A Llanddwyn Island Proposal: Timing, Tides and Where to Stand
Some places seem to know they're romantic. Ynys Llanddwyn, at the south west corner of Anglesey, is one of them. I've already told the story of St Dwynwen and the island in my post on proposing on St Dwynwen's Day, so this time I'd like to be practical. If you're thinking of asking the question here, this is how I'd think about the tides, the timing and where to stand.
I'm also working from official sources, so you can check anything I say yourself.
Start With the Tide
Despite the name, Llanddwyn isn't a true island. Visit Wales explains that it's a peninsula that's only very rarely cut off by the highest tides, and the Wales Coast Path says it remains accessible at all but the highest of tides.
That's reassuring, but I'd still look up the tide times for your date on Admiralty EasyTide before you commit to a time. Knowing where the water will be lets you plan the walk and the beach for the moment you've chosen, rather than discovering it on the day.
Choosing the Time of Day
Photo: TXGemGem, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Evening light is the obvious choice, and it's a beautiful one here. The island looks out over the sea, and the light on the rocks near the shore turns warm and golden as the day closes. Sunset times change through the year, so look up the time for your own date and plan backwards from it.
Late afternoon can be just as lovely, especially in winter when the sun goes down early. You'll have softer light, a little more time and fewer people about. It also leaves room for a warm meal afterwards, which I always think is the best way to finish a proposal.
The Walk Out
Photo: Satdeep Gill, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Wales Coast Path describes a walk of about 4 miles, or 6 km, from the Llyn Rhos Ddu car park through Newborough Forest to the island and back. About half way along there's a larger car park with toilets, a water refill point and a picnic area, which is handy for a pause before the island. Natural Resources Wales manages the whole area, and Llanddwyn and Newborough Warren together became the first coastal National Nature Reserve in Wales in 1955. Natural Resources Wales has the current parking and access details.
That walk is a gift for a proposal. It gives your partner a reason to be quiet and a little reflective, and it gives you time to settle your nerves. A long, easy walk also gives you a perfectly natural reason to stop and look at the view.
Where to Stand
Photo: TXGemGem, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
There isn't one right spot, but there are a few features I'd keep in mind. The remains of St Dwynwen's Church are the heart of the story, so they're a good place to read a love letter that mentions her. The two lighthouses, Twr Mawr and Twr Bach, make a striking backdrop at the tip of the island, and the shore around them looks out over the sea for the evening light.
The Wales Coast Path also mentions a holy well close to the church, populated by eels said to be able to predict your romantic future. It's a lovely detail for a letter and a gentle excuse for a bit of fun before the serious moment.
I'd rather choose the place in person, so that's part of what I do when I scout a location beforehand for a guided proposal. A spot that looks perfect on a map can be crowded, windy or awkward to reach on the day.
Keeping It Quiet
If you'd like a proposal to feel like a surprise, an island walk is a gentle disguise. A walk to a famous romantic place on a nice evening doesn't raise eyebrows, and there's nothing odd about stopping to enjoy the view. I've put together more ideas on keeping a proposal a secret if you'd like a few tricks.
How a Guided Proposal Works Here
With a guided proposal, you write your feelings into a love letter, and I read it aloud to your partner just before you propose. I don't photograph the letter being read, so that moment stays yours alone. After that my camera comes up for the question, the "yes!" and every reaction that follows, and you finish with Polaroids that develop in your hands. You can see the day step by step in what happens on the day of a guided proposal, or read the details on the guided proposal page.
If the Weather Changes
Anglesey's weather can turn quickly, so I'd always keep a sheltered plan B in mind and check the forecast the day before. A different day is better than a rushed question in a gale. If you'd like to see another Anglesey proposal, here's how a short-notice sunset proposal on the coast came together.
When you're ready to talk about your own plans, my contact page is the best place to start, and the services page shows what's included. The tide, the light and the walk are all things we can plan, and the only part left to chance is the answer you already know.