If you visit one beach on Anglesey, make it Newborough (Niwbwrch). It’s the island’s grandest stretch of coast — miles of pale sand backed by dunes and a great pine forest, with the tidal island of Llanddwyn at one end and the mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia) filling the horizon across the bay. There’s a lot packed into one place, so here’s how it fits together.
Walking the coast path? Newborough and Llanddwyn fall on Stage 9 of the Anglesey Coastal Path. Grab our free printable Coastal Path checklist — all 12 official stages on one A4 sheet to tick off as you go.
The beach
Newborough Beach (Traeth Penrhos / Llanddwyn Beach) is vast, and even on a busy August day the scale of it swallows the crowds. The sand is firm and good for walking, the dunes (Newborough Warren, a National Nature Reserve) roll back behind it, and the views south-east to the Snowdonia range are the best on the island. Swimming is possible but be aware of currents near the Llanddwyn end and the river channel.
The forest and its red squirrels
Behind the dunes, Newborough Forest (Coed Niwbwrch) is a large Corsican pine plantation laced with walking and cycling trails. It’s one of the best places in Wales to see wild red squirrels — go early and look up into the canopy (see where to see red squirrels on Anglesey). The forest also holds ravens and the occasional raptor, and it gives sheltered walking on wild-weather days.
Llanddwyn Island
At the western end, Llanddwyn Island (Ynys Llanddwyn) is a slim finger of land reachable on foot across the sand — but it’s cut off at the highest tides, so check before you walk out. It holds two old lighthouses, a ruined church, the legend of Dwynwen (the Welsh patron saint of lovers), and superb views. Read how to walk to Llanddwyn Island for tide timings and safety before you go.
Parking and the toll road
This is the part people get wrong:
- The forest toll road runs from the village down through the trees to the beach car park by Llanddwyn. It’s a charged barrier road (cash and card) and the most convenient option, dropping you closest to Llanddwyn.
- The main beach car park at the end of the toll road fills early on summer weekends and in good weather — arrive before mid-morning or expect to queue.
- There’s separate parking for the forest trails if you’re coming to walk or cycle rather than hit the beach.
Practical notes
- Dogs: there are seasonal dog restrictions on part of the beach in summer — check the signs; the forest is dog-friendly year-round. See dog-friendly Anglesey.
- Facilities: toilets and a seasonal refreshment van at the main car park; no large shops, so bring what you need.
- Time: half a day minimum; a full day if you combine beach, forest, and the Llanddwyn walk around the tide.
- Sunset: the west-facing sand makes it one of the best sunset spots on Anglesey.
Beach, forest, tidal island, and red squirrels in one place — Newborough is the single best introduction to wild Anglesey.