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Morfa Dyffryn Naturist Beach, Gwynedd
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By John R
Owen Which is Britain's best nudist beach? John R Owen is in no doubt...!
( From November 2004)
General Details.
Morfa Dyffryn is probably the best naturist beach in the UK. It’s situated on the Welsh coast between Barmouth and Harlech. It’s a two hour drive from Chester and the West Midlands, and a three hour drive from Manchester and Liverpool.
Access and Parking
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This description assumes you are driving north out of Barmouth town along the A496 (the coast road). Almost exactly four miles from central Barmouth along the A496 you’ll come across the tiny village of Tal-y-bont. Drive through Tal-y-bont and over a narrow bridge. Just after this bridge you’ll come across a road down to the beach. This road, next to a small chapel, is sign posted ‘Treath Beach’ (‘treath’ is Welsh for beach). Follow this road down to the car park. Morfa Dyffryn, the naturist section, is about a one mile walk north up the beach from the car park. Near to this car park is a second car park at the Dyffryn Seaside Estate. Naturists are better using this second car park as it is closer to the naturist section. NB: be sure not to turn off to the coast before Tal-y-bont. If you take the earlier road down to the beach you’ll be faced with a three mile walk to the naturist section - a common mistake by first time visitors.
Description
The Barmouth Bay beach stretches from Barmouth in the south to Morfa Dyffryn in the north and is about six miles long. Morfa Dyffryn, the naturist section, is situated in the northern quarter of this beach and is about 1km long. Dyffryn is a beautiful beach, with fine golden sand and clear water. On fine sunny Sundays in the summer up to 500 naturists can be found using it. The northern 20% of Dyffryn is used by a homosexual community. This area is probably best avoided by families. The main naturist beach is used by singles, couples and families. One of the beauties of Dyffryn is that it is large enough to accommodate all sections of the naturist community.
Facilities
There are none on the beach but there is a general store at the Dyffryn Seaside Estate.
Water Quality
There are no problems with water quality. The water at the naturist section is clear and clean.
Caravans and Camping
Textile camping is available at Benar Beach Caravan Park and Dyffryn Seaside Estate. Informal camping is available at “Glyn’s Field”. Touring caravans and campervans are not allowed at the Dyffryn Seaside Estate. Glyn allows campervans on his field, but not touring caravans. Both caravans and campervans are allowed at Benar Beach. Static vans can be rented at the Seaside Estate. Glyn’s field is predominately used by naturists of all types. “Glyn’s Field” Turn off the A496 at the chapel and follow the road down towards the beach for about half a mile, turn right towards the caravan site and there is a gate on your right a few yards after the junction. Hardly any facilities exist at Glyn’s: there’s a single water tap and the field gets mown now and then. (Glyn comes around on his tractor in the morning.)
Developments in 2000
During the Second World War a bunker was erected at Dyffryn and this “pill box” came to be used by naturists to indicate the start of the naturist section. In early 2000 the bunker was demolished by the local council. This move was welcomed as the bunker had become an eyesore and was dangerous for kids to play on. In the summer of 1999 rumours started circulating that sign posts were to be erected marking off the naturist section. It’s believed the local council received some complaints about naturism at Dyffryn, the exact nature of which is unclear. A few hostile articles also appeared in the Welsh press, including one (in the summer of 1999) in the Welsh language magazine Golwg (“Sight”). In July 2000 Gwynedd County Council did indeed erect sign posts at Dyffryn. Three signs were erected - one in the textile section indicating the presence of a naturist beach, and the other two marking off the naturist section proper. It seems the campaigning done by the UK’s naturist community paid off since the area designated for naturism at 1km in length is pleasantly large. The homosexual community lost out however as naturism was banned from the dunes, and the dunes were popular with gays. Perhaps the homosexual community will now congregate towards the north end of the beach? Like gays or loath them, their community must be catered for.
The Future of Naturism at Dyffryn
Dyffryn is an important beach for the UK’s naturist community. Naturism first started there in the mid-1930s, and the author sees no reason why it should not continue unabated. Every year thousands of people enjoy naturism there, many of them first timers. The best way to ensure its continuing success is to use it regularly but in a discreet and sensible way. It is hoped the negative media coverage in 2000 will not be repeated. The author believes every UK naturist should experience Dyffryn at least once in their lifetime. All you need is that fine sunny Sunday in the summer...
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