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Wales Online
3 days ago
- Wales Online
This stunning beach is a 'bit of a journey' to get to, but it's absolutely worth it
This stunning beach is a 'bit of a journey' to get to, but it's absolutely worth it Porth Ceiriad is one of the most popular beaches in north Wales - but it's not easy to find and is often described as a 'hidden gem' in reviews, and for once, this label is well-deserved The Llŷn Coastal Path runs above Porth Ceiriad beach (Image: Chris Andrew/Wiki ) Porth Ceiriad, nestled on the Llŷn Peninsula in Gwynedd, is a gem of Wales' coastline that you'd expect to be teeming with crowds due to its golden sands and vast views. Despite being voted one of the most scenic beaches on the peninsula, visitors are few, with Tripadvisor reviews praising its beauty despite the lack of facilities, a long walk across fields and steep steps to get there. The seclusion found at Porth Ceiriad is actually a significant part of its charm, offering tranquillity during the week that is perfect for those seeking a peaceful retreat. A recent visitor wrote about the the beach's serene appeal: "One of my favourite places! True mind escape. No mobile connection, no wifi, love it." Even with its popularity among those who know of it, this idyllic spot manages to remain less frequented, a fact that regulars no doubt appreciate. Its deceptive closeness to Abersoch and the enveloping cliffs adds to the mystery of finding this secluded beach, as reported by North Wales Live. The adventure of discovering Porth Ceiriad is well-known locally, earning the moniker of the "Porth Ceiriad Mystery Tour" because of the curious case of disappearing tourists led astray by unreliable satnav directions and confounding maps. One puzzled reviewer from Newcastle upon Tyne confessed, "Don't ask me how we found the beach," while a couple from England shared their own strenuous escapade: "Bit of a journey to find it (even using Ordnance Survey map and satnav! ! ! )," but they later referred to Porth Ceiriad as their "stunning almost secret beach". Porth Ceiriad is repeatedly dubbed a "hidden gem" within reviews, and this time, it's truly earned the accolade. In a recent Millets outdoor retailer survey, Porth Ceiriad was rightly named fifth on the list of "Wales hidden gems". Wondering how to reach this secluded spot? Set off from Abersoch via Lon Sarn Bach and keep going straight over the Sarn Bach crossroads. Then, roughly 0.7 miles beyond, take a left onto Lon Groes, which is marked by a green electricity substation. (Image: Google ) A contactless payment barrier (costing £3) at the once operating Nant Y Big campsite reveals a path that leads towards the beach. Atop the craggy cliffs, there is a car park that dares drivers to feel like they're inches from driving over the brink. For those who choose an earlier turn off towards Bwlchtocyn, another more compact car park awaits on the far side of the village, accessible through cattle grids and equally slender lanes. This alternative parking site only takes coins (£2-£4 for a stay up to four hours, or £5 for the entire day). One holidaymaker remarked, "It's an adventure to get there on single track country roads. Good luck with the tractors coming through in the opposite direction. But, wow, it's worth the trek!". Porth Ceiriad is renowned for offering what many consider being the best surf across the Llŷn Peninsula. It's a delightfully sheltered bay with calm seas in summer, but when winter rolls around, the dynamic changes drastically. The south-facing beach awakens to dramatic life if conditions align, its distinct shape and sudden depth change conjuring up some imposing waves. Unlike the more tempestuous Porth Neigwl nearby (also known as Hell's Mouth), Porth Ceiriad's waves draw in seasoned surfers looking for a hefty challenge. Holidaymakers might dip their toes into these enticing waters, yet they too must respect the potential dangers of rip currents, similar to those found at the much larger beach just next door. A couple enjoying a quiet weekday visit recently noted how they seemed to have the whole place to themselves – by the time they left, only a couple of other souls had appeared. Contrast that with a busy Saturday in summer, and you'd find the bay bustling with watercraft of all sorts, from kayaks to jetskis, and sailboats - a magnet for watersports aficionados. Article continues below While boats often provide the easiest means of arrival, trekkers are equally compensated with stunning views accessible off the well-trodden Llŷn Coastal Path. Visitors enamoured with the charm of Porth Ceiriad have been effusive in their praise, as one remarked: "This beach is incredibly beautiful," and hailed it as "Probably one of the best I've been to in the UK. If you like your beaches secluded, surrounded by a bit more wilderness, then this is for you." In agreement, a family from Manchester described Porth Ceirad as the "best UK beach by miles" adding: "Been coming here for 45 years, and it's our fav beach in the whole world. Dramatic. Off the beaten track and simply stunning."
