A Quiet Anglesey Cove, Traeth Bychan Beach, Great Coastal Views and Ideal Dinghy Launch Pad

Enjoy the small, sheltered and cosy delights of east facing Traeth Bychan beach near Benllech, down a narrow country lane off the A5025. If you want to really appreciate some fine sea and mountain views covering Llanddona, the Carneddau peaks above Bangor, Puffin Island and Liverpool Bay, you must come here.

The edges of Traeth Bychan are rocky, while the middle area of the beach is sandy with a varying spread of small pebbles the length of the beach up to the dinghy park at the top. Given its sheltered position it's no surprise that Red Wharf Bay Sailing and Watersports Club have their clubhouse here, and can often see dinghies, powerboats and small day fishing boats queuing up to be towed up the beach on their trailers.

As the 4x4 reversed down the small slipway onto the sand, a few keen but tired sailors waded into the water in wetsuit to help align the boat on the trolley. This is quite a good spot to launch a boat, except in a strong easterly gale, given its position relative to the prevailing winds on Anglesey. The dinghy park is home to Mirrors, GP14's, Lasers, Toppers and others.

Around the back of the beach are some interesting rock formations and above these thick grassy steep slopes and from here emerges the Anglesey Coastal Path route running from Benllech in the south to Moelfre in the north. The coastal path is well signposted and there is a gate on the left as you approach the beach down the hill, next to a small cottage which is built just above the rocks and the high water mark.

Just 25 metres or so from the beach as you go up the lane is Traeth Bychan beach cafe which sells cold and hot drinks, ice creams and snacks, while next to this is a car park and toilets. Opposite the cafe is a static caravan park which are ideally placed for those wanting to enjoy watersports or walk the coastal path.

Come and enjoy the fine sea views and coastline walks from this peaceful beach in the winter and autumn seasons, when there will be very little if any boating activity here. This beach at Traeth Bychan has a particular piece of maritime history attached to it not known to many people.

The "T" class submarine HMS Thetis was built in Cammell Laird shipyard in 1938. On 1 June 1939 she slipped her mooring in the Mersey with 103 crew aboard and made out for Liverpool Bay to carry out some manoeuvres. While on these trials some unusual extreme event took place which proved catastrophic and all crewmen except four were lost. Some months later, after HMS Thetis was recovered from the sea bed she was beached on the Anglesey coast at Traeth Bychan beach.

So this secluded beach, sometimes bustling with dinghies and small motor craft in bright summer sunshine, other times peaceful on a clear winter's morning, holds memories for some of dear ones lost in the line of duty.