Spot a sea-shell

As our regular readers know, the Oakeley Arms Hotel in Blaenau is situated just a stone’s throw (or should that be a shell’s throw!) away from the stunning Snowdonia coastline, and one thing about a day beside the seaside is that there is so much to spot – not least the beautiful wildlife and flora that lives along the coast.

And one of the greatest pleasures of a day at the beach is beach-combing for shells. In this part of Cardigan Bay you’ll find some great sea-shell treasures all along the coves, beaches and sands. The design and shape of a shell are functional to the creature that once lived inside it, but to human eyes shells are pretty objects, often with a decorative purpose.

Image by asladera on freeimages.com

There are a huge variety of shells you might find along the coastline here. Look out for limpet shells, periwinkles, cowries, tower shells, whelks, razor clams, mussels and cockle shells.

One of the best places to find these shell-y treasures locally is the aptly named Shell Island; so named because of the abundance of sea shells that are washed up there with the high tides. Shell Island sits just below the town of Harlech, and it becomes an island when the tide is high and it is cut off from the mainland. It was once used for farmland but now the area is one of the largest campsites in Europe.

It is also open to day visitors, who want to use the beaches and the facilities, and as it’s only just over 10 miles from the Oakeley Arms, it makes a great day out for our hotel and self-catering guests. And why not try our lovely sea shell walk around the island – all details are below. See how many lovely shells you can spot!

Start: River Artro Car Park (from Llanbedr, follow signs for Shell Island to find car park ½ mile along road on the right). Postcode for sat nav is LL45 2DJ (approx).

Grid Ref: SH 581 269

Distance – 6 miles

Maps: OS Explorer OL 18: Harlech, Porthmadog and Y Bala

** The causeway to Shell Island floods at high tide and so is impassable. Check tide times before setting off. Visit www.shellisland.co.uk for local tide times.

Directions: 1: Head to right hand corner of car park for footpath along river; follow it with river on right.
Over railway line and through gate, continue ahead along riverside path, passing small harbour on right.
2: Over stile and continue along track to meet tarmac road. Bear right then swing left to follow causeway to Shell Island (if tide allows). Just before site entrance at large blue “Welcome” sign, turn left for narrow path which can be vague at times – stay along high tide line with marshy land to left and low grassy dunes to right.
3: Follow low headland on right, pass a warning signpost further along. Up small hill to lane, go straight over then along stony track. At junction with tarmac road and with tall dunes ahead turn right continue to crossroads. Turn left to follow signpost for Beach Car Park. Turn left at junction into car parking area.
4: Explore beach and dunes (there are several paths through dunes, and they are well worth exploring). Return to car park and follow road you came along, turn right at junction to get back to the cross roads, then turn right along road.
5: Follow road through campsite. At t-junction stay ahead (look for CP logo on the back of a signpost), then take next left for stony track which soon turns into a tarmac footpath. Follow path with airfield on right, and at the end go through gate and onto road. Turn right and follow road for a mile to return to car park

These directions are for guidance only. The Oakeley Arms can accept no responsibility for any loss, damage or injury resulting from the use of this information. The information quoted is correct at the time of writing. Always take a map with you and be prepared for the weather for turn. Do not venture out in bad weather.

Check with staff if you need any help with these directions or guidance to the starting point.

Happy sea shell walk-ing!