QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR
SNOWDONIA HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION
We answer questions about our Snowdonia holiday accommodation
First we answer some frequently asked questions about camping, glamping and holiday cottages. Please scroll down for more general questions.
Questions about our Snowdonia camping, glamping and holiday cottages
Camping questions
About our Snowdonia Camp Site layout
Our site is pretty quirky due to the terrain. See below for answers to frequently asked questions about the different areas of our Snowdonia Camping Site for tents, roof tents, or camper vans, small caravans and trailer tents.
Can camper vans and tents pitch together? Sorry no. The tent fields are only licenced for tents and are not accessible by camper vans or trailer tents due to a steep and uneven track. If you are a bringing a camper van you have to book a camper van pitch. You cannot pitch tents in the camper van area as the ground and space are unsuitable. There is a steep track of about 150 metres through woods separating the camper van and tent camping area (although tent pitches may be much further away). Check our Site Map.
Can I bring my campervan / extra car and pitch a tent in the tent fields but park my van/extra car somewhere else? Sorry No. The tent camping fields car park is not suitable for vans or trailer tents as the access track is uneven and steep. We regret we do not have any spare space to park vehicles elsewhere on site. We only have one vehicle parking space per pitch. The nearest free car parking areas off site are several miles away. If you arrive with an extra, or unsuitable vehicle, we will not have space to park it and your booking may need to be cancelled with no refund.
Do your pitches have electric hook up? Yes for camper vans, no for tents. But you do have fridge access, can re-freeze ice-packs, charge phones etc.
What pitches have the best views?
For camper vans and small caravans, the 2 panorama pitches have outstanding views.
For tent campers, the Park and Pitch pitches you can park next to and the Estuary pitches have the best views.
Which pitches are most private? Tent campers can choose from 2 Super Secluded pitches. Read more about our tent camping fields.
Are camp fires/BBQs allowed?
Each tent pitch has a stone fire pit and we sell firewood on site.
For camper vans area there’s a communal camp fire area in the woods with fairy lights.
We do not allow disposable BBQS but if you have a BBQ lifted off the ground and used a safe distance from other camper vans that’s fine.
Can I drive to my tent pitch? Only to 3 tent pitches. There’s 3 Park and Pitch pitches pre-bookable which you can drive to and park next to. All other tent campers must park in our car park and either use the provided wheelbarrows, or use the Quad vehicle lift service to move kit between the car park and pitch (subject to availability 2 – 4pm for arrivals NOT AVAILABLE FOR SUNDAY OR THURSDAY ARRIVALS, 9.00 – 10am for departures) . Distance from car park to pitches ranges from 150 – 400 metres, uphill and down dale….
Do you accept roof tents? Yes on specific pitches. On the tent camping fields (open May – September) you must choose one of the 3 “Park and Pitch” pitches. On the camper van area (open March – Jan), choose any pitch (best views on panorama pitches, for most sheltered choose “Stopover” or “Small Camper van” pitch.
Do you accept trailer tents? Yes, on the camper van area of the site on the 3 pitches suitable for caravans. Sorry, no trailer tents on the tent fields as the track is too steep for towing.
What size caravan or motorhome can I bring? Our 2 panorama pitches can accommodate caravans, motorhomes or trailer tents up to 7.5 meters with awnings up to 2.5 metres wide. We have 1 Standard Motorhome/Caravan pitch which can accommodate units (including trailer tents) up to 7m with awning up to 3m wide. Our Small Camper van pitches are OK for camper vans or transit style vans up to around 6.4 meters with awnings no bigger than 2.5m wide. Our Stopover pitch is suitable for vans up to around 6.4m but no awnings.
What time is check in and out? 1pm to give us time to mow the grass etc. For tent campers there is strictly no check in after dark as for safety reasons. For the camper van area last check in is 9pm.
Check out is 11am.
Do you have hot showers? Yes, we have excellent hot showers and facilities dotted around the site – read more about facilities here.
Do you have a kids play ground or club house? No. Supervised children have 40 acres of woods, streams and fields to explore.
Can you walk to a pub? Yes, many campers choose to do the beautiful walk along the (flat) Mawddach Trail for about 3.5 miles, to several pubs which serve food. The walks take about an hour and a half each way or you can drive in 10 minutes. Daytime buses run from the site to local pubs and there is a taxi service. We also sell good value local craft beers, ciders and wines on site.
Are there dog walks on site? Dogs on leads are very welcome and there are many walks from the site. Dogs can be let off lead at beaches within 10 minutes drive.
Glamping questions
What types of glamping do you offer?
We have 4 yurts, 1 shepherd’s hut and 2 quarry wagons. These give you more comfort than traditional camping, while still feeling close to the outdoors.
What is included in the glamping units?
Each unit is slightly different, so please check the individual pages. As a guide you will find proper beds, basic furniture, cooking facilities and either a private or shared bathroom set up. Bedding is included in some units so please check individual pages.
