Why visit?
- Sea views
- Coastal plants
- Lots of birds
- Stunning sand and shingle beach
- Active travel links
- Seaside Award
Pensarn is a protected area, designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It lies northwest of Abergele and is a stunning pebble beach with a large vegetated shingle bank. Formidable maritime plants persevere to make it their home.
Shingle beaches are dynamic and blustery places, loved by wind surfers and dog walkers, but they are also important habitats. The creatures that live here have to be incredibly hardy as they suffer from constant changes to their habitat.
Pensarn is a unique shingle beach. Its shore is just sheltered enough that storm waves cannot reach it, allowing enough stability for maritime plants to grow. A wonderful place to go shell hunting or bird watching. Try our shingle ridge spotter sheet
Find out more about how the habitat functions and the wildlife it supports.
Facilities
- Promenade public toilets
- Promenade cafe LL22 7PP
- Free car parking along the promenade
- Interpretation panels with information about wildlife
- Benches along the promenade
- Seasonal kiosks and amusements
Please read the Countryside Code before visiting.
Dogs on leads are welcome, but check local signage on the promenade, slipways and beach bollards. There is a seasonal dog exclusion zone at Pensarn between the wooden bollards by the café and the concrete bollards to the west where cars can park on the beach.
How to get there
Walking & Cycling
Pensarn is just a 20 minute walk from Abergele along the A548 to the north.
Pensarn beach sits on National Cycling Network Route 5.
Public transport
Regular bus service between Llandudno and Rhyl. The nearest bus stop is at Abergele and Pensarn railway station. It’s a 3 minute walk from the beach.
The railway stop is a request stop on most services along the North Wales coast line.
Driving
From the west take the A55 to junction 23A for Abergele. Take a left over the railway bridge toward the promenade.
From the east, exit the A55 at junction 24 to Abergele and turn right along Water Street, then Dundonald Avenue, following the signs for the beach.
What’s nearby?
If you want a longer trip out, why not head to a nearby site? Kinmel Dunes has diverse, beautiful dune flowers and grasses and is just a 15 minute cycle north west following the Wales Coastal Path.