Discover a charming coastal village where ancient legends meet family-friendly beaches, featuring the mysterious Carreg Bica – the legendary giant’s tooth rock on its pristine shores
The beach is a peaceful escape (Image: Visit Wales/Harry Williams)
Genuinely Welsh and largely untouched, this thinly populated village is perfectly nestled between dramatic cliffs, creating a breathtaking landscape steeped in mythical legend.
Llangrannog is a charming little village in every sense, yet its beaches remain as stunning as ever, divided by a towering cliff. Cilborth Beach and Llangrannog Beach sit side by side, and at low tide it’s a simple stroll between the two.
The rock positioned in the centre of the beach has a peculiar shape and seems a rather strange place to have emerged from the ground. But this is no ordinary rock – it is more famously known as Carreg Bica, meaning Bica’s rock.
Legend has it that this mysterious rock once belonged to a giant named Bica, who resided nearby in Ceredigion. As the story goes, he suffered from an agonisingly painful toothache and was ultimately left with no option but to wrench his tooth out.
He tore it from his mouth and flung it onto the sand, where it has remained for countless ages, captured in photographs throughout history. It serves as a charming local landmark, and at low tide it can be spotted from both beaches.
Best holiday cottage deals in Wales
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Wales is renowned for its stunning mountains, picturesque coastline and rich Celtic history. Sykes has a wide and varied collection of holiday cottages, houses and apartments across the country. Prices start from £35 per night with current deals.
Yet Llangrannog has far more to offer than just its legendary rock, with its beaches providing a natural playground for children and families alike to discover and explore.
As the tide rolls in, it not only reveals a longer stretch of sand but also uncovers a wealth of rock pools, where visitors can hunt for crabs, winkles and limpets.
One visitor described it as a “great day out”, writing on TripAdvisor: “Gorgeous cove with a sandy beach and excellent division for those with dogs. Parked in the top FREE car park and a 15 min walk down. Fabulous cafe with homemade ice cream right on the shore.”
Another shared: “What a find and dog-friendly too! An amazing beach and a real gem. A few good well-priced cafes and a lovely pub all right on the beach.
“Didn’t do park and ride as was able to park by the beach (had to pay, but worth the money, especially as it has an elderly relative, so easy access). Would highly recommend for all ages.”
It’s important to note, however, that numerous reviewers on the platform have lodged serious complaints about the beachside car park.
Many claim to have been “scammed”, receiving parking fines of £100 which have “spoilt” what is otherwise an apparently stunning location.
To sidestep this issue, seeking alternative public parking would be advisable, or better still, there’s a coastal path stretching along the entire area, connecting other nearby beaches to those in Llangrannog village.
For instance, by beginning your day at Tresaith Beach, you can weave a peaceful coastal walk into your plans to reach this spectacular cove while avoiding the reported car park mayhem.
Upon arrival, Llangrannog Beach offers several places to grab an ice cream, enjoy a refreshing drink or have a bite to eat. The Beach Hut, Tafell and The Ship are amongst the establishments tucked along this charming stretch of the stunning coastline.
Everything travellers need to know about online check-in rules and bag drop deadlines for Ryanair, EasyJet and Jet2 in 2026
11:51, 27 Apr 2026Updated 12:12, 27 Apr 2026
Passengers flying with these airlines should be aware of the latest check-in rules(Image: Getty )
With the two May bank holidays fast approaching, numerous travellers will be plotting to make the most of the long weekends by jetting off on getaways. Among the most popular airlines operating at UK airports are Ryanair, Jet2 and EasyJet, and passengers flying with these carriers are being urged to familiarise themselves with the latest check-in regulations.
There are specific policies and rules that holidaymakers need to be aware of, including various timing requirements to avoid missing their flights. Due to longer queues at passport control following the rollout of EES (Entry/Exit System) for passengers travelling to non-Schengen destinations, travellers are advised to factor in additional time when arriving at and departing from overseas airports.
Check-in desks have designated closing times for passengers to drop off their luggage before shutting. For anyone heading abroad with bags to check in, here are the current rules for Ryanair, Jet2 and EasyJet you’ll want to get to grips with to avoid last-minute panic.
