Many people have told us that Llanddona is their favourite beach on Anglesey with spectacular views and vast, unspoiled, golden sands. In many ways, it is Anglesey’s most secret beach known only to those intrepid enough to explore the narrow lanes and testing terrain that lie between the well-known holiday resorts of Benllech and Beaumaris. Even though Llanddona has no shops it has a riding school and a family-owned dog-friendly pub and restaurant, the Owain Glyndwr (https://www.facebook.com/ogdllanddona/), located at the top of the road which takes you down to that beautiful beach.
Llanddona has quite a history with the original church, St Dona’s Church, dating from 610 AD but more colourful are the stories of a family of local witches whose powers descended from mother to daughter. The ‘Witches of Llanddona’ are said to have been set adrift from their native country from whence they had been banished, finishing up on the Anglesey shore at the parish of Llanddona where they continued to practice their witchcraft (https://www.anglesey-today.com/the-witches-of-llanddona.html).
The drive up to the high ground upon which the village of Llanddona stands provided some attractive views of the elevated landscape on the eastern tip of Anglesey, dominated by the Llanddona transmitting station which supplies radio and TV signals to most of North Wales. The magnificent mountain scenery of Snowdonia is a wonderful sight across the Menai Strait. From the Owain Glyndwr we took the narrow, steep lane down towards the beach, thankful that no oncoming traffic or fearsome witches barred our way. As with all the best tales of spooky events we came to a fork in the road, offering the choice of a 25% gradient or a 35% slope down to the beach. For some unaccountable reason we had left the crampons and climbing ropes at home so – call us softies if you wish – it was the 25% road that we took.
The trials of the journey were soon forgotten as the broad expanse of Llanddona Beach opened up before us. Llanddona Beach is at the eastern end of Red Wharf Bay (Traeth Coch) and offers opportunities for sea fishing, surfing, kayaking, windsurfing and kite-surfing beyond the normal family fun. There is a car park, café and toilets. There are restricted areas for dogs.
The Anglesey Coastal Path passes along the eastern shore of the island connecting all the bays and resorts of this popular holiday area. From the beach, you could walk east to the café at Black Point, opposite Puffin Island, and onward to Penmon Priory. Walking west will take you to Red Wharf Bay with the famous Ship Inn pub and restaurant (www.shipinnredwharfbay.co.uk) and the Old Boathouse with its Mediterranean-inspired cuisine (www.boathouserestaurantanglesey.co.uk).
Come and explore the beautiful beaches, the coastal paths, the glorious scenery, the appetising cuisine, the myths and the mystique that Anglesey can offer. Book a splendid self-catering cottage with Coastal Holidays at www.coastalholidays.net deep in the heart of rural Anglesey or by the beach. You can email us at [email protected] or ring us at our Anglesey office on 01248 430190 for personal service.