Ynys Llanddwyn Travel Guide: Essential Tips For Your Visit
Published on 21 Jul 2020 by Amy GreenwoodYnys Llanddwyn is the jewel in the crown when it comes to the coastal landscape of North Wales.
Situated just off Newborough beach in the south west corner of the island of Anglesey, Llanddwyn Island, with its historic lighthouse, pristine waters and rich history, offers unrivalled views and a real slice of paradise.
But before setting foot on the island, there are a few important things to be aware of.
Ynys Llanddwyn sits at the far end of Newborough beach, a fantastic sandy beach in its own right. The car park at Newborough Beach is the best place to start your journey. From the village of Newborough, the barrier for the car park starts at the entrance to Newborough Forest. The barrier is automatic – simply take your ticket and pay on exit.
The road to the car park meanders through the beautiful pine woodlands of Newborough forest, here you’ll find many walking trails and smaller car parks – a great place to go looking for Red Squirrels which are extremely rare in North Wales.
Eventually you’ll arrive at the main beach car park where you’ll find ample parking, public toilets and facilities, and easy access to Newborough beach.
You may want to spend some time exploring the sand dunes or simply relax on the beach at Newborough, but if you want to head straight for Ynys Llanddwyn there are a couple of routes you can take.
The walk itself is 1.5 to 2 miles (2.5 to 3.2 km) each way and takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes if walking at a steady pace. The most direct route is to simply walk along the beach, this offers fantastic views back towards the mainland. You’ll be able to see the Llyn Peninsula, the mountains of Yr Eifl and the peaks of Eryri.
For those looking for a more scenic route, we highly recommend walking the path through Newborough forest which runs parallel to the beach. This route provides the same views across the water to the mainland and the mountains, but glimpsing this landscape through the tall pine trees adds another layer of beauty to the walk.
Eventually you’ll arrive at the causeway that marks the start of Ynys Llanddwyn. It’s technically a peninsula, but it’s referred to as an island between 1-2 hours either side of high tide; access to the peninsula from Newborough beach is cut off by the tide. It’s therefore important to time your visit accordingly to avoid getting stuck on the island, or to prevent a lengthy wait on the beach at Newborough. There are worse places to hang around though…
We’ve included a link to the tide timetable here
Now you’re safely on the island, it’s time to explore! There are a number of paths that take you around the perimeter of the island. These paths wind their way through inlets and secluded beaches and offer views across an ever-changing landscape. Heading to the left side of the island will provide views back down towards Newborough Beach, and heading to the right will provide lovely views up the west coast of Anglesey.
There’s also a direct path that takes you straight through the middle of the island where you’ll often find grazing wild horses, as well as the remains of the old 12th Century monastery. The history of this island, however, actually dates back even further. In the 5th Century, Ynys Llanddwyn was home to a hermitage and nunnery established by St Dwynwen, who retreated to the sanctuary of the island after a tragic love.
Dwynwen became known as the Patron Saint of Lovers, and pilgrimages have been made to the holy well on the island for centuries – it became one of the busiest pilgrimage sites in Britain. Ynys Llanddwyn is fantastic to visit all year round, but ‘Dydd Santes Dwynwen’, considered the Welsh version of Valentines Day, is celebrated every year on 25th January and commemorates Dwynwen and the history of the Island, so why not time your visit and make the trip extra special… just remember to wrap up warm.
At the head of the Island you’ll find the famous Twr Mawr Lighthouse. Built in 1845, its design mimics that of traditional Anglesey windmills and marks the western entrance to the Menai Strait. This lighthouse, in this coastal setting, makes Ynys Llanddwyn feel completely unique.
We recommend spending a good few hours on this small island – Really take the time to explore its beaches, soak in the views, and reflect on its history.
It’s also a great place for wildlife, we’ve already mentioned the horses, but you’re also likely find seals basking on the rocks and swimming just off shore. And be sure to bring your binoculars as it’s a fantastic spot for watching the seabirds. You’ll often find Oyster Catchers, Cormorants and even Choughs.
