There’s nothing quite like that sense of serenity that comes with coastal camping.
Wales is home to many gems when it comes to outdoor camping, including a vast selection of incredible coastal campsite spots. After all, who doesn’t love the feeling of the ocean breeze on their skin?
At Winfields Outdoors, we’re passionate about being able to provide you with the best advice possible in regards to all things camping and outdoors. That’s why we’ve created this short collection of several campsites near the Welsh coast that tick all the boxes for a memorable camping experience.
Ready to find out the best seaside campsites across the Welsh coast? Keep reading to learn more…
We’ve hand-selected seven hard-to-beat campsites from up and down the Welsh coast for you to choose from. These seven incredible sites are in idyllic coastal campsite locations, and offer a superb range of top-notch facilities to ensure that you enjoy your stay – making it easy for you to explore the glorious natural beauty of Welsh beaches and the natural coastline.
Discover what camping in Wales near the beach has to offer with Heritage Coast Campsite, situated in the beautiful area of Glamorgan, South Wales.
Whether you want a luxurious glamping trip or prefer to keep it authentic, the Heritage Coast Campsite caters to all types of camping experiences. With the option to pitch your tent, or park up in a campervan, this fantastic location is perfect for campers who love being active on their outdoor adventures – as there’s direct access to a 35 mile hiking stretch of the Glamorgan Heritage Coast Path.
In addition, you’ll be welcomed with spectacular views and scenery, along with nearby coves, beautiful golden beaches, national trail hiking paths and cliff tops, and nature reserves – such as the famous Sand Dunes in Merthyr Mawr – located just 7 miles away.
With three pubs within walking distance, there’s plenty of options to find tasty meals after a long day spent exploring the beach by the campsite. Don’t forget to take some time to explore the nearby villages and towns like Llantwit Major and Cowbridge, or even take a daytrip over to Barry – a seaside town with a fairground and beach made famous by the TV show Gavin and Stacey. For more traditional beach activities, explore nearby Penarth, with a pebble beach that’s perfect for fossil hunting.
Looking for local beach walks? The 10 Vale Trails will take you across the length and breadth of the Vale of Glamorgan. The Ogmore by Sea walk takes you above Dunraven Bay for one of the best views of the Glamorgan Heritage coast. Or, discover more about the region’s history when you take the Haunted Field Walk that passes by Dyffryn House & Gardens, and two neolithic burial chambers that are even older than Stonehenge.
Fun fact: according to legend, the capstone at St. Lythan’s Burial Chamber spins three times on midsummer eve, whilst the others head in the river for a bath!
Camping in Wales near the beach doesn’t get much better than Bennar By The Beach. Located a stone’s throw from the glorious sandy Bennar beach at Dyffryn Ardudwy, this is a fantastic coastal campsite for the whole family.
Whether you want to get away from modern life, or prefer to keep access to a few of life’s luxuries, there’s a pitch for you at this beach campsite. Find plenty of pitches with electricity hookups for charging gadgets, or to make use of everything your campervan has to offer. Want to make your trip even more comfortable? Explore our range of camping furniture for the ultimate lounging experience after a day spent playing in the sand and surf.
At Bennar By The Beach campsite, you have pedestrian access to the shore from the campsite via a wooden boardwalk. This easy access to the rolling dunes and golden sands is ideal for young families, and you can take part in all the classic beach activities – from building sandcastles, to dipping your toes (or more) into the sea.
Being on the west coast of Wales means you can experience some of the best sunsets from the comfort of your pitch – or even head over to the beach for an extra-special evening watching the sun dip below the waves.
Looking for a more adventurous beach activity? Bennar beach is popular year round with surfers and body boards because of the consistently large waves, promising a fun and energetic break away from modern life. Bennar also happens to be an excellent fishing spot, where you’ll find plaice, bass, and more!
Outside of the beach, this campsite is ideally situated for access to plenty of incredible landscapes and activities. With the Rhinog mountains to the east, and the peak of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) to the north, there are plenty of attractions to discover further inland when you make this beach campsite your base for your holiday.
Top tip: traversing the Welsh Coastal Path? Bennar By The Beach Campsite is located halfway between Harlech and Barmouth, making it the perfect home base to explore the area.
Looking for campsites in Anglesey near the beach? Then Pengraig could be the one for you. Situated on the north-west of the island, Pengraig beach campsite is about as far from the mainland as you can get without actively hopping on a boat!
