Anglesey's Traeth Llanddwyn has been crowned the best beach in both Wales and the UK by Time Out, surpassing popular spots like Rhossili Bay, Barafundle Bay and Broad Haven South.
What makes Traeth Llanddwyn special
Time Out describes the beach as a dreamlike destination: "When you see Llanddwyn for yourself, you'll think you've just stepped inside a dream. From the remote 3.5 mile stretch of white sand you have outstanding views of the Irish Sea and of the peaks of Eryri National Park on the Welsh mainland. Behind the bay is a sprawling forest of Corsican pine (one of the best places in Wales to spot red squirrels) and rolling dunes dotted with wildflowers."
At low tide, visitors can cross to Llanddwyn Island, which features 16th-century church ruins and Tŵr Mawr Lighthouse. The island is known as the Welsh Island of Love, dedicated to St Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers. Wild ponies often roam the island.
The beach offers a unique combination of golden sand, sea and mountain backdrop, looking across the Menai Strait to Snowdonia. To reach it, visitors walk through Newborough Forest, a pine woodland planted on dunes, taking around 10 to 20 minutes from the car park.
Local frustrations over overtourism
The recognition has not been welcomed by all. The site, part of a National Nature Reserve, has seven car parks that regularly reach capacity at weekends and during summer, with the main car park of over 300 spaces often full by 9am. Drivers resort to illegal parking along the A4080 and encroach onto Newborough village's side roads, causing gridlock that prevents residents from leaving their properties.
One local commented online: "As if the place isn't infested already." Another said: "And yet again more publicity... the place doesn't stand a chance." A third simply wrote: "Enough!"
