A LLANDUDNO beach blighted by rocks and stones has made the top spot of the "Most Disappointing Beaches In The UK" list.
North Shore Beach was ranked top of the list by Preply, an online language learning marketplace, who used TripAdvisor reviews to carry out their research.
The team created a 'seed list' of the nation’s top 20 most popular and famous beaches, which were then analysed by the number of one, two and three star reviews to reveal which one made visitors and residents feeling "underwhelmed".
North Shore Beach had 223 reviews - 65 were classed as "disappointing" (29 per cent).
Preply said: "Taking the top spot with nearly 30 per cent of disappointing reviews is Llandudno’s North Shore Beach. While the majority had positive experiences, some feedback painted a slightly different picture.
"The beach's use of rocky pebbles, chosen by the local council, has supposedly made walking along the shore a bit tricky for both visitors and their pets (which are also only allowed on the beach at certain times of the year).
"What’s more, visitors should also apparently be cautious of jellyfish that occasionally wash up on the coastline.
"All in all, if you’re considering visiting Llandudno's North Shore Beach, you’d be wise to pack a sturdy pair of shoes."
There has been much concern voiced by residents, visitors, politicians and campaigners over the appearance of Llandudno’s North Shore.
Last October, a petition, with 12,500 signatures demanding sand be put back on Llandudno's North Shore beach, was presented to the Welsh Government. Cllr Ian Turner started the petition to lobby for sand to be put back on the beach after rocks were placed on the seafront in 2014 following Welsh Government-funded sea defence work.
A debate on the matter took place in the Senedd on Wednesday, March 20 2024.
During the debate, Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders, an advocate for sand returning to the beach, said: “In 2014, 50,000 tonnes of dirty quarry rock were dumped without notice or consultation.
“Even town councillors didn’t know. There was no transparency, accountability and responsibility. We are now left with an unsightly, dangerous and inaccessible beach.
“There was an option to see sand restored. The Llandudno Coastal Forum wanted that; Conwy councillors wanted that.
“However, once again, it came down to the cheapest option of constructing a wall, and the potential of adding more rock.
“That is most unacceptable. It will add insult to injury and will undermine Llandudno as the ‘queen of Welsh resorts’."
In August 2022, the Welsh Government rejected Conwy County Borough Council’s proposal for funding to see sand returned to North Shore.
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