Let us not beat about the bush – this campsite scores on the old ‘location, location, location’ chestnut, in a beautiful spot sandwiched between the beach and the mountains on the Llyn Peninsula, 10 miles south of Caernarfon. Negotiating a steep, narrow lane to the site, past the bumbling stream by the amenities block, feels like you are descending into a secret valley within the mountains. Drive past a covered games room and the owners’ lovely house, past rows of white tourers and down to a joyous coastal ‘Beach Field’, a grassy patch so close to the sea as to be virtually in it. It can only be accessed by small vehicles and features 16 pitches with seven electric hook-ups.
Both grassy tiers of the campsite sharply meet the rugged coastline, where there is a tiny, partly sandy, wild beach full of rockpools to explore. Braver swimmers might attempt a quick dip – wild swimming is all part of Aberafon’s package – but there are sandier swimming beaches along the peninsula. There is even a slipway to launch your sailing boat from, should you happen to carry one with you. Bringing canoes and kayaks is a better bet, or you can try wakeboarding at the local sporting venue, Glasfryn Park, near Pwllheli. Then of course, there’s walking on the coastal path or up into the hills behind. Co-owner Hugh has regularly jumped off nearby Gyrn Goch mountain, which overlooks the campsite, strapped to a paraglider. If you’re feeling equally adventurous, sign up with the local paragliding school. Otherwise, just let the kids safely enjoy their seaside surroundings: happy kids make happy parents, after all.
So how best to describe the charm of Aberafon? Great location? Superb situation? Or how about astonishing situation in a great location?