Llyn Peninsula

The Llŷn (Lleyn) Peninsula, in Gwynedd, is found a little south west from the Isle of Anglesey. It stretches out for about 30 miles from North West Wales into the Irish Sea. It is another of Wales’ Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), meaning it is protected in terms of conservation due to its beautiful, unspoilt coastline.

The beaches are your classic golden, sandy types; there are many of them and they are all spectacular, with a number sporting the coveted Blue Flag award for cleanliness and facilities. All these beaches are linked together on the Llŷn Coastal Path, a 91-mile long footpath that runs all the way around the peninsula. Starting in Caernarfon and ending in Porthmadog, the walk will take you a week or so to complete, but the sights it offers are truly stunning, with the chance to see some grey seals and bottlenose dolphins along the way.

Among the best beaches on Llŷn are Llanbedrog and Abersoch. The latter of these is most popular with fans of water sports, as it offers the perfect conditions for sailors, wake boarders and water skiers. Llanbedrog, on the other hand, is one of the calmest beaches in all of Wales. While this isn’t so good for water sports, it is perfect for the rest of us – owned by the National Trust, the mile-long stretch is beautiful and tranquil. It’s also home to some lovely, multi-coloured beach huts. Perfect for families, and dogs are welcome too.

Towards the tip of the peninsula is a rather unusual beach called Porthor (“whistling sands”). One of only a few beaches in the world that share this characteristic, the sand makes a distinct high pitched sound as you walk on it. Caused by the shape of the sand grains and the action of them rubbing against each other you can create a range of noises depending on how you step or slide through it.

For the most remarkable views, we would recommend paying a visit to Mynydd Mawr and Mynydd Tir-y-cwmwd. Mynydd Mawr (“Big Mountain”) looks out onto different sights depending on which direction you’re facing: the west gives you the Irish coast, Anglesey is to the north, there’s easterly views of Snowdonia and Bardsey Island to your south. A major selling point is its isolation – you are well and truly away from ‘civilisation’ here. Come at sunset to be dazzled. Mynydd Tir-y-cwmwd is 132 metres high, offering vistas of Snowdonia and Abersoch beach. Take a packed lunch and eat it while looking out over the sea.

Visit the small fishing village of Porthdinllaen on the northern coast to get a taste of the past. Known for its herring fishing history, Porthdinllaen has seen human habitation since the Iron Age, but started to really flourish in the 18th century, when it became the main port on the London to Dublin route. The village’s past is waiting for you to learn about it, but it’s worth a visit for its present-day beauty, tucked into the cliffs. Keen golfers will love the nearby Nefyn & District Golf Club – 27 holes against the dramatic backdrop of the sea, which includes ‘The Point’; a world-famous golfing site which comprises of eight holes on a narrow peninsula leading out into the sea. (After extreme weather destroyed The Point in December 2014, a new and improved version of the course re-opened in April 2015 much to the delight of golfers everywhere.)

Porth Meudwy is a birdwatcher’s paradise. The diverse habitats allow you to see a wide range of birds, including peregrine falcons, buzzards, puffins, fulmar, guillemots and kittiwakes. There’s also a nationally important Manx shearwater breeding colony, as well as some rarer migrating birds like the red-eyed vireo and the Ruppell’s warbler.

Clearly, the Llŷn Peninsula is a remarkable place, filled with a variety of things to see and do for all types of tourists. Aberdaron, for example, is a lovely village with a fantastic beach, good for water sports such as sailing and wake boarding, and with great disabled access to boot. Try some crab at one of the local restaurants to round off your visit. Take some time for yourself - click here to see our Llyn Peninsula Cottages