Criccieth: Mountains, Coast & Castles
Updated: Jan 11
Thursday 29th July - Sunday 15th August 2021
Criccieth "The Pearl of Wales"is a North Wales coastal town located between Porthmadog and Pwllheli. Sheffield DA’s Camping and Caravanning Club Temporary Holiday Site is located at Bron Eifion Farm, situated less than a mile from the town centre with a bus stop conveniently located for direct services between Pwllheli and Blaenau Ffestiniog. This fascinating area of North Wales provides a wealth of activities for all ages, set in a beautiful scenic context, from sedate coastal walks through to adrenaline adventures, our THS at Criccieth provides the perfect base.
The dramatic structure of Criccieth Castle dominates the skyline of the town; dating back to 1239 with its turbulent past shaping the town's history, having been occupied by both English and Welsh forces over the centuries. More recently, the expansion of the railways saw Criccieth evolve into a popular Victorian resort, a charm that is retained to this day. The visitor does not have to look too far to see what the Victorian pioneers found attractive in Criccieth; the town enjoys two beaches, the castle, wonderful views, shops and restaurants which are combined with its proximity to both coast and mountain. Criccieth’s beaches are separated by a headland on Cardigan Bay to the southern side of the Llyn Peninsula. This headland is also host to the thirteenth century castle. The town has a population of approximately 2,000 residents and retains a proud Welsh heritage with over two-thirds of the population said to be fluent in the Welsh language.
Snowdonia National Park can also be reached by car or via the 150-year old Ffestiniog railway. The mountain summit of the 3,560ft/1,085m Snowdon can be reached by adventurous types on foot, however the less energetic can ascend via the Snowdon Mountain Railway but do book-ahead for this popular route.
Just a twenty-minute drive (or under an hour by Arriva bus from Criccieth) is the historically significant slate mining town of Blaenau Ffestiniog which was host to the largest slate mine in the world at its height of production in the late 19th Century. Although closed in the 1950s, the industry provides an enviable tourism legacy catering for visitors of all ages. The Llechwedd Slate Caverns (Slate-Mountain) offers a fascinating insight into the history of slate quarrying including the Llechwedd Deep Mine Tour, said to be the steepest narrow-gauge railway in the UK travelling over 500 feet underground into the former slate mining caverns.
For thrill-seekers, the area offers world-class mountain biking and downhill tracks that are not for the feint hearted, ranging from blue to black tracks, complete with uplift service. If adrenaline is your thing, book early to enjoy Zip World and Bounce Below; Zip World Titan is Europe's longest zip course soaring above the Snowdonia slate quarries for 2,000 metres!
To the west of Criccieth lies the market town of Pwllheli, which has been holding a weekly market since the 14th century and thrives in the present day with over 50 stalls and the largest outdoor market in North Wales.
The unique architecture of Portmeirion village is just a 30-minute drive from Criccieth: designed and constructed by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975 in a Mediterranean style and popularised in the 1960’s as the location for the cult TV series ‘The Prisoner’. The visitor will undoubtedly recognise the quirky Italian village architecture from any number of film, TV and music videos over the decades.
Sheffield DA's THS at Bron Eifion Farm, Criccieth, Thursday 29th to Sunday 15th August 2021. The Temporary Holiday Site (THS) is open to all members of The Camping and Caravanning Club.
Cost: £10.00 per unit night; £2.00 per night additional adult fee.
Map reference: 123/489381
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