Welcome to the best family beaches North Wales has to offer!
With the balmy weather set to prevail, many of us are daydreaming away our lunch breaks planning all the lovely things we’re going to do this Summer, and what better than a day at the beach?
With more than 200 miles of gorgeous coastline, North Wales is home to some of the most breathtaking beaches in the UK. The problem is deciding which one to visit first! With vastly differing terrains, views and attractions, we’re absolutely spoiled for choice but, just for you, we’ve narrowed it down to five of the best. This summer, make sure you visit them all!
1. Colwyn Bay – the new best family beach North Wales has to offer
Of the many family beaches North Wales boasts, our new favourite may come as a surprise. Yet the last few years have seen some incredible developments made to the seafront in Colwyn Bay. This beach is perfect if you have kids of different ages because there really is something for everyone.
The beach is golden, clean and safe; the tide isn’t too strong in the shallows and the beach is beautifully flat. It’s the ideal beach for sandcastles and when the little ones crave a new adventure there’s a play area outside the Porth Eirias building that’s nice and cool in the afternoons.
Porth Eirias is an iconic new centre located at the heart of the new improvements to Colwyn Bay Promenade. The centre hosts a selection of courses, including sailing, windsurfing and powerboat tuition – one-to-one or as part of a group (which can be great fun). You can also hire kayaks, canoes, paddle boards and windsurf equipment.
This summer also marks the first birthday of the Porth Eirias bistro, a fantastic dining experience developed by Bryn Williams, one of Wales’s most beloved chefs.
2. Abersoch Main Beach
For the quintessential day at the seaside, complete with multi-coloured beach huts, reclining deck chairs and ice cream shacks, look no further than Abersoch’s main beach. As one of the most popular beaches on the Ll?n Peninsula, Abersoch can get pretty busy, but, don’t worry, there’s plenty of room to spread out!
A proud Blue Flag owner, Abersoch is one of the safest beaches in North Wales with no strong current or riptides; perfect for the little ones to splash about! There’s ample opportunity for watersports on the beach too, safely roped off along its own dedicated section of shoreline.
Abersoch is a hive of activity all year round while a spectacular backdrop of mountains and islands provide great photo opportunities. International sailing and music events are held during the summer giving the neighbourhood a really cool vibe that’s, surprisingly, very family friendly.
And when it gets too hot, Abersoch has plenty of shops and cafés to cool off in – Mickey’s Boatyard and Beach Café is one of our favourites!
Click here for a ready-made search of our cottages in the Abersoch area.
3. Red Wharf Bay
Most of the residents of North Wales live within a stone’s throw of a beach, and yet many of them make the pilgrimage to Red Wharf Bay on the beautiful Isle of Anglesey at least once a year, and for good reason. Arguably the most beautiful beach in North Wales, Red Wharf is our top pick for rockpooling and walking barefoot along the shore.
There is something mystic and ancient about the area and it provides a lovely calming backdrop for a day relaxing with the family, even if the kids are shrieking with laughter! If you have a dog then you’ll love walking Rover here at low tide, he’ll have plenty of opportunities to play chase and run! It’s one of the few beaches in North Wales to remain ‘dog friendly’ over the summer months but please remember to keep your dog under control and clean up after it.
There are all of the necessary facilities here, including some lovely places to eat and drink; well-earned after an intrepid rockpool safari!
Here’s a link to all of our Anglesey holiday homes.
4. Llanfairfechan Beach
Llanfairfechan is a hidden gem; it’s not a traditional tourist resort and retains a really authentic Welsh atmosphere. This beach boasts some of the best views on the North Wales coast: in front the famous Menai Strait and Conwy Estuary and, behind, the imposing Carneddau and Snowdonia mountains.
Feed the ducks, play on the park, take a walk along the prom, explore the dunes (dogs welcome on the beach to the right of the free car park) and afterwards take tea at The Pavilion cafe. Just perfect!
5. West Shore Llandudno
Llandudno is the original (and some say best) when it comes to days at the beach in North Wales. Crowned ‘the Queen of Welsh resorts’ by Victorian tourists, Llandudno is steeped in vintage charm that makes any family day out unforgettable.
The West Shore beach is popular with locals and it is much quieter than the North Shore, home to the town’s famous promenade and pier. With shelving white sands, this beach is perfect for lounging on but it also has a modern, well-equipped play area and outdoor gym.
Just beside the play area, there’s a pretty boating lake where locals of all ages still sail model yachts and remote-controlled boats; jump aboard and join the adventure but mind the swans!
Images: From www.blueseasurf.co.uk and © Copyright Eric Jones and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