But there are advantages to such a far-flung beach campsite. See the world from a different perspective – with stunning views across the bay and well out to sea, this is the perfect spot for hours of outdoor relaxation and reflection. Or, spend your day rambling along the Anglesey Coastal Paths and exploring the local area on foot.
Top tip: this is a prime spot for birdwatching, so why not treat yourself to a new pair of Summit Discovery Binoculars? Small and lightweight, these are the perfect addition to your holiday to discover more about the wildlife in Anglesey without intruding on their habitats.
This is the ultimate back-to-basics beach campsite. So, if you’re considering a venture into wild camping, but aren’t sure if you’ll like it, Pengraig is an excellent starting point. You can get a feel for wild camping, but still have access to toilets and a ready supply of drinking water. Plus, the local village of Church Bay is five minutes’ drive away with access to several pubs, or a short 15 minute drive means you can explore the supermarket at Cemaes for more essentials.
With minimal light pollution, Pengraig beach campsite is the perfect spot for some stargazing. Whilst not considered amongst your usual beach activities, there’s something inherently peaceful about laying back on the sand and watching the night’s sky. You could even plan a trip to fall around a meteor shower, and watch the sky come alive with zooming trails of light.
Looking for something more active? There are plenty of beach walks you can take with the whole family. It’s roughly 20 minutes to rocky Ynys y Fydlyn beach, or in around 40 minutes, you can find Church Bay and its sandy shore.
Top tip: a short 25 minute drive from Church Bay will bring you to Amlwch – the northernmost town in the whole of Wales! Or, head south for approximately 35 minutes and take a photo with the UK’s longest town name at… wait for it… Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.
Practically the opposite of wild camping, the Cardigan Bay Camping and Caravanning Club site has plenty of facilities to bring a touch of home to your camping holiday. Ideally placed on the western edge of Ceredigion, camping in Wales near the beach has never been more comfortable than at this coastal campsite.
Using this beach campsite as your home base, it’s easy to explore the Snowdonia and Ceredigion section of the Welsh Coastal Path. For example, head north for around 50 minutes in the car to explore Aberystwyth and all this large coastal town has to offer, including the Cliff Electric Railway (opened in 1896) for incredible views across the coast.
Want more than traditional beach activities like building sandcastles, or burying your legs in the sand? Take a boat trip in the summer to try and spot dolphins off the Cardigan coast. Or, get more adventurous with a trip to Poppit Sands. A hub for beach sports, you can try your hand at land boarding, power kiting and more!
Of course, there are also plenty of beach walks for you to explore along the coast of Ceredigion. Take a trip over to Mwnt, a popular sheltered cove, for a picnic, or take the Foel y Mwnt trail to overlook the beach from the summit.
Top tip: step back in time with a visit to Aberaeron. The colourful regency-style buildings make the perfect backdrop to some stunning pictures, whilst there are plenty of treats and souvenirs to be enjoyed along the harbour and further into town.
Fancy a day spent relaxing onsite? With plenty of space to pitch your tent, or park a caravan, you can bring the whole family for a beach holiday to remember. And, if you need a little more space for everyone, make sure to pick up a caravan awning and enjoy the outdoors whatever the weather.
Suitable for tents, caravans, motor homes, campervans, the Trwyn Yr Wylfa beach campsite is perfect for you – however you choose to spend your holiday.
Nestled on the outskirts of Penmaenmawr, you can relax in your tent as you’re surrounded by incredible mountain views of Snowdonia National Park on one side, or turn and watch the boats pass on the sea on the other. Pick out seabirds as they fly over the shore, or enjoy the extraordinary vistas over Anglesey and Great Orme in the distance.
Looking to be more active? There are plenty of beach walks within a close proximity to your campsite. Explore the northern part of the Wales Coastal Path directly from your campsite site, with incredible views over to Lavan Sands on Anglesey. Taking roughly three hours, you could walk from Penmaenmawr to Llanfairfechan for a beach to beach walk, or dip inland over the hills of Tal y Fan and Foel Lwyd for one of the ultimate North Wales hill to beach walks.
Top tip: buses and trains run between Penmaenmawr to Llanfairfechan, so you can always hitch a ride back home.
Alternatively, you could spend the day relaxing on the local beach, and take part in sandcastle competitions and other beach activities with friends and family. Plus, if you’re not quite ready to give up your favourite social media, or want to Facetime your friends to show them what they’re missing, this campsite has relatively strong 4G reception.
