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This is the most spectacular site we have ever been to. Tucked into a valley directly beneath Snowdon, the stunning views extend all around the site. On one side you have the mountain (on a clear day you can see the cafe at the top and the mountain railway), on the other the woods and at the far end of the site is the beautiful lake Llyn Cwellyn, over which you can watch the sunset. The Ffestiniog Railway passes nearby and you can often see the trains chuffing past.
The site is split into two fields, one has a babbling stream running next to it, the other is next to the Lake. Between the fields is one of the car parks, the toilet block and laundry block. The other car park is near the gated entrance. There were plenty of trolleys available to carry your stuff from the car park, and they all looked in pretty good repair. Fire pits are dotted around the site, if it stops raining long enough to light one up.
We pitched in the non-lake field, next to the stream so we could hear it murmuring away all night. That is, when the sound wasn't drowned out by the rain pounding away at the tent. That part of the site is on a very slight slope and well drained, with the ground sogginess disappearing within an hour or two of the rain stopping. Nearer the lake, things got a bit more squishy and there are boggy bits. It rains a lot there, but the site is fairly well protected from the wind, unless it comes straight up the valley.
The toilet/shower block is modern and heated, which was very welcome. It was clean and well stocked during the week, but started to feel the strain of the extra campers when it got busy at the weekend. By the time we left on Saturday morning it was getting a bit scungey, with the toilet paper and soap starting to run out. The showers were good and hot but the water tended to run all over the floor. There is a laundry room with two tumble driers, which is very good for drying out soggy clothes. There are plenty of washing up sinks but no freezer for ice packs, which would have been helpful. However, it was pretty nippy when we were there, so it wasn't difficult to keep things cold.
There are plenty of things to do in the area. On rainy days we visited Penrhyn Castle, the Anglesey Sea Zoo and the impressive Slate Museum in Llanberis. Of course, there is Snowdon to climb up and we chose to go up the Llanberis Path. As well as the stunning views, you can see the camp site from the top and it's quite fun to try to see your tent. There are also various railways to take trips on. If you need camping supplies there is a decent shop in Beddgelert. If you fancy a curry, chinese or fish and chips, there are take aways in Penygroes, a 15 minute drive away down the awesome but scary 'Road of Death', as we called it - the B4418 from Rhyd-Ddu.
There are a few down sides to this site. Due to the general dampness of the area, there are midges galore, especially when it stops raining, so bring lots of Deet. It does get a bit boggy in places, so pick your pitch carefully. We stayed from Monday to Saturday and while it was nice and roomy during the week, it got very busy at the weekend. The car parks filled up, overflowed, and it ended up with cars taking up every spare inch of road space. It wasn't noisy at night, thanks to the no music policy, but there was definitely a bustling air to the place.
But these are only minor problems. We loved staying here and will definitely be back.
We stayed here with our 2 boys, 7 and 10. We loved this site. Stunning views of the mountains, including Snowdon. Our tent was pitched in the first field, by the stream. Every so often a steam train would wind it's way along the mountain opposite. We had the odd sheep pop in for a visit, the forests were great for a walk, and the the sunset over the lake is beautiful. The toilet and shower block is fantastic, with lovely hot showers. We had plenty of nice, dry wood for the fire pit too. It was jam packed on the Friday (we could tell due to the amount of cars) but there was still plenty of room for everyone's tents. Everyone pretty much kept to the rules regarding music and noise. We bumped into our neighbours going up the Llanberis pass route on Snowdon, who showed us our campsite down below. We had a fair bit of rain, so wellies were very helpful. There is a camping shop in nearby Beddgelert, where we were able to buy wellies and a waterproof coat. We visited the Slate Museum, Sea Zoo, Penrhyn Castle and Plas Newynnd. We had a fantastic 5 nights and will definitely be back. Just with more Deet to combat the midges!
The facilities are lovely, plenty of toilets and showers, really clean and modern and best of all they had underfloor heating so were warm and lovely with no dank cold corners!
Lots of lovely little attention to detail was spent, such as attaching wheels to one end of the picnic table so you can easily move them to where you want, and the fire sleds were brilliant.
The site itself is level and next to a lovely stream with amazing views of mount Snowdon itself, as well as lovely hills all around. Easy to get to most of the places we wanted to visit and we saw bus stops on the main road very close to the turning for the site so it seems getting around by public transport might have been possible.
The campsite is a little further from the pub than we expected (we thought having a campsite next to a pub would be great in April so if it was a cold and rainy night we could warm up in the pub all evening and then within minutes be tucked up warm in bed. In reality its at least a 5-10 minute walk so if it were rainy and cold you'd be wet and cold by the time you got back, but the distance does mean the site was incredibly peaceful (plus it turned out to be dry when we went so the short walk wasn't a problem).
