Latest news with #LlynPeninsula
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
The utterly unique North Wales beach where only one group leaves negative reviews
It's one of the best known beaches in North Wales - famous for a unique feature. Traeth Porthor on the Llyn Peninsula is up there on the list of the best beaches in the country. Situated on the wilder north coast between Aberdaron and the increasingly popular Porth Iago the beach is famously known as 'Whistling Sands' in English. The reason behind this is the sounds the sand (sometimes) makes while people walk along. National Trust - who own the beach - say it is derived from the squeak or whistle emitted by the peculiar shaped sand particles being rubbed together when walked on in warm weather. READ MORE: Llandudno town centre hotel put up for sale READ MORE: 'Iconic' North Wales hotel sold to international investment group The sound can be made by stamping or sliding your feet on dry sand. According to Visit Wales it is one of only two beaches in Europe where people can experience this. (The other is Singing Sands Beach on the Isle of Eigg, Scotland) It does not squeak on demand as the conditions need to be right so don't be too disappointed if you miss out. The good news is that there is so much more to the beach than the noise it makes underfoot. It's a stunning spot on a peninsula with its fair share of glorious sandy bays. In addition it doesn't tend to get as busy as some others so people can usually find a decent stretch of sand for themselves. The coastal path can take walkers along the coastline in either direction with seals a common sight and dolphins as well from time to time. The area around the beach is a stronghold for birds like the Chough, Razorbills, Guillemots, Kittiwakes, Cormorants, Shags and Yellowhammers. In addition there's the remnants of a lime kiln on the path just off the beach. This is a glimpse into the past as Porthor was once a busy port, importing lime and coal. These type of beach kilns were generally used to convert limestone to quicklime by burning it, used for construction and to reduce soil acidity. In return it dispatched farm goods such as butter, cheese, eggs and poultry. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now The water itself is obviously another pull - with clear blue waters on a sunny day. It doesn't have the large breakers you might get at Porth Neigwl (Hells Mouth) on the other side of the Llyn but there is the potential for bodyboarding or some surfing in the right conditions. There is even a very well rated cafe next to the beach for refreshments after the fresh air and activities have tired you out. The reviews are glowing and there is only one group that take issue with the beach - or rather one of the rules imposed. This is when it's worth mentioning the car park charges (£5) unless National Trust members and also the dog ban from April 1 to September 30. When it comes to the very many good and excellent reviews (260 out of 290 of the reviews on Tripadvisor) words that pop out are "gem", and "stunning". One recent review said: "We visited Porthor Beach recently and had a lovely time soaking in the natural beauty of the place. The beach itself is stunning – clean, peaceful, and set against a gorgeous backdrop of rolling hills. It's ideal for a relaxed day out, with crystal-clear water and soft, golden sand. "Despite its nickname 'Whistling Sands,' the sand wasn't whistling during our visit – maybe it depends on the weather or how dry the sand is. Still, it was a scenic and peaceful spot well worth the trip." Another said: "Beautiful, tucked away gem of a beach. Bit busy when we arrived,(late afternoon ), so would get there early morning next time. Stunning views, crystal clear turquoise water which is shallow till a long way out. "If this beach was on the Med it would be surrounded by tourist hotels. Would definitely go again." It is certainly well deserving of its 4.6 out of 5 rating on Tripadvisor. With the small minority who don't leave sparkling reviews there is a common theme. It is not so much the beach they don't like but the no dogs rule, with odd moans over the £5 parking fee. One angry reviewer said: "What is it with the National Trust and dogs? We used to be members but when we got a pooch we discovered there are restrictions and no go areas at nearly all NT sites. Most dog owners are responsible and clean up after their pups but it seems none of us are to be trusted! Really disappointing to drive all the way to the car park to be told dogs are not allowed on most of the beach." Another added: "Sadly you can't take your dog on the beach, no matter how well behaved they are, so we had a wasted trip. A real shame as the beach is long enough to allow them at the far end." One dog owner said: "£5 to park, irrespective of how long! Fine for a day out, but extortionate for a walk down the road to the beach and back (because info boards in the car park say vaguely 'dogs welcome except for summer months' and then you get to the beach where another board tells you 'summer' is April 1st - 30th September and that if you contravene the dog ban you risk a £1000 fine). The beach itself is beautiful, but so is every other beach on the Llŷn Peninsula and from my experience, all the others are much less hostile to dog owners. I suggest NT update the board in the car park and give me my £5 back." However for most this location is a beach paradise and if you're lucky you may experience the magic squeaks. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
BBC News
04-08-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
After 100 years, is Plaid Cymru on the verge of leading Wales?
