A recent spell of sunshine has drawn large crowds to beaches, with many seeking a change of scenery. One destination that's expected to remain popular is Trearddur Bay on the island of Anglesey, which has been named the UK's top "seaside hidden gem".
Following an analysis of over 250 coastal towns and resorts, Trearddur Bay emerged as the standout destination. Its main beach, a picturesque oval-shaped stretch of golden sand, is perfect for families and was recently singled out by the Guardian as one of the best places to swim in the UK. Ella Foote, editor of Outdoor Swimmer magazine, said: "Swimming across the bay, it's easy to cover 400 metres with nothing but sand beneath you."
But Trearddur Bay has more to offer than just its beautiful beach. Visitors can enjoy rock pooling, water sports, and stunning coastal walks, as well as a range of top-notch cafes and restaurants along the seafront.
The resort is also home to a beach golf course, an RNLI station, and a "haunted house" that's actually a family home. Additionally, the remains of an ancient forest occasionally emerge from beneath the sand, adding to the area's natural charm, reports the DailyPost.
Throughout the year, Trearddur Bay hosts various events, including a popular oyster festival. The resort also has a quirky side, with its annual New Year's Day Spacehopper Races, which were launched three years ago as an RNLI fundraiser and now draw large crowds out of season.
Trearddur Bay, a hidden gem in the UK, has been captured in stunning images by local admirer Lesley Scott. The resort, which was notably deserted following a busy Bank Holiday, is considered a "special place" by many locals and visitors.
Lesley shared her admiration for the area, saying: "Trearddur always looks stunning, but especially when the weather is as glorious as this."
She added: "I could never tire of it. There is always just a feeling of great calm there that has really helped me over recent years. Ynys Môn has beautiful views and beaches around every corner, but I feel Trearddur has that special wow factor. When you see it for the first time as you enter the prom from the car park, it simply takes your breath away."
This week, the resort was named the UK's best hidden gem in a study analysing lesser-known coastal villages, harbour towns and hamlets. From an initial sample of more than 250 locations, 15 were shortlisted based on having fewer than 5,000 monthly Google searches – the "hidden" factor.
Marine specialist Insure4Boats scored each location for its weather, local attractions and social media engagements. Of the top 15, Trearddur Bay beach was one of only three with Blue Flag status.
Despite its location in the north, Trearddur Bay on Anglesey’s Holy Island surprised many by scoring impressively well for both rain and sunshine figures due to a beneficial weather quirk. However, it was the outstanding Instagram popularity that truly highlighted how much Trearddur Bay is cherished by those who visit.
Insure4Boats CEO Alan Thomas heralded Trearddur as an idyllic refuge from crowded areas, describing it as a "quieter, more authentic alternative to the usual seaside haunts". He commented on the bay's appeal for watersports lovers, saying: "The bay is the perfect playground for water sports enthusiasts with kayak and paddleboard rental available.
"Boat enthusiasts can launch from the bay and explore the north and west coastlines of Anglesey and Holy Island as well as The Skerries and South Stack."
Ranking highly too was Mwnt near Cardigan in Ceredigion, taking third place. It was in good company with other coastal gems like Ynyslas near the Dyfi estuary ranked at fifth, Llanddona on Anglesey's east in 10th place, and Llandanwg in Gwynedd's western shore near Llanfair securing the 11th spot.
The recognition for Trearddur Bay was not a stroke of luck. In a meticulously curated list of the UK’s top seaside destinations by holidaycars.com, Trearddur Village was recently honoured with the 18th position amongst many of Britain’s renowned seaside resorts.
The company enthused: "This small seaside village is a quiet little gem – the perfect off-the-beaten-path destination for a relaxing coastal getaway. The beach is one of the most beautiful in Anglesey. Head further south to Porth Diana Beach for a sheltered sandy cove, popular with boats and the local yacht club, making it a great spot for watching boats come and go.
"Trearddur Bay perfectly encapsulates maritime charm, topped off with an atmospheric lighthouse on the tip of South Stack Island. It's a gorgeous walk to the lighthouse, with the foamy sea lapping up the cliffs on either side."
Despite being a year-round hotspot, the town faces a significant convenience problem — its public toilets are closed during the off-season from October 1 to March 14. Locals believe amenities should accommodate the continuous influx of visitors.
In an act of protest, residents held a quirky ceremony on March 15 this year to reopen their cherished seafront toilets. They cut a "toilet paper ribbon", drawing attention to their demand for uninterrupted availability.
Phil Brown, who runs the Sea Shanty Cafe nearby, was among the participants. Highlighting the necessity for accessible facilities, he said, "absolutely vital".
He added: "The Victorians did a better job than we seem able to do. On occasions, people have knocked on my door in some distress, and I've had to oblige them.
"On one occasion, when the contractors failed to open up, I had to cut the padlock off with an angle grinder – watched by no fewer than seven desperate members of the public. I even got a round of applause!"
Anglesey Council had previously installed expensive pay-per-use gates at the toilet block, but this trial was later abandoned due to financial constraints, leaving the toilets only available seasonally.
Local resident Bethan Davies has initiated a petition that has already garnered over 1,000 signatures. Determined to maintain the momentum, she said: "I've had messages of support from people with medical conditions, older people and many others saying they cannot visit the village out of season because they need to be close to a loo.
"We should be encouraging people to spend time here – not excluding them."
