At a glance
Criccieth Beach sits directly below the castle headland on the south Llŷn Peninsula, with two sandy beaches (east Blue Flag, west quieter/dog-friendly), a tidal Marine Lake for calm family swimming, and direct train access on the Cambrian Coast line. Cadwaladers' famous ice cream — made on the Llŷn since 1927 — makes a visit complete.
About Criccieth Beach
Criccieth is one of the most complete traditional seaside destinations on the south Llŷn Peninsula — a resort with a proper promenade, two distinct beaches, a tidal Marine Lake, a Welsh castle overhead, and Cadwaladers' famous ice cream parlour on the seafront. It manages the trick of being simultaneously a genuine resort town and an authentic piece of Welsh coastal character.
The beach is divided into two by the castle headland. The east beach — Blue Flag, with a gently shelving sandy floor and the Marine Lake at its western end — is the main family beach. The Marine Lake, a tidal outdoor pool built into the rocks below the castle, fills with sea water at high tide and provides a calm, safe swimming area when the open sea is rough or when younger children need shallower water. The west beach is shingle-dominated, quieter, and dog-friendly year-round, with excellent views of the castle headland silhouetted against the mountain skyline.
Criccieth's connection to David Lloyd George — the Liberal Prime Minister who led Britain through the First World War — adds to its historical interest. Lloyd George was born at Llanystumdwy 2 miles to the west, is buried there, and the Lloyd George Museum in the village tells his story. The combination of castle, beach, railway, mountains and political heritage makes Criccieth arguably the most multifaceted resort on the Llŷn.
What to do at Criccieth
- Swimming — East beach (Blue Flag) or Marine Lake for calmer conditions. No lifeguard — check conditions.
- Criccieth Castle — 5-min walk up the headland. Cadw. Wales's only native Welsh castle with sea on three sides.
- Marine Lake — Tidal outdoor pool below the castle headland. Free to use. Excellent for young children.
- Cadwaladers ice cream — Established 1927 on the Llŷn Peninsula. The seafront parlour is a Criccieth institution.
- Promenade walk — A level walk between the two beaches with castle views throughout.
Visiting tips
Getting there
Criccieth station on the Cambrian Coast line is 400 m from the seafront — a flat, direct walk. Trains from Pwllheli (15 min) and Barmouth (30 min) serve the station. By car, the A497 links Criccieth with Porthmadog (5 miles east) and Pwllheli (9 miles west). Seafront car parks are pay-and-display.
Combining with nearby attractions
Portmeirion is 6 miles north-east via the A497 — combine a morning at Criccieth Castle and beach with an afternoon at Portmeirion. Harlech Castle is 12 miles south on the Cambrian Coast route — an excellent pair of contrasting castles.
Find it on the map
Frequently asked questions
The Marine Lake is a tidal outdoor swimming pool built into the rocks below the castle headland on the east side of the beach. It fills with sea water at high tide and provides a sheltered, calm swimming area suitable for young children when the sea is rough. The lake is free to use and is a popular feature of Criccieth's traditional seaside offer.
The east beach (Blue Flag) is more sheltered, with calmer water and the Marine Lake adjacent. It is the main family beach with the promenade and most facilities behind it. The west beach is shingle-dominated, slightly more exposed, and tends to be quieter — with better views of the castle headland and towards the mountains. Dogs are welcome on the west beach year-round.
Easily — Criccieth Castle is a 5-minute walk up the headland path from the east beach. The view from the castle battlements over the beach and Cardigan Bay is outstanding. Allow 1–1.5 hours for the castle, then return to the beach for the afternoon. The castle is managed by Cadw.
Criccieth station on the Cambrian Coast line is 400 m from the seafront — one of the easiest beach arrivals by train in North Wales. Trains run from Pwllheli (15 min west), Barmouth and Machynlleth to the east, and connect to the mainline network at Machynlleth and Shrewsbury.
Criccieth is famous for three things: its native Welsh castle (founded c.1230 by Llywelyn the Great, unique among North Wales castles); its connection to David Lloyd George, the Prime Minister who was born at Llanystumdwy 2 miles to the west; and the ice cream at Cadwaladers — a Criccieth family firm whose ice cream has been made on the Llŷn Peninsula since 1927 and is considered among the finest in Wales.