This article is about the place in Wales. For the place in Tasmania, see Shell Islets.
Mochras also known as the campsite ‘Shell Island’ and is also Britain’s largest campsite, is a peninsula lying west of Llanbedr in Gwynedd, Wales. It was formed after the River Artro was diverted by the Earl of Winchilsea in 1819 from its previous course where it entered the sea to the south of Mochras. Prior to this, access to the ancient settlement on the 'island' would have been through the village of Llandanwg, which is now across the estuary.
View from Mochras looking northSeashells hand picked from beach drift at Mochras (marine bivalves and gastropods)
Mochras is known for the wide variety of seashells that wash up on the beach, and for its wild flowers. It is said to have been connected to the mythical Cantre'r Gwaelod.
Public vehicular access to the peninsula is only possible via a causeway across the estuary of the River Artro when the tide is out. Access on foot is always possible from the adjacent Morfa Dyffryn beach, which extends for several kilometres south of Mochras. Access to emergency vehicles is available at any time through the neighbouring airfield.
Mochras has a popular camp site[1] which offers the opportunity to practise "wild camping" in pitches which are far from the nearest neighbour (and from toilet and other facilities). Camp fires are allowed on the beach; with only raised, contained fires and barbecues allowed on the campsite.
The peninsula lies within the SnowdoniaNational Park, as a result of which the campsite closes from the end of October to the following March. During this period, local farmers bring their sheep from the lowlands to graze on the 'island'.
Mochras is significant for the UK earth sciences. The area consists of a low lying raised beach (which encompasses the nearby Llanbedr Airport) and it caused a sensation (in the geological community, at least), when the Institute of Geological Sciences (now known as the British Geological Survey) drilled a 1,938 m deep stratigraphic proving borehole at Mochras Farm[2] between late 1967 and late 1969. Beneath the obscuring recent beach cover, the Mochras Borehole found relatively young Tertiary and Mesozoic rocks (including a well-developed Upper, Middle and Lower Lias section[3] towards the base of the Jurassic), faulted against the ancient Cambrian rocks of the Harlech dome. In 1971, the vertical throw of the fault[4] was judged to be at least 4,500 metres (2¾ miles).
mochras, this, article, about, place, wales, place, tasmania, shell, islets, also, known, campsite, shell, island, also, britain, largest, campsite, peninsula, lying, west, llanbedr, gwynedd, wales, formed, after, river, artro, diverted, earl, winchilsea, 1819. This article is about the place in Wales For the place in Tasmania see Shell Islets Mochras also known as the campsite Shell Island and is also Britain s largest campsite is a peninsula lying west of Llanbedr in Gwynedd Wales It was formed after the River Artro was diverted by the Earl of Winchilsea in 1819 from its previous course where it entered the sea to the south of Mochras Prior to this access to the ancient settlement on the island would have been through the village of Llandanwg which is now across the estuary MochrasMochras above Llandanwg villageMochrasLocation within GwyneddOS grid referenceSH552265Principal areaGwyneddPreserved countyGwyneddCountryWalesSovereign stateUnited KingdomPost townLLANBEDRPostcode districtLL45Dialling code01341PoliceNorth WalesFireNorth WalesAmbulanceWelshList of places UK Wales Gwynedd 52 49 00 N 4 09 00 W 52 81665 N 4 14997 W 52 81665 4 14997 View from Mochras looking northSeashells hand picked from beach drift at Mochras marine bivalves and gastropods Mochras is known for the wide variety of seashells that wash up on the beach and for its wild flowers It is said to have been connected to the mythical Cantre r Gwaelod Public vehicular access to the peninsula is only possible via a causeway across the estuary of the River Artro when the tide is out Access on foot is always possible from the adjacent Morfa Dyffryn beach which extends for several kilometres south of Mochras Access to emergency vehicles is available at any time through the neighbouring airfield Mochras has a popular camp site 1 which offers the opportunity to practise wild camping in pitches which are far from the nearest neighbour and from toilet and other facilities Camp fires are allowed on the beach with only raised contained fires and barbecues allowed on the campsite The peninsula lies within the Snowdonia National Park as a result of which the campsite closes from the end of October to the following March During this period local farmers bring their sheep from the lowlands to graze on the island Contents 1 Geology 2 See also 3 References 4 External linksGeology editMochras is significant for the UK earth sciences The area consists of a low lying raised beach which encompasses the nearby Llanbedr Airport and it caused a sensation in the geological community at least when the Institute of Geological Sciences now known as the British Geological Survey drilled a 1 938 m deep stratigraphic proving borehole at Mochras Farm 2 between late 1967 and late 1969 Beneath the obscuring recent beach cover the Mochras Borehole found relatively young Tertiary and Mesozoic rocks including a well developed Upper Middle and Lower Lias section 3 towards the base of the Jurassic faulted against the ancient Cambrian rocks of the Harlech dome In 1971 the vertical throw of the fault 4 was judged to be at least 4 500 metres 2 miles See also editMorfa Dyffryn Sarn PadrigReferences edit UKCampsite co uk Caravan Parks and Camping Sites Index National Geosciences Data Centre borehole material record from Mochras Bennison G M amp A E Wright 1969 The Geological History of the British Isles p 297 Edward Arnold London pp 406 x ISBN 0 7131 2226 9 The Llanbedr Mochras Farm Borehole IGS Report No 71 18 HMSO London 116 pp figs SBN 11 880213 5External links editThe Official Shell Island Campsite Website Shell Island beach Guide Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Mochras amp oldid 1186097327, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
