Newborough Warren, Protected nature reserve in Rhosyr, Wales
Newborough Warren is a Site of Special Scientific Interest on the southwest coast of Anglesey, Wales, covering sand dunes, pine forest, freshwater lakes, and salt marshes. The site sits next to Llanddwyn Beach and Ynys Llanddwyn, a small tidal island accessible on foot at low tide.
The area was farmed land until severe storms in the 14th century buried much of the surrounding villages under sand, forcing residents to move. Large-scale pine planting began in the 1940s to hold the dunes in place, and that forest now shapes much of what visitors see today.
The name Newborough comes from the medieval village founded after residents of an earlier settlement were relocated by order of the English crown. Walking through the area, you can still find traces of that history in the local place names and the shape of the land.
The site has several walking trails of different lengths, with some sections crossing loose sand or wet marsh ground, so sturdy footwear is a good idea. The coast can be very windy even on sunny days, so it is worth bringing an extra layer.
Although much of the pine forest was deliberately planted, beneath it lies one of the largest sand dune systems in Europe. Those dunes are still active and shift slowly over time, meaning the landscape looks a little different every few years.
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