Traeth Llanddwyn (Llanddwyn beach) on the west coast of Anglesey, north-west Wales, has been named the best beach in Britain by Time Out magazine, but the accolade has exacerbated a crisis of over-tourism that has driven local residents to take drastic action. When journalist Steffan Rhys visited in June 2026, he found the sole access road blocked by bollards and marshals two miles from the shoreline, a measure implemented in response to tourists parking illegally on residential streets and grass verges in Newborough Forest.
Residents Protest and Parking Fees Double
In May 2026, Niwbwrch (Newborough) residents staged a “slow walk” to blockade the road, and Natural Resources Wales doubled the cost of parking at the 300-space beach car park in an attempt to manage the influx. Locals report being “hemmed in by visiting cars and campervans, many parked on pavements obstructing prams and kids on bikes,” according to North Wales Live. One visitor described witnessing a confrontation: “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!”
Social Media Drives Surge in Visitors
Time Out praised the beach for its “remote 3.5-mile stretch of white sand,” “outstanding views of the Irish Sea,” and the peaks of Eryri National Park. However, countless photographs and videos on platforms like TikTok have turned the spot into a viral phenomenon, drawing crowds that overwhelm the narrow access road and limited parking. The beach itself is vast—even a full car park would not make it feel crowded—but the bottleneck at the entrance has caused gridlock and frustration among residents who struggle to exit their own driveways.
A Worthwhile Visit with Caveats
Despite the access issues, Rhys eventually managed to visit when the road reopened, finding the beach and Newborough Forest breathtaking. The Corsican pines, planted between 1947 and 1965, frame the walk to the shore, while the western tip features Ynys Llanddwyn (Llanddwyn Island), a rugged outcrop connected at low tide with a lighthouse and crosses dedicated to the 5th-century Welsh patron saint of lovers, Dwynwen. Rhys noted that visitors should “remain mindful at all times of the residents who call this stunning corner of the world home and avoid causing them any disruption.”
Alternatives to Llanddwyn
For those seeking similar scenery without the crowds, alternatives include Llansteffan in Carmarthenshire, with a sweeping beach and medieval castle; Southerndown in the Vale of Glamorgan, offering heritage coastline and Dunraven Castle ruins; and St Govan's Head in Pembrokeshire, home to a cliff-side hermit's cell and nearby beaches Barafundle and Broad Haven South.
