Walks with Children - Newborough Forest, Anglesey, North Wales

Once again, Anglesey in North West Wales provides another fantastic walk to do with children taking in Newborough Forest and Ynys Llanddwyn (Ynys = Island in Welsh).

This area forms an extensive nature reserve, with forest, ecologically important sand dunes and wide-open beaches and is an absolutely stunning location for a walk, swim or just a picnic.

Llanddwyn island is almost a part of the mainland but is just separated at high tide.  Llanddwyn Island is named after St Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers. Legend has it that she was spurned by a prince and retreated heartbroken to the island. There she was granted three wishes, and asked to be given the power to grant the wishes of true lovers.

A distant view of Ynys Llanddwyn

View of small cove and volcanic rock from Island

Once on the island you can see the remains of a church which is said to have replaced St Dwynwen's church as well as ancient lighthouses, stone crosses and a (free) museum housed in an old pilot's cottage. There are also spectacular views of Snowdonia and the Lleyn Peninsula which my camera unfortunately doesn't do justice to.

Beautiful Hand Carved Gates

Remains of a Church

 
There are a host of routes that you can follow if you want to walk in this area.  (Click here for details of how to request a free guide).  You can park near the beach and just have a short walk across the beach to explore the island or there are longer, circular walks available which take you through the forest and along the beach.

Shipwrecked boat - 14 rescued

 We did a longer circular walk, parking in one of the forest car parks, walking to the island, along the beach to the estuary and then back onto a path in the forest.

Following the path markers through the forest

Books of walks in the area will contain routes or you can  find the location at OS grid reference SH 396 638 (Explorer map 263) and plan your own.

Apparently Newborough Warren is a favourite spot for birdwatching - expect to see divers, grebes, sea ducks, waders and purple sandpipers.

 Dogs are however, not allowed on the beach during the summer months.