Reviewing of My 4-Day North Wales Campervan trip: A Change of Plans, A Journey to Remember

Sometimes, the best adventures are the ones you don’t plan. Our original idea of hiking Snowdon via Crib Goch was scrapped due to some (temporary) health advice from my doctor, but the beauty of campervan life is that plans can change at a moment’s notice – and you can still have an epic time. This was exactly what happened during our recent trip to North Wales in the Vandango.

My 4-Day North Wales Campervan trip:

Day 1: A Smooth Start and a Smoky Stop in Chester

After docking into Liverpool’s brand-spankin-new Steam packet terminal, we headed straight for Chester. With Sam driving and myself navigating, we headed for some dinner at Hickory’s Smokehouse. The venue was all American BBQ vibes – think Southern smokehouse décor – but the food didn’t quite live up to the hype. It was decent, but if I’m honest, it lacked that rich, smoky flavour we were hoping for. Still, the experience was fun, and it was a good way to fuel. We walked around the city of Chester before we made our way into North Wales to begin our North Wales Campervan trip.

Night 1: Coed Nercwys – A Serene Forest Escape

We took a leisurely drive into North Wales, using Park4Night to find a place to park up for the evening. We ended up in a peaceful car park at Coed Nercwys, a beautiful national forest. It was the perfect spot to unwind after a long day on the road, with nothing but the sounds of nature surrounding us. We had a fantastic night’s sleep in the van – honestly, Vandango’s comfort really shines in these moments – and opted for a lazy lie-in the next morning, which was well-deserved! We enjoyed a slowed down morning with some steady steps around the woodland area.

Day 2: Discovering Anglesey and Helping with a Rescue

With Snowdonia off the table, we decided to make Anglesey our next destination. It was my first visit and Sam’s third, so I was a little more excited about the visit then Sam. On the way, we stopped at Rhos on Sea for a late breakfast, wandering through the quaint seaside town and checking out some local shops. Despite the drizzle, it was a charming spot to stretch our legs and enjoy a bit of the coast.

Next, we made our way to Llandudno for one of the best stops of the trip – a cheeky New York cheesecake at Benjamin Lee Artisan Bakery. 10/10, highly recommend! That cheesecake alone is worth a detour.

Once on Anglesey, we headed to Porth Wen Beach and the old brickworks site at Traeth. It’s a fascinating place to explore, with its eerie yet beautiful remains of the industrial past right on the shoreline. Our time there took a turn when we found ourselves assisting in the search for an 83-year-old man who had gone missing in the area. Thankfully, he was found, although that being five miles from where he went missing, which was a relief, but an impressive distance covered by the fella.

Night 2: Camping with Mountain Views

After an eventful day, we set up camp at Taihirion Farm Campsite, a lovely spot with brilliant views of Snowdonia’s mountains. We grabbed fish and chips from a coastal chippy on the way, which hit the spot after a long day of exploring. Though the weather was a bit temperamental with on-and-off rain showers, the van offered a comfy night.

Day 3: Waterfalls, Seaside Towns, and Missing the Mountains

The next morning, we packed up and headed to Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch (yes, I had to look up the spelling for this one!). We stopped at a local café for a rather greasy full English breakfast – nothing too special, but it filled the gap.

From there, it was back to the mainland and into Snowdonia National Park for some light sightseeing. We visited Aber Falls and Swallow Falls, both beautiful and refreshing after a few days of road tripping. Then we made our way into Betws-y-Coed, where we had lunch, explored some shops, and took a scenic stroll around Llyn Idwal. Walking here brought back memories of past hikes, including a sketchy route up to Glyder Fawr via Devil’s Kitchen in bad weather. It made me miss the mountains even more, but I’ll be back soon enough to tackle them again.

That night, we stayed in a small campsite near Betws-y-Coed – though it wasn’t great, so I won’t be mentioning names. The facilities left much to be desired, but it was a place to rest before our final stretch home.

Day 4: Heading Home

On the final morning, we set off early, driving back to Liverpool to catch the ferry home. Despite the last-minute change of plans, the trip was a fantastic adventure, filled with unexpected detours and memorable moments.

Once again, the Vandango campervan proved itself as the perfect companion for these road trips. Whether it’s the comfort, the flexibility, or the freedom it provides, this was a great little trip across, as a send of trip for Sam before he heads on his one way ticket to Australia. And while we didn’t get to hike Snowdon, I’m already planning my return – mountains, I’ll see you soon!

So, if you’re looking to explore North Wales or anywhere else for that matter, don’t be afraid to let the road take you in a new direction. Sometimes the best journeys are the ones you never expected.

Safe travels and happy adventuring in the Vandango!

All the best Sam on your Big Adventure, Enjoy!