Newborough forest and Llanddwyn Beach walk
As we live a long way from the seaside, it’s nice to see a beach on holiday. Being in Anglesey on holiday for a couple of days, I knew it was renowned for nice beaches. I’d decided we’d do a walk out at Newborough Forest and along Llanddwyn Beach. (I’ve not yet worked out if the beach is Newborough Beach, as it seems to be known as both!)
I’m not a great walker, and I moan a lot. But it was early enough to be cooler weather. And we needed to get there a) before the crowds for the car park, and b) to walk across to the island before it gets cut off by the incoming tide.
What I hadn’t counted on was how far the walk was, being it’s hard going across the sand. Of course, it’s fine if you’re young, healthy, or like some of those pounding by us, presumably walk it regularly.
Driving to Llanddwyn Beach
Right on the south west of Anglesey, Newborough Forest is just outside the village of Newborough. You just keep driving until you go past the parking barriers, and hit the final beach car park. I’d read that on summer days and hot weekends it can get filled up, but there was no danger of that on the day we were there.
It’s a huge car park, with toilets, plenty of bins, bbq stands, and picnic benches. Later in the day over summer months, there is also a refreshment/food stand that comes. We passed it arriving as we were leaving. Otherwise, it’s bring everything you need with you (and leave with it too).
There are several trails you can do through the forest and to the beach. There’s also a parkrun that happens there. All are well sign posted, but we decided to just go straight for the short beach walk which is about 5 minutes from the car park start point through the sand dunes.
If you need to, there are also bench seats en route, which N (and every other child we saw passing them) found interesting to play with as they’re a little unusual.
Llanddwyn Beach
The beach itself is a sprawling sandy beach, backed by Newborough National Nature Reserve and Forest. On a clear day you can see Eryri National Park (Snowdonia), Caenarfon and Lleyn Peninsula.
When the tide is out you can walk out to Ynys Llanddwyn, the historic island where you can see the ruins of Llanddwyn Chapel, Tŵr Mawr lighthouse, and some former pilot cottages, used by those running the lighthouse beacon to bring the boats safely past.
I’ve got a bit of a thing that I don’t like walking along beaches when the sea is coming in, but we were in plenty of time for a long walk having checked the tides first. It did take longer than the 45 mins people had stated.
The beach was pretty much empty apart from a few walkers when we were there just after 9. It was so peaceful with the forest to the right, and the sea to the left.
On the walk you’ll also come across pillow rocks on the beach which were created from volcanic lava. They made the geographer in me very excited, although N was less so enamoured.
Eventually we reached the island, and made our way up to read the boards at the entrance.
In the end, we decided not to explore further. The thought of more steps and upwards hard work vs when’s the tide going to come in had me a little wary that we’d be rushed for time to get back again. And N wasn’t fussed about seeing the sites and ruins.
We ambled back to walk along the the beach again, and back to the car park.
It was a lovely walk to get rid of the cobwebs, and get some good air in the lungs. Although of course once we’d left I regretted not walking to the end of the island.
As we were leaving the beach, so many more people were arriving to spend a day there. And leaving via the narrow road meant a lot of waiting for traffic coming in at points, until it widened out.
You pay as you exit, with it recognising your registration plate from when you enter. We paid under £3 for parking. It’s something like £2.40 minimum, then adds a small amount each extra hour, for a maximum of £7 for the day. So a bargain if you want to spend the day at the beach, with nice walks around the nature reserve and forest at the same time.
Llanddwyn Beach and Newborough Forest is a beautiful place to visit if you get the chance, whether you call it Newborough Beach or not!
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