Owners were helpful and friendly and easy to find if we needed them.
Overall, a wonderful place, we'd definitely visit again and recommend to friends
A very nice campsite with new clean shower and toilet block with external pot wash.
Due to their no music rule, the site is very peaceful set in Beddgelert Forest with stunning views of Snowdonia National Park and views down the valley to Caernarfon.
There is very little in Rhyd-Ddu so bring everything you need, though there is a Morrisons in Caernarfon a small drive from the site, We did not use the pub as they know that they have got the monopoly and the prices were more than we could afford. On the other hand the Ty Mawr Tea Rooms just a little walk up from the pub is very reasonably priced and well worth trying their Dutch Pancakes.
There are many walking Routes that can be taken from this camp site from well marked beginner/tourist paths to very quiet less trodden routes for the hardened walker.
The only negative points to make were:
During our stay it was very wet and the camp site was not very well drained so the ground become very water logged and subsequently very muddy.
-Also -
They have a eco reed bed that purifies the waste water from the Shower block and pot wash, which is a nice idea however did smell when the wind was in the wrong direction.
This campsite is in lovely surroundings, with a newly built toilet block. It appears to be kept to a high standard (toilets clean, grass cut etc).
There are a couple of things which let this campsite down. First of all you can't park next to your tent but they provide 'trolleys', out of about 6 of these trolleys 1 or 2 were usable. The rest were missing wheels or completely damaged. For £9 per person, per night they could fix these. If you are a family it is going to take a lot of trips to get your stuff to your pitch.
Another thing is there is a severe lack of trust, the owner of the campsite came round to our tent to 'check we've paid' (I. E, making sure we're not doing anything naughty) 4 times in one day. Which I feel is very extreme.
The campsite is really nice but you get the impression they are all about making money (we had to pay for a 2 year old). The bags of logs you *have* to buy from them are £4 for not very much wood and god help you if you buy from somewhere else or pick a stray piece of wood off the floor. Off with your head! (Buy the wood for £2. 30 from the petrol station and hide it in your tent!)
Glanllyn is situated on the shore of Lake Bala in Wales. 16 acres of natural parkland and spectacular views of nearby hills and mountains make it an idyllic spot to pitch a caravan, motorhome, tent or campervan with level grass or hardstanding pitches. For water sports enthusiasts there is a private shingle beach with easy launching area for windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, fishing and paddle boarding. Camp shop, wifi, laundrette, excellent heated toilet & shower facilities. The market town of Bala is 3 miles away with plenty of small shops, pubs & retaurants, cinema and a leisure centre. Find out more here
This is an excellent camp site in a beautiful setting - it is about 10-15 minutes walk from the pub but it is secluded and immaculately maintained. The new shower /washing block facilities are spotless although I can imagine that when the site is busy the standard cannot be the same.
We were in a group of 4 - 2 in a van, 2 in a tent. It is necessary to park the campervan at the side of the camping area. We just pitched the tent nearby. Although we did not use them, there are moveable tables/benches and fire containers all over the site.
We arrived at the pub about 10. 00 pm so missed out on food - they stop serving 8. 00 - 9. 00pm depending. We ate there one night after climbing Snowdon and it was delicious (if a little pricey and smallish helpings for those who've been physically active all day).
Suggestions to the owners:
- add a couple of benches in the washing blocks
- provide information for refuse/recycling
- provide a few filling/economic 'extras' to the pub menu
We would definitely return if visiting that part of Snowdon.
What a fabulous location! Stopped off at the pub to collect a friend and pay for our stay. Arrived at the site about 8. 30 on Friday evening to find we were the only ones on site. Perfect!
Nice chap came along to open up the shower block, which was lovely and clean and the water was lovely and warm. Much needed!
There is a charge of 50p to use the hair dryer / sockets in the shower block, which I didn't mind paying, but was surprised when I found out how long the 50p lasted, about 1 minute, not long enough for even the shortest / finest hair to get dry So £1.50 later I still had damp hair.
That being said, will definitely return before the month is out (just prepared with more 50p's!). The walk down to the lake on the Boardwalk is beautiful in the evening, look out for the crocs!
Lovely short walk through the woods to the local pub too. A brill site for basic campers who like the little luxury of flushing toilets and warm showers!
My partner has been staying on this campsite for a few years & introduced me to it just after we met in July 2010 & I have stayed here with him on numerous occasions ever since.
The location is superb, right on the shores of Llyn Cwellyn. The site is well maintained & since the new shower block opened last June, the facilities are great. There are plenty of fire pits & picnic benches provided but make sure you buy the logs for the fire pits from the pub & not from anywhere else or you will face the wrath of Graham!
