Porth y Pren

The beach at Porth y Pren sits on Anglesey's northwestern coast, a short drive from Holyhead. It's a proper quiet spot - the kind of place you stumble upon rather than queue for. Sand and shingle stretch out to meet the Irish Sea, backed by low cliffs and scrubby vegetation that tells you this is genuine, unpolished coastline, not a holiday resort beach.

What you get is straightforward: a decent length of sand when the tide's out, rock pools worth poking about in, and views across the water that reach all the way to Ireland on a clear day. The approach is easy enough - park up and walk down. It's the sort of beach that works brilliantly for families who want to let kids run around without the circus of a main attraction, and for anyone wanting a quieter swim or just a place to sit and think without crowds.

Walkers will appreciate it as a stop on a longer coastal route, though don't expect dramatic cliffs or tourist facilities. There's no cafe, no lifeguard, no deckchairs for hire. You bring what you need.

Stay at one of the local campsites - Pengraig Campsite is barely a mile away, and Llain Ffynnon and Sandy Beach Caravan Park are all within three miles. They're the practical bases if you're planning a week on Anglesey rather than just passing through. Porth y Pren won't eat up an afternoon, but it's worth the detour if you're in the area and want somewhere real.