On the Maes in Pwllheli, a mobile sign on the pavement advertises a shop's wares: "Tarot, Crystals, Wicca, Reiki."Take a look above the shop window and you will see another sign, a blink-and-you'd-miss-it slate Welsh, it reads: "Plaid Genedlaethol Cymru was established in a meeting here on 5 August, 1925."It is an incongruous scene, which belies the political significance of the men from two distinct nationalist groups met here a century ago, during the week of the National Eisteddfod in this corner of the Llyn Peninsula, to write a new chapter of Welsh political history. In day-to-day politics, it is easy to indulge in hyperbole. The dizzying speed of events can distort our judgment as to their true take a 100 years of history, and you get a clearer perspective of a party's impact on the country and its what to make of Plaid Cymru, as it reaches its centenary?"Plaid Cymru has now come to the mainstream of Welsh political life," said former Plaid MP and assembly member, Cynog the mind of Elin Jones, the current Llywydd (the Welsh Parliament's presiding officer) and ex-Plaid Welsh government minister: "The party needs to own its role as the alternative left of centre party of government."Leanne Wood, the party's first female leader, reflects: "What would I put on Plaid Cymru's report card after 100 years? Good effort, great enthusiasm, could do better."Wood's former university lecturer and Wales' fourth Labour first minister, Mark Drakeford, adds: "I think Plaid Cymru remains now, in significant parts, a party of protest rather than a party of government." While Nick Bourne, former leader of the Welsh Conservatives in Cardiff Bay and, to date, one of the opposition leaders who was closest to securing Plaid the top spot in the Welsh government following the failed coalition negotiations of 2007, said: "I think if one were to ask members of the Welsh public, what do you identify Plaid Cymru with, they'd clearly say independence, the language and the culture."Would they identify a single other policy? I'm not sure I could, to be honest."So that I think is a challenge for Plaid Cymru," he added. At its inception, Plaid was primarily a social original six were motivated by the ambition to promote the Welsh language and its culture, as well as securing self-government for which case, Wales has devolution, the number of Welsh speakers is at least stable, and cultural institutions are is a political party not ultimately judged by its record at the ballot box?It took more than 40 years since its establishment, until 1966, in the Westminster by-election in Carmarthen, for Plaid Cymru to make its big breakthrough."It was an earth-shattering result and it was an epoch-making one as well," said former Plaid leader Dafydd Wigley. And yet, Gwynfor Evans lost the seat at the next general election – he would reclaim the constituency in a subsequent the odd good result – the first Welsh Assembly election in 1999 in particular - it has been a patchy and often poor electoral record. The self-described "Party of Wales" has fallen way behind Labour and struggling to register in many parts of locations of the two Eisteddfods that currently bookend Plaid's history – Pwllheli in 1925, and this week's gathering in Wrexham where the party will celebrate its centenary – illustrate the took until 1974 for Plaid Cymru to first represent the Pwllheli area in Westminster, but it is now right in the heart of the party's electoral fortress on the western on the other hand, has never come close to electing a Plaid MP or Senedd party has never won a Wales-wide election, and never has there been a Plaid first yet, there has been this constant tension within the party as to Plaid's true purpose – is it to be the agent that changes Wales or does it pressure Labour to move in the same direction?Back in 2021, Plaid Cymru, having come third in that year's Senedd election, signed a co-operation agreement with the Welsh Labour government to ensure some of its policies would see the light of day. Speaking on the steps of the Senedd following the announcement of the deal, the then Plaid leader, Adam Price, said: "To us in Plaid Cymru, Plaid isn't the most important word – Wales comes first for us every time."Nine months away from the next electoral test and with Rhun ap Iorwerth, a new leader at the