Less than a three hour’s drive from Greater Manchester is a beauty spot which resembles more of the Californian coast than a UK seaside destination. Lined with towering Corsican pines and with views of the Snowdonian mountains in the distance, Newborough forest in Anglesey is a breathtaking location.
It has a vast golden beach which appears to stretch on for miles. A haven for wildlife, you may spot red squirrels scurrying up the trees, ospreys hunting for fish and wild ponies grazing on the dunes, North Wales Live reports.
Nearby is the tidal island of Ynys Llanddwyn, often described as the most romantic place in Wales. It isn’t surprising that one recent visitor to Newborough - which is dog friendly - called it “the stuff of dreams”.
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Visitor’s have fallen in love with Newborough’s woods, beach and warren. “What a wonderful place!” said a visting Essex family. “Pine trees, nature reserve, dunes and a beautiful sandy, shallow beach.”
Charlotte, from Herefordshire, went further. “The beach is gorgeous and the water is clear. Probably one of the best beaches in the UK, and the forest was lovely too.”
The whole area, except for the forest, is a National Nature Reserve, managed by Natural Resources Wales (NRW). The forest itself has a network of footpaths and marked trails. There are also two cycle routes and a trim trail for the fitness-minded.
If you want to spot some red squirrels then Llyn Parc Mawr is a good spot, while ospreys can be seen at Cefni estuary. On the Warren dune system, the views and wildflowers are spectacular.
The reserve and forest have no fewer than seven car parks. Some are a good walk from the coast and, inevitably, many people gravitate towards the beach car park, which can get busy. It pays to arrive early here – and there may be queues to get out later in the day.
“The facilities are excellent with plenty of parking, clean toilets, and outside shower,” said one Tripadvisor reviewer. “Spend the day here, take a picnic, relax, paddle, swim and explore. Fantastic for all the family.”
The beach car park is one of three that charges for entry, along with Airman’s and Cwningar. The other four are free. An ANPR camera captures number plates and visitors pay by card or cash on departure (£2 for two hours and 40p for every extra 20 minutes, £7 maximum per day).
From the beach car park, a 53-metre wheelchair-accessible boardwalk links to a viewing platform over the dunes. Often this is covered with sand, especially after bad weather.
“We use a mini-digger to clear the boardwalk,” said NRW. “But it can soon be re-covered with sand, even within the same day.”
Given the area’s shifting sands, ongoing management is needed. NRW is developing a new “Newborough People Plan” and it is currently asking residents and visitors to help shape it.
Justin Hanson, of NRW said the new plan will develop specific proposals for each aspect of the site. These will complement each other to form cohesive overall goals.
“We know how popular the site is with residents and visitors, and people are just as important as nature and woodland at Newborough,” he said. “Understanding how they use the site is a significant part of knowing how to manage this dynamic and changing place in the face of the nature and climate emergencies.”
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