Sand and shale, stunning views, Porth Swtan.

Named, in Welsh, for the River Swtan – a stream which flows into the sea below the village – and in English by sailors for whom St. Rhuddlad’s Church made a visible landmark, Porth Swtan also lends its name to the bay and beach which is mixed sand and pebble with cliffs at its rear. The beach is on the north west coast of Anglesey.

Access to deeper water takes the form of a shallow incline, making swimming at the beach an activity for all levels of experience. There is limited public parking on the road at the top of the steep ramp that leads to the beach, which also has the nearest public toilets to the beach.

Porth Swtan, though a historic village, is now mostly made up of holiday lets – but, while there’s a cafe, restaurant and museum just a short walk from the beach, there is little in the way of traditional seaside amenities. However, as the area is a nice, quiet place with good access to the water for various water sports and has some breathtaking sunsets.

Porth Swtan beach is located on the north western coast of the island, but visitors will find a pay and display car park a short walk from the ramp that leads to the beach, the car park is right in the middle of the main amenities – including public toilets, cafes, restaurants and Swtan Heritage museum.

Porth Swtan is not an overly developed village, and there are few of the typical seaside amenities in the immediate vicinity – though there are some sacrifices worth paying for the privilege of visiting such a beautiful and, generally, less busy beach. What amenities there are, however, are excellent – the Wavecrest Cafe offers great food and drink, while The Lobster Pot is an excellent seafood restaurant.

Visitors to Anglesey will find the beach by taking the North Wales Expressway then joining Ffordd Llundain (A5) until it becomes London Road (B5109), then the A5025 the rest of the way to the village where you’ll find the pay and display car park.