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Smugglers Cove Boatyard

97%
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· Gwynedd, Gwynedd, Wales
1 acre hosted by Smugglers C.
2 glamping pitches · 3 tent pitches
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Best tent sites: 3rd place
Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2023.
Amazing views
Hipcampers say this spot has amazing views.
Best glamping: Finalist
Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2024.
Smugglers is a Star Host
Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.
Camping and rustic glamping in a working boatyard with an exceptional waterside location on the Dyfi estuary

While other vessels at Smuggler’s Cove Boatyard come and go as easily as the tide, The Boy John and Hannah are permanently landed high and dry. This pair of boats, one a former fishing trawler the other a 32-foot yacht, offer places to stay that are as quirky as it gets. But it’s not only the accommodation that recommends a stay here; the ever-changing views across the Dyfi Estuary do that too. And those are shared with three secret camping pitches tucked 100 metres along a tree-backed footpath on the water's edge.

For years it was only boatmen who enjoyed this estuary location at the southern edge of Snowdonia National Park but now campers are as welcome as the sailors. Staying here, whether in a tent or rustic landed boat, is a truly unique experience. Beyond portholes and tent flaps is a scene that changes as much within the hour as most sites do across the season. Make a morning brew over the campfire as high tide laps just beyond your toes then watch as boats and water retreat. By lunchtime it's become a private beach, the water now a narrow channel that slithers through the sands while long-legged birds wade along its edges and ospreys soar overhead.

In fact, there’s a nature reserve, RSPB Ynys-hir on the opposite shore, so it’s no wonder the birdlife is abundant. If you’ve come with a kayak or canoe, you can paddle out into the water to try and get closer to the wildlife but, to reach the reserve, you'll need to take to dry land. It's a drive of 25 minutes, past Machynlleth, the nearest town. Alternatively, explore in the other direction to find nearby Aberdyfi or, inland, for Snowdonia's mighty peaks.

The lie of the land means that settlements, rail and road all hug the coast and you’re well aware of that here. Smuggler’s Cove Boatyard is just off an A-road and, as you walk from the car park, you pass beneath the Cambrian Railway. Throughout the day, the whoosh of a train every hour or two and the sound of passing traffic blend in with the tap, tap tapping of boatbuilders and the gentle dinging of rigging on masts. Serene as the view across the estuary is, this is not a silent spot and it’s not a purpose-built glamping site. The Boy John does not have a perfect paint job, The Hannah’s cooking equipment is just what you’d get at sea. But it's all this that makes Smuggler's Cove Boatyard an authentically interesting place to stay – with views that are hard to beat.

Activities
Biking
Boating
Fishing
Hiking
Natural features
Beach
River, stream, or creek
Coastal
97%
77 Ratings · 85 reviews
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Jon W.recommends
September 22, 2024
The Hannah - camping boat
Had a great time! The boat was homely and very cosy, the location is stunning. Sophie was very accommodating and helpful . We will definitely be returning!
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Liam V.recommends
August 9, 2024
Dulas - Estuary view pitch
Beautiful Site with Estuary Views!
Stayed here for a week in August and had an incredible time. Only 3 camping pitches, all with estuary views and separated by shrubbery so you get a real sense of privacy and seclusion. Views from the pitches are incredible, even on a cloudy day! The boatyard has all the facilities any camper would need: a washing up point, composting toilets, solar showers, and a firewood honesty box all a short (albeit a bit rugged) walk from the pitches. There's also a freezer so you can rotate ice blocks for your cool box. Slightly further along the shore is the car park, with plumbed toilets and a shower if you don't fancy the comparing or solar options, recycling point, and water tap. Sophie, the host at the site, was very friendly and gave us all of the information we needed. She would check in to ask how you're doing, but only if you bumped into her around the boatyard, which we did a few times. We never felt pestered at the site and had a lovely relaxing week. Location is brilliant, right on the Dyfi estuary in Eryri national park. Only a 15 minute drive to Machynlleth, Aberdyfi, Twywn which are all worth visiting. Cader Idris is very close, those wanting to go up the Minffordd path will only need to drive about 25 minutes. Thank you to everybody who has made the boatyard the special place it is today, we'll definitely be back if we find ourselves in Eryri again!
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Ruth H.recommends
August 7, 2024
Dulas - Estuary view pitch
Perfect escape
What an amazing place to pitch the tent! Hosts were lovely, facilities were basic but exceptionally clean with everything thought of. It is a trek to the pitches but wheelbarrows are provided to make it easier and the views and quiet are so worth it. Will definitely be booking again!!
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Jennifer A.
July 20, 2024
Dulas - Estuary view pitch
Amazing views, roadworks an issue!
Campsite was as described and the photos showed the site accurately. Facilities were clean and well maintained. Very good communication with site manager. Views over the estuary were excellent, and we saw Osprey's feeding a number of times. However, even though the site description states that the a493 runs above the property we didn't appreciate how close it was to the camping pitches, and when road works started during our stay over 2 days at 7.30am we decided to cut our holiday short - it was a shame. The reason we chose this site was so that we could stay on site during the day, relax and enjoy the amazing views.
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Luke B.recommends
May 27, 2024
Dulas - Estuary view pitch
Absolutely cracking campsite! Such a picturesque setting, very well maintained and the toilets/showers were immaculate. 10/10.
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Madeline W.recommends
May 19, 2024
Dulas - Estuary view pitch
Peace and privacy
The camping pitches here are just great. It’s so peaceful and remote. Myself and some friends spent a weekend, booked out the 3 pitches and it’s essentially an exclusive trip! Also took my lab and it is just fab, especially if you have a reactive/anti social dog because he had the foreshore to himself!
Location
Gwynedd, Gwynedd, Wales, United KingdomTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Smugglers C.