How far are facilities from the glamping units?
Most units have their own facilities, others share nearby toilets, showers and washing up areas. Distances vary, but all are within a short walk. Pathways can be uneven and it may be dark at night, so bring a torch.
Is there heating or a woodburner?
All glamping spaces have either woodburners or other heating. Please check the description of your chosen unit for details.
Are children welcome in glamping?
Yes, our glamping units are suitable for families. Check the age recommendation, maximum number of guests and bed arrangements on each unit’s page to make sure it works for you. Children must be supervised outside, as the site is uneven and there are drops and the estuary nearby.
Can we bring our dog to glamping?
Dogs are allowed in all glamping units but some offer more space than others. Please check the pet information on the page for your chosen unit. read more about our welcome for dogs here.
Do you accept groups? By arrangement we welcome small groups of family / friends who respect the tranquil environment here and our quiet hours between 8am and 11pm. Please phone us to book rather than trying to book online. Exclusive hire of the whole site is available for special celebrations if you book far enough in advance (usually about a year in advance)!
How do I book glamping?
You can check availability for glamping and book online. In peak season you can book short breaks from Friday to Monday or Monday to Friday so you will need to search for availability to arrive on a Friday to stay for 3 nights or Monday to stay for 4 nights. We are sorry we only offer one night stays very occasionally outside of peak season in our quarry wagons.
Holiday Cottage questions
What are the cottages like?
We have four 2 bedroom cottages on the upper part of the site at Graig Wen, each sleeping 4 people and with its own character. The countryside location is exceptional with most cottages having views of the Mawddach Estuary and mountains.
We have a smaller 2 bedroom cottage in the quiet market town of Dolgellau which sleeps 3 and is close to shops, pubs and restaurants.
Here’s a handy guide to help you choose the cottage to suit you.
What is included in the cottages?
Cottages include full kitchen / lounge area / bathroom with shower over the bath/ heating. Beds are made up for your arrival and towels are. Exact facilities vary, so please see the page for each cottage.
Do the cottages have WiFi and TV?
WiFi is available in the cottages. Pine Cottage, Small Barn and Isfryn Cottage in Dolgellau have super fast fibre broadband.
Are any of the cottages suitable if I have limited mobility?
All the cottages have bedrooms upstairs. Isfryn Cottage has a downstairs bathroom. All the cottages have showers with baths you have to step over.
Are children welcome in the cottages?
Yes, families love staying in the cottages. Travel cots and highchairs are available on request.
Can dogs stay in the cottages?
Well behaved dogs are welcome in all of the cottages. Some cottages have larger enclosed outdoor spaces – check facilities for each cottage. Dogs are not allowed on furniture or beds and must not be left alone in the property.
How do we book a cottage stay?
You can see availability, prices and book online through our website. You can see check in days marked on the calendar in dark green and there may be minimum stay requirements of 2 – 7 nights. Click on your arrival date and departure date to check prices and book. If you have any questions before booking, you are welcome to get in touch.
Where is your Snowdonia accommodation?
Our camping, glamping and holiday cottages at Graig Wen are located on the Mawddach Estuary between Dolgellau and Barmouth in Eryri/Snowdonia National Park in North Wales. You can also book our holiday cottage in Dolgellau.
How far are you from… Yr Wyddfa/ Snowdon? We are in the Southern part of Eryri, also known as Snowdonia National Park, near to Dolgellau and Barmouth on the coast. If you’re looking to climb Snowdon, or to give it the Welsh name, Yr Wyddfa, you’re in luck, as we are only a picturesque hour’s drive away to the nearest side of the mountain. If you are taking the steam train from Llanberis then it’s 1 hour and 20 minutes.The perfect spot for a camping site in Wales.
Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon is Europe’s busiest mountain with over 600,000 visitors a year! If you would like to hike up a quieter mountain, closer to Graig Wen, we would highly recommend Cader Idris. You’ll find much more information to help you choose on our Guest Welcome Guide/App which you have access to when you book.
Barmouth? If you take the toll bridge near the George III pub at Penmaenpool, you can reach Barmouth in 20 minutes by car. If you walk the Mawddach trail from our site across Barmouth Bridge, it’s a scenic 6km walk which takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Other options are using the free car park at Morfa Mawddach train station and either catching the train or walking around 1km across the famous bridge to Barmouth. You can can also drive or enjoy taking the Fairbourne stream railway to Penrhyn Point and then take the passenger ferry across to Barmouth (ferry runs Easter – October)
Can you access the Mawddach Trail from the camp site? Yes, but be prepared for a steepish walk back up. It is approximately 600 metres to the Mawwdach Trail from the touring camp site, cottages and most glamping accommodation with a total of 70m ascent. You can read more about access here.