helm, the party has a different himself admits he wasn't ready to lead in 1999, so far Plaid's best Cardiff Bay election result: "We'd done our work as an opposition party and had a platform for government, but we just hadn't got all the ducks in a row, as it were."With 2026 in sight, Plaid now has its eyes very much set on the top spot and, if some opinion polls are to be believed, it could genuinely year's Senedd election, with a new voting system more reflective of votes cast, is shaping up to be the most fascinating since the start of devolutionCan Labour keep the party's Rolls Royce campaigning operation purring to maintain its grip on power? Is Reform UK about to steal the show and shake up the established order?Or is it Plaid Cymru's time?That chapter of history is yet to be written. Watch 'Plaid Cymru at 100' on BBC One Wales at 2240 on Tuesday 5 August or catch-up on iPlayer
The Sun
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
‘Outdated' British village is completely demolished after 75 years to make way for £35million revamp
A HISTORIC Welsh village for war refugees has been flattened after 75 years — sparking fury from elderly residents who fear being forced out. Founded in 1949 for Polish WWII veterans, Penrhos Village became a tight-knit, Polish- speaking community of 100 on a former RAF base, with its own church shop, hall, and care home. 4 4 4 The site, located on the scenic Llyn Peninsula in Gwynedd, North Wales, has now been earmarked for a £35million redevelopment project led by Welsh social housing provider ClwydAlyn. The first phase will see 44 new energy-efficient homes built, with a total of 107 properties planned. The project is supported by the Welsh Government, in partnership with Cyngor Gwynedd and Williams Homes (Bala). Dylan Davies, of ClwydAlyn, said the scheme aims to tackle poverty by creating jobs and improving lives: 'Whether that is by creating opportunities for employment, tackling loneliness, supporting residents with fuel costs or improving access to nutritious foods, all these efforts can help our communities to thrive.' The new homes will be prioritised for current residents of Penrhos and local people with low to medium care needs. A separate proposal for a new nursing and residential home is also being developed by Cyngor Gwynedd and the local health board. But not everyone is on board. Campaigners and elderly residents have condemned the demolition, claiming it disregards the community's heritage and uproots those who came to Penrhos seeking peace in their final years. Barbara Owsianka, who spoke against the plans, said: 'We are very disappointed the vote went against us, but it was close. "I just hope ClwydAlyn takes that on board and will listen to the residents.' She added: 'In this application, there is nothing that describes the replacement of any of the communal services and facilities the elderly folks rely on, like the hairdresser's or the launderette. "A lot of people will be terribly worried.' Barbara's 90-year-old mother Maria, who escaped war-torn Warsaw as a child, said: 'We all came to Penrhos at the end of our lives in the expectation of a safe haven. "We did not expect to be forced out of our homes yet again.' Despite the backlash, planners at Gwynedd Council narrowly approved the proposal by seven votes to five. ClwydAlyn has stressed it will preserve key parts of the village's Polish and Welsh heritage, including the listed Freedom Cross, the church, and walled gardens. Councillor Paul Rowlinson said: 'Addressing the housing crisis remains a key priority for Cyngor Gwynedd—especially in areas like this, where a very large percentage of local people are priced out of the market.' Owain Williams of Williams Homes added: 'The development will create over 20 jobs for local people and contribute to the local economy during the construction period.' 4
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
'Definitely eerie' as white wall 'sea fret' rolls over Llyn Peninsula
