Newborough Warren combines an extensive dune landscape with forest, wetlands and paths to the coast. The area is one of the largest and most beautiful dune systems in Great Britain. Together with the beach and the island of Ynys Llanddwyn, it forms a National Nature Reserve that also includes extensive salt marshes and coastal sand flats. Newborough Warren and Ynys Llanddwyn were jointly designated as the first coastal nature reserve in Wales in 1955.
Landscape and wildlife
The Cefni Estuary and the ponds behind the Pen-Cob embankment provide a protected habitat for birds and other wildlife. Those particularly interested in mammals can head to Llyn Parc Mawr: the lake is considered one of the best places in Newborough to see red squirrels. Different aspects of nature come together here on the coast and in the forest, without requiring the same kind of outing.
The viewpoints also offer their own highlights. From Llanddwyn Beach, views stretch to Eryri National Park, Caernarfon and the LlĹ·n Peninsula. A path leads from the beach through grassy hills to the nature reserve on Ynys Llanddwyn; there is also an extensive network of footpaths in the surrounding forest.
Choose walking routes by time and difficulty
The distance and walking-time details make two routes from the Beach car park easy to compare. The easy Animal Discovery Trail is 1.1 miles or 1.7 kilometres long and takes about 45 minutes to an hour. At 4.4 miles or 7 kilometres, the Saint, Sand and Sea Trail is considerably longer, of moderate difficulty and takes around three hours. It offers a family-friendly experience through the forest and dunes and across the island. Check current trail conditions before setting out on either route; for the Saint, Sand and Sea Trail, also be sure to check the tide information.
A shorter option is the accessible Lake View Trail: from the Llyn Parc Mawr car park, it runs for 0.2 miles or 0.3 kilometres to a viewpoint overlooking the hidden forest lake. A beach wheelchair suitable for use on the sand can also be borrowed free of charge at the Beach car park. Check the booking arrangements before your visit. A Mobi-Mat beside the car park allows wheelchair users to cross the sand dunes and reach better views of the beach and coast.
More routes through forest and coastal landscapes
For cycling, the signposted Corsica Bike Trail is a 9.9-kilometre circular route starting from the Beach car park, with views of the estuary. Lon Las Cefni connects Newborough with Llangefni; the Wales Coast Path also passes through Newborough. Those who prefer to navigate with a map and compass will find three permanent orienteering courses in Newborough Forest. They are suitable for both beginners with map-reading skills and experienced orienteers.
The riding trails also have a historical connection: they start at the Pen Cob car park and partly follow the old postal route to Llanddwyn. The range of options includes everything from a short walk to a viewpoint to a hike lasting several hours, as well as cycling, orienteering and riding trails. Check the conditions for each route before setting out.
Coastal culture and geology
The ruins of an old church dedicated to Dwynwen, the patron saint of lovers in Wales, stand on Ynys Llanddwyn. The geology is another of the area’s distinctive features: its accessible Precambrian bedrock makes Newborough one of the best places in Great Britain to study rocks of this age. A visit to the coast can therefore focus on wildlife watching, walking routes and traces of history.
Discover more destinations: Llanfachraeth, Trearddur, Dwyran, Menai Bridge, Bull Bay, Mynydd Bodafon, Llangefni, Benllech.
For the main travel overview: Isle Of Anglesey.