Ryanair’s latest check-in rules
Ryanair has overhauled how check-in and boarding passes operate in a bid to streamline airport procedures. The most significant upcoming change is that check-in and bag drop desks will close earlier, coming into effect from November 10, 2026. The current deadline means desks typically open two hours before and close 40 minutes before your scheduled departure.
In November, desks will close 60 minutes before departure across all airports. The airline is introducing this change to allow passengers more time to clear security and passport control, particularly owing to potential delays from the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES), reports the Liverpool Echo.
Should you fail to check in online up to two hours before your scheduled departure time, you may still check in at the airport up to 40 minutes before departure, however you will be charged an airport check-in fee. See Ryanair’s table of fees. “We urge all passengers to check in online before arriving at the airport to avoid these fees,” the airline says.
Towards the end of last year, Ryanair switched to 100% digital boarding passes via the Ryanair App, with exceptions for certain destinations such as Morocco and Turkey, which still require printed passes. If you have checked in but are unable to access your digital pass, staff can provide a free replacement.
You can check in via the Ryanair.com website or through the mobile App. Once logged in, select check-in and input your travel document details. For your safety and security, and for the safety and security of your fellow passengers and crew, the check-in process must be completed by you personally, by a passenger on your booking, or by someone with personal knowledge of you and your luggage.
If you have pre-reserved a seat, online check-in is available up to 60 days before your scheduled departure. Bear in mind that both your outbound and return flights must fall within that 60-day window. If you haven’t reserved a seat and one is being randomly allocated to you, check-in opens 24 hours before your flight and closes two hours before departure.
Airport check-in is also an option, though you’ll be charged a fee per passenger for the additional service – refer to Ryanair’s table of fees for full details. Should you have already checked in but are unable to display your boarding pass on the app upon arriving at the airport, you will be issued a replacement boarding pass free of charge.
Jet2’s latest check-in rules
Online check-in through Manage My Booking is available from 28 days up to six hours before departure via Jet2’s website or app. You’ll need to either print your boarding passes, download them to your device, or check in at the airport no later than three hours before your scheduled departure.
At the airport, Jet2 check-in desks typically open at least two hours and 30 minutes before your scheduled departure, and potentially up to three hours beforehand. Jet2 says: “Please arrive at the airport in good time, as our check-in desks will close 40 minutes before your scheduled departure time. By this point, you must have completed the check-in process.” If you have checked luggage, you must arrive at the check-in desk by the time stated on your itinerary, or at least two hours before your flight departs. You are also required to be at the boarding gate no later than 30 minutes before the scheduled take-off time.
Jet2 is unable to provide online check-in for flights departing from Turkey. It says: “You can still complete the process and get your pre-allocated seats, but you’ll need to visit our airport check-in desks to collect your boarding pass before you go to security.”
In line with European Regulations, passengers are prohibited from carrying certain items into security-restricted areas or aboard an aircraft. To view the complete list of banned items, visit the Jet2 website. At select UK airports, Jet2 provides a Twilight Check-in service, allowing passengers to drop off their luggage at the airport the evening prior to departure, provided their flight is scheduled before noon.
Due to the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) which launched on April 10, 2026, travellers should allow additional time at the airport for the mandatory biometric registration process. Once you have checked in online, amendments to your booking, such as adding extra baggage or changing names, cannot be made without contacting customer services directly.
EasyJet’s latest check-in rules
Passengers can check in online from 30 days up until two hours before departure, downloading or printing boarding passes for all their flights. A passport or identity card may be required, and EasyJet might ask travellers to verify their contact information.
The airline doesn’t accept PDF scans of boarding passes on mobile devices, as airport security personnel cannot scan them. Passengers must use either the official app version or a clearly printed paper copy. Lost boarding passes can be reprinted, and when printing, the entire pass must be legible.
Should any booking amendments be made – such as adding hold luggage or altering flight times – passengers must check in again and obtain a fresh boarding pass. EasyJet says: “If you have any technical problems whilst checking in, please don’t give up and do try again later. If you continue to have difficulty, please ask our ground crew for help when checking in at the airport: this must be done before the bag drop closing time.”
