Porth dafarch beach

Walk down to Porth Dafarch and you'll find yourself on one of Anglesey's most unspoilt stretches of sand - the kind of beach where you might genuinely be alone on a grey Welsh afternoon. It's a proper crescent of pale gold sand backed by low cliffs, just outside Holyhead, with rockpools worth investigating at low tide and enough space to spread out without feeling hemmed in by day-trippers.

The appeal here is straightforward: it's wild rather than developed. No arcades, no shops, just beach. Families with young kids will appreciate the gentler gradient into the water, though you'll want to check the tide times before you go - the beach can disappear almost entirely when it comes in. Walkers often pass through on longer coastal routes, and it's a decent spot if you want to stretch your legs without committing to a full clifftop hike.

Getting there means a modest walk from the car park, nothing strenuous but enough to deter the purely lazy. Allow 20 minutes at the beach if you're just after a breather, longer if the rockpools have caught your attention. It's free, naturally.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Dronwy, Trewan Sands, or Bryn Goleu are all within 5-6 miles - this makes an easy morning or afternoon jaunt without needing to head into busier seaside towns. On a clear day you'll see across to the Irish Sea, and the light here in late afternoon is genuinely worth timing your visit for.