Things to do at Harlech Beach
The mighty 13th century Harlech Castle, a World Heritage Site, can be seen overlooking Harlech’s peaceful, vast beach, which is only 1000m away. Harlech Beach stretches four miles of pure golden sand with breathtaking views of the Snowdonia mountain range. The beach is backed with grassy dunes.
Luckily, many signs make it easy to find the beach, and it is so popular as it is a large sandy beach with plenty of space to find your spot. The beach is accessible from the 400m walkway from the parking lot near the railway crossing. However, it will take roughly 10-minutes walking to reach it. The walk puts many people off visiting, and whilst the path is well made, there is a steep section up to reach the beach.
The area has been designated a National Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. On the northern side is Morfa Harlech National Nature Reserve, Wales’s only growing dunes system. It provides an excellent example of the effects of longshore drift. The Wales Coast Path passes through Morfa Harlech National Nature Reserve, a continuous walking path that runs along the coast of Wales. Shell Island is located to the south, on a peninsula that, as its name implies, has a lot of shells.
The beach is a great place to take your children and adults to relax and is known to have excellent water quality and has received a Green Coast Award and an award from the Marine Conservation Society. There is a cafe, shop and the famous Royal St David’s Golf Club. This course is one of the best link courses in Britain, surrounded by spectacular scenery.
Harlech Beach Parking
The car park has plenty of room, and you will find toilets and bins for rubbish.
Harlech Beach Parking Charges
Different costs depending on how long you want to stay there.
£1.10 for 2 hours or £3.30 for 4 hours or £5.50 for 12 hours
You can pay in coins or on RingGo (minimum payment of £3.30)! Ticket officers are patrolling and will fine you if you do not pay. There have been a lot of complaints about how expensive it is if you want to go on a short walk. However, you could park here all day and make a day out by visiting the town and the castle or spend the whole day on the beach to get more for your money.
Harlech Beach Postcode
Harlech Beach Postcode: LL46 2UG
Harlech Beach OS grid ref: SH 5684 3145
The address is:
Harlech,
Gwynedd,
LL46 2UG
You can follow the Google Maps Directions to here. If you type in Harlech Beach car park, you might not find it!
Public Transport
The nearest train station is Harlech Station, which is 0.5 miles from the beach.
Buses run from the north (Maentwrog) and the south (Barmouth, Dolgellau). A bus stop is located at Ffordd Glan Mor.
Harlech Beach Weather and Tide Times
We use the Met Office forecast to check the weather and tide times before heading to the beach. This way, we know what to expect and whether we will visit at high or low tide so we can plan accordingly.
Harlech Beach Swimming
The beach is very popular for swimming and bathing and is known to be generally safe, but it is good to know that there is no lifeguard service at Harlech beach. Jellyfish are also sometimes found here.
Harlech Beach Cafe and Places to Eat
There is not a cafe directly on the beach, but several places to eat nearby. These include:
Harlech Castle
Harlech Castle, a 13th-century castle, is located approximately 1000m from the beach. This impressive structure was built by Edward I as a stronghold and played a significant role in The War of the Roses. The castle is open year-round. The castle was built right next to the ocean at the time it was built. However, the coastline has changed significantly over the years.
Safety Information
Follow the RNLI guidelines to stay safe from dangers on Harlech Beach, including:
- Strong currents
- Large breaking waves
- You should avoid inflatables exposed to strong winds
- Do not dig in sand dunes.
- Keep children under supervision
- Call 999 in an emergency and request the Coastguard.
Things to do at Harlech Beach
- As there is plenty of room, you can play sports such as football and cricket.
- You could fly a kite as there is a sea breeze.
- You can swim in the sea.
- Litter pick using the facilities in the car park (near the toilets).
- Walk the course of the beach (4 miles).
- Surfing (if you go on a good day).
- Visit the storytelling chairs – the fourth one is on the walk to the beach. It is the story of Meirion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to swim at Harlech beach?
It is said to be safe to swim at the beach. However, there is no lifeguard, and it is recommended that you check the tides, currents and weather conditions to stay safe.
Does Harlech have a sandy beach?
Yes, Harlech Beach is a sandy beach that is 4-miles long.
Is Harlech Beach Dog Friendly?
The beach has areas that are restricted to dogs. However, this is only a small part of the beach in front of the holiday park, and it is only from 1st April- 30th September. The rest of the beach is dog-friendly throughout the year.
Does Harlech Beach have toilets?
Yes, there are toilets in the car park, which are free to use. However, this is a 10-minute walk from the beach itself.
Is Harlech Beach open year-round?
Yes, the beach is open all year. However, during winter, the toilets may be closed.
Is the beach good for younger children?
For families with very young children, we recommend nearby Llandanwg Beach, which is more accessible and has toilets and a cafe.
What does the word Harlech mean?
Harlech means on a slope or a beautiful slope., which means that there are steep paths in the area.
We hope you found this guide useful in planning your trip to the beach and please let us know if you have any further questions. If you are in the area, please check out other fun things in Snowdonia National Park.
Photo Credits: averagelives.com