Camping by the beach in Wales

While 'wild camping' without the permission of the landowner isn't allowed anywhere in Wales, including beaches, we have several campsites near the beach with panoramic coastal views and fresh sea air. Plus, you get the benefit of on-site facilities including hot showers/toilets, electrical hook ups and on-site security. Many sites are just a stone's throw away from the shoreline and have direct access to the Wales Coast Path. It's easy to get to the beautiful Welsh coast from within Wales as well from the rest of the UK. What are you waiting for?

Head to West Wales for wide sandy beaches, plenty of family friendly attractions, and independent towns to explore.

Penmaen, Swansea, SA3 2HB

Perched on a cliff top, Three Cliffs Holiday Park (5*) has panoramic views over Gower's beautiful coast. The quiet, dog-friendly site is ideal for couples, families and solo travellers. As well as camping pitches and glamping options, the site welcomes caravans, motorhomes and campervans. For availability, booking and prices visit the Three Cliffs Bay Holiday Park website.

Facilities include:

• Modern shower blocks with underfloor heating
• Fire pits
• Free WiFi
• Onsite shop selling freshly baked bread, local produce, camping supplies and beach goods
• Laundrette

The site has a private footpath down to the dog-friendly Three Cliffs Bay. One of Gower's most famous beaches, the sandy shores are perfect for sandcastles and photographs. The tidal currents can make it dangerous to swim or do watersports. Lifeguards are on duty between April and September, and they can advise on safely going into the water.

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Caerfai Road, St Davids, Pembrokeshire, SA62 6QT

Caerfai Bay Caravan & Tent Park (5*) is a mere 275m (300 yards) from Caerfai Beach, and around 1.5km (1 mile) from pretty St Davids. It's a quiet, family run, family friendly site with a small farm shop. They cater for tents, tourers and motorhomes - and all pitches have a glorious sea view! A section of the site is dog-friendly. Rates start from £16 per night.

Facilities include:

• Tent hire
• Hot showers and family wash rooms, accessible showering and toilet suite
• Communal kitchen areas
• Free secure phone and laptop charging lockers
• Toddler play area in one facilities block

Follow the steep stepped path down to the sheltered, south facing beach. It's a wonderful spot for rockpooling and exploring. Once the tide goes out it reveals a lovely sandy beach. The beach is dog-friendly all year round. Please note there are no lifeguards on duty here.

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Pembrey, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, SA16 0EJ

Set within 500 acres of natural beauty, and on the doorstep of Cefn Sidan Beach, family friendly Pembrey Country Park Caravan & Camping (3*) site provides all you need for an excellent holiday. The site is in the middle of the huge Pembrey Country Park, full of activities, woodlands and walking trails. The Pembrey Country Park website has information about prices (from £22 per night) and booking.

Facilities include:

• Accessible washing facilities and a family wash room
• Dog-friendly
• Bookable activities include cycle hire, ski slope and toboggan run
• Electric pitches available

Cefn Sidan's Blue Flag beach is around 8 miles of sandy heaven. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer with specific areas set aside for swimming. Dogs are welcome in the dog-friendly areas of the beach between May and September. Beach wheelchair hire is available, and there are loos and a café as well.

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You'll find plenty for all the family to enjoy in North Wales - home to rugged mountains, mighty castles, Victorian seaside resorts and adventure sports.

Lligwy Bay, Dulas, Ynys Môn (Anglesey), LL70 9PQ

Overlooking Lligwy Bay's sandy shores, award-winning Tyddyn Isaf Camping & Caravan Park (5*) is a welcoming, family friendly site with direct access to the beach. Dogs are also welcome. The park takes sustainability very seriously. Wendy Wood was planted by the owners over 30 years ago and it has matured into to a peaceful place to explore, relax or jog around. Prices start from £15 per night for a two person tent pitch.

Facilities include:

• Amenity blocks have unlimited hot water, power sockets, spacious accessible shower cubicles and loos
• Large playground and family friendly facilities
• Takeaway and shop
• On-site gym

Lligwy Beach is accessed via a private pathway from the campsite. As well as being dog-friendly all year round, the beach is perfect for paddling, sandcastle making and watersports.

Lon Garmon, Abersoch, Llŷn Peninsula, LL53 7UL

Family and couples only Tyn y Mur Camping & Touring Park (4*) overlooks Abersoch and the sweeping curve of Cardigan Bay. The campsite has a children's adventure play area and football field. Abersoch's beautiful beaches and harbour are just down the road, along with plenty of places to eat in the village. Prices from £33 per family tent.

