Where would you go?.. or have you been?

[mfunsta]

Hello there, we're off for a weeks camping in September with new son (3 months) and a 3 year old daughter, she wants to be beside the seaside. I've been through the searches and narrowed it down to the following. Does anyone have any personal experience and can recommend?

• Gwythian farm near St Ives; some reviews have said it's actually quite a trek to the beach

• Caerfai near St Davids; is it that exposed?

• Hillend in Rhossili Bay; are tales of surly security and litter/crowds that much of an issue?

• Carreglywdd; is it really busy?

• Treyarnon Bay; anybody been?

Any help would be much appreciated.
cheers

[Trish]

Can't speak for the others, but the Caerfai campsites (there's two of them) are exposed all right. But idyllic. Last 3 times I have been to St Davids have been really windy....and go there fairly often. But you could be luckier than me!

[mfunsta]

cheers Trish...
...yep, have been to caerfai once but a lads only do and can't really remember the prevailing conditions
is the beach OK?

[Trish]

Hi yeah the beach is lovely and just below the sites. It is quite a small beach (not like say Broad Haven or Newgale) but is mostly sandy with rock pools. Normally not too busy either.
One of the sites has an organic/free range shop open in season, they do their own eggs and cheese and sell other locally produced stuff.

[BOXY]

Gwythian farm near St Ives; some reviews have said it's actually quite a trek to the beach

I've stayed there a few times. It's only a 10-15 minute walk along the cliff top to the beach. Might feel like more depending on how much "stuff" you take to the beach. If you're NT members there's a car park at Godrevy about 5 minutes drive from the site. The site is in the village so there's a pub for food & beers right on the door-step.

Treyarnon Bay; anybody been?

I go body-boarding there but never camped. The bay can be really dangerous & rippy if there's a big swell.

[Big Boris]

We have been to Hillend a few times now and in fact are going this weekend.

The site is just behind a dune so right next to the sea. The site is divided into families fields or 'singles' ie no kids.

We haven't had any problems whilst there as the campsite managers are pretty hot on ejecting people who cause trouble of any kind. It can be quiet busy in the 'singles' fields but we really enjoy the atmosphere of the site.

I would suggest that by going in September it will be quieter and hence less people around too.

[custard]

If you want to be by the "seaside" take a look at http://www.shortlandsfarm.co.uk/camping.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. Also my post on Camping & Travelling for pictures of our visit a couple of weeks ago. The site is In the vicinity of some really lovely beaches and really nice site and welcome. Beautiful part of Pembrokeshire and would recomend this area, about 20 mins from St David's and 10 mins from Haverfordwest.
Wherever you go have a lovely hols!
Max

[mfunsta]

cheers for all the info folks..
..just got to make a decision now, thats the problem with t'internet, too much info and time is valuable

[timski]

Hillend in Rhossili Bay; are tales of surly security and litter/crowds that much of an issue?

Just stayed at Hillend this weekend. The security guards were burly but not surly Basically we were greeted by a big friendly bloke who was very helpful and just asked us to try and be as quiet as possible as we had arrived so late (nearly midnight - not intentionally), which was fair enough.

You pay the same price whether you get hookup or not (we missed out as we arrived late and there was none left). We camped right at the end of the campsite which was nice and quiet. Some of the fields were busier. It seems very popular with surfers so there is a fairly young croud but there was a nice atmosphere on site and it wasn't roudy. Didn't see any litter in our field, but we were in the less busy field.

Facilities were good. Each hookup station had it's own drinking water too.

We were happy with the side although it was pricey given we didn't have hookup (£45 for 2 nights).

Most important thing is you are on the Gower Peninsula and it's beautiful!!

Tim.

[Cableguy]

Hillend that good eh?
Can't wait, we're off there week after next,
got some surfing lessons booked for us all.

[Big Boris]

Hi Tim

We were there too...but in the first field parked next to the road.

[timski]

We were there too...but in the first field parked next to the road.

Yeah the first field did look quite busy. Maybe we were lucky. As we arrived late we were allowed to park in the end field (five I think) which is usually reserved for families. There was only us a few other tents in a fairly big field so no-one near us at all. The only downside is you are further away from the campsites facilities, but who needs facilities when you're in a campervan?

Tim.

[Cruz]

Last time we were in St Davids we stayed at http://www.porthclais-farm-campsite.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Within strolling distance of the City centre and near a little harbour that is perfect for crabbing etc