Travel & Tourism

This ‘secret’ North Wales beach has been named one of the UK’s best

Time for a road trip.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 4th May 2024

North Wales is a pretty popular holiday destination for us Mancs, especially in the warmer months.

Seaside towns like Llandudno, Conwy and Colwyn Bay are often awash with tourists soaking in the Great British summer, clutching ice creams, skimming pebbles, and frantically shielding your chippy tea from dive-bombing seagulls.

So now that the Independent has singled out some of the UK’s best ‘secret’ beaches – including one in North Wales – we’ve got a new destination to play with.

The paper singled out the beautiful Porthdinllaen in its list of the best secret UK beaches to visit in 2024 for peace and quiet.

And aren’t we all after a bit of peace and quiet these days?

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There’s just something about escaping the hustle and bustle of the city and feeling sand between your toes, maybe even taking a brave dip in the brisk waters.

The Independent selected Porthdinllaen in North Wales as well as Runswick Bay in Yorkshire as some of the UK’s best secret beaches.

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The list said of Porthdinllaen: “Offering sandy, secluded space to play, this Welsh beach is tucked away from the old fishing village by sweeping hills.

“As the cove is sheltered, the water is usually calm, making it a great spot for swimming.

“Bring goggles and be sure to look down: the headland is a popular spot with the local grey seals, and one of the largest seagrass meadows in North Wales hides beneath the water, providing a habitat for many different types of fish.”

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Now does that not sound magical?

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Featured image: Geograph

Travel & Tourism

Gaping Gill – the record-breaking waterfall you can only see twice a year

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

There are a lot of incredible waterfalls in the UK – but did you know that the highest unbroken waterfall in England is right here in the north?

Gaping Gill is a record-breaking spot in the Yorkshire Dales, about an hour and a half from Greater Manchester.

Despite the Fell Beck waterfall being a massive 110-metres tall, it’s actually pretty difficult to see.

Unusually, the waterfall is underground in a huge cave system – and even more unusually, it’s only accessible to the public twice a year.

Those lucky enough to visit are lowered down into the massive chamber on a winch by a local pothole club.

Gaping Gill in the Yorkshire Dales. Credit: Instagram @yorkshire_brew

It’s not for the faint-hearted, or much fun for people who are scared of heights, but once your feet are on the solid ground at the bottom of the cave you’ll be in one of the most awe-inspiring settings in the country.

The Gaping Gill cave chamber is 129m long, 31m high, and 25m wide – so large you can fit an entire cathedral inside it.

Its cave system is connected to the famous Ingleborough Cave.

The first person to make it all the way inside was Frenchman Edouard Martel in 1895, who used a rope ladder to climb down and kept in touch with those on the surface using a telephone.

The Craven Pothole Club helps people to visit every August and the Bradford Pothole Club every May.

The rest of the time, all you can see from above ground is the cave’s opening on the slopes of Ingleborough.

Local photographer Tatiana Hepplewhite said after her visit: “Twice a year, England’s highest unbroken waterfall is open to the public.

“The catch? The waterfall, named aptly Gaping Gill, actually falls into the ground.

“Very helpful Bradford and Craven pothole clubs put a winch and take lucky members of the public, such as myself, all 100 meters down. How was it? In one word – awesome!”

The next trip down into the chasm will between the 25 May and 31 May for £20 per person.

Read more: The jaw-dropping country walk that passes a tower taller than The Shard

Featured image: Instagram, @alfie_moses

Travel & Tourism

The northern village, caves, and medieval street named among the most beautiful places in the UK

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Portmeirion village in North Wales has been named one of the most beautiful places in the UK. Credit: Unsplash @shawnaggg

The most beautiful places in the UK have been named, with several spots up north elbowing their way onto the list.

From mystical caves in the Lake District to the Mediterranean-style architecture in… Wales… there are so many stunning places to explore on our doorstep.

Time Out’s list of the 15 most beautiful places in the UK, compiled by travel writers, has picked out ‘pinch-me’ destinations across the nation.

Several of the places chosen are within a couple of hours’ drive of Manchester, too, so you really don’t have far to go to seek out the very best of the British isles.

One spot that was well-deserving of a mention is Portmeirion, a popular village in North Wales that’s famous for its colourful architecture.

The village is the brainchild of Sir Clough Williams-Ellis and was inspired by the Mediterranean, which is plain to see in the colourful buildings and palm trees jutting out from an otherwise very British scene,

The tourist hotspot completed in 1975 and Time Out says it’s ‘like something out of a dream’.

Portmeirion village in North Wales has been named one of the most beautiful places in the UK. Credit: Unsplash Karen Cann
Portmeirion village in North Wales has been named one of the most beautiful places in the UK. Credit: Unsplash Karen Cann
Shambles in York. Credit: Unsplash, Karl Moran
Shambles in York. Credit: Unsplash, Karl Moran

The guide said: “This unique tourist village has established itself as the most romantic spot in north Wales. 

“Of course, it certainly helps if it comes with Italianate architecture, colourful facades and an unforgettable sense of romance. How could you not fall for Portmeirion?”

Another spot in the north of England that has been named one of the most beautiful places in the UK is Rydal Caves, tucked in the heart of the Lake District.

Now us Mancs know that nowhere in the country can compare to the majestic scenes right across the national park, but there is something really special about the dramatic cave system.

Located right between Grasmere and Ambleside, they’re accessible in just a 15 minute walk from the nearest car park.

Rydal Caves in the Lake District made Time Out's list of the Most Beautiful Places. Credit: Unsplash, Jonny Gios
Rydal Caves in the Lake District made Time Out’s list of the Most Beautiful Places. Credit: Unsplash, Jonny Gios

You can leap across stepping stones all the way to the back of the cave, then look back out at the surrounding woodland through the cave’s huge entrance.

This spot was chosen by Netflix for scenes of the second season of The Witcher – told you it was magical.

Over in Yorkshire (and it’s a surprise to no one to see this on the list), is The Shambles in York.

The well-preserved medieval street features ramshackle buildings, cobbled street, and quaint little shops, and again looks like something straight out of a storybook.

Skipping over its gory past, Time Out said: “There are few easier, more atmospheric ways to transport yourself back hundreds of years (without the iffy smells and sights) than a stroll down Shambles.”

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Featured image: Unsplash

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