Report by: John R. Owen, February 2002
General Location Morfa Dyffryn is probably the best naturist beach in the UK. It is located on the Welsh coast between Barmouth and Harlech. It is a two hour drive from Chester and the West Midlands, and a three hour drive from Manchester and Liverpool.
Access and Parking: This description assumes you are driving north out of Barmouth town along the A496 (the main coast road). Almost exactly four miles from central Barmouth along the A496 you will come across the tiny village of Tal-y-bont. Drive through Tal-y-bont and over a narrow bridge. Just after this bridge you will come across a lane down to the beach. This lane, called "Ffordd Benar", is easily spotted as it is next to a small chapel. Follow this lane down to the car park. Morfa Dyffryn, the naturist section proper, is about a one mile walk north up the beach from the car park. Near this car park is a second car park at the Dyffryn Seaside Estate. Naturists are better off parking at this second car park as it is slightly closer to the naturist section. It is not possible to park any closer to the naturist section than this. NB: do not be tempted to turn off the A496 to the beach before Tal-y-bont. If you take the earlier road down to the beach you will be faced with a three mile trek north to the naturist section - a not uncommon 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 one mile long. Dyffryn is a beautiful beach, with fine golden sand and clear water. Being isolated it is well suited to naturism. On hot and sunny weekends in the summer up to 500 naturists can be found using it. Dyffryn is used by singles, couples, and families. The northern 20% of Dyffryn is used by a homosexual community. This area is probably best avoided by 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 - naturists are encouraged to shop here as they will be seen to be contributing to the local economy. Many naturists camp in a field (called "Glyn's Field") at the Dyffryn Seaside Estate.
Water Quality: There are no problems with water quality at Dyffryn. The water at the naturist section is clear and clean.
