Morfa Dyffryn
Encyclopedia
Morfa Dyffryn beach
is on the west coast of Wales
, between Barmouth
and Harlech
in Gwynedd
. This sandy beach is several kilometres long and is chiefly known for having an officially recognised naturist
area, one kilometre in length. The beach is very clean and is also known for regular sightings of dolphin
s.
The nearest settlements are the villages of Dyffryn Ardudwy
and Llanbedr
where several camp and caravan sites and guest-houses are available.
Naturism
has been practised at Morfa Dyffryn since the late 1930s. The beach can attract several hundred naturists in summer during fine weather - despite which, it is rarely crowded. Most visitors come from North Wales
and North West England
, although visitors from mainland Europe
are not unknown.
In 2000, after complaints from local residents of indecent exposure
on other parts of beach and the access footpaths, steps were taken to designate a clearly marked 1 kilometre length of the beach as officially naturist. Although the official designation was resisted by some local residents, complaints of indecent exposure and related behaviour have markedly decreased since 2000. The naturist section of the beach is now clearly marked by signs at both ends. Some naturists complain that the official section is too small - the traditional naturist area was 1,6km (1 mile) in length.
Another complaint by naturists relates to the ban on naturist sunbathing in the sand dunes
. Traditionally, most families and heterosexual couples have sunbathed on the beach while most gay
men and many single heterosexual men have sunbathed on the dunes. This situation persists, despite the new rules. Occasional patrols by the Police
or Beach Patrol
take place, and usually result in sunbathers being instructed to move down from the dunes onto the beach.
The naturist section of the beach is up to 30 minutes' walk from the nearest car parks. It is essential to bring plenty of drinking water and sun-cream, especially during the hottest part of the year.
Beach
A beach is a geological landform along the shoreline of an ocean, sea, lake or river. It usually consists of loose particles which are often composed of rock, such as sand, gravel, shingle, pebbles or cobblestones...
is on the west coast of Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, between Barmouth
Barmouth
Barmouth ; Y Bermo ) is a town in the county of Gwynedd, north-western Wales, lying on the estuary of the River Mawddach and Cardigan Bay.The town is served by Barmouth railway station.- History :...
and Harlech
Harlech
Harlech is a town and seaside resort in Gwynedd, within the historical boundaries of Merionethshire in northwest Wales. Lying on Tremadog Bay and within the Snowdonia National Park, it has a population of 1,952, of whom 59% speak Welsh...
in Gwynedd
Gwynedd
Gwynedd is a county in north-west Wales, named after the old Kingdom of Gwynedd. Although the second biggest in terms of geographical area, it is also one of the most sparsely populated...
. This sandy beach is several kilometres long and is chiefly known for having an officially recognised naturist
Naturism
Naturism or nudism is a cultural and political movement practising, advocating and defending social nudity in private and in public. It may also refer to a lifestyle based on personal, family and/or social nudism....
area, one kilometre in length. The beach is very clean and is also known for regular sightings of dolphin
Dolphin
Dolphins are marine mammals that are closely related to whales and porpoises. There are almost forty species of dolphin in 17 genera. They vary in size from and , up to and . They are found worldwide, mostly in the shallower seas of the continental shelves, and are carnivores, mostly eating...
s.
The nearest settlements are the villages of Dyffryn Ardudwy
Dyffryn ardudwy
Dyffryn Ardudwy is a village and community in the Ardudwy area of Gwynedd, Wales. It has a population of 1,654.The village of Dyffryn Ardudwy is situated on the A496 costal road between the towns of Harlech and Barmouth and at the foot of Moelfre, part of the Rhinogydd range.There are a number of...
and Llanbedr
Llanbedr
Llanbedr is a village in the Ardudwy area of Gwynedd, Wales.The village originally grew around the slate quarrying industry. Attractions in Llanbedr include Neolithic standing stones and Bronze Age hut circles. The Morfa Dyffryn sand dunes and Mochras lie nearby...
where several camp and caravan sites and guest-houses are available.
Naturism at Morfa Dyffryn
Naturism
Naturism or nudism is a cultural and political movement practising, advocating and defending social nudity in private and in public. It may also refer to a lifestyle based on personal, family and/or social nudism....
has been practised at Morfa Dyffryn since the late 1930s. The beach can attract several hundred naturists in summer during fine weather - despite which, it is rarely crowded. Most visitors come from North Wales
North Wales
North Wales is the northernmost unofficial region of Wales. It is bordered to the south by the counties of Ceredigion and Powys in Mid Wales and to the east by the counties of Shropshire in the West Midlands and Cheshire in North West England...
and North West England
North West England
North West England, informally known as The North West, is one of the nine official regions of England.North West England had a 2006 estimated population of 6,853,201 the third most populated region after London and the South East...
, although visitors from mainland Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
are not unknown.
In 2000, after complaints from local residents of indecent exposure
Indecent exposure
Indecent exposure is the deliberate exposure in public or in view of the general public by a person of a portion or portions of his or her body, in circumstances where the exposure is contrary to local moral or other standards of appropriate behavior. Indecent exposure laws vary in different...
on other parts of beach and the access footpaths, steps were taken to designate a clearly marked 1 kilometre length of the beach as officially naturist. Although the official designation was resisted by some local residents, complaints of indecent exposure and related behaviour have markedly decreased since 2000. The naturist section of the beach is now clearly marked by signs at both ends. Some naturists complain that the official section is too small - the traditional naturist area was 1,6km (1 mile) in length.
Another complaint by naturists relates to the ban on naturist sunbathing in the sand dunes
Dune
In physical geography, a dune is a hill of sand built by wind. Dunes occur in different forms and sizes, formed by interaction with the wind. Most kinds of dunes are longer on the windward side where the sand is pushed up the dune and have a shorter "slip face" in the lee of the wind...
. Traditionally, most families and heterosexual couples have sunbathed on the beach while most gay
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
men and many single heterosexual men have sunbathed on the dunes. This situation persists, despite the new rules. Occasional patrols by the Police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
or Beach Patrol
Lifeguard
A lifeguard supervises the safety and rescue of swimmers, surfers, and other water sports participants such as in a swimming pool, water park, or beach. Lifeguards are strong swimmers and trained in first aid, certified in water rescue using a variety of aids and equipment depending on...
take place, and usually result in sunbathers being instructed to move down from the dunes onto the beach.
The naturist section of the beach is up to 30 minutes' walk from the nearest car parks. It is essential to bring plenty of drinking water and sun-cream, especially during the hottest part of the year.