Anyone game for some storm watching?
It’s not at the top of our list to be outside in a big storm. Most of us prefer the warmth and comfort of a roaring fire or the heat of the sun on a hot summer’s day. But today we are giving a hurrah to the big storms hitting our shores. Our staff give you the inside scoop of our favourite places for a spot of storm watching in North Wales.
Cable Bay
A nice and easy one. Standing on top of the burial mound – Barclodiad y Gawres – letting the wind hold you up at Cable Bay. And if you dare, try lifting your coat above your head with your arms. Woosh!
Penmon Point
There’s little better than parking up at Penmon Point and watch the sea batter the shoreline. The silence is broken only by the low ‘dong’ of the lighthouse ringing out it’s call to passing boats, and the sound of the howling wind swirling around you whilst it rocks your car gently as if singing you a lullaby. The only thing that makes it even better? In darkness during a lightning storm!
Moelfre
One of our favourite places would have to be on the beach in Moelfre when the tide is high and a gale is storming past. The waves come crashing onto the rocks and cause a huge spray. When it’s been pouring with rain the stream gushes down on the beach like a huge waterfall. It’s a definite sight to behold when it’s gale force. As teenagers, we used to stand on the cliffs above the footpath to see if we got ‘sprayed’!
Dinas Dinlle
I’ll never forget as a child being driven down to Dinas Dinlle when it was seriously windy and stormy, waves crashing into the shore and the sand howling down the beach. We all jumped into our trunks and sprinted to the sea to play in the waves. We then charged back to the car, turned the heating to full blast and headed off for some fish and chips, brrrrr!
Church Bay
Church Bay is a brilliant point to watch the waves batter the coast. There is a great path leading down the beach. The big question is how far do you edge towards the beach on a high tide. Always finished with a warm drink at Wavecrest.
Bull Bay
I enjoy sitting in the conservatory of the Trecastell Hotel in Bull Bay with a creamy, marshmallowy hot chocolate. It’s great to watch the waves rolling in and hear the rainfall on the roof and to mock/watch people running to and from their cars, conveniently forgetting that you will soon have to do the same.
Benllech
You just can’t beat parking up on the seafront at Benllech, tucking into fish and chips while the waves crash over the car. Then drive home and pour a hot chocolate in front of the log burner. Magical Moments!!
Trearddur Bay
If the storm is a mild one, a walk along the promenade at Trearddur Bay is great. You can have a full assault on your senses. The sight of the crashing waves, the incredible sound and the salty smell & taste in your mouth. When the breakers really are crashing in, then we will watch it from the safety of our car parked up at the end of the beach – no less spectacular! Hot chocolate at The Seacroft always goes down well after a bit of winter storm watching.
Criccieth
I’ll never forget as a child coming over the brow of the hill into Criccieth to see the spectacular castle perched high on its rock and the huge Cardigan Sea battering the beach of Criccieth. If the tide was high you were always in for a real treat with the waves crashing over you and the car.
Llanddwyn Island
Wading through the first bay on the east side of Llanddwyn Island, when the waves lash against and over the rocky outcrop, pushing through the smallest gap to fill the bay with pools and clouds of frothy foam like candyfloss.
If you don’t want to leave the comfort of your own four walls, watch a storm from one of our holiday cottages with sea views.
