Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Newborough Warren

Newborough Warren is on the south edge of the Isle of Anglesey, on the opposite side of the Menai Straits from Caernarfon.
Newborough Warren is an ancient forest, and it is populated by Red Squirrels. There are lots of paths for you to walk through the woods, but the main attraction is the glorious cresent shaped beach.


As you leave the car park you have to walk through the woods on a very well made path.



As you walk you keep getting glances of the sea through the trees.


Until you finally come out of them onto the edge of the beach, the beach carries on to the left of you, there is around a mile of beach altogether, but looking to the right you can see what is known locally as Lovers Island, or Lovers Walk.

As you head toward the little island, if you turn around and look behind you at where you have just come from you get a very good idea of just how long this beach is.


Straight in front of you is the Irish Sea.
But if you make your way to towards the Island there are a couple of billboards and one of them tells you of the legend of the Island.




Once you get onto the Island you will see just what a beautiful little place it is!! covered in wild flowers with rabbits running about, butterflies hovering over the flowers, and the sound of the waves running up the many wonderful little coves all around the Island.





Lovely little out of the way places where you can sit and enjoy the peace and quiet, or perhaps have a picnic with the family.







As you walk along the main path you will come to this white path that leads you up to the large stone cross that dominates the east side of the Island. The stone cross was on the path toward the Sanctuary
back in the year 450.








 The path then carries on towards the old Lighthouse


It was built in 1873, but now no longer functions.
It was used in Demi Moore's film Half Light, in 2004, and in 2009 a scene in the hollywood blockbuster Clash of the Titans was also filmed there.


                                            All thats left of St Dwynwen church on the island. St Dwynwen died on the 25th January, and is Wales St Valentine, the welsh people give flowers and cards to their sweethearts on that date.



A very beautiful and peaceful scene overlooked by the Nantlle Ridge and Mt Snowdon in the background.




There are lots of paths all over the island, but please be aware it is a tidal island and before venturing on to it, get a tide timetable, because if the tide does come in you will be stuck on the island for around 6 hours before the tide turns again, and if you have children with you, the crisps and sweet won't last that long!!
I'm not trying to scare you, but 6 hours is a long time to be stranded, no matter how beautiful the island is.