Smugglers Cove Boatyard

From £20 For 1 night, 2 adults 9.8 9 reviews
The deck...
Last pitch along path, angell. a soft wood chip patch for tent and surrounded by grass and shrubs (added by manager 19 mar 2024)
The deck... (added by manager 30 may 2023)
Part of the pathway, alongside the camping pitches (looking back) (added by manager 19 mar 2024)

  • Small peaceful site on the Dyfi estuary, seven miles from Machynlleth
  • A 10-minute drive from the beach at Aberdyfi
  • Riverside firepits, with wood available to buy on site
Evenings spent by the water’s edge, cosied up round the firepit and watching the sun set over the river? Simply blissful, and a regular happening for those who make their way to Smugglers Cove Boatyard, a properly peaceful place down on the Dyfi estuary three miles from Aberdyfi and seven from Machynlleth. The views by day from here are pretty special too, looking out over the river towards Ynys-Hir RSPB reserve and Borth Bog National Nature Reserve. When the tide’s out a little beach appears for paddling; when the water’s higher it’s possible to swim or launch canoes or boats from the slipway (bring them along to use the boatyard’s storage facilities if you wish). Adding to the chilled vibe is the lack of cars down by the river’s edge – wheelbarrows are provided to help you transport your kit along the 100-metre stretch between the parking area and pitches, which travels through the traditional working boatyard and along part of the coastal path. This path has uneven ground, as it's between the river and the tree-line, and beneath the embankment of a raised coastal road. If you can tear yourself away from gazing out over the water, there’s plenty of wholesome activity to be had nearby, including boating, beaches and birdwatching. The Cambrian railway line runs through the property along a raised embankment and disappears into a tunnel deep in the hill behind the foreshore and pitches, and the coastal A493 also runs above the property; most of the guests don't seem to mind this, but the owners want you to be aware. Smuggler's Cove is a working boatyard and therefore there will possibly be some noise such as clanking rigging and people working on their boats.

Site type

Lodges, cabins, pods or huts 2
Tent pitches 3
Open all year
Please note
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
  • The site does not accept breeds/crossbreeds listed in the Dangerous Dogs Act (i.e. Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro).
  • No cars/motorbikes by the pitch/unit. All cars must be parked in the designated area.
  • Discount cards and gift vouchers cannot be applied to bookings made via Pitchup.com.
  • Guests are advised to bring a good quality torch with them as parts of the site are unlit.
  • Please note that the toilet/shower facilities are unisex.
  • The pitches are 190 metres from the car park, accessed via a path through the working boatyard and a rugged coastal path, so please be aware of uneven ground along the route. Wheelbarrows are provided. The site is working boatyard and there may be some associated noise.

Languages spoken

English

Pitch types & availability

Other pitch types

Reviews

100%

would recommend this site to a friend

100%

would stay here again

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Only showing reviews for the last 30 months.

Comfortable pitches with stunning views and access to wildlife

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 8
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 10
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Dyfi non-electric mixed tent pitch

Liked: - stunning views - wood chip was comfortable and easy to pitch up on - space between pitches - good shower and toilet facilities

Disliked: - loud dog on neighbouring pitch

Recommend to friends Visit again

Facilities clean pitches level, well protected staff friendly,helpful

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 6
Accommodation No rating
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness No rating
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Robert S. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Dyfi non-electric mixed tent pitch

Liked: I found the boatyard interesting and full of history. The Pitches. All pitches are Sth Faceing and has the sun all day,nice for the summer. Pitches, 3 inall, have excellent coverage on all 3 sides with trees and bushes and a step bank at the back. Coverage from the wind and rain is good. Spent 6th/19th October there . So yes good coverage. The views and scenery are out standing. Apart from the 2 weekends when other people where useing other pitches, I did not see a soul. Campfires allowed and each pitch had it's own firepit. From car park to pitches is a bit of a hike and a quarter of the path is uneven and needs a steady foot. Wheelbarrows are provided to cart your equipment to the pitches. Suggest a look 1st. Other then that quarter part of path reast ok. Showers and toilets(2) are very clean. I used the one at car park. If you like wild camping and be offgrid, then this is the place. So quite and tranquil.

