It’s fairly unusual for Hipcamp to give the thumbs up to a place that calls itself a 'holiday park'. But then again it’s fairly unusual for a holiday park to limit pitches to just 35 in a six-acre field. It’s even more unusual for a small site to offer a water supply, electric hook up and grey water disposal at every all-weather pitch. And it’s practically unheard of to find a site that’s in the shadow of a castle, steps away from a World Heritage Site and on the banks of a river in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. But that’s what you get at Llandyn Holiday Park – as well as the handy bonuses of a pretty town, a country pub and an impressive aqueduct all within walking distance.
The location of Llandyn Holiday Park in the Dee Valley, just a mile outside of Llangollen, has been proved over many years. Caravan rallies and clubs have returned year after year for private annual meets but now this lovely spot on an organic dairy farm is open to all. Campervans, motorhomes and caravans are well catered for with super-spacious, serviced gravel pitches. And there are five off-grid grassy plots too. Like we said, all are welcome – and that includes your dog. In fact, it’s the perfect place for them with walks in all directions.
You can walk up the hill to see the ruins of the medieval Castell Dinas Bran, along the neighbouring River Dee or along the towpath on the Llangollen Canal. Head west and both water-side walkways will take you into town or east to reach the Pontycysyllte Aqueduct, which carries the canal high over the river. It’s this, and the surrounding 11-mile stretch of canal, that has earned a World Heritage listing from UNESCO. Built during the industrial revolution, it’s a masterpiece of engineering that meant goods could be carried by water from England into the Welsh uplands.
Once you’ve admired it from the towpath you can head to Llangollen to board a boat to cruise over it. And there’s plenty more to tempt you into town; shops, cafes, museums and steam train rides on the Llangollen Railway. You certainly won’t run out of things to do, and that’s without using the car. But should you wish to venture further, it’s easy to do. The site is handily located, out of earshot, but just a field away from the A539 which makes this quiet and rural spot surprisingly easy to get to and to explore from. The English border is 30 miles in one direction and Snowdonia National Park 30 miles in the other.