Wales Online
25-05-2025
- Wales Online
'Almost secret' beach where dolphins are regularly spotted with 'best waves'
'Almost secret' beach where dolphins are regularly spotted with 'best waves' Porth Ceiriad is a stretch of gold in a sandy cove with big waves, even bigger views and a good chance of spotting dolphins under the setting sun. But few people can find it. Beautiful Porth Ceiriad beach lies on a remote stretch of coastline on the Llŷn Peninsula (Image: Google ) Porth Ceiriad, by all accounts, should be bustling as one of north Wales' most popular beaches. This golden stretch in a sandy cove boasts large waves, expansive views, and the chance to see dolphins as the sun dips below the horizon. It's often hailed as the most beautiful beach on the Llŷn Peninsula in Gwynedd, with Tripadvisor reviews glowing despite the absence of amenities, the lengthy walk through fields, and the daunting steps required for access. The solitude of Porth Ceiriad is one of its main draws. On a weekday visit, you may find yourself in blissful isolation. A visitor last week shared her affection for the spot: "One of my favourite places! True mind escape. No mobile connection, no wifi, love it." Despite its appeal, the beach remains uncrowded, much to the relief of its admirers. Its proximity to Abersoch, nestled between imposing cliffs, belies the challenge in locating this hidden gem, reports North Wales Live. Reaching Porth Ceiriad can be quite the escapade. The local community is familiar with the frustration of tourists battling unreliable satnavs and perplexing maps, leading to the term "Porth Ceiriad Mystery Tour" for the quest to find the beach. Article continues below A baffled reviewer from Newcastle upon Tyne admitted, "Don't ask me how we found the beach," Similarly, a couple from England recounted their own odyssey: "Bit of a journey to find it (even using Ordnance Survey map and satnav! ! ! )," but they ultimately described Porth Ceiriad as their "stunning almost secret beach". The beach is often described as a "hidden gem" in reviews, and for once, this label is well-deserved. A recent survey by outdoor retailer Millets ranked Porth Ceiriad fifth on its list of "Wales hidden gems", a judgement that was spot on. The Llŷn Coastal Path runs above Porth Ceiriad beach (Image: Chris Andrew/Wiki ) So, how do you get there? From Abersoch, take the Lon Sarn Bach road and continue straight at the Sarn Bach crossroads. From here, turn left down a narrow lane called Lon Groes about 0.7 miles further along, just past the green electricity substation. Down this lane, a contactless payment barrier (£3) at the now-closed Nant Y Big campsite opens up a track leading to the beach. Above the folded rocks of the surrounding cliffs is a car park that leaves many visitors feeling like they're about to drive off the edge. There's an earlier left turn towards Bwlchtocyn, beyond which lies another, smaller car park for the beach on the other side of the village, accessed via cattle grids and equally narrow lanes. This car park only accepts coins (£2-£4 for up to four hours, £5 for the day). One visitor commented, "It's an adventure to get there on single track country roads. Good luck with the tractors coming through in the opposite direction. But, wow, it's worth the trek!". Porth Ceiriad is famed for having arguably the finest surf in the Llŷn Peninsula. While it presents a rather sheltered and gentle seascape in the summer months, come winter, this south-facing strand really comes alive: given the right conditions, its unique topography and sharp drop-off can generate formidable waves. Unlike its neighbour Porth Neigwl (Hell's Mouth), the breakers here entice the more adept surfers seeking significant challenge. Though holidaymakers do venture into the water, they must be mindful of rip currents, much like those at the larger adjacent beach. On a recent weekday sojourn, a couple on holiday observed they had the beach to themselves; upon their departure, only two others had made an appearance. However, summertime Saturdays paint a different picture — the bay bustles with various watercraft, including kayaks, jetskis, and sailboats, as watersports enthusiasts flock to the peninsula. Boats oftentimes offer easier access than cars, though hikers are rewarded by the picturesque spot just off the Llŷn Coastal Path. Article continues below Nonetheless, those who discover Porth Ceiriad are almost invariably charmed by its allure. One visitor gushed, "This beach is incredibly beautiful," and praised it as "Probably one of the best I've been to in the UK. If you like your beaches secluded, surrounded by a bit more wilderness, then this is for you." Echoing this sentiment, a family from Manchester lauded Porth Ceirad as the "best UK beach by miles" sharing: "Been coming here for 45 years, and it's our fav beach in the whole world. Dramatic. Off the beaten track and simply stunning."