The nearest shops? Our nearest corner shop is in Fairbourne, which is a 7 minute drive away. If it’s a supermarket or good butchers and bakers you’re looking for, we suggest the old market town of Dolgellau, just a 10 minute drive away.
The nearest pub? Our nearest pub is the George III, which is a 5 minute drive down the road and a beautiful 6km walk along the Mawddach trail (about an hour and 30 minutes walk for an adult). If you’d prefer to cycle, it’s 25 minutes off road on the Mawddach Trail. There are daytime buses from site to the pub and local taxis.
How far is Graig Wen from Zip World? We are 30 minutes drive from Titan, Zip Caverns and Bounce Below. We are an hour and 20 minutes scenic but easy drive from Velocity. We are an hour from Zip Fforest Tree Tops and the Fforest Coaster.
Where are the nearest dog friendly… Beaches? As a dog friendly glamping site it’s important to know the dog friendly beaches… Thankfully, we are surrounded by some fantastic beaches, all of which have dog friendly areas. Fairbourne is one of our personal favourites, and Barmouth is also a fantastic beach for dog walking. The Mawddach trail is also dog friendly, and is accessible direct from our site.
Eating places? Many local pubs and cafes are more than happy to accommodate dogs. The George III in Penmaenpool, The Ship in Dolgellau and The Last Inn in Barmouth are all dog friendly and serve good food and drink. Use our Guest Welcome Guide for loads of tips from locals on places to eat out.
How do I get to Cader Idris? Cader Idris is a fantastic mountain to climb, especially if you have children or aren’t too sure about scaling Snowdon just yet! We are a 15 minute drive from the Pony Path up the mountain. This path is one of the least challenging ways to ascend and descend the summit, and takes around four and a half to five hours to complete. If your child completes the climb then we will award them with their very own Adventurer’s badge. It’s also possible to walk directly from Graig Wen to the summit – it’s a great day out so allow around 8 hours for the round trip. OS maps available to buy from reception.
Are there any good walks directly from Graig Wen? The Mawddach trail is a scenic walk accessed through our camping fields, with stunning views across the estuary. We are also near Cregennan lakes and Arthog falls, both of which are great walks to do with the family. Why not bring the dog along to our Dog Friendly Glamping.
Where can I hire bikes? There are several places to hire a range of bikes form e-bikes and mountain bikes to tag-alongs for kids or dogs! You will find more details in the Guest Welcome Guide/App we email when you book – Go to “You Local Area Guide” section and you will find “Bike Hire”.
Is your Snowdonia holiday accommodation family friendly?
Yes, families are welcome. Some areas and accommodation types suit families with very young children better than others.
Children love the freedom to explore our 40 acres of wild woods and meadows with car-free camping fields. We do not have a formal play area and there are steep drops, uneven ground and the estuary nearby, so children need to be supervised at all times.
There are many family friendly activities and attractions available closeby to suit all ages,
Many glamping units are suitable for families. Check the maximum number of guests and bed arrangements on each unit’s page to make sure it works for you.
Cottages are family friendly with 2 bedrooms sleeping 4 people. Travel cots and highchairs are available on request.
What about accessibility and terrain?
Is Graig Wen suitable if I have limited mobility?
Parts of our site are on steep, uneven ground and access to the lower camping fields, some yurts and Mawddach Trail is via a rough track and footpaths. This means unfortunately we are not suitable for wheelchair users and access may be limited for anyone who cannot manage slopes or uneven surfaces.
Some of our cottages and the quarry wagon glamping units are close to parking and on level firm ground, which may suit guests with some mobility limitations. Please contact us before booking so we can talk through what might work for you.
I have mobility issues. How can I access the Mawddach Trail? We have direct access to the Mawddach trail at the base of our site, however this is not suitable for people with mobility issues. To access the trail, just drive to the free car park by the Toll bridge near George III pub at Penmaenpool and you have direct access here. Read more about access at Graig Wen here.
Wifi and phone reception at Graig Wen Snowdonia holiday accommodation
Do you have wifi? Yes we do. Cottages have their own dedicated wifi which is improved and suitable for streaming with your own devices. Pine Cottage and Small Barn Cottage have super fast fi are broadband.
If you are camping with us, free wifi is accessible in the camper van area and a covered shelter. Please remember that we are rural and are a long way from fibre optic, so the camp site connection can be slow at times and is not suitable for streaming or downloading content such as movies. There is 4/5G coverage across the site for most networks see below.
What is the mobile signal like? Graig Wen is situated in a fairly rural area, so depending on your provider you may get some signal while you’re here. We find that EE provides the best coverage on our site, while Vodafone and 02 can be patch but are much improved. We do however have a phone in reception that our guests are welcome to use if needed.
Where can I read your full terms and conditions?
Our booking terms, including payment and cancellation details, are on our Terms and Conditions page. We recommend travel insurance as we can only work within these terms.