Outside of the gorgeous coastline on offer at Trwyn Yr Wylfa, you can also take a daytrip to nearby Conwy. Spend your day at Conwy Castle, visit Plas Mawr for a look into an Elizabethan townhouse, or even see the smallest house in Great Britain.
However you want to spend your time, Trwyn Yr Wylfa is one of the best beach campsites in North Wales for families looking to spend a long weekend together in the outdoors.
Overlooking the stunningly beautiful Pembrokeshire coast, the Coastal Meadows Campsite is an excellent option for camping in South Wales near the beach.
Wile away your days with plenty of incredible beach walks along the Welsh Coastal Path. Starting at nearby Amroth, the Pembrokeshire leg of the path covers 186 miles of breathtaking scenery across the sea and around South Wales. Take a short amble before returning to your home base, or use this beach campsite as the starting point of a longer trek.
Top tip: if you are planning to tackle a longer stretch of the Welsh Coastal Path, make sure you’re prepared for the trip with a comfortable pair of hiking and walking boots.
But don’t worry that you have to venture out for things to do. You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to beaches – within a short 10 miles of this cosy campsite are eight each of Blue Flag beaches and Seaside Award winners. Take the kids for a fun-filled day of beach activities like sandcastle building, or take a dip in the sea (although we recommend a wetsuit in the colder months!).
Let out your adventurous side at nearby Morfa Bay Adventure, where you can go quad biking, paintballing, and coasteering with friends and family. Or, go for a ride at the award-winning Marros Riding School, which offers horse riding sessions to the public.
If a calm day is more your speed, take some time to explore nearby Tenby. With loads of independent shops, you can take a more casual approach to your beach camping holiday with a mooch around town. Of course, there’s always the option to dial up the energy and head for a paddle boarding session at Tenby beach – and you’re perfectly situated to reward yourself with a delicious piece of cake after your hard work!
Whatever your holidaying style, there’s plenty to do with this beach campsite as your base (despite its deceptive appearance).
One of the most popular camping holiday destinations in North Wales, this list wouldn’t be complete without at least one campsite in Abersoch. The Tyn-y-Mur Touring and Camping park is an excellent example of beach campsites in this region that make the perfect home from home for your holiday. Located on the hill overlooking Abersoch bay, this is the closest campsite to the village – for maximum comfort and convenience.
If you’re a keen surfer, this is definitely the beach campsite for you. The nearby Porth Neigwl (Hell’s Mouth) is a firm favourite year round due to consistently good waves and strong current, especially on the north side of the bay.
For a more relaxing way to get on the water, book a boat tour heading out from Abersoch village. Simply sit back and relax as you’re expertly piloted around Abersoch Bay, St Tudwals Islands, and Porth Ceiriad for an incredible sightseeing trip – and keep your eyes peeled for dolphins along the way!
Part of the reason campsites in Abersoch are so valued is their proximity to some incredible beach walks around this tip of North Wales. Take a casual stroll from Abersoch to Machroes, and have lunch at the Machroes cafe. Then, if the tide cooperates, you could even walk back along the shore for beautiful views out to sea.
Alternatively, you could take the longer route along the Welsh Coastal Path, starting in Abersoch and heading all the way to Llanbedrog – or even further along to Pwllheli. Take in the stunning views and absorb the fresh air as you look out for landmarks along the route, like The Iron Man on Mynydd Tir y Cwmwd (near Llanbedrog).
Visiting a campsite near the coast is the ultimate way to experience an outdoor holiday. Camping near the beach gives you the best of everything – access to the sea, local shops, and even other walking trails and attractions further inland.
Top tip: coastal campsites are renowned for being a little windy due to their location – especially along the west coast of Wales. To avoid any unnecessary hassle, consider upgrading your tent pegs to ensure you have no issue pitching your tent. If you would like more information on this, check out our Tent Peg Guide – Which Type Should You Use.
Do remember that it’s not permitted to camp on the beach, as that would be classed as wild camping. Wild camping is illegal throughout Wales – so a coastal campsite is your best bet to be able to experience these stunningly beautiful areas.
(Wild camping is also illegal in England, except for areas in Dartmoor. However, Scotland and Ireland’s rules vary depending on region, so if wild camping on the beach is what you want to do, we recommend looking into the legal restrictions of an area before travelling.)
Not sure you’ve got the supplies to enjoy an amazing beach campsite this summer? Well, you’re in the right place. We have an excellent selection of family tents, camping chairs, and all the other essentials you may not have thought about in our dedicated camping accessories pages.
Or, for more ideas and activity inspiration, check out the Winfields Outdoors blog today…
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