North Wales Live
25-05-2025
- North Wales Live
'Almost secret' North Wales beach rated among UK's best that few people manage to find
By reputation it should be one of the busiest beaches in North Wales. Porth Ceiriad is a stretch of gold in a sandy cove with big waves, even bigger views and a good chance of spotting dolphins under the setting sun. It's widely regarded as the loveliest beach on Gwynedd's Llŷn Peninsula. The Tripadvisor reviews are outstanding – despite the lack of facilities, the long tramp across fields and the steep flight of steps needed to access it. One reason why everyone loves Porth Ceiriad is its solitude. Visit on a weekday and you might be the only one there. A woman there last week said: 'One of my favourite places! True mind escape. No mobile connection, no wifi, love it.' People ought to be flocking here: for its fans, thankfully they're not. There's a good reason: despite being a big slab of sand embraced by towering cliffs, just a short drive from Abersoch, it can be devilishly hard to find. Getting to the beach can be something of an adventure. Locals sigh at the visitors who curse satnavs, wrestle with maps and turn down lanes going nowhere. Finding the beach has been dubbed the "Porth Ceiriad Mystery Tour". 'Don't ask me how we found the beach,' said an incredulous reviewer from Newcastle upon Tyne. A visiting couple from England had a similar experience. 'Bit of a journey to find it (even using Ordnance Survey map and satnav!!!)," they said, going on to describe Porth Ceiriad as their 'stunning almost secret beach'. Reviews invariably label the beach a 'hidden gem'. For once, the tag is merited. A recent survey by outdoors retailer Millets placed Porth Ceiriad in fifth spot on its list of 'Wales hidden gems' and the verdict wasn't misplaced. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now So, how exactly do you get there? From Abersoch, take the Lon Sarn Bach road and go straight on at that Sarn Bach crossroads. From here, there's a left turn down a narrow lane called Lon Groes about 0.7 miles further along, just after the green electricity substation. Down here, a contactless payment barrier (£3) at the now-closed Nant Y Big campsite opens the way to a track leading down to the beach. Above the folded rocks of its embracing cliffs is a car park that leaves many visitors convinced they're about to drive off the edge. There is an earlier left turn to Bwlchtocyn, beyond which is another, smaller car park for the beach the other side of the village, reached via cattle grids and equally narrow lanes. This one's coin only (£2-£4 for up to four hours, £5 for the day). 'It's an adventure to get there on single track country roads,' said one visitor. 'Good luck with the tractors coming through in the opposite direction. But, wow, it's worth the trek!' The surf at Porth Ceiriad is reputed to be the best on the Llŷn Peninsula. Whilst quite sheltered and benign in the summer, the south-facing beach comes into its own during the winter: in the right conditions, its enclosed topography and steep shelving bay can produce thunderous waves. Unlike neighbouring Porth Neigwl (Hell's Mouth), the waves here attract more experienced surfers looking for some serious action. Visitors do take to the water but, like its bigger neighbour, rip currents do occur. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday During a weekday visit, a holidaying couple noted they had to beach to themselves. By the time they left, just two other people had arrived. On summer weekends, when the watersports brigade descend on the peninsula, it can be different, with kayaks, jetskis and yachts crowding the bay. Getting there by boat is often easier. Or by foot - it sits beneath the Llŷn Coastal Path. Regardless, Porth Ceiriad nearly always leaves a good impression on those who manage to find it. 'This beach is incredibly beautiful,' said one reviewer. "Probably one of the best I've been to in the UK. If you like your beaches secluded, surrounded by a bit more wilderness, then this is for you.' A Manchester family agreed, calling Porth Ceirad the 'best UK beach by miles'. They added: 'Been coming here for 45 years, and it's our fav beach in the whole world. Dramatic. Off the beaten track and simply stunning.'
