Pen y Bwlch

View prices & book 9.7 143 reviews
Visitor image of one of the fields (added by manager 18 Jan 2023)
Camping pitch
Visitor image of their pitch
Campsite

  • Off-grid grass pitches with fabulous views of Snowdonia National Park
  • A 15-minute drive to Caernarfon and Snowdon Mountain Railway
  • Barn with showers, drying area and storage for bikes or kayaks
Set in truly spectacular Caernarfon countryside, Pen y Bwlch overlooks mountains and rivers whichever way you turn. Just on the edge of Snowdonia National Park, this is a secluded retreat with lots of space that lends itself equally well to romantic getaways and relaxed family breaks. Off grid this place most certainly is, but it’s also only a 15-minute drive from Llanberis, at the foot of Snowdon – and the gateway to walking, cycling and climbing adventures in the national park – a bonus for all you active types out there. A round up of simple facilities includes an eco-composting toilet near the camping field and a hot shower in the barn a short walk away, where you can also dry your clothes (this is Wales, remember, so rain does sometimes appear) – and there’s also room to store your bikes and kayaks. It’s worth noting that open fires aren’t permitted in this untamed part of Snowdonia, so firepit-style barbecues aren’t allowed. And as this site is all about relaxing in nature, you'll be asked not to play loud music after 8pm.

Site type

Rent a tent 2
Tent pitches 5
Open now
Opens 25 March
Please note
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
  • No hen/stag parties permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • No cars/motorbikes by the pitch/unit. All cars must be parked in the designated area.
  • At least one of the party members must be aged 21 or over.
  • 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.

Languages spoken

English

Welsh

Open from Mon, 25 Mar to

Reviews

97%

would recommend this site to a friend

97%

would stay here again

  • 91%
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Only showing reviews for the last 30 months.

Tranquility of spot Views Shower Kindness of hosts Value for money…

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

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: Tranquility of spot Views Shower Kindness of hosts Value for money

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great location and owners are very helpful we arrived late but they…

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

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: Great location and owners are very helpful we arrived late but they gave us good directions. Warm shower was lovely.

Recommend to friends Visit again

100% Recommended! Amazing views 😍

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

Bell tent

Liked: We liked everything, even the rain was good as we’ve seen a beautiful rainbow. Beth is lovely, friendly and she is working hard to keep the space well maintained. It’s a plus that you don’t have to leave early. Thank you for having us 😊

Recommend to friends Visit again

I would happily live out the rest of my days in a…

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

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: I would happily live out the rest of my days in a tent on this mountain. (Perhaps not in Winter... but honestly the views are bewitching!) Possibly one of the most beautiful sites to stay in Eryri National Park. A handful of flat pitches, Pen y Bwlch is a quiet and back to basics campsite - wild camping without the need for a strip wash and hole digging... The pitches are quite exposed and you are obviously high up in North Wales so prepare yourself and I'd recommend a sturdy tent! I would also note that you can't park next to your pitch and have to take a short walk to transport your stuff but it's worth it! I loved it so much I extended our stay an extra couple of nights. Beth and Jonny are excellent and friendly hosts who are happy to help with any queries you have and make you feel more than welcome. I will definitely be coming back!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Excellent campsite! Best views across the valley to Snowdon. Highly recommend!…

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

Bell tent

Liked: Excellent campsite! Best views across the valley to Snowdon. Highly recommend!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Level pitches with fantastic views and friendly couple

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

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: Jonny and Beth were very friendly and considerate and accommodating. We arrived during a storm in August the aftermath of a hurricane. 60 to 80 mile winds most of the week. They lets us pitch our tent in the barn. And then let us camp just outside the barn in a sheltered location. The views we should have had are spectacular, but exposed in bad weather. The campsite is small and quite and provides the basics which suited us very well. Thank you for making a stormy week bare able.

Disliked: Be warned you will need to carry your gear around 150-200 yards from car to site.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great location, and amazing hosts. Nothing is too much trouble. Will definitely…

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

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: Great location, and amazing hosts. Nothing is too much trouble. Will definitely be back.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Stunning views of Snowden - Small site - lovely hosts - hidden gem!

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

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: The location is so stunning and Jonny & Beth were fantastic hosts. The pictures don’t do it justice - you won’t want to leave the pitch the views are so great! We will definitely be coming back!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Recommend to everyone.

