Mochras causeway
Photographs taken off the Mochras causeway, North Wales
The causeway to Mochras, a tidal peninsula in North Wales famous for shells, wildflowers, and camping, it's often called "Shell Island" by visitors despite locals preferring the Welsh name.
Despite its name the site is not actually an island and is instead a peninsula located near the village of Llanbedr. Its main route is cut off at high tide - creating that island feel.
In fact the area was not even a peninsula until the intervention of part of the nobility in the 19th Century. The current estuary was formed following a diversion of the Afon Artro by the Earl of Winchilsea in 1819 to improve access to the wharf at Pensarn which was the shipment point for slate from Llanfair and Llanbedr.
The Mochras causeway floods twice daily with the tides, but it's not a constant, daily occurrence of being fully submerged; it's predictable and depends on high tide times, requiring visitors to check tide tables (available on the Shell Island website) for safe crossing windows. You must avoid crossing when the tide is in, as the road becomes impassable and dangerous, even for cars, with water levels rising significantly.
Mochras causeway
Photographs taken off the Mochras causeway, North Wales
The causeway to Mochras, a tidal peninsula in North Wales famous for shells, wildflowers, and camping, it's often called "Shell Island" by visitors despite locals preferring the Welsh name.
Despite its name the site is not actually an island and is instead a peninsula located near the village of Llanbedr. Its main route is cut off at high tide - creating that island feel.
In fact the area was not even a peninsula until the intervention of part of the nobility in the 19th Century. The current estuary was formed following a diversion of the Afon Artro by the Earl of Winchilsea in 1819 to improve access to the wharf at Pensarn which was the shipment point for slate from Llanfair and Llanbedr.
The Mochras causeway floods twice daily with the tides, but it's not a constant, daily occurrence of being fully submerged; it's predictable and depends on high tide times, requiring visitors to check tide tables (available on the Shell Island website) for safe crossing windows. You must avoid crossing when the tide is in, as the road becomes impassable and dangerous, even for cars, with water levels rising significantly.