This seaside town in North Wales became a popular Victorian resort in the late 19th Century. It was favoured by holiday-makers for its health-giving sea air and safe bathing waters. Llanfairfechan, translated from the Welsh means “The Little Church of St. Mary”. Unusually the coastal town, lying between Penmaenmawr to its North East and Bangor to the SouthWest, has only one road, the A55 North Wales Expressway, connecting it to the rest of the road network. The Crewe to Holyhead North Wales Coast Line serves Llanfairfechan Railway Station.
Overview of Llanfairfechan
The village of Llanfairfechan is snugly located on a narrow strip of land reaching towards Colwyn Bay in a scenic backdrop of steep, forested hills. Situated down along the bay from its larger cousin, Llandudno, to the east, they bear a passing resemblance to each other, especially in how they remain authentically true to their heritage.
The trusty promenade on the seafront at Llanfairfechan is a time-honoured and beloved feature of the village, while the old-fashioned but evocative facilities and entertainments, like the boating lake and the bowling green, bring a pleasant nostalgia for a golden era long past.
What Things Can You Do Around Llanfairfechan?
Visit the Nature Reserve
Morfa Madryn, a salt marsh habitat, is an important nesting site for lapwing, and home to Shags, Cormorants and Little Egret. It attracts a wide variety of birds all year long, which makes it a big draw for bird enthusiasts. Combined with the nearby mudflats of Traeth Lafan and Glan y Mor Elias it forms a large nature reserve that welcomes visitors, complete with bird hides availing bird watchers with great up-close views of bird activity. Large flocks of Oystercatchers can be observed roosting in the shingle of Glan y Mor Elias.
Take a trip to Puffin Island
If your bird-watching appetite is not yet fully sated you can take a boat trip to sail around Puffin Island. This pretty isle that once hosted a 6th-century hermitage and later a 12th-century monastery, is now uninhabited and has been listed as a Special Protection Area for Wildlife and is a bird sanctuary. If you’re lucky you may spot bottlenose dolphins and grey seals on the boat trip. Sadly, due to the arrival of rats on the island in the late 1800s, the population of puffins has declined from 2,000 breeding pairs to just 8 breeding pairs today. But there are still great cormorants, guillemots, razorbills, shags, kittiwakes, herring gulls and black-throated gulls to be seen here.
See Aber Falls
A little further down the coast from Llanfairfechan, south of Abergwyngregyn, are the gorgeous Aber Falls. With a spectacular drop of 120 feet into the beautiful valley, this waterfall is well worth seeking out.
Llanfairfechan Walks
If you’re looking for some hiking routes around Llanfairfechan, there are a few good routes to choose from and they all begin at the village crossroads.
The first one brings you on a 3.6 km or 2.2-mile tour of the village on pavements and paths and takes you into the nature reserve. This route will take no longer than an hour to complete. There are some gradual climbs so you will burn some calories and get some nice views.
The Glan y Mor Elias route is about 3miles long on a level coastal path. With pavements, tarmac prom and grassy paths the route is suited to wheelchair users with a RADAR key.
The Tyddyn Drycin town and woodland route, at 2.5 miles long, takes in some moderate and steep climbs while the slightly more taxing Garreg Fawr route is 3.5 miles (5.6 km) long walking on road and paths and climbing relatively steeply to an elevation of 364m/1194′
Another walk that leaves from the top of the village brings you into the foothills of the Carneddau mountain range and offers amazing vistas and coastal views. This is a 4.5-mile (7km) circular hike across moors and heaths. It also offers an opportunity to explore some of the rich history of the area as you pass many archaeological sites along the way. Allow about four hours for this walk and if you are bringing your four-legged friend be sure to keep them under strict control.
Llanfairfechan Camping
There are many campsites in the vicinity but Platt’s Farm is recommended for its charming peaceful setting. With only a small number of tent pitches well spaced out on the grounds of the Victorian farmhouse, this is a well-serviced site with easy access to the beach and village, without the noise and bustle of bigger sites. If you don’t want to sleep in a tent there is also a bunkhouse on site that sleeps up to ten people.
Places to Eat in Llanfairfechan
For dining in or take out, Seagrass, on the Promenade, offers a great selection of mains, burgers and gourmet pizzas. There’s a good children’s menu and they cater for all dietary requirements.
The scenic Split Willow in Llanfairfechan specialises in weddings, functions and private dining for small groups but they serve a traditional Sunday lunch between 12 and 2 pm, reservation advised.
Places to Stay in Llanfairfechan
If you’re looking for a cosy but elegant guest house with great views and a warm atmosphere then Min y Don Guest House on the promenade will be right up your alley. If you’re after a more historic setting then The Bulkeley Hotel in nearby Beaumaris is a grade 1 listed hotel and Georgian showpiece.
Llanfairfechan Beach
Is the Beach Sandy?
At low tide at Llanfairfechan beach, you have a long stretch of lovely sandy beach making it popular with summers and families. The backshore is a mixture of pebble and sand. To check tide times check https://www.tidetimes.org.uk/. This will help you to work out whether to bring the bucket and spade along on your trip to the shore. The beach sports great views out to the Isle of Anglesey, Great Orme and Llandudno and the Menai Strait so makes a great venue for a brisk walk or a leisurely seaside stroll.
Can Dogs Go On Llanfairfechan Beach?
Dogs are welcome on this beach throughout the year so it makes a perfect location for a stroll with man’s best friend. Just don’t forget to clean up after your pooch.
Places of Interest in Llanfairfechan
Llanfairfechan Golf Club
The original Llanfairfechan Golf Club was established in 1909 and while now under different management the magnificent location remains unchanged. The parkland course here plays as a double nine from different tees with extra greens and is described as a challenging test of a golfer’s driving. The views alone are worth the green fees.