In 2018 Wales is celebrating our outstanding coastline, and inviting visitors to discover new epic experiences all around our shores, with special events and attractions throughout the year.
This is our Year of the Sea. The 870-mile Wales Coast Path runs the whole length of our coastline: the first continuous coastal path of any country in the world. It passes through seascapes of breath-taking variety, from flat wetlands to towering cliffs, featuring hundreds of harbours, coves, inlets and islands – and around 230 beaches. From Graig Wen you can walk along the Mawddach Estuary to one of the most spectacular sections of the Wales Coast Path across the iconic Barmouth Bridge.
We’ve got more Blue Flag beaches – the international standard of excellence – per mile than anywhere in Britain, with thirteen of these within easy reach in Gwynedd. Our local beaches of Barmouth and Fairbourne both have Blue or Green Flag Awards – meaning they meet the highest water quality standard, as well as be rated highly on the provision of facilities and good management and safety provision. Every cove and clifftop comes with legends of pirates and smugglers, wreckers and saints. There are elegant harbour towns like Aberdyfi, ancient castles like Harlech overlooking miles of sandy beach, and classic bucket and spade resorts like Barmouth.
There are 50 magical islands which are among the world’s most important wildlife sanctuaries, set in seas that are home to seals, porpoises and Britain’s largest population of bottlenose dolphins – in summer you can often spot one from the spectacular coast road leading from Graig Wen to Tywyn.
Snowdonia National Park’s coast, lakes and rivers offer dozens of activities to try: kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding on the Mawddach Estuary, white-water rafting, gorge-walking, rib-rides and surfing – which you can also do, by the way, miles inland on a perfect man-made wave at Surf Snowdonia. Ask us about wild swimming spots high in the mountains or nearby at the Blue Lake.
Graig Wen overlooks one of the most beautiful and unspoilt estuaries in Wales and you can walk or cycle directly to the beach on the traffic free Mawddach Trail. With, a language and culture that’s the oldest in Britain, a warm Welsh welcome and food and drink made with skill by passionate people… this is the greatest coastal experience of 2018. Welcome to our epic shores.
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