ITV News
21-05-2025
- ITV News
Adventurer from Cumbria marks decade since surviving Nepal earthquake disaster by scaling 446 peaks
An adventurer from Cumbria is marking a decade since he miraculously survived the Nepal Earthquake disaster by scaling 446 mountains across England and Wales. Alex Staniforth, who lives in Kendal, was just 19 when he survived an avalanche on Mount Everest following a 7.8-magnitude earthquake on April 25 2015 which killed thousands of people and injured thousands more. Recalling the moment he believed he would lose his life, he describes hearing a loud crack before being hit by the avalanche during his second climb of the world's highest peak: "At this point, I wasn't aware of an earthquake. I didn't feel the ground shaking, but my teammates did. "I was completely on my own, and I remember feeling something was wrong. "I could sense there was an avalanche coming towards us, but I couldn't see it because the cloud was so bad... I remember feeling really confused, and then feeling this massive blast of white just knocking me off my feet. "For the first time in my life, at 19, (I remember) thinking 'This is it, game over', and that sickening feeling of fear that I've never really felt before." Now a motivational speaker, he said he is "grateful" to have survived the avalanche and is now commemorating 10 years since the earthquake by scaling 446 mountains across England and Wales in 50 days for charity. In the UK, a mountain is generally considered to be a summit of more than 2,000ft (600m), according to the Ordnance Survey. Alex said: "I'm very grateful that I survived that day, but I think, ever since then, I've just tried to make it count and try to give something back, and I hope that this challenge will do that." He is carrying out the challenge to raise money for Mind Over Mountains, the charity he founded in 2020, which focuses on using walks in nature and venturing outdoors as a tool to support people with mental health issues. Alex says that the charity helps to "give people the tools to stay mentally and physically well" by providing safe spaces for people to walk and talk about challenging topics around mental health and suicide, adding : "The outdoors has always been my natural health service, and I want other people to have access to that. "By doing this challenge, it's not only opening conversations around mental health and suicide, but it's actually directly providing more access to (the outdoors), which, for me, is what makes it all worthwhile." Starting last week with the mountains of Yes Tor and High Willhays in Dartmoor, Devon, Alex is expected to finish in the Lake District at the end of June to mark his 30th birthday. But not content with just climbing the mountains, the whole of his journey will be human-powered with Alex running and cycling to every mountain before scaling each one. His bike ride was 103 miles (166km) and his longest run to come will be 36 miles (58km), while his highest mountain climb will see him tackle 11,483ft (3,500M) of ascent. He said he wants his challenge to provide a "bit of hope" for young people, particularly those approaching their 30s, who might be struggling to find a sense of purpose in life. "I think when a lot of people reach 30... they feel like they're not where they should be or they feel like they're not where they want to be," he said. "There's a lot of mental health challenges and depression, and I just wanted to be a bit of hope for those people that things can go wrong but you can always pick yourself up and find another way. "I think Everest, for a long time, was like my idea of success. It was like the be all and end all, and actually it's given me much bigger opportunities." Alex has already faced ankle issues and feeling sick from the 6,500 calories he is eating daily, but said the recent good weather and support from his team has encouraged him to persevere. The journey will see him travel from Dartmoor to Bristol and through the Brecon Beacons and North Wales, before reaching the Peak District, the Yorkshire Dales, Northumberland and the Lake District. So far, Alex has raised nearly £12,000 of his £100,000 target which forms part of Mind Over Mountains' Project 500 campaign to raise £500,000.
