Traeth Llanddwyn, a 3.5-mile stretch of white sand on Anglesey's west coast, was recently named the best beach in Britain by Time Out magazine. But when Steffan Rhys of Wales Online tried to visit, he found the access road blocked by bollards and high-visibility staff a full two miles from the beach.
Protest Over Visitor Behaviour
The blockade was erected by locals in the nearby village of Niwbwrch (Newborough), who are furious about the influx of day-trippers. Visitors have been parking illegally on residential roads and grass verges, causing congestion and obstructing pavements. In May, residents staged a 'slow walk' to block the road, and Natural Resources Wales doubled parking fees at the 300-space car park to ease the problem.
One observer noted: 'I was stuck at the square, chatting to one of the lads on the road block. His mate was having a debate with a chap in an Audi who wouldn't take no for an answer. Meanwhile, the traffic was backing up in all directions.'
A Viral Sensation
Llanddwyn's photogenic qualities, including its iconic lighthouse and crosses on Ynys Llanddwyn (Llanddwyn Island), have made it a viral sensation on social media platforms like TikTok. The island is named after Dwynwen, the 5th-century Welsh patron saint of lovers. The beach is accessed through Newborough Forest, planted between 1947 and 1965.
Despite the crowds, Rhys eventually gained access when the road reopened. He found the beach vast enough that he barely came within 200 yards of another person. 'It is absolutely worth the lengthy journey — but visitors should always be respectful of those who call this stunning corner of the world their home,' he wrote.
Alternatives to Llanddwyn
For those seeking similar landscapes without the crowds, Rhys suggests Llansteffan in Carmarthenshire, with its expansive beach and medieval castle; Southerndown in the Vale of Glamorgan, featuring walled gardens and Dunraven Castle ruins; or St Govan's Head in Pembrokeshire, with a hermit's cell built into the cliff and nearby beaches like Barafundle and Broad Haven South.
