Black Rock Sands
A unique Welsh beach where you can drive directly onto the sand, offering unparalleled convenience and adventure.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Free entry and fewer crowds
Black Rock Sands
Best Time
Free entry and fewer crowds
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A unique Welsh beach where you can drive directly onto the sand, offering unparalleled convenience and adventure.
"This place is a hidden gem – wide open skies, golden sands, and the thrill of driving right onto the beach!"
🚗 Drive-On Convenience
Park directly on the sand for easy unloading! £8 for all-day car parking. Gates close at 8 PM.
🐶 Dog-Friendly Fun
Perfect for bringing your furry friends along for a beach day.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Driving on the Sand
The entire beach
Experience the unique thrill of driving your vehicle directly onto the vast expanse of golden sand.
+1
Expansive Shoreline
The beach
Stroll for miles along the wide, clean sands, perfect for peaceful walks and enjoying coastal views.
Coastal Scenery
The beach and surrounding area
Enjoy stunning views of the Welsh coast and the unique landscape that makes this beach so special.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Drive-On Beach Access
+1Embrace the Welsh Name
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Drive-On Convenience
Park directly on the sand for easy unloading! £8 for all-day car parking. Gates close at 8 PM.
🐶 Dog-Friendly Fun
Perfect for bringing your furry friends along for a beach day.
🍦 Refreshments Available
Ice cream and burger vans often on-site for snacks.
🗺️ Explore the Llyn Peninsula
Black Rock Sands is a great base for exploring nearby gems like Porthdinllaen.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Drive-On Convenience
Park directly on the sand for easy unloading! £8 for all-day car parking. Gates close at 8 PM.
🐶 Dog-Friendly Fun
Perfect for bringing your furry friends along for a beach day.
🍦 Refreshments Available
Ice cream and burger vans often on-site for snacks.
🗺️ Explore the Llyn Peninsula
Black Rock Sands is a great base for exploring nearby gems like Porthdinllaen.
📸 Unique Photo Ops
Ideal backdrop for car enthusiasts and stunning landscape shots.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about Black Rock Sands, particularly its unique drive-on beach access which offers unparalleled convenience and a thrilling experience. The vast, clean sands, beautiful coastal views, and family-friendly atmosphere are consistently praised, making it a highly recommended destination for a memorable day out in North Wales. Some note the £8 parking fee and the 8 PM gate closure in summer as practical considerations.
"What an amazing day we had at Black Rock Sands in Wales! This place is a hidden gem – wide open skies, golden sands, and the thrill of something you don’t get to do every day… driving right onto the beach!
There’s something so freeing and fun about parking up just steps from the sea. We rolled down the windows, let the fresh coastal breeze in, and spent the day soaking up the sun, walking along the vast shoreline, and enjoying the stunning views of the Welsh coast. The beach stretches on and on – perfect for peaceful strolls, spontaneous picnics, or just relaxing and watching the waves.
But the real highlight? Driving on the beach. It was an absolute joy – smooth, easy, and such a unique experience. Whether you’re cruising slowly along the sand or just pulling up for a scenic stop, it adds a whole new level of adventure to a beach day.
Clean, spacious, and wonderfully unspoiled, Black Rock Sands is ideal for families, couples, or solo explorers looking for something special. We left feeling relaxed, refreshed, and already planning our next visit.
Highly recommend for anyone visiting North Wales – don’t miss this incredible spot!"
SI Diaz
"You can park directly on the beach here which is a great treat. We paid £8 for all day parking for a car. The weather was really nice which made the parking really busy but they have the space. We walked in one direction for a mile and the other for 1/2 a mile and that wasn't the limits.
2 ice cream vans, 1 refreshments van (burger van etc) and access to toilets.
Great Day."
Christopher Addison
"Perfect to take your dogs. Parking directly on the beach at £8 per day. Large beach with plenty of room. Beautiful scenery all around"
Pam Bailey
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Black Rock Sands, also known as Traeth y Greigddu, is located near Morfa Bychan on the Llyn Peninsula. Follow signs for Morfa Bychan and then Traeth Beach. The road leads directly to the beach where you can drive on.
