Discover some amazing photo locations on the Llyn Peninsula/Llyn
Want to know the best places to take photographs on the Llyn Peninsula? Tony Bowerman shares his favourite photography locations
1. Caernarfon Castle/Castell Caernarfon
BUILT IN THE 1330s as part of Edward I’s ‘Iron Ring’ of castles to dominate the Welsh, Caernarfon Castle sits on a far older strategic site first occupied by the Romans. Today, the impressive fortifications are a Grade I listed ancient monument cared for by CADW, the Welsh equivalent of English Heritage. The castle is also part of the World Heritage site ‘Castles and Town Walls of Edward I in Gwynedd’.
What is it?: A well-preserved and impressive medieval castle and fortified town walls
Where it is: Caernarfon overlooks Anglesey and the Menai Strait from the Snowdonia shore
Postcode: LL55 1NY
Opening times: Caernarfon town and walls are open 24/7 all year round. For castle opening times, see: https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/caernarfon-castle#opening-times
What to shoot: The best views of the castle are from across the river, reached by the Pont yr Aber foot bridge at the bottom of Castle Hill.
Best time: Dawn or dusk, when the walls are lit by the sun. Or nightime when the walls are usually floodlit.
Notes: Either shoot the castle for across the river with moored boats in the foreground, or climb the castle’s towers for amazing aerial views over the castle and town. Drones are not allowed
2. Tre’r Ceiri, Yr Eifls
TRE’R CEIRI, OR ‘TOWN OF THE GIANTS’, is an amazingly well-preserved prehistoric hillfort on the summit of on of the three peaks of Yr Eifls (or, the ‘trident’) that dominate the dragon-backed spine of the Llyn Peninsula. Within the drystone ramparts is a collection of round hut foundations occupied during the Iron Age and on into the Roman occupation
What is it?: A superbly atmospheric prehistoric hillfort with amazing views over the Llyn and the Snowdonia coast
Where it is: Access is by a tiny road from Llithfaen on the hill road onto the Llyn.
Postcode: Nearest is LL54 5BB.
Opening times: Open all year
What to shoot: Tre’r Ceiri hillfort itself, the ramparts, doorways and hut circles. Also amazing panoramic views from the summit
Best time: Dawn and dusk on summer days. The site is very exposed in winter
Notes: A steep climb and often in cloud but well worth the effort
3. Nant Gwrtheyrn
KNOWN LOCALLY AS ‘THE NANT’ this hidden sea-wrapped valley now holds a Welsh language centre, offices and café. Back in the ‘Dark Ages’ it was the last hiding place of Vortigern, a disgraced leader of the Britons, who fled here to avoid his enemies. Seals can often be seen off the rocky beach.
What is it?: A superbly atmospheric hidden valley below the triple peaks of Yr Eifls, on the Llyn Peninsula
Where it is: The valley is reached by a narrow road from Llithfaen, followed by a steep track that drops towards the sea. Parking at the top (and at the bottom for disabled visitors and course attendees)
Postcode: LL53 6NL
Opening times: The valley is open all year
What to shoot: Derelict mining equipment, chapel, old miners’ houses, rocky beach, seals, wildflowers and feral goats
Best time: Dawn and dusk, or summer days. Interesting autumn colours
Notes: An unusual spot with plenty of photo opportunities
4. Porth Dinllaen, Morfa Nefyn
A LONG ARM OF ROCK protects the sheltered bay at Porth Dinllaen, which narrowly missed becoming the main port for Ireland. Today, it’s known for the seasonal Ty Coch, North Wales’ famous ‘pub on the beach’ and clustered cottages. Lifeboat station and seal haul-out nearby.
What is it?: An unusual arm of rock reaching out to sea that shelters the famous Ty Coch — Wales’ ‘Pub on the beach’
Where it is: Near Morfa Nefyn, on the Llyn Peninsula
Postcode: LL53 6DB
Opening times: Porth Dinllaen is open year round; the pub opens only when there’s a chance of enough visitors – call them for opening details
What to shoot: Ty Coch pub; boats and cottages; seal haul-out
Best time: Sunny summer days, great sunsets; lifeboat station; views across to Yr Eifls
Notes: The Ty Coch can be reached only on foot from the National Trust car park at Morfa Nefyn – either along the beach or on a track across the golf course
5. Bardsey/Ynys Enlli
BARDSEY, THE MYTHICAL ‘ISLAND OF 20,000 SAINTS’, lies almost 2 miles off the tip of the Llyn Peninsula. Throughout the Middle Ages, the holy island of Bardsey (or Ynys Enlli in Welsh – the ‘island in the currents’) was the goal of Christian pilgrims, for whom three trips to Bardsey were the equivalent of a trip to Rome. Today, the island is run by the Bardsey Island Trust and is a National Nature Reserve
What is it?: Bardsey (or Ynys Enlli) is a small island best seen from the parking area at the top of Mynydd Mawr, at the end of the Llyn
Where it is: Bardsey lies off the western tip of Llyn
Postcode: Bardsey Island LL53 8DE;
Opening times:
What to shoot: Views to the island from Mynydd Mawr and Mynydd y Gwyddel
Best time: Dawn, sunset or rolling sea fog
Notes: Great views from the mountains and cliifs at the tip of the Llyn; also a regular ferry bookable in Aberdaron.
Tony Bowerman
