The little-known North Wales beach that's a 'real gem' under two hours from Greater Manchester

One visitor said they 'didn't realise it was this nice'07:36, 25 Jul 2026When it comes to planning a trip to the beach this summer, many Mancunians either head to Lancashire or Merseyside and descend upon the likes Blackpool, Lytham St Annes or Formby, or they venture over the border into North Wales.‌Prestatyn and Rhyl are the first seaside towns you come across before you get to the likes of Colwyn Bay and of course, the Victorian resort of Llandudno. Some adventurous travellers may head further along the coast and cross over to Anglesey, while others will venture as far as the Llyn Peninsula in search of hidden sandy coves.‌Yet you don’t have to travel as far as you think to find a beach which flies under the radar. Just a stone’s throw away from Conwy is Penmaenmawr Beach, nestled by t