Facilities include:

• Heated shower block and baby change facilities
• Laundrette
• WiFi
• Boat storage

You've got a choice of beaches here. Abersoch's family friendly, sheltered beach on the south side, and surfer's favourites Porth Neigwl and Porth Ceiriad to the south west. The area is well known for watersports, fishing, and fabulous family holidays.

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Llanaber, Barmouth, Gwynedd, LL42 1RR

Trawsdir Touring & Camping Park (5*), a couple of miles outside Barmouth, has amazing views over Cardigan Bay. There are miles of sandy beaches opposite the campsite. It's a great base for walkers and outdoor enthusiasts. The site is family and dog-friendly. Camping starts from £18 in low season.

Facilities include:

• The shower blocks have family changing rooms, baby changing rooms and an accessible shower and toilet
• Children's play area
• Dog walking field
• Laundrette

The nearest beach is Morfa Dyffryn - a 4.5 mile long stretch of sandy heaven that's also a National Nature Reserve. Dog restrictions are in place between March and July due to nesting birds. Nearby, Barmouth Beach has more family friendly facilities including food outlets, toilets and traditional seaside amusements.

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Head to Mid Wales for family friendly beach holidays, amazing coastal walks and local culture. Watch out for the incredible Cardigan Bay sunsets, best enjoyed from the beach, followed by a spot of stargazing.

Llanrhystud, Ceredigion, SY23 5BT

Walk straight onto the beach from Morfa Farm's campsite. Based on a working farm, the site is perfect for families, couples, walkers, watersports enthusiasts, and people just wanting to relax surrounded by nature. If you have a rod permit, you can go fishing in the River Wyre, which runs alongside the site.

Facilities include:

• On site electric car charger
• Private slipway
• Secure lock ups
• Games room and tennis court
• 'Cab a bag' service available for walkers

The dog-friendly beach at Llanrhystud is a 1km long shingly shoreline, in a Special Landscape Area with several historical features to discover. Once the tide goes out, there's plenty of sandy beach to play on.

Llys-yr-Ynys, Gwbert, Ceredigion, SA43 1PR

Cardigan Island Coastal Farm Park is a lovely campsite for families with young children. Overlooking Cardigan Island, Cardigan Bay and the Teifi Estuary, the site is right next to their farm park full of traditional farm animals. It's also a wonderful spot for wildlife spotting and stargazing. Nearby Cardigan has plenty of shops and restaurants. Watch out for dolphins and porpoises playing in Cardigan Bay!

Facilities include:

• Dog-friendly
• Free Farm Park entry included in stay
• Shower block (50p per shower)
• Chemical and waste water disposal points available on site

The nearest beaches are Patch Beach, Poppit Sands, and Mwnt's sandy cove is just a little bit further north .

North Road, Aberaeron, Ceredigion, SA46 0JF

Aeron Coast Holiday Touring/Camping Park is an AA award winning, 5* campsite in colourful Aberaeron, with views over the sea and a short walk to the beach. It's close to the town centre as well. The site offers pitches with electric hookups, toilets, showers with free hot water and free electricity. It's a quiet, very family friendly site.

Facilities include:

• Dog-friendly
• Outdoor swimming pool May - September
• Club house and regular entertainment
• Soft play area, tennis courts and five a side football pitch

Aberaeron's north and south beaches are split by the harbour. The rocky shoreline is ideal for walking the coast path and wildlife watching. Nearby New Quay has sandy beaches with family friendly facilities.

As well as being home to our capital city Cardiff, South Wales has many areas of beautiful countryside and coastal villages to explore. Popular seaside towns include Barry and Porthcawl.

Monknash, near Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan, CF71 7QQ

Pitch up right on the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, overlooking the Bristol Channel at the Heritage Coast Campsite (4*). It's a peaceful site for families and couples looking to get away from it all in the beautiful Vale of Glamorgan. Monknash village is nearby, with a traditional pub within walking distance.

Facilities include:

• Showers, toilets, and an accessible wet room
• Firepits available to hire
• Free WiFi
• Dogs welcome

Follow the pathway from the campsite down to sandy Cwm Nash beach, via a waterfall and woodlands. The Glamorgan Heritage Coast has several beaches well worth a visit, most of which are dog-friendly all year round. The area is known for fossils, history, stargazing, walking and cycling.

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