This wonderful place, one of my favourite places on earth, is completely exposed to the elemental forces of the Irish Sea; it is subject to frequent strong winds which may be ideal for kite surfing, but can make walking physically difficult and literally take your breath away.

Afforestation of the shifting sands on the north side of the Warren began in 1947, partly to protect the village. Artificial dunes were created and the area planted with Corsican and Scots pine.

Limestone rocks on Newborough beach, tip of Llanddwyn Island behind and mountains of the Llyn Peninsular form the background
As well as supporting a diverse and bountiful flora, Llanddwyn has a fascinating Precambrian geology with features such as pillow lava and jasper formations. I love to photograph the varied rock formations, especially as they stay obligingly still regardless of the weather : but the rocks are not just characterful, many support a variety of lichens and plants.

Golden brown seaweed, Channelled Wrack-Pelvetia canaliculata, grows on rocks partially covered with water
Llanddwyn is not quite an island: it remains attached to the mainland at all but the highest tides and is easily accessed.
A set of rocky steps lead up onto the track that follows the coast of the island rather than the main, more central one.
The name Llanddwyn means “The church of St. Dwynwen”. Dwynwen is the Welsh patron saint of lovers, the Welsh equivalent of St. Valentine, and the island is alternatively named ‘Lover’s Island’.
The tiny island is incredibly species-rich in both its flora and fauna. The habitat created by bare sand, wet hollows and short turf supports plants such as dune pansies and marsh orchids and provides ideal nesting conditions for skylarks. For centuries rabbits cropped the grass short, helping to maintain the necessary balance, but in 1954 their population was decimated by the disease myxomatosis, leaving the dunes in a vulnerable condition and unable to support the plants and animals. The rabbit population has recuperated significantly, but now cattle and ponies assist with the grazing and keep unwanted vegetation at bay.
Their presence has necessitated the installation of some fencing and a cattle grid and gates to prevent them straying, but the gates are beautifully crafted and a feature in their own right.
Views from the raised track are spectacular, the one below is of the top end of Newborough beach; the three small dots on the sand on far right of the image were people on horseback. What a wonderful place to do that.
Natural History
Llanddwyn Island is part of the Newborough Warren National Nature Reserve. The dunes, mudflats and saltmarshes of the reserve support a wide range of plants and invertebrates. Flowers found on the Island include herb-robert (Geranium robertianum), bird’s-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), thrift (Armeria maritima), bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) and yellow horned poppies (Glaucium flavum).
The cliffs around the island support a wide variety of nesting seabirds, including cormorants, shags and oystercatchers. Ynys yr Adar (Bird Rock), a small islet off the tip of Llanddwyn, throngs during the spring with one percent of the total British breeding population of cormorants. Waders such as turnstones and sandpipers are found along the coast and terns can be seen fishing in the bay. The mammal population is supplemented by a flock of the unusual Soay sheep that graze near the chapel.
Maritime history
Llanddwyn Island is situated near the southern entrance to the Menai Strait and became important as shipping of slate from the ports of Bangor, Caernarfon and Felinhelli increased.
A beacon, called Tŵr Bach (Little Tower), was built at the tip of the island to provide guidance to ships heading for the Strait.
The small beach below Twr Mawr is bounded on one side by the high rocks that the lighthouse is built upon, then on the other by another type of rock that is coloured in beautiful shades of purple and green-grey.

One of the cottages has been equipped and furnished in Victorian style to give an idea of how they would probably have looked when they were occupied. It is a pity that a locked metal barrier, somewhat resembling prison bars, has had to be erected to protect the rooms from the viewing public, but then I suppose it may otherwise be open to use, or abuse, as a ‘free’ holiday home.
Island Mythology
The stone crosses
There are two crosses on the island both commemorating St. Dwynwen. One is a huge conventionally plain stone cross, placed on what must be the highest point of the island and referred to as the Memorial cross or as St Dwynwen’s Cross. The cross is inscribed ‘On the sixtieth year of Queen Victoria’, which may refer to it having been erected in 1879. Although attributed to the saint, from its lofty position overlooking the water it would also seem fitting that it may also commemorate those who lost their lives at sea off this coast. The other is a Celtic Cross and although it is a modern one, this was erected to commemorate the death of St. Dwynwen in the year 465.
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Thanks for the link to my blog on your website. Sounds like you fell in love with this magical place too! Best wishes, Theresa
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I remember Newborough Warren very fondly. I was just beginning to identify wild flowers (I was around 15 or 16) and was fortunate enough to spend a whole July afternoon on the warren. I had such fun identifying all sorts of flowers I had never seen before (living in the Midlands, far away from the coast). And I saw my first ringed plover there too. An exceptional place.
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Hi Denzil, firstly thank you for commenting and signing up to follow my blog. This is certainly a magical place that seems to stay in the heart and mind of anyone that visits and so rich in wildlife. It is becoming increasingly popular with windsurfers and walkers drawn there by TV exposure, so I hope it manages to maintain its intergrity.
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