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<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{about|the place in Wales|the place in Tasmania|Shell Islets}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}<br />
{{Use British English|date=July 2025}}<br />
{{Infobox UK place<br />
| static_image_name = Llandanwg Pensarn Harbour and Shell Island.jpg<br />
| static_image_caption = Mochras above Llandanwg village<br />
| country = Wales<br />
| constituency_welsh_assembly =<br />
| coordinates = {{coord|52.81665|-4.14997|display=inline,title}}<br />
| official_name = Mochras<br />
| population = <br />
| unitary_wales = [[Gwynedd]]<br />
| lieutenancy_wales = [[Gwynedd]]<br />
| constituency_westminster = <br />
| post_town = LLANBEDR<br />
| postcode_district = LL45<br />
| postcode_area = LL<br />
| dial_code = 01341<br />
| os_grid_reference = SH552265 <br />
}}<br />
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'''Mochras''' (also known in English as '''Shell Island''') is a [[peninsula]] lying west of [[Llanbedr]] in [[Gwynedd]], Wales. The peninsula was formed after the [[River Artro]] was diverted by the [[George Finch, 9th Earl of Winchilsea|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.<br />
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[[File:Shell Island view 1985.jpg|thumb|left|View from Mochras looking north]]<br />
[[File:Seashells North Wales 1985.jpg|thumb|left|[[Seashells]] hand picked from beach drift at Mochras (marine [[bivalve]]s and [[gastropod]]s)]]<br />
Mochras is known for the wide variety of [[seashell]]s that wash up on the beach, and for its [[wild flower]]s. It is said to have been connected to the mythical [[Cantre'r Gwaelod]].<br />
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The peninsula lies within the [[Snowdonia]] [[National parks of England and Wales|National Park]]. From the end of October to the following March local farmers bring their sheep from the lowlands to graze on the 'island'.<br />
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==Geology==<br />
Mochras is significant for the UK earth sciences. The area consists of a low lying raised beach (which encompasses the nearby [[Llanbedr Airport]]).<br />
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Between 1967 and 1969 the [[British Geological Survey|Institute of Geological Sciences]] (now known as the [[British Geological Survey]]) drilled a 1,938&nbsp;m [[stratigraphy|stratigraphic]] proving borehole at Mochras Farm.<ref>[http://www.bgs.ac.uk/data/bmd/summary_code.cfm?id=136718 National Geosciences Data Centre borehole material record] from Mochras</ref> This found relatively young [[Tertiary period|Tertiary]] and [[Mesozoic]] rocks (including a well-developed Upper, Middle and Lower [[Lias Group|Lias]] section<ref>Bennison G. M. & A. E. Wright (1969) ''The Geological History of the British Isles'', p. 297, Edward Arnold, London, pp. 406 + x, {{ISBN|0-7131-2226-9}}</ref> towards the base of the [[Jurassic]]), faulted against the ancient [[Cambrian]] rocks of the [[Harlech]] dome. In 1971, the vertical throw of the fault was judged to be at least {{convert|4500|m|mi}}.<ref>[http://pubs.bgs.ac.uk/publications.html?pubID=B00938 ''The Llanbedr (Mochras Farm) Borehole''], IGS Report No. 71/18, HMSO London, 116 pp + figs, SBN 11 880213 5</ref><br />
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==Access==<br />
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.<br />
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==Amenities==<br />
Mochras has a popular camp site<ref>[http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/reviews.asp?revid=2693 UKCampsite.co.uk – Caravan Parks and Camping Sites Index<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> 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.<br />
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==See also==<br />
*[[Morfa Dyffryn]]<br />
*[[Sarn Badrig]]<br />
<!-- *[[Cannus Coccus]]? --><br />
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== References ==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
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==External links==<br />
*[http://www.shellisland.co.uk The Official Shell Island Campsite Website]<br />
*[http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/beachguide/beachguide.php/location/74/Shell%20Island Shell Island beach Guide]<br />
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[[Category:Llanbedr]]<br />
[[Category:Peninsulas of Wales]]<br />
[[Category:Landforms of Gwynedd]]<br />
[[Category:Coast of Gwynedd]]<br />
[[Category:Landforms of Snowdonia]]<br />
[[Category:Seaside resorts in Wales]]</div>imported>Keith D