A NORTH Ceredigion peak in the Cambrian Mountains became Britain’s highest ‘beach’ for an afternoon to celebrate Wales’ Year of the Sea.

The summit of Pumlumon Fawr was transformed into a 752-metre high ‘mountain beach’ as the RNLI, mountain rescue teams, a donkey, sun worshippers and hillwalkers made their way to the top over the weekend.

Deckchairs, sand, a beach volleyball set, lifeguard equipment and even a life-sized crab were toted up the trail by beachgoers.

The idea was the brainchild of local hill walker Dafydd Wyn Morgan from the Walkers are Welcome community of Tregaron, who wanted to bring the Year of the Sea in Wales to the area’s highest peak.

“The Welsh Government is celebrating 2018 as the Year of the Sea and I wanted to embrace that in the Welsh mountains,” Dafydd said.

“We had sun, sand, SPF and ice creams with some of the best views in the country.

“The idea was formed on the back of an envelope in the local pub, and 12 months later the Cambrian Mountains became home to Britain’s highest beach. At least for the afternoon.”

Locals from Tregaron, Ceredigion RNLI lifeguards, Aberdyfi Search and Rescue Team, Welsh artist Miranda Whall and Jane Batchelor - who has just hiked 3,500 miles through Britain - were all part of the beach team on Saturday, 2 June.

“Of course not everybody lives on the Welsh coast so people and businesses in the Cambrian Mountains communities of central Wales wanted to take part the themed year,” Dafydd said. “And our mountain beach was born.”

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