Yes, Black Rock Sands is famous for allowing vehicles to drive directly onto the sand. This makes it incredibly convenient for beach days.
Yes, you can park directly on the beach. The fee is typically £8 for a car for the entire day.
In summer, the gates typically close at 8 PM. It's free to enter after 4:30 PM.
Absolutely! It's a perfect spot for campervans and motorhomes, allowing you to set up camp right on the beach.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
There is a parking fee of £8 for cars for the full day. Entry is free after 4:30 PM during the summer.
No, tickets are not required in advance. You pay the parking fee upon arrival.
While many vehicles can drive on the sand, it's advisable to be mindful of your vehicle's capabilities, especially in softer sand conditions.
You'll find toilets on-site, and often ice cream and refreshment vans.
While you can drive onto the beach and set up for the day, overnight camping is typically associated with nearby caravan parks like Black Rock Sands Camping Park.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
Enjoy driving on the beach, walking along the vast shoreline, picnicking, relaxing, and taking in the coastal scenery. It's also a great spot for photography.
Yes, it's ideal for families. The ability to park close to the water and the wide-open space make it easy and fun for all ages.
The sea is generally calm and clean on nice days, making it suitable for swimming, though always exercise caution.
It's a wide stretch of golden sand, firm enough in most areas to drive on, but can be softer in places.
Yes, it's close to Porthmadog and the stunning Llyn Peninsula, offering access to other coastal walks and villages like Porthdinllaen.
📸 📸 Photography
The unique aspect of driving on the beach offers incredible shots. The vast shoreline, coastal views, and sunsets are also very photogenic.
Yes, the wide-open space and scenic views make it an excellent location for drone photography.
Sunsets can be particularly magical here, but any time with good light will offer beautiful coastal shots.
The beach itself is iconic, famously featuring on the cover of the Manic Street Preachers album 'This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours'.
It's great for landscape, automotive (especially 4x4s and campers), and general beach photography.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
With ice cream and refreshment vans often on-site, you'll have easy access to snacks. The beach is also dog-friendly, so the whole family, including furry members, can enjoy the day. Remember that the gates close at 8 PM in summer, so plan your departure accordingly.
🚗 Car Enthusiasts & Van Lifers
+2Whether you're cruising along the shore or setting up camp for the day, the £8 parking fee offers excellent value. The expansive nature of the beach means there's plenty of space, even during busier periods. It's a place where you can truly connect with your vehicle and the environment.
🐶 Dog Owners
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Unique Experience of Driving on the Beach
+1The cost for this unique access is a daily parking fee, typically around £8 for a car, which grants you access for the entire day. This fee is well worth it for the convenience and the unforgettable experience. While the sand is generally firm enough for most vehicles, it's always wise to be aware of conditions, especially after heavy rain or at high tide. The beach is expansive, offering miles of shoreline to explore, and the gates are usually closed at 8 PM during the summer months, with free entry after 4:30 PM.
This drive-on capability makes Black Rock Sands a popular spot for campervans and motorhomes, as highlighted by many visitors who appreciate being able to set up their mobile homes right on the sand. It's also a photographer's dream, providing a unique canvas for automotive shots and stunning coastal landscapes.
+1Exploring Eryri (Snowdonia) from Black Rock Sands
Black Rock Sands is situated on the Llyn Peninsula, an area often overlooked but brimming with hidden gems. From here, you can venture to charming villages, explore other unique beaches, and discover the rugged beauty of the Welsh coastline. The proximity to Porthmadog also provides access to amenities and further travel options.
For those interested in the cultural aspect, remember that many places in Eryri are now being referred to by their Welsh names. Embracing these names, like Traeth y Greigddu for Black Rock Sands and Yr Wyddfa for Snowdon, adds a deeper layer to your travel experience and shows respect for the local heritage.
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