The solitary green flag beach in North Wales, Traeth Llydan, ranks as one of the most secluded yet stunning beaches, boasting golden sands and grassy dunes flanked by a quaint pine woodland. Known alternatively as Silver Bay due to its proximity to a local holiday village, Traeth Llydan nestles within a horseshoe-shaped bay on the southern side of Anglesey’s Holy Island.
It’s a prime spot for rock pooling adventures, thanks to the rock formations that bracket the bay. Offshore lies a petite castellated tower, once a bathing house belonging to the Bodior Estate, casting a historical aura over the sandy expanse. In many ways, stretch of coast could be seen as the less well-trodden sibling of the famous Traeth Llanddwyn in Newborough, minus the hubbub.
Comedian Jason Manford is among its admirers, and last summer he relished the he time spent on this “cracking” beach with his young children. His online homage included sunset snaps from a “beautiful Welsh evening”, marred only by the “bloody cold” sea, reports North Wales Live.
Sturdier souls treasure the gently shelving shoreline, perfect for swimmers, kayakers, and sailors alike, and a year-round welcome for canine companions.
What ensures Traeth Llydan’s untouched appeal is the restriction on vehicle entry. While there’s a sizeable car park close at hand, it’s strictly reserved for holiday park patrons. And security staff don’t take kindly to any attempts to wander through their domain.
Most visitors tend to park at Borth Wen, the neighbouring cove, and embark on a walk along the Anglesey coastal path. Although it can be quite a trek – up to an hour – the “amazing” vistas across to Eryri are well worth the effort.
If you’re planning to park at Borth Wen, it’s advisable to get there early as its beach can become crowded. An alternative route involves walking or cycling through the lanes around Silver Bay Holiday Park and following a footpath through pine woods to the beach.
One visitor described it as a “beautiful beach.” Another praised it as: “An absolutely beautiful beach unspoiled by tourism.”
By common consensus, the beach is “never busy” and caravanning guests are considered “lucky to have it” on their doorstep. One visitor remarked: “One of the prettiest bays I have come across for ages. Clean, clear water that is lovely to swim in and not too deep.”
It’s entirely possible to find yourself alone on the beach, basking in the tranquillity. However, the peaceful sound of waves lapping against the shore can occasionally be disrupted by a noisy neighbour: RAF Valley airport is situated across Cymyran Strait, and depending on your viewpoint, the roar of jet planes could either be an annoyance or a point of interest.
In May, Traeth Llydan retained its Green Coast Award in this year’s Keep Wales Tidy Wales Coast Awards. It was one of 13 beaches in Wales to receive the award, and the only one in the north of the country.
The coveted Green Coast status is awarded to Wales’ coastal “hidden gems” – untouched spots celebrated for their “unspoilt beauty, excellent water quality and high standards of environmental education”. The accolade’s organisers point out that these beaches offer “exceptional places to enjoy stunning scenery, rich coastal heritage and diversity”.
Keep Wales Tidy praised: “Silver Bay is a beautiful, remote beach facing south into Cymyran Bay. Get the best island stories from our Anglesey newsletter – sent every Friday”.
They added that “The beach is wide and sandy with rocky outcrops to clamber over and plenty of opportunities for rock pooling. It is also popular for sailing, surfing and canoeing.”