Hidden in a cove on the coast of Wales is a tiny, “magical” red-brick pub perched on a picturesque sandy beach. With over 780 “excellent” or “very good” reviews praising the small pub, and an overall TripAdvisor rating of four out of five, the Ty Coch Inn on the north coast of the Llyn peninsula is one of the best pubs in the country — you can find our choice of the 50 best pubs in Wales in 2023 here.
Nestled in the coastal fishing village of Porthdinllaen in Gwynedd, Ty Coch Inn is one of a handful of buildings located on the small idyllic jut of land, and sits on the sandy curved shores of an area of outstanding natural beauty. Boasting views across the Irish Sea and the Snowdonia mountain range, the location has been described by reviewers as “world class”, “unrivalled” and “a bucket list for those seeking a quiet escape”.
With its nearest car park located 20 minutes’ walk away, Ty Coch (red house in English) is only accessible by foot, making it one of the most remote pubs in the UK. Parking at Morfa Nefyn, owned by the National Trust, visitors to the pub can either walk on a footpath through Nefyn Golf Club, or at low tide, can choose the scenic route across the beach.
One visitor described the beach walk as “glorious” and said the pub was “one of the best inns on any beach in the world”. Another described Ty Coch Inn as a “no brainer” for visitors to that part of Wales. Those who enjoy a longer walk can also follow the Porthdinllaen marine trail, a four-kilometre round trip which will take you from Morfa Nefyn, across the beach to Ty Coch and further along the coast to some rock pools where grey seals are frequently spotted fishing along the coastline.
The inn itself offers a range of the usual pub drinks, with a selection of beers, wine and ciders along with light bites, snacks and sandwiches, which can be enjoyed inside the small bar or in the outdoor covered searing area. One visitor praised the staff for being “friendly, helpful and spot on” and the Ploughman’s lunch as “absolutely off the charts”. You can see our pick of the 50 best restaurants in Wales in 2023 here.
Even without the food and drink, which others described as “great value for money” and “excellently authentic”, the “lovely vibe and cosy atmosphere” is enough to attract visitors from across the world.
Fiona Everette, an Australian who writes a blog about her travels, described Ty Coch Inn as Wales’ best kept secret: “It does take a lot to impress an Australian when it comes to beaches, but this is one of the best bars in Wales,” wrote Fiona in her blog, Atlas Introspective.
“The effort required to reach this charming pub does contribute to a certain atmosphere,” she added. “But it is precisely the isolation that makes the location so appealing.”
Currently, the pub is open from 11 am to 11 pm from Monday to Saturday, and 12-5pm on Sunday.