Leader Live
21-05-2025
- Health
- Leader Live
Avalanche survivor marks 10 years since Nepal quake by scaling 446 UK mountains
Adventurer Alex Staniforth was 19 when he survived an avalanche on Mount Everest after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Nepal on April 25 2015, killing thousands of people and injuring thousands more. Mr Staniforth recalled the moment he believed he would lose his life after hearing a loud crack before being hit by the avalanche during his second climb of the world's highest peak. Speaking over the phone from North Wales, he told the PA news agency: 'At this point, I wasn't aware of an earthquake. I didn't feel the ground shaking, but my teammates did. I was completely on my own, and I remember feeling something was wrong. 'I could sense there was an avalanche coming towards us, but I couldn't see it because the cloud was so bad… I remember feeling really confused, and then feeling this massive blast of white just knocking me off my feet. 'For the first time in my life, at 19, (I remember) thinking 'This is it, game over', and that sickening feeling of fear that I've never really felt before.' The motivational speaker, who lives in Kendal, Cumbria, said he is 'grateful' to have survived the avalanche and is now commemorating 10 years since the earthquake by scaling 446 mountains across England and Wales in 50 days for charity. In the UK, a mountain is generally considered to be a summit of more than 2,000ft (600m), according to the Ordnance Survey. Mr Staniforth said: 'I'm very grateful that I survived that day, but I think, ever since then, I've just tried to make it count and try to give something back, and I hope that this challenge will do that.' He is raising money for Mind Over Mountains, the charity he founded in 2020, which focuses on using walks in nature and venturing outdoors as a tool to support people with mental health issues. He said the charity helps to 'give people the tools to stay mentally and physically well' by providing safe spaces for people to walk and talk about challenging topics around mental health and suicide. 'The outdoors has always been my natural health service, and I want other people to have access to that,' he said. 'By doing this challenge, it's not only opening conversations around mental health and suicide, but it's actually directly providing more access to (the outdoors), which, for me, is what makes it all worthwhile.' The challenge started on Friday with the mountains of Yes Tor and High Willhays in Dartmoor, Devon, and Mr Staniforth is expected to finish in the Lake District at the end of June to mark his 30th birthday. The whole journey will be human-powered because he is running and cycling to every mountain before scaling each one. His bike ride was 103 miles (166km) and his longest run to come will be 36 miles (58km), while his highest mountain climb will see him tackle 11,483ft (3,500M) of ascent. He said he wants his challenge to provide a 'bit of hope' for young people, particularly those approaching their 30s, who might be struggling to find a sense of purpose in life. 'I think when a lot of people reach 30… they feel like they're not where they should be or they feel like they're not where they want to be,' he said. 'There's a lot of mental health challenges and depression, and I just wanted to be a bit of hope for those people that things can go wrong but you can always pick yourself up and find another way. 'I think Everest, for a long time, was like my idea of success. It was like the be all and end all, and actually it's given me much bigger opportunities.' The adventurer has already faced ankle issues and feeling sick from the 6,500 calories he is eating daily, but said the recent good weather and support from his team has encouraged him to persevere. The journey will see him travel from Dartmoor to Bristol and through the Brecon Beacons and North Wales, before reaching the Peak District, the Yorkshire Dales, Northumberland and the Lake District. So far, Mr Staniforth has raised nearly £12,000 of his £100,000 target which forms part of Mind Over Mountains' Project 500 campaign to raise £500,000. To support his fundraiser, you can visit and track his journey here