Disliked: The quarter part of the path.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great stay yet again, made use out of the barbecue this stay…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 8
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 2
Troy D. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Hannah 2 bedroom marina berth, slip, mooring

Liked: Great stay yet again, made use out of the barbecue this stay and was very enjoyable. Showers were super hot and clean. It’s very peaceful as this boatyard is so quiet and visitors are respectful. Not to do with the accomodation - Be very very carful of the tide! Walked out shin deep and came in above knee in less than 5 minutes!

Disliked: Would have loved our own covered area outside just in case the weather turned, it could be equally as quirky as the boat however this didn’t ruin our stay.

Recommend to friends Visit again

We will definitely be back

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness No rating
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Coral A. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

The Boy John 1 bedroom marina berth, slip, mooring

Liked: Boy John is an amazing boat! The area to explore is fantastic, the accommodation inside the boat is excellent, spacious and clean. There are places to sit in the Sun in the shade outside of the boat, as well as inside, it is a place to chill unwind and find yourself. There is a sink on board the boat and there is a shower block with a toilet just a short distance away. Adequate lighting on board for the dark evenings.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Unique but too wild but for more than a night or two.

Overall 8/10
Location 10
Value for money No rating
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 6
Customer service 6
Child friendliness 4
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 4
Ford M. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Angell non-electric mixed tent pitch (XL)

Liked: Fab views and sounds of nature.

Disliked: Getting to pitches with gear from car is potentially a pain despite wheel barrows provided. Not suitable for less agile individuals or those visially impaired.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Fantastic, unusual site. Clean facilities and wonderful staff.

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 6
Vicki G. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Hannah 2 bedroom marina berth, slip, mooring

Liked: We stayed in the Hannah, although a small boat, it had everything we needed and the layout was convenient and there was lots of storage. We loved our stay and the boat was incredible. The views were stunning and staff were friendly and attentive. The facilities were kept clean throughout the day and the site has a lovely atmosphere about it. I highly recommend the Smugglers Cove Boatyard.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Beautiful location and private

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 8
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 6
Cleanliness 8
Wifi No rating
Nikki P. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Dulas non-electric mixed tent pitch

Liked: The location was spectacular. The whole environment was quirky and full of character. The facilities were fine. I would go back for another visit and have already recommended it to others!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Amazing all round.

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness No rating
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Matthew W. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Hannah 2 bedroom marina berth, slip, mooring

Liked: The location, outlook, facilities and service are amazing. Sophie was an amazing host The accommodation “Hannah” was fab. Clean and all you needed on hand with a few bonus surprises. Would highly recommend for a couple to use as a perfect escape

Recommend to friends Visit again

Can’t wait to visit again.

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 8
Customer service 8
Child friendliness 2
Cleanliness 8
Wifi 2
Nicola W. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Dulas non-electric mixed tent pitch

Liked: Everything… absolutely stunning location we had pitch Dulas this was the only one available when we booked but it did not disappoint. Views spectacular. Rained while we were there however this did not disappoint we were slightly sheltered by the trees. Swimming in the sea on an evening before sitting down to a campfire and a glass off red wine. Facilities are as expected clean and fit for purpose. Wild camp experience will definitely visit again.

Disliked: Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again


Features

Leisure on site

Bar or club house

Cycle hire

Evening entertainment

Fishing

Fitness centre

Games room

Indoor swimming pool

Kids' club

On-site restaurant/cafe

Outdoor swimming pool

Play area

TV room

Take away

Tennis

Watersports

Amenities on site

Bath available

Car parking by pitch/unit

Composting toilet

Disabled facilities

Dog park

Drying room

Food shop

Free wifi

Ice pack freezing

Internet access

Launderette

Parent & baby washroom

Pick-up from public transport

Portable toilet

Pub toilets

Public telephone

Shower available

Toilet block

Washing-up area

Wifi

Groups welcome

D. of E. welcome

Family friendly

Motorcycle friendly

Single-sex groups welcome

Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue provided

Barbecues allowed

Campfires allowed

Commercial vehicles allowed

Dogs allowed

Dogs allowed all year

Themes

Budget/backpacker

Spectacular scenery

Wild camping

Wildlife haven

Utilities

Charging facilities

Chemical disposal

Communal freezer

Electric car charging point(s)