'It was definitely eerie, like we were all being smothered'. Those were the words of Maggie Rogerson as she described a wall of sea mist roll over the Llyn Peninsula. She was at Mynytho between Abersoch and Pwllheli on Wednesday evening. This was when a mist drifted in off the sea - creating a coastal cloud inversion, or known to some as 'Dragon's breath'. It looked like a giant white wave crashing against the landscape. She posted images on the Abersoch Appreciation Page, asking "Is this a sea fret eerily creeping in? If so it's eerie, yet beautiful". READ MORE: Conwy Tunnel burning crane truck driver 'a hero who saved lives' READ MORE: The man who pulls drowned cars from North Wales beaches A "sea fret" is a north of England term for a coastal fog that commonly occurs along the east coast of the UK, especially during spring and summer. It forms when warm air passes over the cold North Sea. That colder air then trapped by a layer of warm air - creating a cloud inversion. She told North Wales Live: "The pressure changed. It felt how I would imagine a vacuum and kind of 'charged' with expectancy. "Then I could feel the increase in moisture, the vapour, I suppose. It was definitely eerie, like we were all being smothered. "Yet it was by no means that dramatic. Just a mist rolling-in!" On the Facebook page, one person responded: "It was like that last night towards Aberdaron, I agree very eerie." Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday Find out what's happening near you
The Guardian
14-06-2025
- The Guardian
‘On a peak under a blue sky': the joy of summer in Europe's mountains
After a tough scramble to the summit of Rhinog Fach, we look down into the deep valley holding the chilly waters of Llyn Hywel, then west across several miles of heather, bilberry and bare rock to the Welsh coast. Turning my gaze north, there is the entire Llyn peninsula leading east to the peak of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), no doubt weighed down by thousands of visitors. Up here there are just two of us in an utterly peaceful landscape. No clouds on the horizon. No surprises. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. I lie down for a few minutes and feel myself drift off. There are no human voices to be heard, only birds. Summer has come early to these mountains and I wouldn't be anywhere else, drinking in that particular kind of tranquillity to be found on a peak under a blue sky. Mountains were not always seen as appropriate places to relax on a summer's day. Those lofty, mist-wreathed realms held surprises, most of them nasty, such as trolls and demons. Maybe a few ancient folk knew perfectly well that mountains in summer were wonderful, but they weren't the sort to publicise the fact: the solitary shepherd, gold prospectors not yet consumed by gold fever, and the workers who put up drystone walls – they all must have known the joy of lazing on a summit, perhaps seeing shapes in clouds. Changing culture and taste took a revolution led by artists and poets, men such as Nicolas Poussin, who in the 17th century tried to win people over with paintings of mysterious peaks and epic landscapes. Unfortunately, he couldn't resist adding a fallen Grecian column and a nymph draped in wispy stuff. It took another 150 years before the German artist Caspar David Friedrich relocated the wispy bits to the mountain tops, evicted the nymphs, and added one rugged poetic type, gazing out over the towering tors with a vaguely proprietorial air. His Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog (1818, now in Hamburg at the Kunsthalle) remains the most evocative depiction of the romantic ideal. After that painting, summer in the mountains was de rigueur, but it turned out that Friedrich's sturdy 19th-century mountaineer was actually looking for a place to build a man-shed. All over the continent, wealthy romantics started funding simple dormitory accommodation, often precariously balanced on vertiginous crags. These mountain refuges were vital in allowing people to access the peaks, and became a huge part of my own enjoyment of the mountains. The first to be built was Refuge des Grands Mulets on Mont Blanc in 1853. There is still a hut there, rebuilt a couple of times, perched at 3,051 metres (10,009ft), overlooking the Bossons glacier. My own favourite, Rifugio Nuvolau, is a period classic in the Dolomites, built in 1883 and a haven of stout carpentry, hearty food and astonishing sunsets. Not all are antiques: Monte Rosa near Zermatt is an aluminium solar-powered box that sits above the Gorner glacier and requires ropes and crampons in order to reach it. Some huts are very high indeed: the Margherita on the Italian Monte Rosa is, at 4,554 metres, the highest building in Europe. Sweden's Låktatjåkko (1,228 metres) is both high in altitude and latitude: it's 155 miles (250km) inside the Arctic Circle and often buried in snow, even in summer. Digging to the front door is worth the effort: they serve fantastic waffles with cloudberry jam. The staff in these huts are usually charming and helpful. Not all guests, however, are so wonderful. 