A guide to Newbourgh Beach & Ynys Llandwyn | the best beach & sunset spot in North Wales
There are some places that instantly stay with you, and for me Newborough, Beach and Ynys Llanddwyn is one of them.
I would confidently describe it as one of the best beaches in Wales, and arguably the finest coastal settings in Britain. Few places combine such a dramatic mix of coastal beauty, magnificent forests, and panoramic views of both mountain and coast.
At the far end of the beach, the sands lead you out to Ynys Llanddwyn, a magical tidal island steeped in Welsh folklore, dotted with secluded coves, historic ruins, and crowned by the iconic white Ty Mawr lighthouse.
Alongside providing uninterrupted views across the mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia) and the Llyn Peninsula, it’s also one of the most spectacular sunset locations in Wales and, thanks to its legends and rich history, one of the most romantic and atmospheric coastal walks you can experience.
In this guide, I’ll explain exactly where Newborough Beach, Forest and Ynys Llanddwyn are located, how to reach them, where to park and how much it costs. I’ll also explore the story and legend of St Dwynwen, highlight the wildlife and scenery that make this place so special, and share practical tips to help you plan your visit.
Key Details at a Glance
Location: South-west Anglesey (Ynys Môn), North Wales
Parking: Main Beach car park at LL61 6SG (paid barrier entry)
Parking cost: Approx. £5 for the first 2 hours, 70p per hour after, £15 capped daily fee
Hike Difficulty: Easy
Walk distance: 5–7 km depending on route
Walk time: 2-4 hours reach the island from the car park
Terrain: Sand and hard packed gravel
Best time to visit: Sunset (check tide times before walking to the island)
Where is Newborough Beach & Ynys Llanddwyn?
Newborough Forest and the tidal island of Ynys Llanddwyn sit on the south‑west tip of Anglesey (Ynys Môn) in north‑west Wales. The island, whose Welsh name translates to “the church of St Dwynwen,” is attached to the mainland except at high tide. Newborough National Nature Reserve and Forest covers around 2,000 acres of Corsican pine woodland which was planted between 1947 and 1965 to stabilise the shifting dunes. Emerging from the trees brings you to the long expanse of Newborough Beach, a Blue Flag beach with golden sands and views across the Menai Strait towards the mountains of Yr Eryri (Snowdonia).
PArking and Costs
Access to the car park is via a narrow lane and is regulated by an automatic number‑plate recognition system. As of May 2025 the price structure for the car park is £5 for the first two hours with an additional 70 pence for every 20 minutes, capped at £15 per day. You pay by card or cash when exiting the barrier. Blue Badge holders park free of charge and dropping off passengers is free if you leave within 20 minutes.
Other smaller car parks lie around Newborough Forest, including Braint, Llyn Rhos Ddu and Pen Cob, and these currently remain free. On busy summer days the Beach car park fills quickly and road access may be restricted until late afternoon so arrive early or late to grab a spot.
Practical tips for Visiting
Check tide times: The island becomes cut off for about two hours either side of high tide, so plan your visit around low water.
Arrive early in summer: The Beach car park reaches capacity quickly and vehicle access may be closed until mid‑afternoon.
Respect the reserve: Stay on marked paths to protect rare flora, keep dogs on a lead between April and September and avoid feeding or approaching livestock.
Facilities: Toilets in the Beach car park are open 8 am to 6 pm in summer and 8.30 am to 4 pm in winter. An ice cream van and catering truck operate most weekends between April and September.
Wear appropriate footwear: Although this is a low level walk, I would recommended a good pair of outdoor shoes
Why You Should Visit
Newborough and Ynys Llanddwyn offer a rare combination of landscapes in a single location, forest, dunes, beach, wildlife and historic ruins, all set against the dramatic backdrop of the mountains of Eryri.
The wide open sands provide space and tranquillity even during busier periods, while the forest trails offer sheltered and peaceful walking routes away from the coastline. It’s a great low-level walk and a welcoming contrast to the mountains of Eryri, making it a perfect choice if you want to give your legs a rest.