Gas cylinders available

Recycling available

Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby

Dog walk nearby

Public transport nearby

Type

Tiny (1-10 pitches)

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby

Climbing nearby

Cycling nearby

Fishing nearby

Golf nearby

Horse riding nearby

Indoor pool nearby

Mountain biking nearby

Restaurant nearby

Sailing nearby

Watersports nearby

Location

Smugglers Cove Boatyard

Fron Goch

Aberdovey

Gwynedd

Wales

LL35 0RG

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)

GPS

52.55674°N
-3.97305°W

Route directions

Using the postcode on satnav may redirect to Aberdovey Luxury Lodges. When you're close, ignore the directions and stay on the A493 until you see the entrance to the boatyard, on the river side of the road (left if coming from Machynlleth, right from Aberdyfi). Park up and walk up the path to the right of the curved building and under the railway bridge. The Boy John is on your right, Hannah just beyond. For the pitches, go down the slipway, turning left along the path below the sea wall.

Nearest transport

Coach
10.4 mi University Campus Penglais
10.5 mi Penllwyn PO
10.5 mi Penllwyn PO
Rail
2.1 mi Dovey Junction Rail Station
2.7 mi Penhelig Rail Station
3.6 mi Aberdovey Rail Station
Ferry
11.4 mi Porth Penrhyn Ferry Landing
11.7 mi Barmouth Ferry Landing

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Local attractions

Bring your binoculars if you’re into birdwatching, for there’s much twitching activity nearby – geese and wading birds fish just by the site, and there are nesting ospreys along the river at the Dyfi Osprey Project. More spotting, along with super views towards Snowdonia, can be had from Ynys-Hir RSPB reserve (home to the BBC's Springwatch programme for several seasons), which is around a 20-minute drive away. If it’s beaches you seek, your nearest is the wide sandy stretch in Aberdyfi, 10 minutes away – also a good spot for a round of golf, a bit of fishing or watersports including sailing, canoeing and kitesurfing. For a bit of town time, head into Machynlleth, 10 minutes’ drive away, for independent shops, a leisure centre and concerts or exhibitions at the MOMA Machynlleth performing arts centre. Cultured types might also like to pay a visit to the renovated 1920s Magic Lantern Cinema 15 minutes away in Tywyn.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020 2019 2018 2017
Aberdyfi 3.6 mi Estuary Excellent Good Good Good
Aberdyfi Rural 4.5 mi Sea Excellent Excellent Good Good
Tywyn 5.7 mi Sea Good Good Good Excellent
Borth 5.7 mi Sea Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Clarach South 9.6 mi Sea Good Good Good Good

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Rheilffordd Talyllyn Railway 5.2 mi

MOMA Wales - Y Tabernacl 5.5 mi

Vale of Rheidol Railway (Aberystwyth) 11 mi

CADW - Harlech Castle 21.6 mi

Portmeirion Gardens 25.2 mi

Cycle routes

Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.

Other

YNYS-HIR (CURRENT BOUNDARY FROM 20/04/2000) 1.6 mi

Abergynolwyn - Foel Y Geifr - Abergynolwyn 6.1 mi

Esgair Fochnant - Glaslyn - Bugeilyn 9.1 mi

Fairbourne to Barmouth 10.1 mi

Cadair Idris 11.4 mi

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Want to know more about camping in Gwynedd?

  • Does Smugglers Cove Boatyard have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Smugglers Cove Boatyard dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Smugglers Cove Boatyard? Bring your binoculars if you’re into birdwatching, for there’s much twitching activity nearby – geese and wading birds fish just by the site, and there are nesting ospreys along the river at … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Smugglers Cove Boatyard?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  12 p.m. –  Anytime
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    On-site accommodation
    Arrive:  3 p.m. –  Anytime
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Smugglers Cove Boatyard? From £20 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.