| Down a narrow, winding lane off the A5025 north | | | | to a small cottage which is built just above the |
| of Benllech is Traeth Bychan beach, a small, cosy, | | | | rocks and the high water mark. |
| sheltered beach facing eastwards. From here you | | | | Traeth Bychan cafe is about 25 or so metres up |
| can enjoy panoramic views of the Great Orme | | | | from the beach on your left and it sells ice cream, |
| and Liverpool Bay, Puffin Island, and behind the | | | | cold and hot drinks and snacks. You will also see |
| heights of Llanddona and on the mainland, the | | | | the public car park adjacent while on the bank |
| Carneddau peaks. | | | | behind the cafe as well as on the opposite side of |
| Traeth Bychan beach is compact with rocky | | | | the lane are static caravans. These are a good |
| features on each side and a changing mix of sand | | | | spot for those wanting to walk the coast or get |
| and pebbles as you move up the beach towards | | | | to the beach quickly. |
| the dinghy park at the back. Red Wharf Bay | | | | Come and enjoy the fine sea views and coastline |
| Sailing and Watersports Club is situated at the top | | | | walks from this peaceful beach in the winter and |
| of the beach on a stone and concrete base, and | | | | autumn seasons, when there will be very little if |
| it is from here that you will see various dinghy | | | | any boating activity here. This beach at Traeth |
| classes, small day fishing craft and the odd jet ski | | | | Bychan has a particular piece of maritime history |
| being launched. | | | | attached to it not known to many people. |
| We saw some tired young sailors help guide a | | | | On 1 June 1939 HMS Thetis, a "T" Class |
| tractor down the beach from the slipway and to | | | | submarine built at Cammell Laird ship yard in 1938, |
| the water's edge and align the boat onto the | | | | left her mooring in the Mersey with 103 crew |
| trailer. Given that this beach faces east and | | | | aboard to carry out some trials in Liverpool Bay. |
| Anglesey's south westerly prevailing winds, this is | | | | Tragically, due to some unusual extreme events |
| an ideal place to launch sailing boats and other | | | | the sub never resurfaced and all crew bar four |
| craft. Here you will see Toppers, Lasers, GP14's, | | | | were lost. A few months after this tragedy, |
| Mirrors and other dinghy classes. | | | | Thetis was brought to the surface and beached |
| Around the back of the beach are some | | | | on Traeth Bychan beach, here on the east |
| interesting rock formations and above these thick | | | | Anglesey coast. |
| grassy steep slopes and from here emerges the | | | | So this secluded beach, sometimes bustling with |
| Anglesey Coastal Path route running from Benllech | | | | dinghies and small motor craft in bright summer |
| in the south to Moelfre in the north. The coastal | | | | sunshine, other times peaceful on a clear winter's |
| path is well signposted and there is a gate on the | | | | morning, holds memories for some of dear ones |
| left as you approach the beach down the hill, next | | | | lost in the line of duty. |