Porth Swtan (Church Bay)
Small cove of sand, pebbles and rocks under steep cliffs on Anglesey’s north-west coast, with rock pools, clifftop coast path walks and a restored thatched cottage museum nearby.
Porth Swtan, also known as Church Bay, is a small cove on Anglesey’s north-west coast, between Carmel Head and Holy Island. Its mix of sand, pebbles and rocks sits below steep cliffs, and it is a good spot for rock pooling and sandcastles at low tide.
What to see and do
The Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path runs along the clifftops, and a short walk north leads to Porth Trwyn. Up the lane, Swtan Heritage Museum is a restored 17th-century thatched cottage with a herb garden, run by the charity Cyfeillon Swtan (Friends of Swtan). It opens seasonally, so check its website before you go.
Good to know
A steep footpath leads down to the beach from the village. The pay and display car park has council toilets, open from 15 March to 30 September, and there is a café and a restaurant nearby. Church Bay is not on the council’s list of seasonal dog-restricted beaches, so dogs are allowed all year. It is also a recognised Dark Skies spot.