Getting There

Microsoft Virtual Earth

The beach is off the A496 Barmouth to Harlech road about 4 miles north of Barmouth. Between the villages of Talybont and Dyffryn Ardudwy turn seawards into Fford Benar Lane (signposted "Traeth" - Welsh for beach), a small chapel at this junction makes it easy to see. One mile down this very narrow (in places) lane are toilets and just beyond a free car park, this has height barriers and is therefore unsuitable for van/campers etc. Follow the marked path through the dunes to the beach, turn right and walk for 25 mins (average), the naturist beach was once easily recognised by a WW2 pill box sticking out halfway up the dunes but this has been removed. Outside the summer season and depending on the severity of winter storms, the Council-erected notices may or may not be present.

Alternatively, use the (much nearer) car park at the Dyffryn Seaside Estate. To reach this, turn right at the toilets mentioned above and drive into the Seaside Estate, turn left at the mini roundabout, past the shops and pub, through the gate to park on the grass area at the rear of the dunes, follow the path to the beach, turn right for a 15 minute walk. It is slightly quicker to walk through the dunes but not recommended for first time visitors - easy to get lost. The Seaside Estate sometimes charge £1 for access - but usually only in the high season.

In Summer 1999 a new 'board walk' was built from near the Snowdonia National Park Car Park through the dunes to the beach to allow disabled access although it is still a long but level trek over hard sand from there to the nude part. Makes life rather easier for those who wish to cycle too. From July 2008 this car park operates on a 'Pay and Display' basis - maximum fee £4 for all day.

On the subject of parking charges, a regular at Morfa says:

"There's a fair bit of local objection to this as the land was gifted to the NP for the use of visitors. There is no mention of any penalty if you don't pay up and the signs suggest that the payments are a donation towards the upkeep of the car park so whether or not the charges are enforceable is a matter of debate. Careful wording on the signs doesn't make things exactly clear."

By Rail: the Welsh Coast line from Barmouth to Porthmadog runs just inland from the beach, with stops at Dyffryn Ardudwy and Llanbedr.

StreetMap

Note for Dog Owners:

Dogs should be kept on a lead while passing through the Dyffryn Seaside Estate At the camp-site they actually charge for them. However dogs are not allowed in static caravans hired directly from the company - if you hire one privately it's by arrangement with the owners.

Description
Morfa Dyffryn beach itself is ENORMOUS, even the part used by naturists is about 1 mile in length - and to the rear of that are hundreds of acres of peaceful dunes and scrubland between the beach and the airfield. All of this can be and is used by naturists. An enthusiastic regular visitor reports: '"The beach is clean, as is the sea which shelves gently so swimming is possible - and the tide doesn't go out miles! The main beach is used by families, couples and singles - the usual mix in fact. The dunes to the northern part are gay orientated and the dunes to the immediate rear of the main beach by couples and single men. There is plenty of room for all. The views to the rear are of Snowdonia and the Rhinog mountains and to the front across Tremadog Bay can be seen the Llyn Peninsular"

The nearby military airfiled, from where pilotless planes for target towing used to be flown is now no longer operational.

The Future of Dyffryn
In general, the effect that official recognition and the sign posts have had on naturism at Dyffryn has not been negative. The council-designated naturist area is somewhat less than the 1 mile length traditionally used, but complaints from textile beach users appear to have been significantly reduced. On the other hand there is some evidence that greater numbers of "undesireables" have been drawn to the beach. Dyffryn is an important beach to the UK's naturist community, and must have greatly advanced UK naturism down the years.

Accommodation

For many years naturists visiting Morfa Dyffryn have enjoyed camping at "Glyn's Field", which provided basic but naturist-friendly facilities. Following the sad death of Glyn himself - in May 2006 - his Son and Daughter-in-law continue to offer camping facilities.

To find "Glyn's Field" :
Turn off the main road by the chapel, turn right towards the caravan site and there a gate on your right a few yards after the junction. Not a lot of facilities: the field gets mown and there's one water tap

Camping is also available at Benar Beach Caravan Park and (textile) Dyffryn Seaside Estate. No touring caravans or campervans at Dyffryn Seaside Estate, no caravans at Glyn's Field but campervans are OK, both types at Benar Beach. Static vans can be rented at the seaside estate. Benar Beach has a small completely enclosed naturist area with room for about 10 caravans / motorhomes/ tents.

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