
Long delays on A55 as holidaymakers flood into North Wales
(Image: Google Maps) With North Wales temperatures set to soar above those in Ibiza this weekend, people are flooding to the region to make the most of the weather.
There's already long queues developing on the A494 in Deeside and A55 in Flintshire - which will likely remain for the remainder of the day.
Traffic Wales is urging people to give extra times for journeys.
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Wales Online
10 hours ago
- Wales Online
Almost deserted sandy beach in North Wales celebrated as a 'hidden gem' for unspoilt beauty
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The only beach in North Wales with green flag status is also amongst the most deserted. Traeth Llydan is among the most beautiful of the region's beaches with golden sand and grassy dunes backed by a small pine forest. Also called Silver Bay, after the nearby holiday village, Traeth Llydan sits in a horseshoe bay on the southern side of Anglesey's Holy Island. Ideal for rock pooling, thanks to the rock formations that bracket the bay, it's renowned for spectacular sunsets and an air of seclusion. In the distance is a small castellated tower, a former bathing house on the Bodior Estate. In some respects the beach at Rhoscolyn is the smaller twin of famous Traeth Llanddwyn near Newborough - but without the bustle. One fan is comedian Jason Manford, who last summer spent time on the 'cracking' beach with his children while staying at friends. Posting sunset photos online on a 'beautiful Welsh evening', his only gripe was the 'bloody cold' water. Less wimpy visitors love the gently sloping beach as it's ideal for swimming, kayaking and sailing. Facilities are rudimentary but dogs are allowed on the beach at all times. Traeth Llydan's exclusivity is down to its lack of permitted vehicle access. Although there is a good-sized car park nearby, this is reserved for guests at the holiday park. Moreover, security guards take a dim view of anyone trying to walk through the facility. Instead, most people park at Borth Wen, the next cove along, and walk along the Anglesey coastal path. It's a bit of a trek – up to an hour – but the 'amazing' views across to Eryri make up for it. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now (Image: Jeff Buck/Wiki) If parking at Borth Wen, you'll need to arrive early – its beach can get busy. An alternative is to walk and cycle the lanes around Silver Bay Holiday Park and pick up a footpath through pine woods to the beach. The wooden steps down to the sand make for a dramatic entrance. 'Beautiful beach,' said one visitor in a review. 'Not unlike one abroad. Hot, soft sand and glistening water.' Another said: 'An absolutely beautiful beach unspoiled by tourism.' By comment consent, the beach is "never busy" and caravanning guests are 'lucky to have it" on their doorstep. Another visitor said: 'One of the prettiest bays I have come across for ages. Clean, clear water that is lovely to swim in and not too deep.' It's possible to have the beach to yourself, soaking up the tranquility. However the sound of lapping waves can be interrupted by a noisy neighbour: RAF Valley airport lies across Cymyran Strait and, depending on your perspective, the roar of jet planes will either be an irritation or a point of interest. (Image: Google) In May Traeth Llydan retained its Green Coast Award in this year's Keep Wales Tidy Wales Coast Awards. It was among 13 beaches in Wales to collect the award, and the only one in the north of the country. Green Coast status is conferred on the 'hidden gems' of the Welsh coastline - those that boast "unspoilt beauty, excellent water quality and high standards of environmental education". Organisers say these beaches are 'exceptional places to enjoy stunning scenery, rich coastal heritage and diversity'. Keep Wales Tidy noted: 'Silver Bay is a beautiful, remote beach facing south into Cymyran Bay. Get the best island stories from our Anglesey newsletter - sent every Friday "The beach is wide and sandy with rocky outcrops to clamber over and plenty of opportunities for rock pooling. It is also popular for sailing, surfing and canoeing.' Find family activities near you


Wales Online
18 hours ago
- Wales Online
The tiny Welsh village paying the price for having 'most famous' waterfall in Europe
The tiny Welsh village paying the price for having 'most famous' waterfall in Europe A German study found the popular cascade had top 10 search volumes A tiny Welsh village is paying the price for having one of 'most famous' waterfalls in Europe Crowds of people flocking to see a waterfall that has been identified as being one of the "most famous" in Europe is causing chaos for people in a small Welsh village. The 120ft cascade at Aber Falls and its surrounding area have been popular tourist destinations since the 18th century but as the waterfall gathers increasing attention on social media, the flow of people wanting to see it has turned into a stampede. It means an access road to the falls has now become so busy that the nearby village of Abergwyngregyn in Eryri can become gridlocked at peak times. Residents complain of being trapped in their homes, unable to leave a village that was home to the last native prince of Wales, reports North Wales Live. In terms of popularity, the waterfall was ranked 10th in Europe, placing it alongside some of Iceland's iconic cascades. Other Welsh waterfalls to feature in the list were Swallow Falls near Betws-y-Coed, Henrhyd Falls in Bannau Brycheiniog, Pistyll Rhaeadr in the Berwyn Mountains and Horseshoe Falls on the River Dee in Llangollen. To arrive at its findings of popularity, German travel provider SpaDreams analysed 219 