Harlech Beach
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Harlech beach and its surrounding dune area is one of the finest examples of a natural dune system in Britain and has been designated a National Nature Reserve, a site of Special Scientific Interest and is a pefect for children.
Access to the beach is well signposted off the A496 and found below the Castle next to the railway crossing. There is a pay and display carpark from which you can walk to the beach along a path cutting through the golf course and the sand dunes.
Other beaches
There is a 200-mile coastline through Snowdonia, most of which is designated National Park or ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’.
VisitSnowdonia describe the local beaches as follows, for more information visit their website
Fairbourne stands at the mouth of the Mawddach, another super-scenic estuary. There are miles and miles of dune and sand here, and some novel ways of getting around. Take a trip on the tiny Fairbourne Railway, catch the ferry to Barmouth, or walk across the spectacular railway bridge that spans the estuary.
The sands go on and on, stretching for miles to Bennar and Llandanwg – two peaceful ‘away from it all’ dune-backed beaches – then around the corner to Harlech. For space, scenery and lungfuls of salty sea air take a walk along its vast beach, spread out like a giant carpet beneath the battlements of Harlech Castle, and let the kids loose to play hide-and-seek in the dunes.
Black Rock Sands marks the start of the Llyn Peninsula. Why Black Rock? There’s a rocky headland with caves and rock pools at the western end of a beautiful two-mile stretch of sands popular with kite-buggies and kitesurfers. It’s convenient for picnics too, since you can drive your car right onto the beach.
Then we’re on to Criccieth, the charming little Victorian resort that’s still going strong. Its two sand-and-pebble beaches, split by a castle-crowned headland, are on a sunny, south-facing coast warmed by the waters of the Gulf Stream – apparently some locals take a dip every day.
Or take a look at this video clip about the Snowdonia coast courtesy of Visit Snowdonia
