Explore Anglesey Series. Newborough

Newborough is a village in the southwestern corner of Anglesey. It is home to a spectacular blue flag beach which comes with a stunning mountain backdrop, and a romantic island where wild ponies graze, the perfect place to explore Anglesey…

It is no exaggeration to say that Newborough is a truly enchanting place, and one you are very likely to fall head over heels in love with. And love is very much a theme in this corner of Anglesey – read on to find out why, Explore Anglesey…

The beach is a short 3km hop from the centre of Newborough village.  It is a large expanse of golden sand with spectacular views across Llanddwyn Bay to the mighty mountains of the Llŷn Peninsula. A fragrant pine forest rolls down to the shoreline.

The beach curves around the relatively sheltered Llanddwyn Bay, and it is generally a safe place for swimming, though look out for currents at Abermenai Point where the beach meets the Menai Strait. You can walk out to the beautiful Llanddwyn Island, at the northwest end of the beach, at low tide.

There is a charge to access the main beach car park, and you can pay by card at the drive-through barrier. Newborough is a Blue Flag beach which means it has seasonal dog restrictions. There are well-maintained public loos, cold water showers, picnic tables and barbecue areas.

RED SQUIRRELS, AND THE BIGGEST RAVEN ROOST ON THE PLANET

Newborough beach sits on the edge of Newborough Forest and Warren. The Corsican pine trees that make up Newborough Forest were planted between 1947 and 1965 to provide a source of timber and to stabilise shifting sand dunes. 

The forest is famed for its thriving red squirrel population and a huge raven roost. During the winter months, it becomes home to the largest raven roost on the planet. It is worth visiting just to watch the aerial acrobatics of these wonderful birds.

In the summer, the forest is filled with the song of skylarks, meadow pipits, stonechats and blackcaps. Newborough’s grasslands and woodlands support a wide diversity of butterflies, and you will see plenty of them fluttering about.

Explore Anglesey…there are loads of trails and paths to explore, and the forest is a lovely place for a day out on foot or two wheels. There is an Animal Puzzle Trail for younger visitors, two family friendly cycle trails, a trim trail and a waymarked running trail.

NEWBOROUGH WARREN

Newborough Warren is a large sand dune system which has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its geological, botanical, invertebrate and ornithological qualities. 

It is an important habitat for rare plants and animals including petalwort, butterwort, adder’s tongue, orchids, helleborines, mining bees and ground beetles.

The Warren (along with Llanddwyn Island) is recognised as a National Nature Reserve. There is a footpath across to Llanddwyn island, but check tide times before you visit, as the island is cut off from the beach at high tide. 

LLANDDWYN ISLAND, A PILGRIMAGE FOR LOVERS

Legend has it that Llanddwyn Island was the 5^th century home of Dwynwen, a Welsh princess who – after a terrible heartbreak – became and a nun and lived out the rest of her days in isolation on the island. 

Dwynwen is said to have spent her post-heartbreak days praying that all true lovers would find true happiness. Despite her own bad luck in love, she is regarded as the Welsh patron saint of lovers – the Welsh equivalent of St Valentine. St Dwynwen’s Day is celebrated on the 25^th January. 

It was said that the faithfulness of a lover could be predicted through the movements of some eels that lived in a well on the island, and so over the centuries, the island became a pilgrimage for hopeful – or maybe, more accurately, doubting – lovers. 

The bride-to-be would scatter breadcrumbs into Dwynwen’s well, then lay her handkerchief on the surface. If the eels disturbed the handkerchief, it was taken as a sign that her lover would be faithful. If they did not, it probably wouldn’t be a very happy journey home.

Whatever the truth of that, the island is now home to a beautiful Celtic cross, a ruin thought to have been Dwynwen’s church, a lighthouse, some mariners’ cottages, and a population of wild ponies. You can walk to the island at low tide, and if you’re lucky you might see seals and even dolphins playing around in the water just off its shore.

Some lovers may be relieved to know that it is now not clear where the well – or its eels – are located.

EXPLORE ANGLESEY, OTHER PLACES TO VISIT NEAR NEWBOROUGH

Anglesey Model Village 

Featuring models of Anglesey’s many landmarks, all set in beautifully landscaped gardens. With a maze, garden games and play area. 1 mile from Newborough.

Plas Newydd

An enchanting mansion and gardens, with spectacular views of Snowdonia. The gardens are home to a thriving colony of red squirrels. 8 miles from Newborough.

Pili Palas

Home to all sorts of friendly creatures including butterflies, meerkats, pigs and goats. There are indoor and outdoor play areas. 10 miles from Newborough.

Rhosneigr

The village of Rhosneigr is popular with surfers, and there are a couple of surf schools and places to hire if you fancy having a go. 10 miles from Newborough.

Aberffraw

The wide sandy beach and dunes of Aberffraw is a beautiful rural spot with magnificent scenery and a distinct lack of crowds. 6 miles from Newborough.

STAY IN A COTTAGE NEAR NEWBOROUGH

Take a look at our beautiful holiday cottages near Newborough.