Camp right next to beautiful river and waterfalls
Rhaeaedr Nantcol Waterfalls campsite(Image: Daily Post)
With more sunshine on the cards for Wales, it’s a brilliant time to plan a camping trip and enjoy a bit of the good weather. The Met Office is predicting another heatwave for August, so it’s time to rummage in the garage, grab the tent, and start planning a sunny escape near the coast or in the countryside. Numerous fantastic campsites are available, from coastal spots with stunning sea views to peaceful countryside fields and leafy forests.
One of our favourites right now is Nantcol Waterfalls, a picturesque campsite retreat near Llanbedr in north Wales that is described as “like from the pages of a fairytale”.
Situated on a working farm with livestock, it’s found in amongst the wild beauty of the Rhinog mountains and a stone’s throw from Shell Island, recently recognised as a regional winner in The Times’ list of the UK’s best beaches for 2025.
Nantcol’s consistent camping excellence has been recognised for nearly two decades, but it’s only now that it’s finally been hailed as the best in the UK after triumphing in the Camping and Glamping Awards organised by Campsites.co.uk.
The dog-friendly site spotlights the very best camping, glamping, and touring spots across the UK, celebrating high-quality locations that promise a consistently great getaway for campers.
The main draw of this highly recommended camp spot is its idyllic location beside Afon Nantcol, just 100 metres from the cascading waterfall from which it gets its name.
Nantcol Waterfalls Campsite(Image: Nantcol Waterfalls Campsite)
Here, you can camp in tents on seven acres of flat ground, where you will hear the soothing soundscape of water tumbling over rocks as you slumber. The site can hold 23 caravans or motorhomes and up to 62 tent pitches with 35 electrical hookups, including six hard-standing pitches.
Guests also benefit from clean washrooms, showers, toilets with disabled facilities, and a dish-washing area. There’s also a changing facility, a launderette room with coin-operated washing machines, and coin-operated dryers.
During peak season, David and Karen from Pizza Principles will be on site serving authentic hand-stretched Neapolitan pizzas if you can’t be bothered to cook. For the latest restaurant news and reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here
Reception services include freezer pack service and mobile phone charging. There are also teas, coffees, soft drinks, chocolates, and sweets, along with camping essentials including logs and fire basket hire for toasting marshmallows.
The river at the foot of the Nantcol waterfall(Image: Wales Online)
Don’t fancy assembling a tent? Charming glamping pods feature swish comforts like TVs, firepits, and underfloor heating. WiFi is also available if you need to catch up on your favourite Netflix shows. What more could you ask for? A butler, I suppose?
If you can drag yourself away from the dreamy site, there are an abundance of walks and cycle trails through Eryri’s magnificent landscapes.
The site’s popular Nature Trail and Riverside Walk, which start and finish at the campsite, take approximately an hour to plod around.
Amble along this easy route past two waterfalls and into an enclosed woodland. The viewpoint at the top of the main falls is regularly described as ‘Heaven on Earth’, overlooking Cardigan Bay and the Llyn Peninsula.
You can also take a peaceful walk from the site following the Nantcol River, through an ancient woodland of approximately two miles to the village of Llanbedr. Here you find decent drinking spots like the charming Victoria Inn, where you can get classic pub eats and ales.
Rhinog Mountains (Image: Wales Online)
Serious hikers can climb the Rhinog Mountains, standing at nearly 2000ft, literally a mile from the site. On a clear day, you will see freshwater lakes below, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) summit to the north, the Pembrokeshire coast and Cambrian Mountains to the south, and possibly the Wicklow Mountains of Ireland to the west.
You’re also just a short hop from Shell Island, one of Wales’ best beaches. This sweep of sandy beach was crowned the regional winner for Wales and ranked among the best in the UK in The Times’ annual Best UK Beaches guide.
The 17th edition of the list was compiled by chief travel writer Chris Haslam, who visited and inspected 756 beaches across the UK.
The guide showcases the unrivalled beauty of the UK seaside, evaluated through a rigorous 11-point inspection checklist. Criteria include water quality, cleanliness, accessibility, car-parking facilities, lifeguard presence, hygiene levels at restrooms and showers, and dog-friendliness.
The main south beach at Shell Island near Llanbedr, Gwynedd(Image: Sarah Foster)
In his description of Shell Island, Chris Haslam, the award-winning chief travel writer at The Times and The Sunday Times, said: “The beachcombing is astonishing: perfect scallops, fragile tusks and razors, unblemished turitellas and, most prized by conchologists, tiny cowries.”
Located within the National Park, on North Cardigan Bay, Shell Island’s unique setting attracts visitors from afar.
You can enjoy a range of activities here, such as fishing, crabbing, and boating, or simply relax on the golden sands to the sound of lapping waves.
Rhaeadr Nantcol Waterfalls – Need to Know