New Quay - North Beach (Traeth y Dolau)

New Quay was once a centre for fishing and shipbuilding, as well as being a historic port. Today it is a popular resort village, with a lively harbour and a choice of good beaches.  It can get very busy during the peak summer season here, but the beaches are a delight at any time of year. 

New Quay is situated at the southern end of Cardigan Bay and is home to colonies of seals and two colonies of bottlenose dolphins.  During the summer months, regular wildlife watching trips leave from the town’s harbour.

The town has strong connections with poet Dylan Thomas, who once lived here.  He is said to have based some of the characters in Under Milk Wood on some of the village’s residents.

North Beach is composed of coarse sand, flanked by rocks.  It lies north of the harbour and is protected from the harbour traffic by being on the north-west side of the pier. The beach is relatively sheltered and is popular with bathers, families and watersport enthusiasts.

The nearest car park is New Quay Rock Street Car Park, from which it is a short stroll down to the beach. The spots here fill up quite quickly during the summer holiday season, when it might be more practical to park in one of the pay-for car parks on the village outskirts, further up the hill.

There are places to eat close to the harbour, and a choice of pubs, restaurants and shops in the village.