Malltraeth Sands

The beach at Malltraeth stretches out flat and wide, exposed at low tide with sand that goes on for what feels like miles. It's the kind of place where you can actually walk somewhere - proper coastal space rather than the crowded strip you get elsewhere on Anglesey. The real appeal here is the emptiness. Even during school holidays, you'll find stretches where it's just you, the gulls, and the sound of the tide.

It works well for families with younger kids because there's room to let them loose without worrying they'll crash into someone's beach tent. Dogs are welcome too, which counts for something. The walk from Bodorgan takes about twenty minutes on foot, or you can drive closer if the tide's out and park on the sand itself - though check conditions first. The area drains completely at low tide, which means you get a massive playground, but it also means you need to keep an eye on when the water returns.

For anyone camping or caravanning at Y Fronydd or one of the other parks nearby, this is a genuine reason to go back to the beach twice. First time for the novelty, second time because you realised what you'd missed. It's not dramatic or particularly picturesque, but there's something to be said for a beach that feels genuinely empty on the west coast of Wales. Bring a book, bring the dog, bring patience. The tide waits for no one, but that's half the point.