A proper Aire in Llanberis, North Wales! (1 Viewer)

[Barti Ddu]

This is the closest I've seen to a proper French style aire in the UK, (as well as the P&R in Canterbury).

Proper drive-over grey waste and french style bourne for fresh water. There's toilets too open during the day.

The main difference between this and a typical french Aire is the huge amount of space mandated between each van. Seems pretty excessive.

It's going to be £16.50 for 24 hours plus £3 for fresh water. Not cheap by French standards, (although some of the CCP franchised aires are now getting close in price), but it is well located on the edge of the town and close to the P&R bus service to Pen-y-Pas for the start of the Pyg track and Miner's track up to the top of Snowdon / Y Wyfra. I hope it's a success and "Well done Gwynedd Council" to giving it a go. It would be nice if other local authorities took note and looked to providing similar (in my own area, Pembrokeshire Council has just voted against creating 3 or 4 aires - due to fierce opposition from established caravan sites).

Anyway, the water hasn't been turned on yet, and they haven't got around to installing the parking payment meters, so it looks like ourselves and the other 3 vans currently here are going to get a freebie in Snowdonia tonight!

 

[DavidG58]

I wonder why they charge for fresh water but allow free dump, hopefully that might stop irresponsible dumping though

Do you all get a double pitch each?

 

[Lenny HB]

A good start even if a bit pricy but it is in a popular area charging for servicing when it's already a high price seems a bit much. If they are big spaces it seems silly to have a no chairs rule but I doubt anyone will take any notice of it.

(in my own area, Pembrokeshire Council has just voted against creating 3 or 4 aires - due to fierce opposition from established caravan sites).

I can never understand that argument most of us who like Aires wouldn't stay on a site anyway so it doesn't affect their business.

 

[dunnah01]

I wonder why they charge for fresh water but allow free dump, hopefully that might stop irresponsible dumping though

Do you all get a double pitch each?

Very few French Aires charge to dump the black water. The odd old Flot Bleu have a locked door in the side to access the drain but they're usually either broken open or so manky you wouldn't want to use them anyway. Quite a few still provide free fresh water which is very generous.

 

[Tombola]

A good start after the Cricceith one, https://what3words.com/headset.sedative.fountain

especially where it is, maybe the idea is to slow down all those parking on the roads they spent time ticketting the past few years.
Fair play, bit pricey but yes Id bite.

edit: and Ive just seen this while googling it

Gwynedd County Council has other brand new Aires opening around Snowdonia.

These are:

• Llanberis – Y Glyn parking area – Right by the lake of Llyn Padarn, gateway to Snowdon itself.
• Caernarfon – Doc Fictoria – at the former Shell fuel station.
• Pwllhelli – North Quay parking.

Gwynedd County Council’s Aire initiative​

It’s a trial initiative currently involving 4 towns within Gwynedd. These Aires are to be known as “Arosfan” sites.

The Council are currently searching for a 5th location in Merionydd area.

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[busbuddy]

Is that next to the toilet block on the road where all the 'freecampers' park in the summer.

 

[Neil S]

£16.50 + £3.00 for 24 hours plus filling up with water
Ive never paid anymore that €13 at a CCP which include water and EHU which around
£11

 

[Tombola]

So we will be calling the Arosfan sites too soon

 

[jumar]

Everyone knows that objections from Campsites will delay or cause permanent refusals to make anything, that can take away the business from these greedy establishments...
There are vast numbers of Campsites, and Aires in most of Europe....anyone who uses an Aire, knows why they prefer such places instead of campsites...
So short-sightedness, the UK is 30 years behind the rest of Europe...
Motorhome sales have increased since our first one in 1994....but suitable parking other than campsites is still in The Dark Ages....
We no longer visit the UK in our Hymer...too many restrictions compared with what we are used too....short flights and public transport provide a more worthwhile means when we need to go...
Llanberis when it doesn't rain is a great location...being a climber, I've used this place for adventures and socialising since the early seventies ...I only have fond memories with no real desires to return....but those that do...enjoy the charm that nature and history provide.

 

[Mikey RV]

Great to see the council doing some good for the tourists in motorhomes. Are the spaces next to you with the lines across them the fire breaks. I can see if it’s busy smaller vans parking on them bit like France etc.
Two years ago I went to Pendine sands and there looked to be an aire being built there also. If you go on street view you can see it on Marsh road near the town opposite a big holiday village.

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[Tombola]

Are the spaces next to you with the lines across them the fire breaks

yes and even to the rear which is why no overhang is allowed

 

[InvictaMoto]

Good for them. It was a nightmare around the area just after covid with cars and vanlifers parked all over the place. Even hard work getting around Snowdonia on my Vstrom! Get more people onto aires and off the sides of the road. Provide bins and black water dumps for all to use free. Saves the drains and bushes....

 

[Abgs]

Quick link to the rules, regs and locations -

Parking your motorhome overnight - Arosfan​

 

[Barti Ddu]

To answer a couple of the queries -

Although no camping behaviour is allowed, the aire is right next to a grassy area against the lake which has it's own benches, so nothing stopping you having your picnic or tipple of choice al-fresco with a nice view included.

The hatched out areas are indeed designed to allow 6m separation. It does look excessive compared to continental aires. At least here the white markings are plastic push-in ones and can be easily moved if the authorities decide to reduce the spacing and fit in a few more vans, unlike their other recently opened aire with the vast quantities of yellow paint!

There's currently still opportunities for free camping around the village, and there are a few vans parked up on the approach road to the aire tonight. No restrictions at present, but maybe that will change? It's not a problem at the moment, but in peak season it can get horrendously congested.

Anyway, I'm fairly impressed. At least the the council are giving it a go, and it's been done quite professionally.

 

[Googlebot]

Brilliant news that it’s finally opening.

It’s an excellent location!

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[Barti Ddu]

Looks like the new aire in Carenarfon is taking shape too with a new drive-over waste and service point going in.

 

[Bleau’s]

The spacing could be enforced by the HSE and insurance company that is the current fire regs in England for flammable habitable accommodation.

 

[Googlebot]

Hoping to use the Llanberis one next week.

Will report back.

 

[Barti Ddu]

Hoping to use the Llanberis one next week.

Will report back.

Fresh water still not available at Llanberis this morning, but drive-over grey water and toilet disposal all good. Still haven't installed the payment meters, so still no charge to stay.

It went from half a dozen vans midweek to fifteen on Saturday night, so depending on when you go you might find it busy!

 

[Googlebot]

Fresh water still not available at Llanberis this morning, but drive-over grey water and toilet disposal all good. Still haven't installed the payment meters, so still no charge to stay.

It went from half a dozen vans midweek to fifteen on Saturday night, so depending on when you go you might find it busy!

Wow!

I really want this to work so hope it isn’t a victim of its own success. If they have the bays and pay facility, it needs to be enforced IMO so people don’t take the mickey.

Thanks for the tip ref water, will bring plenty.

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[Barti Ddu]

Wow!

I really want this to work so hope it isn’t a victim of its own success. If they have the bays and pay facility, it needs to be enforced IMO so people don’t take the mickey.

Thanks for the tip ref water, will bring plenty.

The site potentially has plenty of space, so if the demand is there they should be able to add extra pitches. Now that they have invested in the infrastructure it would be a shame not to fully utilise it

Regarding fresh water - in the meantime while the Llanberis aire is not able to provide any - top tip - the Morrisons petrol station in Caernarvon just a few miles away are happy to let you use their water tap on the side of the kiosk if you ask nicely and buy a few quids worth of diesel. Standard threaded connector so a hose attaches easily.