Our Favourite Welsh CL
Having stayed on a number of Welsh CLs over the last fifteen years, we came across this newly-refurbished site in an ideal location for us; having driven from West Yorkshire to take two of our offsping to an outdoor camp at Brynglas near Tywyn, we were able just to drop the 'van off and secure it, then drive the half-hour to camp unencumbered.
Situated just off the main road - but far enough away, and behind the old railway embankment, so it was quiet - two thirds of the way between Bala and Dolgellau, the site has recently been upgraded with electric hookups and a mains water tap at every pitch, making the supply of water very convenient. The CL is a slightly-sloping, well-mown sward bordered by a properly metalled side road to the farm, making access to the pitches very easy. A new shower/WC has been installed on the upper floor of an old farm building, over the owner's commercial kitchen where fresh bread and Welsh cakes are baked regularly, and jam made from local fruit - and local children taught to cook! This and the chemical WC point, in an adjacent field, are just a minute's walk from the CL.
Bala, with its lake, shops, eating places and narrow gauge railway are just eleven miles northeast and Dolgellau with shops and places to eat out is just six miles in the other direction. Machynlleth, Aberdyfi, Tywyn - with the Talyllyn Railway - and Barmouth are all within thirty to forty-five minutes away. Barmouth is best accessed from the free station car park at Morfa Mawddach, via the footpath across the railway bridge - no toll is collected now.
Watersports are available at Bala Lake, and there is plenty of good walking, from forest trails accessed direct from the CL, and the famous Precipice Walk near Dolgellau, to the equally famous route of Mary Jones' walk barefoot from Llanfihangel via Cader Idris, to Bala, to buy her own Bible, prompting the local parson to start the Bible Society as it is now known. This walk passes right by the CL.
Portmerion, Clough Williams-Ellis' masterpiece of architecture, famous as the setting for Patrick McGoohan's TV series "The Prisoner", is about an hour away, and the Ffestiniog Railway, running from Blaenau Ffestiniog in the slate hills, about forty minutes away, runs down to Porthmadog, where it now connects with the rebuilt Welsh Highland Railway, which can take you via Beddgelert and the foothills of Snowdon to Caernarfon.
The Cregannan Lakes, on the north side of Cader Idris, are worth a visit, with magnificent views of the Mawddach estuary, Barmouth, and its railway bridge spanning the river. If you enjoy cycling, there are many quiet, safe routes around the area, and the old railway route from Dolgellau to Morfa and Barmouth is a beautiful route alongside the river, which can be done on foot too.
Mrs. Evans and her sons is most helpful and welcoming, and this is a CL we will definitely visit again.
