Walk of the Month – Newborough Beach

For April’s edition of Walk of the Month, we’re going to be taking a trip over to Anglesey and the stunning beach and forest at Newborough. I was lucky enough to be able to spend a week in a Sykes cottage on the island last month and we actually ended up doing this walk twice whilst we were there, so you can tell how much I enjoyed it!

The area around Newborough Beach and Llanddwyn is actually owned by the Forestry Commission so there’s a small £3 toll that you have to pay in order to drive your car down to the beach, but don’t worry it’s well worth it! Not only will you be able to find stunning views out over the Llyn Peninsula from the beach but you might also be able to catch a glimpse of one of the thriving colony of red squirrels that call the woods home!

The Walk

The route that the walk follows is actually very simple and easy to navigate, and with it only being around 4 miles long and fairly flat, it should be manageable for walkers of all ages and abilities. If you’re planning on taking the pooch with you then it’s worth remembering that there are restrictions that run throughout the summer months. From the 1st of May right the way through to the end of September, dogs are prohibited from the vast majority of the beach and also from Llanddwyn Island but they can be taken on the eastern end of the beach.

The Route

The route is a simple one. The starting point is in the car park right down by the beach – if you head through the toll booth at the top of the hill you just have to keep on the road and you’ll reach it eventually.

From the car park, there is a short passage leading through the dunes which will take you out on to Newborough Beach, once you’re on the sands you’ll want to take a right and head down towards Llanddwyn Island.

Eventually you’ll reach the end of the bay but you’ll see Ynys Llanddwyn Island curve away to your left – this is where you want to go. It’s actually a tidal island so there’s no trouble walking across to it at low tide, but it can be totally cut off for a couple of hours at very high tides so make sure you check the tide times!

It’s on the island that you’ll see many of the highlights from the walk. You’ll see the remains of the old church of Saint Dwynwen, the lighthouse or the old pilot cottages that used to house the sailors who would guide boats through the treacherous Menai Straits, and there’s the stunning views out over the mountains of the mainland. Once you reach the western tip of the island, you’ll want to head back towards the mainland, either back the way that you came or by using one of the other pathways.

When you’re off the island you’re presented with several choices, you can take a left and head through to Maltraeth Bay, the next beach up the coastline, and have a wander there. Or you can head across the dunes and up to the forest path that runs parallel to the beach and will drop you off back at the car park, then there’s also the option of heading back along the beach to the starting point.

Rent an Anglesey Cottage with Sykes

Well how does that sound to you? Good? Then you’ll want to have a look at these Angelsey cottages! From cosy couples retreats in Beaumaris to properties fit for the whole family in Cemaes Bay, why don’t you check them out?