Joined in November 2015
From the host
An unique spot on the stunning mid Wales coast... ...offering group accommodation, camping and glamping in a working boatyard with an exceptional location. This small, friendly boatyard on the Dyfi estuary, is located at an old slate works and quay in the Snowdonia National Park. The boatyard is run by Geoff, Ben, John & Liz with the boats moved and launched by boat builder Giles Thaxton. We have established a small, slightly eccentric, sustainable resource to be used by those interested in the outdoors. We have a slipway and boat hoist, moorings & hard standing for smaller boats, our own stretch of estuary foreshore, toilets, showers, washing up facilities, camping, glamping boats and holiday cottages. Located 3 miles upriver from Aberdyfi and on the A493. Camping - Along a coastal footpath, a hundred meters from the boatyard, three individual camping pitches on the Dyfi’s banks, tucked beneath the tree line and separated by greenery, provide the ultimate waterside location. The Boy John - a converted beached boat that offers either a communal area for campers or quirky basic glamping accommodation...depending on your individual requirements, with outstanding views across the Dyfi estuary. Hannah - our newest boat, converted in 2021, an intimate, sympathetically repurposed wooden dream sits on the water's edge alongside The Boy John, perfect basic glamping accommodation for the sea leg-less sailor. Cottages - a unique self catering holiday cottage complex accommodating 14 people (18 using both available sofa beds). Ideal for family reunions, celebrations, special occasions and get togethers. The property consists of two closely adjacent buildings, Chapel House with five bedrooms & Quarry Cottage with two bedrooms. The properties are only available to rent together as a single holiday let. Boatyard - a small resource with slipway, moorings, winter storage and lifting, repair services etc. Located very near to Aberdyfi, the location is ideal for easy access to the numerous activities, attractions and beautiful surroundings of Snowdonia National Park, north and mid Wales. Please be aware Smuggler's Cove Boatyard is a working boatyard and therefore there will possibly be some noise such as clanking rigging and people working on their boats. Also it can get pretty windy and wild on the foreshore during stormy weather, and you are very close to the water, which can be exhilarating but is just something else to be aware of!
Nearby attractions

Aberdyfi is three miles away. It's a charming, colourful little fishing village with a few good eateries and a big sandy beach. It's a 10 minute drive to Machynlleth, a larger market town with independent shops along the high street. Smugglers Cove looks across the water to RSPB Ynys-hir (01654 700222), the location for much of the BBC's Springwatch series and the Dyfi Osprey Project (01654 781414), nearby, is particularly interesting. It is one of only two breeding locations for Ospreys in the UK with a walkway and hide for observing. Of course, by far the two biggest things here are heading into vast Snowdonia National Park (01766 770274) to walk, hike, bike and explore or to go boating on the estuary directly from the boatyard. If you need a little tution try Dyfi Yacht Club (01654 767607) in Aberdyfi where there is sailing, kayaking, kitesurfing and more.

Food and drink

Cook on the firepit provided or if you're after something a little more speedy then the local towns of Aberdyfi & Machynlleth have a range of good eateries specialising in Welsh cuisine, fish and seafood etc. with a great deli in each.  There is even a Michelin starred restaurant on the other side of the river!

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