'There was one British visitor who, during the course of the night, pushed all the other sleepers along the dormitory bench,' complained one French guest after staying in Refuge de Ciottulu di i Mori in Corsica. 'He left a huge empty space behind him and we were all squashed up in one corner.' (I've no idea why I rolled like that. I was fast asleep.) Making a reservation in one of these treasures can require persistence. The famous ones are often booked out, but many of the huts I've mentioned have alternatives nearby. Where there are no mountain huts available, a tent is not always needed. In Romania's Carpathians, I've slept in hay ricks after jolly evenings drinking plum brandy with farmers. Sadly, the hay rick is disappearing as agriculture modernises, but the Carpathians remain a fine mountain destination. Once a local hunter persuaded me to go on a bear hunt (no guns involved). We climbed through shady pine forest and golden flower-sprinkled meadows to warm rock and vast vistas. The hunter described a recent incident when he was chased up a tree by a bear. He proved it by showing his rucksack, complete with claw marks. On our descent, we stumbled on a fresh bear track and, for a second, the idyllic evening was shot through by lightning bolts of adrenaline. An undeniable fact of mountain life is that moments of arcadian bliss can be abruptly ended. You go up in sun, and descend in a wild storm. The unpredictable must be expected. Helm Crag in the Lake District was a favourite of Romantic poet William Wordsworth and for that reason many go to commune with nature. One blustery lunchtime, I was sitting a little below the craggy summit about to enjoy a picnic when a group on the top suddenly flung their grandmother into the air. Caught by the wind, the old lady was whipped sideways and down, straight into the sandwich that was about to go in my mouth. Ash-scattering ceremonies really should be more careful. The ancestor went to her final resting place tainted with Branston pickle. Sign up to The Traveller Get travel inspiration, featured trips and local tips for your next break, as well as the latest deals from Guardian Holidays after newsletter promotion British mountains aren't enlivened by European-style huts, but we do have bothies, camping barns, the Youth Hostels Association (YHA), and a number of good cottages for hire. To climb the Rhinogydd (often anglicised to Rhinogs), I based myself at the off-grid retreat of Garth Gell farm, all lovely hand-worn woodwork, flagstone floors and dusty books. The Rhinogydd are often touted as the most rugged mountain chain south of Hadrian's Wall, which is a bit hard on the North Pennines and Cheviots, but the paths are certainly steep and challenging, deterring many visitors. The chain stretches for about 13 miles, with the highest point at Y Llethr (756 metres) where the 360-degree panorama is really special. The view is, of course, a big part of the attraction. We go up because we can see further. My snooze on Rhinog Fach is interrupted by my companion. 'Look!' he says. The best summer mountain experiences always have that unexpected moment: the bear jumps out and claws your rucksack, human remains land in your picnic … that kind of thing. I sit up, suddenly alert. 'On the wall. Down there.' There's a bird, its pale chest striped with grey, its tail fanned out in annoyance as a horde of smaller birds are mobbing it. And then it calls. I have never considered the cuckoo to be a mountain bird, but there it is at 600 metres on a Welsh hill. And at the same time, away to the west, the haze lifts a little and the blue horizon puckers behind the last bit of Wales. The Blackstairs Mountains of Ireland have appeared. A summer's day in the mountains is complete. Accommodation was provided by Garth Gell, a Kip hideaway, which sleeps six from £240 a night
