A beloved beach has been thrust further into the spotlight, sparking discontent among local residents. Traeth Llanddwyn, a pine-fringed stretch of coastline on Anglesey with a romantic island, has been crowned the UK's best beach. The 3.5-mile expanse of sand boasts dramatic vistas across the water towards the peaks of Eryri. In awarding Llanddwyn top spot from a shortlist of 40, Time Out described the location as nothing short of "heavenly".
The site, which publishes online in 59 countries, stated: "Cream sand, a whitewashed lighthouse, dunes scattered with wildflowers, a pine tree backdrop and silhouettes of Eryri National Park's peaks in the distance – Traeth Llanddwyn offers a true dreamscape." At low tide, visitors can access Llanddwyn Island, Wales' official 'Island of Love', home to the aforementioned lighthouse and the 16th-century church of St Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers. Wild ponies graze the sand dunes, helping preserve the landscape.
Overtourism Woes
Traeth Llanddwyn is no stranger to top 10 lists, and its semi-tidal island recently topped a UK ranking of favourite seaside walks. Yet while the beach and its 2,500-acre Corsican pine forest possess undeniable charm, its rising popularity continues to spark complaints about overtourism, reports North Wales Live. The area, part of a National Nature Reserve, features seven car parks. At weekends and throughout summer, all are frequently packed to capacity, forcing latecomers to hunt for alternatives. Numerous motorists park illegally along the A4080, while others cause disruption to residents by cramming onto side streets in Newborough village.
The main beach car park, accessed via the forest, boasts over 300 spaces but is frequently full by 9am. Despite new parking arrangements introduced by site manager Natural Resources Wales (NRW), drivers who arrive to find no spaces available continue to cause gridlock in Newborough. Over the recent Bank Holiday, long-standing frustrations boiled over as the village came to a complete standstill, leaving residents struggling to leave their homes. Despite years of campaigning and new traffic measures, very little had changed.
Locals React
When glowing recommendations began appearing on websites, newspapers, and social media championing Traeth Llanddwyn and neighbouring Newborough Forest as must-visit destinations, locals were far from impressed. One man vented online: "As if the place isn't infested already." Another wrote: "And yet again more publicity... the place doesn't stand a chance." A third fumed simply: "Enough!"
The US-Iran conflict is expected to drive staycations this summer as fuel prices rise and airlines jostle for supplies. With many people seeking days out and new places to explore, beaches described as "looking like the Caribbean" are bound to draw a crowd.
Insider Tips
Time Out isn't the only publication praising Traeth Llanddwyn. "We're not the only ones to laud it as one of Britain's best beaches," the site noted, having earlier this year crowned Anglesey as its top UK destination to visit in 2026. "But thanks to its remote position and long 3.5-mile stretch of sand, it rarely feels crowded." In an "insider tip", Time Out describes Llanddwyn as a "lovely place for a few peaceful hours of paddle boarding". More worryingly for residents, it acknowledges that public transport links are "very limited", warning: "A car is a necessity."
Few "remote" spots retain that character when the sun emerges and holiday traffic overwhelms infrastructure never designed for mass tourism. Newborough and other popular destinations across North Wales are generally willing to share the places they hold dear, but not at any price and only in sustainable numbers. Responding to Llanddwyn's top ranking, one local resident questioned whether it was right to "promote somewhere that's already suffering huge problems due to excessive and unsustainable visitor numbers".
Future Management
The area is now preparing for the next spell of warmer weather. "Brilliant the beach has won the title but I don't think this is going to help us," one woman said. Another agreed, pointing out the area is already busy enough and "doesn't need 'advertising'". Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is also planning a further drop-in session for residents of Newborough to discuss future management options for the National Nature Reserve. The upcoming event will focus on forestry operations scheduled at Newborough Forest over the next 12-18 months and will be held at the Prichard Jones Institute, Newborough, on Thursday, June 11, between 1pm and 7pm.