European waterfalls and their presence on Google, Bing, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube and TikTok. The Hamburg-based company said waterfalls have long held a certain allure: "Anyone who has ever stood in front of a waterfall knows its magic: the hypnotic roar of the water, the caress of the spray on the face, the feeling of being in touch with the pure energy of nature." Article continues below Rhaeadr Fawr (Aber Falls) near Abergwyngregyn (Image: North Wales Live ) Billed as a "must-visit" attraction with scenic walks, Aber Falls is within easy reach of families from Liverpool and Manchester wanting a day out. The waterfall has attracted celebrity endorsements too: last year model and TV personality Christine McGuiness described it as "the most magical, beautiful thing I have ever seen" after visiting it on BBC's Pilgrimage: The Road Through North Wales. As it lies just a mile from the A55, the waterfall is easily accessible. A narrow road winds through Abergwyngregyn up to Aber National Nature Reserve where ticketed car parks are run by Eryri National Park and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) At busy times, villagers say queuing traffic can snake back all the way to the dual-carriageway. Gwynedd council says it is sympathetic to the issues and has met representatives to discuss solutions. But it said there are "no easy fixes". In the past, Horseshoe Falls has also faced illegal and inconsiderate parking, though enforcement has helped ease the issues. Horseshoe Falls, Llangollen (Image: Ian Cooper/North Wales Live ) Article continues below According to the SpaDreams study, Europe's highest profile waterfall is Rhine Falls in Switzerland. One of the continent's biggest falls, spanning 150 metres, it sees up to 600,000 liters of water per second plunge over a 23-metre drop. The 165-metre Marmore Falls, Italy, the world's largest man-made waterfall having been created by the Romans, was also on the list. Skogafoss waterfall in south iceland Skogafoss, iceland, july 14,2019 Otherwise, seven of the top nine were waterfalls in Iceland, crowned by the majestic Skógafoss. Cascading from more than 60 metres, it creates an imposing curtain of water that creates large, rainbow-forming mist clouds.


Daily Record
19 hours ago
- Daily Record
Walk to stunning Scottish castle that inspired a Disney film named among UK's best
A coastal walk in northeast Scotland was ranked among the UK's best for its beauty, based on five-star reviews A scenic coastal walk in northeast Scotland has been ranked among the UK's best, thanks to its dramatic cliffs, medieval fortress and striking natural beauty. The route from Stonehaven Harbour to the iconic Dunnottar Castle was named the third most beautiful walk in the UK in a new study by photo printing company CEWE, which analysed Google reviews to find the country's most-loved walking trails, Express reports. Each location was assessed on the number of five-star ratings and how often words like 'beautiful', 'stunning', 'amazing', and 'lovely' appeared in the reviews. The Stonehaven to Dunnottar walk scored highly, with 254 reviewers describing it as beautiful and an overall 4.8-star rating. The 3.5-mile circular route takes between 90 minutes and two hours to complete and leads walkers south from the town's picturesque harbour to the imposing ruins of Dunnottar Castle. Along the way, the trail passes through Black Hill, Strathlethan Bay, Dunnicaer Pictish Fort, and Castle Haven. Stonehaven, a former fishing town with around 11,000 residents, is known not only for its coastal charm but also for its ancient Hogmanay fireballs ceremony, during which locals parade through the streets swinging flaming balls above their heads to banish evil spirits and welcome the new year. But the real showstopper is Dunnottar Castle itself. A ruined medieval fortress perched dramatically on a rocky headland, it sits about two miles south of Stonehaven and boasts a commanding position on the northeast coast. While most of the existing buildings date to the 15th and 16th centuries, the site has been fortified since the Early Middle Ages. Dunnottar has played a central role in Scottish history, most famously as the hiding place of the Honours of Scotland, the nation's crown jewels, during Oliver Cromwell's invasion in the 17th century. Once the seat of the powerful Earls Marischal and home to the Keith family from the 14th century, the castle declined after the final Earl forfeited his titles for supporting the Jacobite rebellion of 1715. It was later restored in the 20th century and is now open to the public. The castle has also featured on the silver screen, appearing in the 1990 film adaptation of Hamlet and inspiring Merida's family home in Disney's Brave. A few miles further south, nature lovers can continue to RSPB Fowlsheugh, a clifftop reserve teeming with life. In spring and summer, the reserve becomes a noisy haven for more than 130,000 breeding seabirds, including puffins, kittiwakes and razorbills. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Topping CEWE's list of beautiful walks was Mount Stewart in Northern Ireland, a grand 19th-century estate nestled on the shores of Strangford Lough in County Down. The estate features landscaped gardens, a stately mansion with an impressive art collection, and 10 miles of trails winding through farmland and woodland. It received 259 'beautiful' mentions and a 4.7-star average rating. Powis Castle and Garden in Welshpool, Wales, took second place. Originally built as a fortress in the 13th century, the castle boasts sweeping views across the Severn Valley and is surrounded by elegant gardens. It earned 255 'beautiful' reviews and also maintained a 4.7-star rating.