Smugglers Cove Boatyard

Liked This campsite is truly beautiful, with stunning views all around. The pitches are a generous size and feel private, separated by bushes and trees so you don’t feel overlooked (though you may need to cross another pitch to reach the WC). The facilities are sparkling clean, which made the stay very comfortable.

Disliked The only downside for me was the road above the pitches — I could hear car noises at night, but I’m a light sleeper, so it may not bother others as much.

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Liked We’re just on our way home after a fabulous long weekend at Smugglers Cove Boatyard and we didn’t want to leave!

On arrival, we were met my Sophie who was very welcoming and helpful. She was usually around the boatyard during the day.

We stayed in Hannah and what a charming little boat it is! It literally has everything you need for a stay away from home, even down to there being camping chairs, washing up liquid and cooking oil. You could go with just your clothes, towels and bedding and wouldn’t need anything else. There’s even plates, cups and cutlery! And there is surprisingly lots of storage areas for everything to go!

I loved the layout of the boat and especially the log burner which I used one of the mornings when it was a bit chilly. There are free logs provided but you can always buy more.

We came as family with two 11 year olds and they loved their little bedroom and exploring around the boatyard. They found lots of little crabs too and liked the swing!

The toilet/shower/washing up block just steps away. The toilets in there are composting toilets but there are proper toilets and shower by the car park just up the path. I found all the facilities clean and tidy. I also liked that there are bins provided for food waste and recyclables!

The boatyard is just minutes away from Aberdobey and we loved the beach there, there’s lots of pubs and coffee shops. It’s also about 45 minutes from Aberystwyth so definitely worth a visit.

I think the best thing about the boatyard though has to be the scenery which just stunning! It’s such a quiet, peaceful and beautiful corner of the world.

We will be returning, next time I want to stay in The Boy John!

Disliked Nothing

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Liked All of it . Amazing place and boat . Sophie super helpful and such a lovely woman! Boat was clean and well equipped. Just bring your bedding, food and drinks if you like .Shower and toilet facilities are very clean . Loved all cleaning prices being eco friendly. We are definitely will be back for a longer stay !

Disliked Low ceilings. Just remember, low ceilings 🙈 otherwise you will be back with few bumps on your head 🤣

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Liked Beautiful location, friendly and helpful staff, the boat was perfect for us, the staff left plenty of wood to make a fire in the fire pit or in the wood burner indoors. The shower block and toilet facilities were clean.

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Liked What a view to wake up to! Having discovered smugglers cove boatyard camping several years ago, we have returned as a large family for several years, hiring the 3 camping pitches for our own little private getaway. Love it here.

Disliked Having to come home

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Liked The most beautiful view of a morning such a peaceful place.

Really quirky on the boat which we loved found some beautiful beaches.

Disliked Nothing

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Liked The views and the facilities. The strong mobile network was a welcomed surprise. Staff was also friendly. Bring your binoculars

Disliked Not much the guys in the next tent was way to chatty but that's not the campsites fault.

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Liked The stunning views across the estuary from the tent pitches, watching herons and little egrets fish, the nightly campfire, the clean and hot showers, the friendly hosts (thanks Sophie!) and how well organised and up together everything was. As our neighbour said 'It's a little piece of paradise' and anybody would be lucky to camp there.

Disliked Nothing

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Liked Lovely campsite in a stunning location. Clean and tidy toilets/bathroom. The pitch was beautiful and overall a great experience, we would definitely go back 😊

Disliked It was a shame we had to cut it short due to predicted high winds overnight, we were a bit worried about the trees overhanging the pitch so definitely check the weather forcast before you go. Pitch was a fair walk away from the carpark and toilets, this was clearly advertised but definitely something to think properly about when you need to do 4/5 trips to carry all your stuff or go to the loo late at night. The shower was a bit ropey, either freezing cold or scolding hot and had to keep pressing the button for the water 20 seconds or so at a time. To be fair there was a sign with a mobile number to call to adjust the temperature but not ideal if you forget to take your phone to the bathroom or have wet hands 😳

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Liked We loved pretty much everything about this place. The atmosphere: quet place, boat as the living space that even had a log burner, the tides, convenient place to reach other landmarks like pistyll rhaeadr waterfall. The owners were very friendly, welcoming and helpful. The kids absolutely loved this place, as the river (that has about 2.5m high tides) was literally 10 meters from our doorstep.

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