Two of Wales' most beautiful beaches - Porthdinllaen on the Llyn Peninsula and Church Doors Cove in Pembrokeshire - have made it onto the list of the 10 best 'secret' sandy spots in the UK.
Porthdinllaen has a rich history as a fishing port and was once a strong contender against Holyhead for being the go-to route to Ireland, before Thomas Telford's road developments favoured the Anglesey port. Whilst it may have missed out on becoming a major route to Ireland, Porthdinllaen remained a buzzing port for many decades after. Since 1994, the National Trust has overseen and maintained the area's natural beauty.
The quaint village boasts the Ty Coch pub, established in 1823. Interestingly, the pub initially served as the vicarage for Edern's vicar but was transformed into an Inn in 1842 by housekeeper Catherine Ellis, providing refreshments to the shipbuilding workforce stationed at the beach.
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This pub, now famously listed among the world's best beach bars, overlooks a well-known but protected stretch of coast - vehicular access is subject to restrictions and permits for local residents. Visitors keen on exploring this serene haven will have to tread across the sandy shores from Morfa Nefyn or cross the Nefyn golf club that straddles an ancient Iron Age hill fort atop the headland, contributing, perhaps, to its 'secret' appeal, reports North Wales Live.
Meanwhile, Church Doors Cove is a small sandy and rocky cove with magnificent towering cliffs cut by the forces of the sea into a huge ‘door’, says Visit Pembrokeshire. Access to this beach is at low tide only and via the coastal path only.
The Independent which devised the list quoted: "Summer is in sight, with light nights and sunny days tantalisingly close. It's a good time of year to start making a list of beaches you want to visit, especially if you want to avoid fighting for space on the shores with hundreds of others."
"Even though the UK weather is notoriously unpredictable, Brits love nothing more than a beach day. Whether you live in the city or countryside, there's blissful escapism to be found in feeling the sand between your toes and taking a dip in beautiful, bracing waters."
"The summer months are the most attractive time to visit the British coastline, but also the busiest. With that in mind, we've found some UK beaches a little further off the beaten coast path. If you fancy venturing to a hidden beach on your next trip to the seaside, we've rounded up the best secret spots to visit."
On Porthdinllaen, they said: "Offering sandy, secluded space to play, this Welsh beach is tucked away from the old fishing village by sweeping hills. As the cove is sheltered, the water is usually calm, making it a great spot for swimming. Bring goggles and be sure to look down: the headland is a popular spot with the local grey seals, and one of the largest seagrass meadows in North Wales hides beneath the water, providing a habitat for many different types of fish."
The other eight beaches on the list are:
- Man O'War Beach, Dorset
- Runswick Bay, Yorkshire
- Embleton Beach, Northumberland
- Lantic Bay, Cornwall
- Sandwood Bay, Sutherland
- Cuckmere Haven Beach, East Sussex
- Aberlady Bay, East Lothian
- White Park Bay, Northern Ireland.
