Ynys Llanddwyn

Newborough Forest and the Love Story of Ynys Llanddwyn

On the southeast edges of Anglesey, not far from my home, lies the emerald-green expanse of Newborough Forest. Mostly pine, spruce, and fir, it is the largest forest on the island — a magical and mysterious place, rooted in some of the oldest geology on earth. Here, you can walk, cycle, or ride on horseback. You can find mindfulness among the trees, and space to reflect.

I follow the southern trails, venturing deeper into the forest. The upright trunks stand like a great assembly, their ranks gradually thinning as I near the edge. Winter sunlight begins to pierce the canopy in long, slanting beams. Soon, the trees give way to dunes where marram grass sways freely in the wind.

Through the tips of the grass, a panorama unfolds — Yr Eifl on the Llyn Peninsula, the turquoise sweep of the Welsh–Irish Sea at its feet, and the wide horizon beyond.

I turn west along the sands of Traeth Llanddwyn, the shore stretching towards the small tidal island that extends into the bay. The sand is soft and golden, each step cushioned, the gentle rhythm of waves keeping me company to my left.

Ynys Llanddwyn is steeped in history and romance. Across Wales, it is celebrated for the story of Santes Dwynwen, the 5th-century princess who became the patron saint of lovers and animals. Her feast day is marked on January 25th each year — Wales’ own day of love.

Legend tells that after suffering heartbreak, Dwynwen was visited by an angel carrying two potions. One would free her beloved from the block of ice he had been turned into; the other would ensure she never fell in love again. She wished first for his freedom, and second for a life dedicated to serving God and helping lovers across Wales. Both wishes were granted.

She retreated to the solitude of Llanddwyn Island, where she built a church — now a ruin, but still a place of pilgrimage. Nearby stands a well, where tradition says that if two fish or eels rise to the surface and make bubbles, a couple’s love will be blessed.

Walking back across the sands, the light fades over the sea, and the island’s silhouette becomes part of the horizon — a quiet reminder of love’s resilience, and of legends that still breathe through this timeless landscape.

At the far edge of Ynys Llanddwyn stands Tŵr Mawr — The Great Tower.
Proud and steadfast, it rises from ancient, rugged rock, perfectly at ease within its surroundings. The sea wraps around it, the wind shapes it, and the light changes it by the hour.

I feel privileged to have this place so near to home — a landscape that inspires, fuels creativity, and offers moments of stillness.

Please enjoy my photograph of Tŵr Mawr, a glimpse into the enduring beauty of Ynys Llanddwyn.

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