Are you searching for the best beaches in North Wales? We’ve got you covered!
North Wales is a stunning area to visit – if you are lucky enough to be staying at one of the caravan parks in North Wales, this guide to local beaches will make sure you make the most of your time in the area and don’t miss out on some truly beautiful days out.
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1. Harlech
Located in Snowdonia National Park, Harlech Beach is a beautiful expanse of flat, golden sands, backed by grassy dunes.
It is an unspoilt beach in perhaps the most scenic part of the country. The wide beach is part of a nature reserve and offers plenty of space for kids to run and play, or for adults to sit back and relax, with a café nearby.
Some nearby attractions right by the beach include Harlech Castle, a World Heritage Site, and the world’s steepest street.
The beach makes for an idyllic location, perfect for letting off a bit of steam, or simply appreciating nature.
Related – National Parks in the UK
2. Aberdyfi Beach (Also called Aberdovey)
Located right at the bottom of Snowdonia National Park, this beach offers views over the Dyfi Estuary and beyond.
The wide golden sands stretch from the Dyfi Estuary in the south for 3 miles towards Tywyn, although the best part to visit is in the south, where the charming village of Aberdyfi is located.
It is also a popular location for watersports, so if you’re interested in canoeing, sailing or the like, it’s worth a visit.
You may find some maps referred to here as Aberdovey, which is the English spelling, although it is often called either name.
3. Barmouth Beach
Located in a traditional British seaside town, Barmouth Beach has plenty of things to do for everyone.
It is Snowdonia’s most popular seaside town, and for good reason- there is something to please everyone!
Try building sandcastles on the wide, clean beach, or relax on a deck chair.
Or even try some other traditional attractions, like a donkey ride, amusement arcades or the funfair!
This Blue-Flag awarded beach offers views over Cardigan Bay (where you can often see sea life!) and Barmouth’s photogenic harbour.
If you’re a fan of walking, at low tide, it is possible to walk north all the way to Harlech (previously mentioned), although it is an 11-mile walk.
Also nearby is the old Barmouth railway bridge, which goes out from the end of the beach across the river estuary.
4. Newborough Beach / Llanddwyn Island
Located on the southwest coast of Anglesey, this beach is home to something special and quite rare- a tidal island, 1 of 43 in the UK.
This beach is in the middle of the countryside, and is a great “wild beach”. The beach is backed by pine woodland, originally planted to protect the sand dunes, and has countless walks for you to enjoy.
Another very wide beach, especially at low tide, this place is great to visit, as there is lots of space for everyone.
LLanddwyn Island is a tidal island, meaning that it becomes an island at high tide, but otherwise is connected by a strip of sand.
Explore the small island on foot, which has a lighthouse, the ruins of St Dwynwen’s church, some historical cottages, and some more secluded beaches.
However, if you do plan on exploring it, pay attention to the tide, and check tide times before, or else you may get wet on the return, or even become stranded.
5. Pensarn Beach
Located on Wales’ northern coast, Pensarn is located in the small market town of Abergele.
It has a long, sandy beach, backed by a large pebble bank. At low tide, it is a great place to explore rock pools to look for crabs.
There is free parking actually on the beach and a promenade that runs the length of the beach. The beach is an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) due to its unique combination of a shingle bank and a large variety of plant life.
The beach is enormous, especially at low tide, so there is loads of space to run and play.
6. Lligwy Beach
Located on the Isle of Anglesey, this is the widest beach I’ve seen in Wales- more than half a mile wide in the middle!
It’s a relatively sheltered location, due to big limestone rocks, makes this a great place for families or swimming, as well as other watersports.
The beach’s rural setting makes for an idyllic clean beach, where you can find grassy sand dunes and rock pools at low tide.
There is a small café and toilets next to the beach too, making it a better location for families than other rural beaches.
Its large, open sands provide enough space, even on hot days, for beach games and running about, without it feeling crowded.
7. Porthor Beach (Whistling Sands)
Porthor Beach, or Whistling Sands in English, gets its name from a very peculiar thing. The unique shape of the grains of sand makes a squeak or whistle when walked on.
This beach is run by the National Trust, and is, to quote from them, one of their most perfect Welsh beaches.
Surrounded by open fields, Porthor Beach allows you to escape, to go to a beach that isn’t built up, and it’s stunning.
Due to its location, it is a great place for surfing and bodyboarding as it has great waves. Seals are also a common sight off this beach, and you can even see dolphins from time to time!
Other beaches worth exploring in North Wales include North Shore Beach, Llanddwyn Beach and Benllech Beach.