Pops Cabin is a privately owned lodge at Hafan y Môr, the Haven holiday park between Pwllheli and Criccieth. Because you book with us rather than with Haven, the park treats you a little differently, and this guide explains how: what you can use without a Play Pass, what the pass covers, how to buy it, and what is within walking distance.
Haven calls Hafan y Môr one of its biggest parks: 540 acres, mostly flat, on the coast at Penychain with its own small beach and a railway station next door. It was Butlin's Pwllheli until 1999, and the park pub is still named HMS Glendower after the naval base Butlin's built here in 1940. Haven classes guests of private owners as Hideaway guests, which decides what you can use. Here is how that works, plus what you can reach without driving far.
Without a Play Pass you can use the supermarket, takeaways, arcades, bars and restaurants. The Splashaway Bay pool, activities like pedalos and NERF, and the shows at The Cove and The Boardwalk need a Hafan y Môr Play Pass for everyone aged 4 and over, bought online before you arrive.
Haven Play Pass
The park's own small beach is reached down a sloped coastal path with a step at the end, so wheelchair and pushchair users will need a hand. Afon Wen beach is about 25 minutes' walk east along the coast path, and the sands of Abererch and Glan y Don run more than 4 miles west to Pwllheli.
Pwllheli beaches
The path climbs the grassy Pen-y-chain headland beside the park, so there is no driving involved. Westward it follows the beach to Pwllheli, about 5 miles. Eastward it turns inland at Afon Wen and passes through Llanystumdwy to Criccieth, about 6.5 miles. The train brings you back to Penychain.
Coast Path route
About 15 minutes' drive at Y Ffôr, and a good fallback when the forecast turns. Visit Wales lists ten-pin bowling and a soft play centre indoors, with go karting, quad biking, cable wakeboarding, paddle boarding, kayaking, mini golf and archery outside. Check what is running on the day.
Glasfryn Parc
About 10 minutes' drive, 15 to the marina. Pwllheli's market has run on Y Maes since the 14th century and still opens every Wednesday. Hafan Pwllheli is one of the largest marinas in Wales, and Pwllheli Golf Club, part links and part parkland, is about 15 minutes away.
About Pwllheli
About 10 minutes' drive. Cadw's Criccieth Castle stands on its own rocky headland between 2 beaches, with views across Cardigan Bay. Llywelyn the Great built the gatehouse and Owain Glyndŵr burnt the towers in 1404. Opening days change with the season, so check Cadw before you go.
Cadw opening times
About 10 minutes' drive for a meal out. Dylan's Criccieth is in the Morannedd building, a curved Art Deco landmark on the seafront a stone's throw from the beach, serving locally sourced produce from the seas and hills, in the restaurant's words. The terrace faces straight out over Cardigan Bay.
Dylan's Criccieth
Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park begins about 20 minutes' drive away at Porthmadog, and the nearest Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) paths at Rhyd Ddu are about 40. Our day trips guide covers the paths, pre-booked parking at Pen-y-Pass, the heritage railways, Beddgelert, Portmeirion and Zip World.
Snowdonia day trips
Porthdinllaen and the Tŷ Coch Inn on its beach are about 25 minutes' drive plus a 20 minute walk, Abersoch about 25 minutes, and Aberdaron and the Bardsey boats about 40 to 45. Our Llŷn guide covers the beaches, the coast path, golf, the brewery at Nefyn and where to eat.
Llŷn Peninsula guidePops Cabin is an A-frame log cabin on the park with 3 bedrooms (a double and 2 twins), 1 bathroom with a shower and space for 6. It has its own entrance, free private parking on site, a private balcony with mountain views and a picnic bench on the lawn. Inside: a kitchenette with oven, hob, microwave, fridge and coffee machine, a flat screen TV, a Nintendo Wii, an arcade machine and table football, plus Wi-Fi and heating. Book on Airbnb or Booking.com, or message us.
Pops Cabin is a privately owned 3 bedroom log cabin on Hafan y Môr, sleeping up to 6 with free parking and a private balcony. Book on Airbnb or Booking.com, or WhatsApp us on +44 7532 188863 with your dates and any questions about the Play Pass.
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