The UK beach ‘like Cape Town’ with ‘world’s best’ pub right on the sand (Image: Andrew Forgrave/North Wales Live)
It is a village steeped in history and natural beauty, which has been under the stewardship of the National Trust since 1994. Today, the beautiful coastal community consists of just around two dozen buildings and has become well-known for its iconic pub, the Ty Coch Inn (‘Ty Coch’ means ‘red house’ in Welsh).
The pub has not only put the village of Porthdinllaen on the map but also earned a spot among the UK’s top 10 traditional pubs, as selected by a Sunday Times’ beer expert. It has previously been named among the world’s best beach bars.
Pete Brown, the beer connoisseur, declared this beachside pub in north-west Wales as “worth the drive”. The Ty Coch Inn was the sole Welsh pub to grace the list, joining esteemed establishments like The Blue Stoops in London, The Bow Bar in Edinburgh and The Grapes in Liverpool.
Brown added: “On a fine day you could almost be in Bondi or LA – but you still couldn’t be anywhere but north Wales.”
This isn’t the first time Porthdinllaen has drawn comparisons to other global destinations. Last year, holidaycottages.co.uk likened the Gwynedd village’s coastal experience to that of Hout Bay, a beach suburb in Cape Town, South Africa, dubbing it an “excellent alternative”.
However, Porthdinllaen is more than just a stand-in for another beach locale, reports Wales Online.
Porthdinllaen on the Llyn Peninsula with the Ty Coch Inn right on the sand (Image: R A Kearton/Getty Images)
The village has carved out its own reputation as a must-visit destination within Wales. Geographically, Porthdinllaen forms a hook-like shape on the northern coast of Pen Llyn, offering stunning views across the Eryri (Snowdonia) mountains.
The quaint village of Porthdinllaen boasts a rich history that stretches back to the Iron Age, with Trwyn Dinllaen nestled on the headland. Initially serving as a fishing port, Porthdinllaen once vied with Holyhead for the title of the primary route to Ireland.
In May 1806, it appeared that Porthdinllaen might clinch the coveted status when a parliamentary bill approved new constructions in the village. But, although Porthdinllaen was almost as far west as Holyhead, the Anglesey town offered superior accessibility due to Thomas Telford’s road developments.
The Porthdinllaen Harbour Company was formed in 1808 in anticipation of this promising development. However, the village’s hopes were dashed in 1810 when the bill proposing Porthdinllaen as an Irish trade harbour was rejected.
Despite this setback, the village — located on the northern coast of the Llyn peninsula and boasting a sheltered north-facing bay — flourished as a significant refuge harbour and bustling port.
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In 1861 alone, the port saw over 700 ships pass through its waters. But disaster struck during storms on December 2 and 3, 1863, when around 18 ships seeking sanctuary in Porthdinllaen bay were driven ashore and wrecked.
Amidst the chaos, Robert Rees of Morfa Nefyn heroically tied a rope around his waist and, aided by four other men, managed to rescue a total of 28 lives.
In the aftermath of severe storms, a local parish priest penned a letter to the RNLI, requesting a lifeboat be stationed in the harbour. The boatshed and slipway were commissioned in 1864 at a cost of £140.
To reach this idyllic spot, visitors must traverse the beach from Morfa Nefyn or cross Nefyn golf club atop the headland, passing an Iron Age hill fort en route. The Ty Coch Inn, established in 1823, is nestled at the heart of the village.
Intriguingly, for its initial five years, it served as the vicarage for the neighbouring village of Edern. In 1828, a new vicarage was constructed adjacent to the church.
Eventually, Ty Coch ceased to function as the second vicarage when The Reverend John Parry Jones Parry vacated the premises entirely. His housekeeper, Catherine Ellis, transformed the building into an inn in 1842 to cater to the shipbuilding workforce labouring on the beach.
At that time, Ty Coch was vying with four other pubs on the beach, but today, it stands as the only remaining pub.
Ty Coch Inn, Porthdinllaen on the Llyn Peninsula. (Image: Ian Cooper/North Wales Live)
How to get to Porthdinllaen and the Ty Coch Inn
If you’re considering a trip to this picturesque location, parking can be found at the National Trust’s Morfa Nefyn car park. Simply input LL53 6DA into your sat nav.
From there, enjoy a leisurely walk along Traeth Morfa Nefyn, pass by the Bwlch-y-Brydun — a trio of buildings — and follow the slender stretch of land as it winds into Traeth Porthdinllaen (Porthdinllaen beach). You’ll encounter old ship buildings that signal the entrance to the next beach.
This is where the Ty Coch Inn can be found, tucked amongst other village structures. The pub serves as an ideal spot for a refreshing pint and a tasty bite.
If luck is on your side, you might secure a table indoors or one of the outdoor picnic benches, though they tend to fill up quickly. If not, there’s ample beach space to sit back and enjoy the views — just don’t forget to pack a picnic blanket.
Handily, there are numerous public toilets situated near the pub. On the beach, you can take in breathtaking coastal views, delve into intriguing rock pools, and witness the daily routines of local fishermen.
The surrounding sea of Porthdinllaen is recognised as a Special Area of Conservation, and its coastline is acknowledged as a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to its abundant marine and bird life.
The gentle cliffs of Porthdinllaen serve as a nesting ground for sand martins and cormorants, while oystercatchers and other coastal birds are frequently sighted in the vicinity. The headland is also a preferred haunt for local grey seals.
Beneath the water lies one of north Wales’ most extensive seagrass meadows, offering a habitat for a variety of fish species.