The history and legend of St Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers, also make it one of the most romantic walks in Wales, if not the UK. Making it the perfect choice ahead of Valentines Day.
For photographers, hikers and coastal explorers, the island is particularly special. The west-facing shoreline makes it one of the best sunset locations in Wales, and the constantly changing light over the sea and mountains provides endless photographic opportunities throughout the year.
The Walk to Ynys Llandwyn
Walking from the Beach car park to the tip of Ynys Llanddwyn is one of the highlights of any visit to Newborough. The route can be completed either as an out-and-back walk along Newborough Beach or as a loop through the forest, giving you two very different but equally scenic approaches.
Depending on the route you choose, the walk is typically between 5 and 7 km. Personally, I recommend walking out to the island through Newborough Forest and returning along the beach, as this lets you experience both the peaceful woodland trails and the dramatic coastal scenery.
Allow around 30–60 minutes to reach the island from the main car park, then give yourself at least an hour or two to explore Ynys Llanddwyn properly as there is far more to see than just the lighthouse. Along the way, you may even spot the hardy Welsh ponies that graze the dunes and surrounding landscape.
From the island, the views open out across Caernarfon Bay to the mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia) and the Llyn Peninsula. Many photographers and hikers consider Ynys Llanddwyn to be one of the finest low-level viewpoints in North Wales, particularly at sunset. At certain times of year you can watch the sun dip below the horizon while the peaks of Snowdonia glow in the evening light, with the white Twr Mawr lighthouse, the ruined church and the surrounding coastline forming a striking silhouette, a scene that offers endless photographic opportunities.
History & meaning of Ynys Llanddwyn
Ynys Llanddwyn is far more than a beautiful tidal island, it is a place where geology, legend, and history all meet. The island forms part of the Newborough Warren National Nature Reserve and is known for its ancient pillow-lava rock formations, but its real significance comes from the story that gave the island its name: “The Church of St Dwynwen.”
According to Welsh legend, Dwynwen was a 5th-century Welsh princess who fell deeply in love with a young man named Maelon. Unable to marry him because of a family arrangement, she prayed for guidance and was granted three wishes. One of these wishes was that all true lovers should find happiness, and she dedicated the rest of her life to helping those suffering from heartbreak, eventually establishing a hermitage on Ynys Llanddwyn. Today, she is recognised as the Welsh patron saint of lovers, and St Dwynwen’s Day (25 January) is celebrated across Wales as a Welsh equivalent of Valentine’s Day.
For centuries, pilgrims travelled to the island to visit St Dwynwen’s well and the medieval church that once stood here, leaving offerings and prayers. The ruins that remain today, along with the distinctive stone cross nearby, still give the island a powerful sense of history and quiet reflection.
Ynys Llanddwyn also played an important role in the maritime life of the Menai Strait. During the 19th century, the two iconic lighthouses , Twr Mawr and the smaller Twr Bach, were built to guide ships through the dangerous sandbanks of Caernarfon Bay. Pilot cottages housed crews who rowed out to assist passing vessels, while a lifeboat stationed on the island between 1840 and 1903 saved many sailors from shipwrecks. Although only the shells of these buildings remain today, their whitewashed walls and the striking form of Twr Mawr lighthouse have become some of the most recognisable coastal landmarks in Wales.
Final Thoughts
Standing among the ruins as the sun sets over the Irish Sea, it is easy to see why Ynys Llanddwyn is often described as one of the most romantic and atmospheric places in Wales . It’s a landscape shaped as much by stories and history as by the sea itself.
Newborough Forest and Ynys Llanddwyn remain one of the most memorable and special coastal locations I have experienced in Wales. Few places combine sweeping beaches, mountain views, rich folklore, wildlife and dramatic sunsets in quite the same way. Its a place which never fails to disappoint and one I keep going back to, Especially after a big day in the mountains.
Whether you visit for a short beach stroll, a sunset photography session or a full day exploring the forest and island, it is a landscape that stays with you long after you leave.
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