The airline emphasises there are crucial timings for travel. Passengers need to have all documentation prepared and allow sufficient time to navigate the airport to arrive punctually for their flight. Those running late may be refused travel by EasyJet, resulting in a missed flight. All timings are calculated from your flight’s scheduled departure time. Unless EasyJet informs you otherwise, these timings remain valid even if your flight is delayed, as the airline states it always endeavours to recover any lost time. You can view the complete list of crucial timings on the EasyJet website.
A statement on the website reads: “Please note – airport times may change after you’ve booked. For example, if there’s major disruption or new airport procedures such as increased security. We’ll send any updates using the contact details we have for your booking, so please check with the booker that we have the correct details. Please also check our Flight Tracker for the latest updates about your flight.”
Arrival times differ by airport, but general deadlines are calculated from your scheduled departure:
Bag drop opens: Usually two to three hours before departure.
Bag drop closes: Strictly 40 to 60 minutes before departure, depending on the airport.
Gate closes: Promptly 30 minutes before departure.
With the upcoming May bank holidays and extra long weekends, this might be the best time to book a break by the seaside, and there are some beautiful UK destinations to choose from
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The best UK coastal destinations have been revealed for a staycation (Image: Getty Images)
The UK’s best seaside destinations for a mini staycation have been named, from ‘coral’ beaches to turquoise waters and traditional beach huts lining the shores.
The UK is home to some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes, and the stretches of picturesque coastline more than account for that. From the whitewashed cliffs of Devon to Victorian piers stretching out to sea along the Somerset coast, and the azure waters of Cornwall that compare to those in the Caribbean.
With a whopping 1,500 beaches across the UK, we’re spoilt for choice on where to spend a weekend escape or mini-break by the seaside. Yet, some have been named the best of them all, and it’s in perfect time ahead of the May bank holiday weekends.
Following research by the staycation specialist, Sykes Holiday Cottages, the top 10 UK destinations that are best for a short coastal break have been revealed. Whether you’re looking for a seaside escape with the backdrop of mountain peaks, the pristine shores with sugar-white sand, or the traditional seaside fun with a pleasure pier, there’s somewhere to suit everyone.
Topping the list was the breathtakingly beautiful terrains of the Isle of Skye in Scotland, thanks to stretches of sprawling coastlines against the backdrop of rugged mountains and emerald-green valleys. The beaches are striking, with crystal-clear waters, dark volcanic shores and crushed maerl on the famed Claigan Coral Beach.
St Ives in Cornwall, known for its turquoise waters and golden sand beaches, modestly followed behind. Dubbed the ‘Cornish California’, it’s long been a favourite among Brits seeking a break in the coastal town, with surfing beaches, a charming harbour and sheltered bays.
One that might come as a surprise, beating the likes of Devon, is the diverse coastline of Whitby in North Yorkshire. Its main beach, West Cliff, is known for its wide stretches of golden sand, traditional beach huts, and rock pools, framed by a dramatic backdrop of rocky cliffs and the ruins of historic Whitby Abbey.
In fourth place was the lively coast of Brighton in East Sussex, with its iconic four-mile promenade, historic Palace Pier over its shingle beach and Victorian arches. Known as the ‘London by the Sea’, there’s an energetic atmopshere, a catalogue of eateries, shops and attractions, alongside its traditional seaside charm.
Another seaside spot that made the top five was the Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland, known for its 30-mile stretch of Atlantic coastline, sand beaches and white chalk cliffs. There are villages, towns, and harbours dotted near the coast, offering an idyllic weekend break against its picture-postcard vistas.
While Devon didn’t make the top five, its coast in Torquay put the holiday hotspot amongst the top 10, alongside Anglesey in North Wales and Bournemouth in Dorset. But it was Cornwall that was featured heavily on the list, with Newquay and Padstow also making the top 10 of the best seaside getaways.
Top 10 coastal destinations for a short break:
Isle of Skye, Scotland
St Ives, Cornwall
Whitby, North Yorkshire
Brighton, East Sussex
Causeway Coast, Northern Ireland
Torquay, Devon
Anglesey, North Wales
Bournemouth, Dorset
Newquay, Cornwall
Padstow, Cornwall
To book a staycation by the sea, visit the Sykes Holidays Cottages website. You can also call 01244 617 683, or download the Sykes Holiday Cottages app.
