Morfa Dyffryn – July 2013

Back in July, the weather forecast looked good (and having visited before), we headed across from Manchester to one of the best naturist beaches in the UK.  Barebeaches book provides the following info:

“The is Wales’ finest nude beach and one of Britain’s favourites.  With an inspiring location in the Snowdonia National Park it attracts naturists from across the country and even visitors oversees.  The golden expanse of sand shelves gently into the sea, providing perfect conditions for swimming: water quality is excellent.  The extensive dunes behind the shore form part of a national nature reserve.  Fine vistas across the bay to the Lleyn Peninsular and glimpses of distant mountain peaks inland”.

Sounds great doesn’t it? It is. Almost.

The beach is located north of Barmouth on the A496 (the coast road).  Almost exactly four miles from central Barmouth you’ll come across the village of Tal-y-bont.  Drive through Tal-y-bont and over a narrow bridge.  Shortly after this bridge you’ll come across a road down to the beach on the left-hand side (signposted ‘Traeth Beach’ and Dyffryn Seaside Estate).  Follow this road down to the first car park.  Here there is a road to the right signposted Dyffryn Seaside Estate.  Drive into the campsite and turn left at the small roundabout.  Here we paid £2 to leave the car all day.  There is a small shop where you can buy provisions.

To get to the naturist section, take the path at the top of the car park which takes you through a cut in the sand dunes.  Once you get to the beach, turn right.  It’s about a 10 minute walk to the naturist section and is marked by official notice posts (the large number of naturists will also inform you that you are there!).

Most beach-goers tend to congregate at the start of the naturist section and there was around 100 – 200 in total.  We decided to continue walking along the beach were people were more spread out. This year we were more prepared for the wind that blows across this beach so set ourselves up with windbreak and parasol.

The beach is long and wide and when the tide is out you can walk a fair distance out in the shallow water or explore the small ‘heated’ pools along the beach.  Here we sat and soaked up the sun whilst watching small hermit crabs in the shallow pools.  All in all it is a lovely beach with a pleasant atmosphere – families playing in sea, beach-goers of all ages chatting, and people flying kites.

However, as mentioned in my previous blog there is also an atmosphere of lewd sexual behaviour (particularly with men congregating in the sand dunes).  Although the day we were there, the activity actually happened on the beach.  Right next to us.

A few hours after we arrived, a middle aged couple arrived and set up to our right – our wind break meant that we could see them until we wandered down to the sea.  On coming back from a refreshing dip, I noticed that the man was quite clearly masturbating his partner whilst she say on her back.  You would think they would stop having been caught so to speak but instead nonchalantly carried on!  What is it with some people?! Can we not go to the beach and enjoy a few hours sunbathing naked without the need to witness this kind of behaviour? No wonder naturists get a bad name (and which led to the closure of Holkham Beach).

If anyone has been to Morfa before we’d love to hear from you! What was your experience?

 

 

Nakation Weekend

This past weekend has been amazing.  This is what happened…….

Friday 25th May

Enjoyed the evening sun (and a few pints) at the roof terrace of the Bridge, Bridge Street in Manchester.  The roof terrace is small but nice and quiet compared to the hundreds of people out around Spinningfields.  We actually thought it would make an amazing naturist retreat (not overlooked, sun trap) – just needs a hot tub in the corner!

Saturday 26th May

Spent a lovely few hours soaking up the sun in the back garden.  Managed to erect some screening to allow for a spot of naked sunbathing – Bliss!

I then went to a naturist swim organised by North West Naturists at Fit City Worsley in Walkden, Salford.  There was around 40 people at the swim, mainly aged 40 years plus, although there was a good number of couples and a handful of younger folks.

On arrival, I was greeted at the door by one of the organisers, signed in, paid my £10 and shown where the facilities were.  We had the full use of the venue which included a large pool, smaller ‘learner pool’, sauna and steam room.  The organisers also set up a small area for refreshments.  Everyone I spoke to was really friendly and will definitely go again.  For more information about North West Naturists, click here.

Sunday 27th May

Waking up to another day of beautiful sunshine, we decided to travel over to Morfa Dyffryn naturist beach in North Wales.

The beach is located north of Barmouth on the A496 (the coast road).  Almost exactly four miles from central Barmouth you’ll come across the village of Tal-y-bont.  Drive through Tal-y-bont and over a narrow bridge.  Shortly after this bridge you’ll come across a road down to the beach on the left-hand side (signposted ‘Traeth Beach’ and Dyffryn Seaside Estate).  Follow this road down to the first car park.  Here there is a road to the right signposted Dyffryn Seaside Estate.  Drive into to campsite and turn left at the small roundabout.  Here we paid £2 to leave the car all day.  There is a small shop where you can buy provisions.

To get to the naturist section, take the path at the top of the car park which takes you through a cut in the sand dunes.  Once you get to the beach, turn right.  It’s about a 10 minute walk to the naturist section as is marked by official notice posts (the large number of naturists will also inform you that you are there!).

The weather was gorgeous (if a little windy.  NB. recommend that you take a wind break), and there was a good number of naturists enjoying the sun (maybe around 100 in total).  At the start of the naturist section, most beach-goers were couples in their 40 – 50’s or families with young children.  The further along the naturist section, there was an increase in gay males.  There was a fair amount of men in the sand dunes but saw no inappropriate sexual behaviour.  Journey from Manchester took around 2 hours but was definitely worth it and we look forward to going back again this summer.

If any of you have been to Morfa Dyffryn, we’d love to hear from you!

Next up…. Manchester Naked Bike Ride on Friday 1st June!