Seaside park in Snowdonia is named as best in Wales

All smiles from the winning team at Islawrffordd Caravan Park, judged by the AA to be the best in Wales

A FAMILY’S luxury caravan park on the Southern Snowdonia coast has been named the best in Wales in the AA Caravan and Camping Awards.

Islawrffordd Caravan Park at Talybont, near Barmouth, owned by the Evans family since 1957, has won the prestigious award for the second time, having previously triumphed in 2012.

Managing director Dylan Evans dedicated the award to his late father, Gwynfor, who died in 2021, and to the park’s customers past and present

“My father is still close to our hearts, and he would be very proud that we have won this award,” said Dylan. “We feel very privileged to be recognised as a leading caravan park in the industry.

“This award is an endorsement of all the hard work and investment that we have put into the park over the last 30 years, but we could not have achieved this success without our excellent staff.

“We are delighted to bring this award back to what we regard as the most beautiful part of Wales.”

The park is set amidst stunning Snowdonia scenery with far-reaching mountain and countryside views

Dylan now runs the park with his wife Jane, niece Mari, and chairman of the board John Billingham, all of whom are fellow directors.

The 25-acre park has 12 staff, 201 holiday homes, 75 fully-serviced pitches for touring caravans and motorhomes, plus an indoor swimming pool, sauna and jacuzzi.

There’s also an entertainment complex, luxury shower and toilet block, children’s playground with a pirate ship, car hire, and a private slipway onto a  sandy beach.

In a double celebration for the park, its Nineteen.57 Bar and Restaurant was runner up in the Best of North Wales category in the Welsh Restaurant of the Year Awards 2022.

In the assessment of Islawrffordd Caravan Park, the AA inspector said: “This is an excellent, family-run and family-friendly park that has seen considerable investment over recent years.”

The park, which is an AA 5 Platinum Pennant Campsite, is open all year around and includes former British motor racing champion Nigel Mansell as one of its holiday home owners.

The Mansell family has been enjoying holidays at Islawrfford for 65 years and the Evans family lays claim to setting Nigel on the road to stardom by starting him go-karting as a boy.

There is more information about the park at www.islawrffordd.com