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

Bell tent

Liked: The best campsite ever.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Quiet camp with lovely view.…

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

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: Quiet camp with lovely view.

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 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

Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue provided Barbecues allowed Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed No dogs allowed

Themes

Lake and/or mountain Peaceful Remote location Spectacular scenery Walkers' paradise Wildlife haven

Utilities

Charging facilities Chemical disposal Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby Shop nearby

Type

Farm Tiny (1-10 pitches)

Accessibility

Disabled facilities

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby Climbing nearby Cycling nearby Horse riding nearby Mountain biking nearby Restaurant nearby Watersports nearby

Location

Pen y Bwlch

Cwm y Glo

Caernarfon

Gwynedd

Wales

LL55 4ED

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)

GPS

53.13332°N
-4.1672°W

Route directions

Please do not follow the postcode on Google Maps as it will send you in the wrong direction. Use the postcode LL55 4RF. Continue up past Brynteg, which will be on your right. Stay on that road for about a mile. You will climb a hill where you will go over a cattle grid. Turn immediately right and you have arrived at the site.

Nearest transport

Coach
4.4 mi Bus Station
6.8 mi Bus Station
7.4 mi Povey's Garage
Rail
6.3 mi Bangor (Gwynedd) Rail Station
6.3 mi Llanfairpwll Rail Station
11.5 mi Llanfairfechan Rail Station
Ferry
22.7 mi Holyhead Ferry Terminal
29 mi Barmouth Ferry Landing
29.3 mi Porth Penrhyn Ferry Landing
Airport
17.4 mi Anglesey Airport

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

Active types, get set to get busy. From this site, you can canoe on Llyn Padarn lake (10 minutes’ drive) or walk to waterfalls from Betws y Coed (40 minutes). And don’t forget that all the walking, climbing and cycling prospects of Snowdonia National Park (40 minutes) are to hand, as well as rounds of golf (10 minutes). If you’re after something to get the adrenaline flowing, zoom down zipwires at Zip World Penrhyn Quarry (25 minutes), or try subterranean climbing and abseiling routes at Zip World Slate Caverns (an hour). If you need a rest after all that activity, climb on board the Snowdon Mountain Railway (15 minutes) for a relaxing and scenic tootle up to the summit of the highest mountain in Wales. Brush up on local history with a nose around National Trust-owned Penrhyn Castle and Gardens (25 minutes) or take a tour of medieval Caernarfon Castle (15 minutes). The Welsh mining heritage is showcased at the National Slate Museum (15 minutes), and a trip over the Menai Straits to Anglesey (35 minutes) turns up spectacular waterside gardens at Plas Newydd House (half an hour).

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020 2019 2018 2017
Morfa Dinlle 7.9 mi Sea Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Llanddwyn 9.2 mi Sea Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Llanfairfechan 11.8 mi Sea Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Llanddona 12.1 mi Sea Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
St Davids - Benllech 12.7 mi Sea Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Snowdon Mountain Railway 2.3 mi

National Slate Museum 2.3 mi

Caernarfon Castle 4.6 mi

Penrhyn Castle 5.2 mi

Beaumaris Castle 9.4 mi

National Trust

Plas Newydd Country House and Gardens 5.3 mi

Ty^ Mawr Wybrnant 14.6 mi

Bodnant Garden 16.7 mi

Aberconwy House 17.3 mi

Plas yn Rhiw 28.5 mi

Cycle routes

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

Other

Ceunant Bach - Moel Eilio - Foel Goch 2.2 mi

Gwastadnant - Elidir Fach - Elidir Fawr - Gwastadnant 4.3 mi

Bethesda - Ogwen 5.4 mi

Gyrn Wigau and Foel Grach 5.9 mi

Ogwen Cottage - Llyn Bochlwyd - Glyder Fach - Glyder Fawr - Devil's Kitchen 6.1 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.

Nearest sites

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

Want to know more about camping in Gwynedd?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Pen y Bwlch have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Pen y Bwlch dog friendly? No View all features
  • What attractions are near Pen y Bwlch? Active types, get set to get busy. From this site, you can canoe on Llyn Padarn lake (10 minutes’ drive) or walk to waterfalls from Betws y Coed (40 minutes). And don’t … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Pen y Bwlch?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  4 p.m. –  8 p.m.
    Depart by:  Anytime
    On-site accommodation
    Arrive:  4 p.m. –  8 p.m.
    Depart by:  Anytime
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Pen y Bwlch? From £24 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.