Tiny Welsh ‘lovers island’ that couples flock to for Valentine’s, with dolphins and whales offshore & wild ponies
THERE’S a tiny tidal island in the UK couples often visit on Valentine’s Day because of its ties to a patron saint of love.
Dubbed ‘Lovers Island’, Llanddwyn Island (Ynys Llanddwyn) is located off the coast of Anglesey and can only be reached at low tide when a path emerges in the sand.
The tidal island is primarily known for its ties to Saint Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of love.
Several legends describe Saint Dwynwen as being unlucky in love, with her lover, Maelon Dafodrill, being deemed unsuitable as a partner.
Instead, her father arranged a marriage to another prince, leaving Dwynwen heartbroken.
Broken-hearted, Dwynwen then met an angel in her dreams and was granted a series of wishes where she asked God to meet the hopes of lovers everywhere.
Never marrying, she fled to Llanddwyn Island where she became a nun and made thousands of love stories come true.
While the island is uninhabited, locals and visitors alike flock there because of its romantic origins.
Charlotte Hawksworth, senior reserve manager at Natural Resources Wales, told the BBC: “The increase in visitors is a testament to there being a story worth telling.
“You could say this is the ‘Welshest’ part of Wales and people are very proud of that.
“Dwynwen’s story has been embellished through the years, but it’s one ingrained in our local identity. The potency of Llanddwyn is clear to anyone who visits.“
The Welsh island is often visited by people who are unlucky in love, with many flocking to the island on January 25 – the Welsh equivalent of Valentine’s Day.
Others choose to renew their wedding vows on the same day.
Despite being uninhabited, there are several landmarks and buildings on the island for visitors to explore.
One of those is a bare cross that’s dedicated to Saint Dwynwen.
Visitors to Llanddwyn Island will also find the ruins of St Dwynwen’s Church, a lighthouse (Tŵr Mawr), and Pilot’s Cottages, which have been converted into a small museum and visitor centre.
Looking back towards the mainland, the Welsh island has sweeping views over Caernarfon Bay and Snowdonia.
Back on Anglesey, there’s also Llanddwyn Beach, which is backed by Newborough National Nature Reserve and Forest, meaning the tall forest trees line the beach.
Wild ponies are used to manage the grass of Newborough National Nature Reserve and Forest, with some even found on Llanddwyn Island.
From the Welsh island, some visitors have even claimed to have spotted bottlenose dolphins and the occasional Minke Whale when the water is calm.
Traeth Llanddwyn is a Blue Flag that’s home to more than 3.5 miles of golden sand and crystal-clear waters.
While there aren’t lifeguards, there are free toilets, as well as BBQ areas, picnic benches and food trucks in the summer.
Two other little-known islands to visit in the UK
HERE are two other little-known islands to visit in the UK.
The Isle of Erraid, Scotland
The tiny Inner Hebridean Isle of Erraid is a tidal island, just off the tip of the Ross of Mull.
For an hour or two either side of low tide, the Isle of Erraid is linked to the mainland by a broad expanse of sand that you can cross.
But Erraid’s major claim to fame is its inspiration for the famous novel Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson.
Erraid is one of the driest and sunniest places in Scotland, with less than 1,000 millimetres of rain and 1,350 hours of sunshine annually, so you’re virtually guaranteed great days out on the beach.
Unst, Scotland
Unst is roughly 178 miles away from the Scottish mainland.
There are thought to be just 600 people living on the tiny island, making it the most northerly inhabited place in the UK.
Unst has just one pub, one hotel, one school, three shops and a lone bus route.
Skaw Beach, the most northerly in the UK, is packed with golden sand, and it’s backed by a meadow that’s home to an array of wild flowers in the spring and summer.
Because of its shape, the beach is fairly sheltered from the winds.
There are limited facilities at the beach, so holidaymakers should aim to pack everything they need before visiting.
Despite its remote location, around 100 people have reviewed the beach on Google, with one person writing: “Wild and wooly, with nobody around. The water was freezing, as you would expect.”
It’s also a haven for birds including corncrake, lapwing, peregrine, hen harriers and sandpipers and you’ll also see plenty of deer, hedgehogs and Black Face sheep.
Osea Island is a tiny private island where all of the celebs go, with A-listers including Rihanna, Stormzy, and Jude Law staying over the years.
Often dubbed the “English Necker Island” most of the famous faces visit for the recording studio – although tourists can book overnight stays on part of the island.