My runner’s eye view of some of the parkruns I’ve visited, with some general information and event overview for any prospective first time visitors. All information correct at time of writing and is subject to local change.
Newborough Forest
Newborough, Anglesey, North Wales
Postcode: LL61 6SG
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It is sometimes said that choosing a favourite parkrun is like choosing a favourite child, in that because they all provide so much goodness in their own way it’s not really fair to choose a favourite!
However if pushed to name one I would have to say Newborough Forest would top the list of all the venues I’ve been to.
Situated on the far south-west tip of Anglesey, Newborough Forest is actually an artificial forest, with trees planted in the late 1940s to help stabilise the vast sand dunes that frequent the area. The result is a place that feels more akin to a French or Spanish beachside setting than the UK, with the vast expanse of Corsican pine trees backing out onto the Llanddwyn beach, an expansive coastline that includes the Ynys Llanddwyn tidal island that is named of Saint Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers.
The beach is renowned as one of the finest in Britain, and has in recent years gained a status of a ‘hidden gem’ that, thanks to the publicity it generates, maybe isn’t so hidden anymore. The packed car parks on a sunny afternoon are certainly testament to this!
You won’t have any such problems finding a parking space for parkrun though, the beach-goers are yet to arrive and the only people on site are usually early morning strollers and dog walkers.
The drive down to Newborough Forest is an experience in itself and adds to the anticipation as you slowly drive down to the beach.
Turning down a quiet side road in Newborough, the little lane exits the village and gradually winds through farmland and a nearby campsite before the vast forest appears in front of you. Moving slowly into the forest it takes several minutes to travel down the lane towards the beach car park, giving an idea of how large the forest is. Don’t turn off anywhere, just keep following the road adhering to the 15mph speed limit. Before too long, the pine trees part and you notice the sea and the Llyn Peninsula mountains open out in front of you, a magnificent vista for your arrival.
Parking is at the end of the lane at a large car park on the edge of the sand dunes… indeed during the winter these dunes often encroach into the car park. A toilet block and water point are available for you, heading towards the beach and the right of the car park into the edge of the forest brings you to the muster point.
The course itself is a mixture of gravel fire roads, sandy soil and some very limited sections on sand. I normally use trail shoes however I’ve also seen plenty of people tackle this course in road shoes without a problem.
Following a warm Anglesey welcome the event gets underway.
After a first kilometre along a fire road, you can see the beach and coastline poking through on your left, a little undulation as you gradually ascend towards the forest. Just before the first kilometre you briefly turn left towards the beach, before swinging sharp right through a gap into the dunes, and back into the forest. At this point there’s a short, sharp sand dune that pops up to say hello, before you go back to the fire roads and running gradually uphill as you delve into the forest, before encountering the most substantial climb of the route.
After a gentle but long uphill, the marshal just after the half-way mark is a welcome sight! As after that the route turns back towards the beach and whilst slightly undulating is generally downhill towards the finish, indeed the last kilometre has some nice downhill trails where you can really pick up some speed. Just watch for tree roots!
You finish just a couple of hundred yards from where you started, with the option of a short, sharp sprint to the finish!
Being so close to the sea, you have the option of a post-run dip in the sea… probably only if the tide’s in as it’s a fair walk to the sea at low tide! By the time parkrun finishes there’s usually some catering vans on site, although another popular option for breakfast is the Anglesey Transport Museum in nearby Newborough who offer tea, coffee and a cooked breakfast. It’s well signposted locally with brown tourist signs.
If driving to the venue, be mindful that the car parks are now monitored by ANPR cameras and are chargeable. The car park is free of charge between 8am and 10:59am which allows plenty of time to enjoy the parkrun and a little time to take in the beauty of the venue.
No need to visit the parking meter, just make sure you enter and exit the forest by the allotted time. Bear in mind the ANPR cameras are at the main entrance gate to the forest, and if leaving by mid-morning it can take a little longer to exit as the road is fairly narrow and you’ll likely encounter day visitors travelling down to the beach. So allow yourself a bit of time before the 10:59am cut off to leave the main car park and travel out of the forest.
If you choose to stay longer (and making a day of your visit is well recommended!) you have to pay, a parking meter is in the car park although you can pay online within 24 hours of your visit.
‘Look Left’ is a theme for this parkrun, a quick glance to the left towards the first 500m metres or so provides a great vista of the sea peeking through the trees. And between the third and fourth kilometre as you head back down the fire roads, look out for the Newborough Forest Christmas Tree! There’s a few pine trees along this part of the route, but one, set slightly back from the paths has Christmas decorations permanently attached to it!
The venue is a true all-weather course, the gravel and sand base means it drains very well, and the course is quite insulated in the woods so it rarely cancels due to wind. The evergreen forest means that even in the depths of winter it provides a brief summery respite as you make your way through the lush green forest.
Since making my first visit to the parkrun in 2021, I’m pleased to have reached double figure attendance here, given that I now live a few hours away. If only it were closer!
Word has seemingly spread about the beauty of this venue and it seems to attract a steady stream of tourists year round. This should certainly be one on your list!
VENUE INFO
Location: Newborough Forest, Anglesey, LL61 6SG
Surface: Gravel, soil, sand, mildly undulating
Shoes: Trail advisable but not essential
Dogs allowed: Yes
Buggies allowed: Yes, although be mindful some of the surface is rough & uneven, and you have to climb a sand dune about 1k in.
Parking: Available on site at Newborough Forest. Beach car park at the end of public road is closest. Parking is free between 8am & 10:59am for parkrun visitors, chargeable outside of these times.
Toilets: Available at beach car park near start / finish.
Public Transport: Nearest bus stop is Newborough village, approx. 2 mile walk from the parkrun. Buses from Llangefni and Bangor. Nearest railway Bodorgan, approx. 6 mile walk.
Food / Drink: Catering van usually on site by 10am offering hot / cold snacks and drinks. Alternatively, return back to Newborough Forest and visit ‘Tacla Taid’ (Anglesey Transport Museum) for a nice cooked breakfast!
Accommodation: Awelfryn campsite is on the road leading to the forest, approx. 35-40 minute walk to the parkrun. Travelodge and Premier Inn located at Bangor close to A55, approx. 25-30 minute drive. Gwesty Carreg Bran hotel is located near Llanfair PG (…the village with the long name!) and is approximately 20 minutes drive.
Chris Czora 
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