This walk is near Newborough village, south west Anglesey. Newborough Warren and Ynys Llanddwyn are national nature reserves with a diversity of habitat and their own history and mythology.
Level: The distance of this walk is about five miles. It is a moderate walk with some more challenging stretches through sand dunes.
Start: The route begins at the ruins of the Royal Court which was the last royal court in Wales.
Access: There is car parking in the village of Newborough at map reference SH425656 - 200 metres from the start of the walk at SH420653. There is a bus service from Bangor to Newborough.
The Royal Court is an excellent vantage point with views across the whole of the reserve, taking in Abermenai Point which is where Llywelyn kept his navy so he could see them from here. You can also see across to Snowdonia.
The sand dunes around this area are also known as being the largest in Wales and arguably one of the finest in Europe. From here the route takes you through the forest which is now managed by Forest Enterprise Wales. The forest was planted after World War II as part of a Government move to provide the country with as much timber as possible in case the country went into war again.
At the same time, the new forest provided employment for the troops returning to Anglesey and helped to prevent the movement of sand and sand dunes onto the road and village of Newborough. Today, the forest covers acres, and is home to squirrels, bats and a successful raven roost.
From here the walk moves on to Llanddwyn Island. The Church on Llanddwyn Island was built in the 5th century by St Dwynwen after an unhappy love affair. She became the patron saint of lovers who made a pilgrimage to her well on Llanddwyn Island to find out if their lover was faithful.
It was later ruined, but in the 16th century a new church was built whose ruins remain. Dwynwen was one of the 24 beautiful daughters of Brychan, a saint and prince of 5th century Wales. She died in AD 465 and today is remembered on January 25 every year.
There is also a maritime history to the island. During the 17th, 18th and early 19th century, when slate was exported from the ports of Caernarfon, Bangor and Felinheli, pilots were used to steer the ships over the dangerous sand bars into the Menai Straits. From 1826, the Caernarfon Harbour Trustees based there provided the pilots with cottages on Llanddwyn.
The pilots also manned the lifeboat station which was later run by the RNLI. A small light was established in 1823 by the Caernarfon Harbour Trustees as a navigational aid for entering the Menai Straits and Caernarfon harbour.
There are now two towers on the island, the larger original lighthouse and the smaller which is a day-mark, marking the entrance to Pilot's Cove and which now displays the light.
your comments
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Dave, Anglesey
The whole area is by far the best walk you'll have in the UK, and I've done many of them. Take some food and drink and stroll the forest until you get to the beach. I do this most weekends and never tire. A must see.
Tue Mar 17 14:13:31 2009
Ball - West Midlands
Last did this walk January 2009, the sun was out and the sea was so calm, people were sitting on the beach it was so so calm. It's my favourite walk.
Mon Jan 19 09:28:46 2009
JL, Manchester
I love this place and have been visiting for many years with my dogs. I do agree on the 'no dogs' policy though...I mean when are dogs going to learn not to leave all their rubbish behind after a picnic/bbq? All those plastic bottles/cans/dirty nappies/crisp packets etc etc etc are a real nuisance! Why can't they be like our humans and just run in and out of the sea having fun and making no mess or noise whatsoever? Give me dogs over humans anyday....
Thu Aug 7 10:32:14 2008
Alan Hesson, Dwyran
Having lived in this area for over 10 years, it is such a pleasure to have mile upon mile of forest and beach to walk with our dogs, where they can run and play. There is also an extensive dune area to explore with beautiful flowers and wild ponies. The only time that dogs are not allowed along part of the beach is May to the end of September. This part of the beach is between the car park and Llanddwyn Island, but people with children and pets are free to use all other parts, there is room for all. This is a very beautiful place to be, no matter what time of the year, and what makes it unique is being able to walk out of the forest onto the beach with the fantastic views of the Snowdonia mountain range.
Mon Aug 4 09:24:03 2008
Simon and Gill from Neston
I have always wanted to visit newborough but only just managed it this weekend. Blue skies, 26 degrees and warm waters! An absolutely beautiful spot, the honeypot around the car park is easily left behind and the no dogs policy is a joy on the beach. I also reckon the lack of burger vans and ice cream hawkers helps keep this a special place. Now, just ban the jet skis and everyone on land and oean can enjoy the plac to the max. Absolutely stunning. The beaches go on for miles and miles with views of snwodonia that are spectacular.
Tue Jul 29 09:46:38 2008
Alan from Anglesey
There are no restrictions for dogs in the forest, only on the beach and Llanddwyn Island from the 1st May to the 30th September. Also, there are other numerous beautiful walks in the forest, details can be seen on the notice board in the public car park.
Tue Jul 22 15:17:08 2008
Steve Uttoxeter
How much of the walk can you take dogs off the lead? Is it possible to take them in the forest?
Mon Jul 21 09:53:04 2008
Dave Jacobs
The `no dogs` rule on this beach makes it a joy to walk and picnic on. It is a superb beach-one of the best in the country . For and even better beach try Maltraeth next door.
Tue Jul 15 10:28:51 2008
Jane & Colin Peet Ashton Under Lyne
We did this walk last week and it was truly awe-inspiring. Unfortunately we didn't take any refreshments so couldn't stay as long as we would have liked. We went with friends and had a wonderful time. can't wait until our next visit. Better equipped though!
Mon Sep 24 11:52:18 2007
Jim Pechey from Tadcaster
This Great walk is completely spoiled by the no dogs allowed rule from May – September (you cannot take dogs onto the island or some parts of the beech). This is a shame because you miss the best parts of the walk. This rule is in my opinion not justified for any reason. Why spoil it for those of us in society who are the most active country lovers and would be the first to support spending public money on the upkeep of sites such as Ynys Llanddwyn?
Fri Jun 8 09:40:05 2007
John Ratcliffe from Menai Bridge
A wonderful walk, and with red squirrels now in the forest it is simply delightful!
Mon Jun 4 09:56:12 2007
Bob Jill Davies
This cycling bridle path along with the beach ride must be the best in the whole of
the UK. but why do we always stay out longer than we planned? Top tip take plenty of food - you might even want stay the night.
Fri Nov 24 09:43:33 2006
dave williams - derbyshire
I have done this walk in the last week. I find it surprising that the comments contain no reference to the geology of the area, particularly of the easily identifiable pillow lavas. Nor is there mention of the large range of wild flowers which may be seen even at this time of year.
Mon Sep 18 11:23:56 2006
Helen Knight, Coventry
Many happy Sunday afternoons spent here with my friends whilst I was at university in Bangor. It's beautiful, I was originally drawn here as it features on the front of the Manic Street Preachers album "This is my Truth, Tell me Yours". It's well worth a visit.
Mon Jun 26 17:39:28 2006
Ingrid Vermaut from Kalken, Belgium
Several guides and books about Wales describe this walk as long, difficult to find, discouraged by the community of Newbourough to avoid it becoming a 'tourist trap' but none of this is true. We did it with young children, no problem at all, and you don't need to worry about the tide. A terrific walk, worth a detour!
Tue Aug 16 14:16:14 2005
Jenn
I have not done this walk yet. I would like to find out the times of the tide as we are looking forward to it.
North West Wales webteam: There is tide information at http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/coast/tides/wales.shtml
Sat Jul 30 21:31:47 2005
Dave Jacobs, Deganwy
Don't miss Malltraeth beach, tucked around the corner from Llanddwyn. Because it is so remote there is no litter. Watch out for the odd nudist though!
Thu May 26 16:00:01 2005
Have you done this walk?
