The promise of a warm summer means looking into outdoor activity holidays in the UK this year is now a viable option, and one potential destination for such breaks is Shell Island in Wales. One of Europe's biggest campsites and the largest in the UK, Shell Island occupies a prime position on the coast of Snowdonia, making for some spectacular countryside views.
On a clear day, you should be able to spot North Cardigan Bay and the LLyn Peninsula, as well as Snowdon to the north.
Cader Idris and the Cambrian Mountains lie to the south, while you should also be able to see Harlech Castle and the Rhinogs mountain range.
Shell Island was originally a farm way back in the 11th century, according to the Domesday Book.
The arrival of the railway in the 19th century meant that it could be transformed into a holiday destination, although it only became the campsite you see today in the 1950s, when the Workman family acquired the 450-acre piece of land.
Some 300 acres is available for families to camp on, with the rest of the site being occupied by various beaches and a range of facilities. There are three bathing beaches available at Shell Island - a main one and two smaller locations that are only available to campers when the tide is out. Other offerings include a pub, a snack bar, a restaurant, a supermarket, a gift store and a leisure outlet that sells those camping essentials you might have forgotten or mislaid.
If you don't fancy pitching a tent, you can book a chalet or flat located onsite, although there aren't many of these and, in any case, it could be argued that sleeping out under the stars is one of the best ways of enjoying the gorgeous Welsh countryside.
The campsite has a policy of only admitting families and couples, so you don't have to worry about having your holiday being ruined by noisy revellers! So what can you and your family do while camping in this part of Wales?
Shell Island offers a number of different activities for kids and adults alike. Children will enjoy collecting shells on the beach - especially in the first half of the year, when they are particularly abundant - and catching crabs with nothing more than a bucket and a crabbing line. For nature lovers, a number of different species of bird can be spotted in the area, including catchers, redshanks, grebes, cormorants, herons, lapwings, plovers, snipes and curlews.
Other winged creatures that you might see during your stay include skylarks, swans, kingfishers, merlins, buzzards, kestrels and sparrow hawks. If you're a fan of fishing, you can join the local fishermen as they dangle bait in hope of landing bass, plaice and flounder - as well as mackerel on rare occasions - at the north point of Shell Island.
You can also wait until the crowds depart the bathing beaches and fish for Dogfish, skate, thornback rays and the odd stingray as dusk approaches. If you have a boat, you can take it to the campsite and sail off to nearby locations such as Portmadoc, Barmouth, Aberdovey, Abersoch and Pwllheli.
With Shell Island being situated in such a great location for the attractions of the Welsh countryside and mountain territory, you might want to take in some of the nearby sights on the way home once your stay at the campsite ends.
You can visit Harlech Castle to the north if you're going that way - this 13th century structure makes for an impressive site and is well worth a visit if you want to learn more about Welsh history. Alternatively, you could head south from Shell Island towards Cardigan Bay and enjoy the scenery here. The town of Cardigan itself could be a great place to stay for a night or two while you explore the surrounding countryside.
Whatever you choose to do on your family holiday on the Welsh coast, you're sure to come away with some unforgettable memories. With so much for both adults and children to see and do at Shell Island and beyond, it could be the perfect destination for a summer holiday this year.
