Locals say they avoid north Wales beauty spot because of ‘too many tourists’

“Too many tourists” at a popular beauty spot on Anglesey is making life harder for local people, councillors have been told.

The beautiful forests and beach at Newborough and Llanddwyn are now so crowded in summer that locals say they no longer go there.

The village of Newborough often faces traffic problems as tourists rush to visit the area, which is well known for its sandy beach and lovely sea and mountain views.

Ynys Llanddwyn is also a favourite for visitors because of its natural beauty and links to Saint Dwynwen – the Welsh patron saint of love.

Image of Anglesey — Image credit: Photo © **Jeff Buck** (cc-by-sa/2.0)

This problem was mentioned during a meeting of the Anglesey County Council’s Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday, April 9.

A report shared at the meeting said: “Local people have said they don’t use the forest or beach in summer because it’s just too busy due to too many visitors.”

“The problem is making everyday life more difficult for them and affecting their well-being.”

Councillors were reviewing how Gwynedd and Anglesey’s public services are doing, as part of a check on progress with the council’s 2023-2028 well-being plan.

The Well-Being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 asks public bodies to help improve life for people in Wales in social, economic, environmental and cultural ways.

The report mentioned a two-year trial, from March 2024 to February 2026, aimed at solving the access and traffic problems that locals face at Newborough and Llanddwyn.

Sandra Thomas, programme manager for the Gwynedd and Anglesey Public Services Board, said the trial was a new and team-based way to tackle the issues.

Her report explained that staff from Eryri National Park had shared what they’d learned from dealing with traffic at Pen y Pass, a spot also known for congestion.

The aim of the project is to create a strong example of how teamwork can help solve community problems in other places too.

Remember - LeaveNoTrace!

As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!

Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.

Download the official APP!

Gain access to over 1,600 hidden gems and their co-ordinates all over the UK when you download our app. Add gems to your bucket-list and tick them off as you go along, as well as earn rewards/badges when you visit a certain amount.

Users will also have acess to over 9,000 parking spots across the UK as well as over 1,600 staycations in the UK.