try Parc Isaf farm. The one near the slate mines looked good aswell. Further along there was Transforhesgen which looked in a quiet spot and slightly further again was Barcdy which although by a main road looked really well kept. We drove up to shell island and to be honest although the children wanted to camp there I'm not sure it's really for us.
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I have not stayed at Shell Island, but my sister and her 2 boys have. The boys loved it. They were on the beach all day and there were plenty of other children about, for football etc. My sister however didn't like it much. It is dificult to say why without sounding snobby and vile, but she said SOME of the people there, were a bit rough and loud. There were lots of cars with the doors open, music blaring out, and cars driving about at night. Also lots of litter which made it all look scruffy.
However I have looked at the reviews too, as she tried to persuade me to go with her, and some people love it there. But somehow I don't think it could be called a peaceful site.
When we went to Barmouth last year we stayed at Hendre Mynach. Beautiful site and the location was excellent, right on the beach. We visited shell island for the day. Like others have said it's difficult to describe without sounding like Hyacinth Bouquet/Bucket! It is HUGE and there seems to be a free and easy attitude to where you park your tent so long as it's not within 20 metres of the next unless of course you're part of a gang in which case that's fine. There is a main toilet block area with additional single portaloos dotted around the site, the sort workmen have planted on the side of the M1 and possibly equally as appealing! I think the fact that parties are permitted to crowd together could be the site's undoing as pack mentality could tend to increase bad behaviour although we never saw any. There is a HUGE sign as you enter whereby it states they have a zero tolerance to noise but whether this is adherred to is questionable. There's no EHU and as far as pitching is concerned, anything goes, or so it seems. We even saw a group of tents huddled around one of those 6m x 3m white party gazebos they have in Argos. If that came heading towards your tent in the dead of night that may be exactly how you'd end up too...DEAD! The location is very open to the elements and I wouldn't fancy my chances even WITH delta pegs in our Monty 6 as I commented on one night at Hendre Mynach when the gales were raging (in August!) and our tent was being buffeting quite severely even though we were in a sheltered spot. On a more positive note, Shell island is cheap but I think at around £20 per night for us in August without EHU didn't strike me as "worth it." However, the location is a child's dream for the ultimate beach camping holiday. Crabbing, fishing, bird spotting and generally messing around on/in the water. The ultimate in freedom and if that's your "bag" then it's perfect for you, but if like me, Hyacinth Bucket, I'd rather not thanks all the same. Fab for a day but wouldn't want to spend any length of time there. Sorry!
------------- If you have a problem stressing you, sort it. If you can't, there's no point worrying about it coz it won't make a blind bit of difference!!!! Jules
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Shell Island can be a glorious place to spend a sunny day messing about on the beach and admiring the breathtaking views of Snowdonia - especially if you can go there outside the high season. I always go when we're in that area - £5 for a day ticket I think. But as for camping there I would say it's more for groups of kids (like I did thirty years ago!) rather than for families or older folks. Maybe mid-week or outside the main holiday times it would be OK.
Stayed at Shell Island last weekend for the 1st time, It can be a bit noisey but most had turned their music down or off by 12 at the latest, If youdo decide to got try to keep away from the main fields there are plenty of secluded pitches even saw people camping between the sand dunes, Take a look at Google earth you can see the main fields and the sand dunes, If you can't get on or don't like the place theres about 10 other sites on the same stretch of road.
We stayed at Drffryn seaside that was ok we stayed here on our second week the best side we stayed at was Cei Bach in Newquay in wales thay that was a lovely site and the beach was lovely i really enjoyed it and kids loved it we was in the sea every day. I hope this helps.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Shell Island - problems