There are no set pitches on Cwellyn, my favourite place to pitch is the bottom field in the right corner just where the river opens out into the lake, only drawback is its the farthest from the toilet block! It does get very boggy in wet weather & occasionally the field floods so no camping at all.
The pub is very cosy & the meals are nice although quite overpriced! It does get very busy at times too so no seats. We have only eaten there once, its cheaper to buy booze & cook on the fire, nicer views too!
Lovely site & we are planning on going back several times this year. Oh & don't forget the midge spray - there are loads!
Had a great weekend at this campsite - it is in the most stunning location I have ever stayed in.
Most campers are climbing Snowdon - we did a round trip all on foot going up the Ranger path, down the Rhyd Ddu path and back to the campsite via the pub. It was 9 miles all round which we did over a leisurely 7. 5 hours.
We ate in the pub which was nearly wonderful (if expensive) except for all our meals arriving without vegetables (apparently you have to order them separately which at £2. 50 each was not great, on top of an expensive meal). We couldn't believe the chef had served such drab coloured meals - even the kids meals didn't have peas or baked beans.
Campsite wasn't especially cheap - my 12 year old classed as an adult so worked out at £28 per night for our family of 4 which is the most we have paid for camping, and didn't even get hookup with that. But lovely not having to use the car all weekend. Able to pre-book over the phone, gave first night as deposit.
Recommend getting a bag of logs per night (£4 each, they include some kindling) - the fire pits are brill, more than enough to go round, and fend off the midges.
We camped right by lake - lovely, no waterlogging (even though lots of rain one night); only downside was that it was furthest from toilet block and carpark. On balance I would camp in the same location again.
New toilet block stunning, lovely free showers. Hairdryers available for 50p, also electric socket in there for 50p - but not sure how long you have got.
Lovely campsite, but think I would only come again if I climbed Snowdon.
Impressive campsite on side of lake, but which is 0. 7 miles from pub along narrowish road - as booked from a pub campsite website, we felt very mislead - i. E. It is not a pub campsite! Facilities at the campsite were clean and newly built but a bit whiffy!
Be wary of midges (there were thousands of them when we were there)
As well as odd pub opening hours and odd meal time hours - the chef goes when the landlord feels like it, and the pub closed at 9:50 in the evening as apparently wasn't worth staying open just for the two of us! We were not impressed.
Also noted this appeared in Ride Magazine (Motorcycling magazine) as an excellent site - I could not agree with the view (as motorcyclists) and wonder if it was at a midge free time of year when the owner was more friendly, which would not have been difficult.
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Common Questions
Is Snowdon Base Camp Cwellyn Arms child friendly? YES, it accepts children View all facilities
Where is the nearest shop to Snowdon Base Camp Cwellyn Arms? There is a shop within 5 miles View all facilities
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
All reviews and comments are the personal opinion of the review author only , and as such do not represent the view of the UK Camp Site.co.uk.
The facilities shown on this website are a guide only, and you should check with the campsite direct before making any booking. The UKCampsite.co.uk will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions
Tent Pitches 
No Caravans 
Motorhome Pitches 
Small Campervans 
No Glamping Units 
No Statics for Hire 
No Statics for Sale 
No Seasonal Pitches 
No Electric Hookups 
No Hardstandings 
No Fully Serviced Pitches 
Families Welcome 
Not Members Only 
No Rallies 
Not Naturist Site 
Dogs Welcome 
No Dogs Allowed 
Groups Welcome 
Toilet Facilities 
Hot Showers 
Washing Up 
No Bathroom 
No Baby Changing 
Laundry On Site 
Drinking Water 
Disabled Friendly 
Chemical Disposal 
No Battery Charging 
No Gas Exchange 
No Recycling Facilities 
No Kitchen Facilities 
No Freezer / Fridge 
No Motorhome Point 
No Wifi Access 
Shop <5 miles 
Bar <1 mile 
Restaurant or Cafe or Takeaway <1 mile 
No Playground 
No TV Room 
No Games Room 
No Evening Ents 
Fishing On Site 
No Wild Swimming 
No Indoor Pool 
No Outdoor Pool 
Horse Riding <5 miles 
Cycle Hire <5 miles 
No Golf 
No Tennis 
Beach <10 miles 
Watersports On Site 
Boat Launch / Mooring On Site 
No Sea Views 
Not Working Farm 
Campfires Allowed 
No Waterside Pitches 
Public Transport <1 mile
Offroad Dog Walk On Site or Direct Access 
This is the most spectacular site we have ever been to. Tucked into a valley directly beneath Snowdon, the stunning views extend all around the site. On one side you have the mountain (on a clear day you can see the cafe at the top and the mountain railway), on the other the woods and at the far end of the site is the beautiful lake Llyn Cwellyn, over which you can watch the sunset. The Ffestiniog Railway passes nearby and you can often see the trains chuffing past. 
