My 10 Favorite Spots for Roof Tent Beach Camping Around Cheshire & North Wales

I've been taking my TentBox on weekend escapes around the northwest coast for about three years now, and honestly, I can't imagine traveling any other way. There's something magical about parking up with sea views, popping the roof tent, and falling asleep to the sound of waves. If you're thinking about doing the same, here are my personal recommendations for seaside spots with decent parking options (because we all know that's the make-or-break factor with roof tents!).

1. Lligwy Beach, Anglesey

God, I love this place. The beach is tucked away in a little cove near Moelfre and never seems to get too crowded, even in summer. Last time I was there, I woke up, climbed down from my tent, and was swimming within minutes - bliss!

**Where to park:** There's a car park right by the beach where overnight stays are allowed. It'll cost you about £8 last time I checked. The farmer who runs it is pretty friendly to roof tenters as long as you're respectful. I usually park near the far hedge for a bit of extra shelter from the wind.

2. Rhyl Beach

Rhyl gets a bad rap sometimes, but I've got a soft spot for it. The beach stretches for miles, and there's always something going on. Great for when you want a proper seaside day with ice cream and arcade games before retreating to your tent.

**Where to park:** Marine Lake car park has worked well for me in the past. It's £10 overnight, but worth it because it's well-lit and I've never had any trouble there. Just avoid school holidays unless you like company!

3. West Kirby, Wirral

Not technically Wales, but close enough! The sunset views across to the Welsh mountains are unbeatable here. My usual routine is fish and chips on the wall watching the sun go down, then up to the parking spot for the night.

**Where to park:** I usually head to Wirral Country Park nearby. They don't officially allow overnight camping, but I've spoken to the rangers before and they tend to turn a blind eye to roof tents if you're gone by 8am and don't set up tables and chairs outside.

4. Barmouth

Probably my favorite spot in the whole list. There's something special about waking up with Snowdonia on one side and that massive beach on the other. The harbor is lovely for an evening pint too.

**Where to park:** There's a spot near the harbor where vans and roof tenters often stay. It's about £12 a night but totally worth it. Just follow the signs for overnight motorhome parking. The local chippy does a cracking breakfast bap!

5. Prestatyn Beach

When I can't be bothered with a long drive but need to see the sea, Prestatyn is my go-to. The beach goes on forever, and on a clear day, you can see all the way to Liverpool.

**Where to park:** Nova Centre car park is your friend here. It's six quid overnight and right by the beach. Gets busy on summer weekends though, so I usually arrive before 4pm to secure a spot.

6. Talacre Beach

That lighthouse standing alone on the beach makes for some cracking photos, especially at sunset. The dunes are great for a bit of shelter if it's windy too.

**Where to park:** The main beach car park allows overnight stays for about £7. Word of warning though - it floods on very high tides, so check tide times! I learned this the hard way last October and had to move at 2am...

7. Colwyn Bay

The beach regeneration here has made it a much nicer spot in recent years. Great for paddle boarding if you're into that sort of thing - I usually am if the weather's decent!

**Where to park:** The prom car park has worked well for me. It's about £8 overnight, and being right on the front means great morning views. There's a lovely little coffee shack that opens early too.

8. Llandudno

Bit posh for my liking usually, but there's no denying it's a beautiful spot. The Great Orme is worth the drive up too - I've seen wild goats wandering past my TentBox up there!

**Where to park:** West Shore is far better than North Shore for overnight stays. Much quieter, and the wardens seem more chilled about roof tents. Usually about £9 for the night.

9. Newborough, Anglesey

If you like your beaches wild and natural, this is the one. Massive forest behind you, mountains in the distance, and barely anyone around if you time it right.

**Where to park:** The forest car parks are your best bet - about £7 for 24 hours. I usually go for the one furthest from the main entrance as it's quieter. Last summer I had deer walking past my vehicle at dawn!

10. Morfa Nefyn

This is my special occasion spot. It's a bit of a trek, but that curved bay with the pub on the beach (Ty Coch Inn) is worth every mile. Swimming here feels like being in the Mediterranean on a good day.

**Where to park:** Bit tricky this one. The National Trust car park technically closes overnight, but there's room for about 5-6 vehicles in a layby just before you reach it. I usually buy the NT staff a drink in the pub and they turn a blind eye to my roof tent!

My Personal Roof Tent Tips

- Always have a backup plan - I've been turned away from a couple of spots when new restrictions came in
- A decent power bank is essential - I use mine for charging my phone and running a small fan on hot nights
- Most barriers are 2.1m, and my SUV with the TentBox is just under at 2m, but always good to check ahead
- I've found calling ahead to car parks is better than checking websites, which are often out of date
- A discreet setup works best - I'm usually parked up, tent popped, and settled with minimum fuss

Hope that helps anyone looking to explore our amazing coastline! Drop me a message if you end up trying any of these spots - always good to hear how other TentBox adventures go.