Where
is it? South west point of Anglesey
How long will it take ? : The circular walk is approx. 5 miles
(8km). You
could walk it in less than 2 hours but allow 4 to enjoy the beauty
of the location
What's the attraction? : Glorious beaches, fantastic views of
Snowdonia and the Lleyn peninsula, legend of St Dwinwen,
a bit of history, geology and plenty of wildlife.
Essentials : Take a picnic ...and towels if you think the waters
off the Welsh coast are warm enough for a swim. The beaches on the
island are gorgeous.
Rating : Easy
Car Parking : Parking is available
in the Forestry Commission Car Park at Newborough beach. (Price included
in the Toll)
Facilities : Toilets including disabled facilities are
available at the Car Park, seasonal
Check tide times : North Wales tide tables >
Directions : [ Map
of Newborough beach to Llanddwyn Island location ] 
From the Menai Bridge on the A5, take the A4080
south west to the village of Newborough (Niwbwrch). From there, a road
- signposted "To the Beach / Traeth" - leads to a car park on the coast
- approx. 2 miles. This Forestry Commission road is subject to a toll
( £3.00 in 2007 ).
Directions
for this walk are very simple. Leave the car park and head to the beach
at Newborough. Turn right and walk along the beach to Llanddwyn
Island. Once reaching the "Island" choose your route 
around the island
from the map on the notice board. Complete the walk around the island
and return to the beach and walk south back to the car park.
You can obviously return the same way you came but I have included another
trail on the map which gives the option of returning via the forest trail.
One word of caution before you plan your visit. Although Llanddwyn is
not quite an island it can be inaccessible at the
highest of tides. Please check here for high tide times in North Wales
>
Now that the boring bit is over .... the directions, I can tell you
more about Newborough Warren and Llanddwyn Island, (Ynys Llanddwyn).
The bad news is that there is a toll road to gain access to the beach
and car park. But I suppose if you think of it as a parking charge it
won't hurt too much, The price as per 2007 is £3.00. The barrier
operates by a metal plate that rises and falls from the ground.
TIP ! On the return journey make sure you drive on 
to the yellow line
at the toll gate or else you will be waiting for ever for the lights
to turn to green.
Another tip is to keep an eye open for the red squirrels that inhabit
the forest at Newborough Reserve. The Anglesey red squirrel population
is now the second largest population in Wales, and it is the only Welsh
squirrel population which exists without grey squirrels.
After parking the car it is a short stroll to the beach, and what a
beach. It stretches from Abermenai Point on the Menai
Strait in the south to Llanddwyn Island in the north. And there's more...
If you have the time you may continue past Llanddwyn Island to Malltraeth
Bay which has even more spectacular sand dunes.
But Llanddwyn Island is the jewel in the crown of the west coast
of
Anglesey,
having several beautiful coves, pleasant shingle and sandy beaches and
superb views of Snowdonia and the Lleyn (Llyn) Peninsula. If you are
lucky enough to visit on a warm summers day then I would strongly recommend
you take along your swimming costume as you won't find many more inviting
waters than the waters off 
Llandwyn Island.
Llanddwyn Island itself offers several other points of interest:
Geologists
and others find the rock formations fascinating, the rock outcrops
at the entrance to the island are fine examples of rocks formed by pillow
lava.
The island also has a long maritime history, and the small terrace
(the pilot house near the headland) houses a museum of
local maritime history. Indeed it is said that Prince Llywelyn who held
his royal court in Newborough anchored his fleet off Abermenai Point.
Wildlife and nature buffs are also well catered
for with seabirds aplenty including cormorants and oystercatchers, and
waders such as turnstones and sandpipers. Large blubbery creatures can
be seen waddling ashore (leaving their yachts anchored off the coves)
while seals generally stick to the small rocky islets or can be seen
heads-a-bobbing offshore.
There are two towers on the island, the larger original lighthouse
and the smaller which is a day-mark, marking the entrance to Pilot's
Cove and which now displays the light.
But Llanddwyn Island is most famous for it's connection with Dwynwen,
Santes or Saint Dwynwen,
the Welsh Patron Saint of lovers, and the island is a place of pilgrimage
for those unhappy in love.
Legend has it that Dwynwen, a 5th Century
princess had fallen in love with a man of her choice but unfortunately
her father had other ideas and had promised her hand in marriage to another.
Torn between her true love and her filial duty Dwynwen prayed to be
released from the pangs of love and to be allowed to live unmarried.
Her prayers
were answered and Dwynwen lived the life of a recluse on Llanddwyn Island
until her eventual death in 465 A.D.
The beauty of the island must have
been some consolation for St Dwynwen as her dying wish was to be carried
up to watch the sunset through a cleft in the rock which still stands
to the north west of the ruined church to this day (look through the
north window of the chancel)
