There are popular signposted beaches on the North Wales coast. They are lovely beaches and usually pay and display car parking is in force. That’s not where locals head. They go to beaches either not well signposted or with no obvious access. They are usually less busy with free parking.
Check the tides first!
Look out for signposts with dog restrictions and heavy fines. Dogs won’t be banned entirely but forbidden from specified areas. As always, clear up after your dog please.
The first one isn’t that secret. People know it’s there but the low bridges prevent coachloads of day troopers reaching it. Llanfairfechan beach is reached by following Valley Road down past the Co-op, and keep going past the butchers and takeaways until you reach the beach. But the secret part is the stretch around to Morfa Madryn where vehicular access is very difficult. You can visit the distillery for refreshments and get the bus back if the walk there tired you out!
The second is at Penmaenmawr. Took me a while to work this out. Head towards Conwy on the A55. As you head out of the first headland section, take the next exit left signed for Penmaenmawr. Take the 2nd exit on the mini roundabout, head under the bridge, and take the first left into the car park. My sat nav wouldn’t take me here!
The third is at Conway. Take the A55 West. After the second headland section, take the exit signposted for the Marina, turn left towards the Marina and then take another left, past the Aberconwy caravan park, and into the car park. Enter Morfa Beach into the sat nav or Aberconwy Resort if that doesn’t work.
Lleiniog beach is beyond Beaumaris on Anglesey. Beaumaris is often heaving with tourists, rightly so due to the wonderful castle. But trippers rarely venture beyond. Your sat nav should take you there but it’s easy to miss the narrow access road.