When a beach is the number one Trip Advisor attraction on Anglesey you know it’s going to be special. You also expect it to be overrun with people. And perhaps, on a sunny summer day, Newborough beach and Llanddwyn Island are. But visit on a cool spring evening and you might well have the sweep of golden sand to yourself.
The car park at Newborough Forest is huge. Presumably testament to the number of day visitors who come to enjoy the beach, search for red squirrels and cycle the woodland tracks. There are toilets, marked trails and an ice-cream van in high season. But, aside from a couple of cars and campervans, it was almost empty at 8pm.
We parked and climbed the dunes to the beach. A perfect crescent of sand greeted us. Oystercatchers calling out. And a huge dead fish down on the shoreline that had both kids poking it in excitement.
Our target was Llanddwyn island, a mile or so along the sand from the car park. The island is cut off at high tide so check tide tables before you visit. Unless you fancy being marooned.
As we reached the island the clouds parted and a few rays of sun broke through. We were treated to the magical golden glow you get just before the sun sets.
Tŵr Mawr lighthouse, Llanddwyn island
For such a small finger of land Llanddwyn Island, named after St Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers, has more than its fair share of things to see. Away from the beaches there are historic lighthouses, the remains of a church, crosses and a terrace of houses once used by pilots guiding ships into the Menai Straits.
I thought we were the only ones on Llanddwyn. Until I realised I was about to walk into a photo shoot. Several professional looking photographers had set up their tripods and cameras to record the perfect sunset shot. Feeling guilty about spoiling their photos I decided not to visit Tŵr Mawr lighthouse. Instead I joined them on the rocks to bag a shot of my own.
Leaving the island we raced the darkening skies back to our car. As we drove home through the woods we scared the kids with tales of mutant giant squirrels attacking the car. They’re old enough for a few scary stories. But it was funny how they both locked their passenger doors!
Newborough beach
Our second sunset visit was unplanned. We’d set off on an after dinner walk to a different stretch of beach. All started well until I climbed a sand dune expecting to see the sea. The water was a good mile away, separated by rolling sand dunes. Realising we wouldn’t reach the beach for sunset we turned around and retreated to the car.
Undeterred we drove on to Newborough beach, arriving just as the sun dipped behind the trees. There was no time to walk far from the car park. Once again the tide was out. But this time so was the sun. It was stunning.
Over on the mainland the sky above the mountains of Snowdonia and the Lleyn Peninsula turned pink. Inspired by this view we headed there later in the week to climb Yr Eifl, the hill on the right in the picture above.
Returning my gaze to Anglesey I watched the most incredible sunset. As the sun sank below the horizon the clouds turned from yellow to orange to red. The colours reflecting in the pools left by the retreating tide.
With impeccable timing a flock of Brent geese flew up from the shoreline, silhouetted against the orange sky. I couldn’t have imagined a more perfect ending to the day.
Another five minutes and the colours were gone. It was time for us to leave.
We didn’t return to Newborough beach again; there was no need. I’ll remember this sunset for the rest of my life. And if you’re looking for the best sunset in Anglesey, perhaps even Wales, you should visit too!
What a gorgeous sunset photos. Those colours… amazing! #FarawayFiles
Thanks Urska, it was a very special evening.
I love the shot of the geese Christine! How beautiful. My happy place is a spot near Melbourne called Anglesea which I am sure is named after this town. I’m now inspired to visit myself. Thanks for sharing on #farawayfiles
I’ve just looked up Anglesea, can understand why it’s a place you love. Intrigued that its original name was changed from Swampy Creek!
Ah I adore a good beach sunset. That’s a great one. I love the pic with the birds #FarawayFiles
Thank you, it’s my favourite too. Particularly as I’m not normally holding a camera ready to take such a shot.
I had to immediately look up WHERE this gorgeous place is! Oh – Wales – yes please! Stunning pics and looks like an epic day out. You lucked out with the sunset. Thanks for sharing with #FarawayFiles, Erin
Thanks Erin. Definitely lucky with the sunset, it was cloudy (but fortunately dry) for the rest of the week.
What an incredible-looking beach! Thanks for this, Christine. I have to go here. I love a long stretch of beach, particularly a rugged, uncrowded one and this looks amazing. Thanks for sharing such a stunning find on #FarawayFiles
Thanks Clare. I usually prefer rock pool beaches myself rather than sandy beaches but I’ve made an exception for Newborough, it was incredible.
Church in the sea is another great spot. Just follow the lane through Aberfraw. I live in Australia now, with fantastic surf beaches everywhere but I still miss the Anglesey shores. They are something quite special.
We went nearby there too – but didn’t see the church! I only realised after we’d visited, should have read about it beforehand.
Absolutely gorgeous photos! It’s a shame that you didn’t get to the lighthouse, but I’m sure those photographers appreciated it. #farawayfiles
Thanks Katherine. It would be interesting to see what their photos looked like, I heard one of them saying they sold photos to the Wales tourist board so I’m guessing they’re good.
That is utterly stunning – I have fond memories of childhood holidays on Anglesey but never such a beautiful sunset. #farawayfiles
I think we were very lucky – right place, right time, right weather!
Beautiful. We visited Anglesey at the very moment my morning sickness hit so I don’t remember much, time to revisit me thinks! #farawayfiles
I can imagine that would colour your view of a place, hopefully you’ll get back one day.
These pictures are stunning and it looks such a beautiful place. The lighthouse especially! I definitely need to get to Wales this year!
Thanks Kate. I’ll have to go back one day just to visit the lighthouse!
Argh! I’ve heard so much about this beach – it looks beautiful. I think the appeal for me is the fact it’s attached to woodlands. The little lighthouse looks so perfect, I can see why everyone wants a piece of it. I’d love to go there early hours of the morning in the summer, can you image the sunrise and you may be able to sneak up to the lighthouse without anyone disturbing any budding photographers…
I was very tempted to go for sunrise but in the end my bed appealed more….
Wales and sunset? Two of my favorite things! Visiting from theme Friday. Have a great weekend!
I have literally sat at my desk on my lunch today and starting drafting out a post on Newborough and Llanddwyn. It is one of our absolute favourite family walks. You managed to get some stunning photos.
Thanks David. I had no idea the beaches were so amazing, we’d only ever driven through central Anglesey before on the way to Holyhead ferry.
Oh, you’re making me so homesick. Hashtag hiraeth.
I need to get back over there soon. The only drawback is it’s a long time in car seats for the little ones. Sigh.
Absolutely beautiful. I’m not surprised you’ll be remembering it. Wonderful colours. I wonder if you will be featuring in any of the photographers’ photos.
Very beautiful! You did a great job catching the sunset colors. What a great memory. 🙂 #FarawayFiles
Beautiful photos Christine and proof that sunset (and sunrise) are the best times of the day to visit the beach!). Your photo of the Tŵr Mawr lighthouse is stunning makes me want to visit with camera in hand!
I can imagine the sounds and smells as you took the photos of the sunset over Newborough beach. Simply beautiful.
xx
Stunning photos. I love llanddwyn island.