As the largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Wales, Anglesey has so much to offer its increasing number of tourists that flood to the idyllic island year upon year.
Known to many as the ‘Mother of Wales’ and located perfectly in the far north west of the country, visitors will cherish the unspoilt landscapes, wild windswept beaches and picture-perfect villages dotted all around the area.
Did you know that Anglesey has a town with the longest place name in Britain?
Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch or Llanfair PG for short may be in The Guinness Book of Records for the spectacular size of its name but also for Sidings Restaurant which arguably serves the finest home baked Welsh dishes in the whole of the country. Did you also know that Anglesey is the home of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and that Prince William served a three-year tour with the RAF there? Just a couple of intriguing secrets that you will find on your visit to one of the most distinctive, attractive and varied landscapes in the British Isles.
Anglesey is an island with lots of character and an abundance of history. This is evident in archaeological attractions like Plas Newydd, an enchanting 18th century mansion and gardens with spectacular views over the Menai Strait to the picturesque mountains of Snowdonia. Green fingered enthusiasts will savour the outdoor woodland paradise of shrubs and wild flowers like rhododendrons in the summer and hydrangeas in the autumn, whereas walkers of all ages will enjoy a walk along the Menai Strait passing historical places of interest such as Camellia Dell, once a fully working quarry and Llanedwen Church, one of only a few churches in Wales to still be lit entirely by candles. Why not finish your spectacular stroll with a slice of freshly made cake at the Whistler Dining Room? A well-deserved treat for achieving those 10,000 steps!
Beaumaris Castle is another historical gem. An unfinished masterpiece and World Heritage listed, this 13th century castle was built by English King Edward I to show his dominance over the Welsh, before all his money and supplies ran out. Yet it’s still regarded as the finest of all the great Edwardian castles in Wales. Tradition is something that is rife in Anglesey and three of their most stunning stretches of coastline are marked as Welsh Heritage; from the dog friendly Church Bay to the spectacular shipwrecks at Dulas Bay, Holyhead Mountain encompassing the steep steps of South Stack with its dramatically located lighthouse and Aberffraw Bay, the ideal surfing spot. Beautiful places that deserve their time in the spotlight!
It’s not just surfing that is a popular water sport in Anglesey. Diving is also extremely common in the area. Take Grade II building Rhoscolyn Beacon for instance with its dramatic, rocky coastline, colourful reefs and spectacular sea animals including seals and lobsters. If you’re looking for a range of fun filled activities to get you and your family active in and out of the water, then head to the beautiful seaside resort of Trearddur Bay for a day of enjoyment with flourishing local business Anglesey Adventures. From kayaking to abseiling, you and the family will love these thrill-seeking moments in some of the wildest waters in the UK. Wanting something a bit less rough and ready? Starida Sea Services can offer fantastic fishing trips off the coast of Beaumaris and around Puffin Island, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and home to a plethora of seabirds and seals.
Approximately 2 million people visit Anglesey each year and a lot of them travel via the two impressive bridges over the Menai Straits and to and from the mainland. Pont Menai, the world’s first iron suspension bridge was constructed by Scottish Civil Engineer Thomas Telford in 1826, whereas Pont Britannia designed and built in 1850 by Robert Stephenson, arguably the greatest engineer of the 19th century and the only son of the ‘Father of Railways’ George Stephenson, carries both rail and road traffic. To the side of both these iconic bridges and in a body of water known as the Swillies lies the small yet magical island of Ynys Gorad Goch. A perfect excuse for a picture with your nearest and dearest! Once used as a base to trap and smoke herrings and then sell them to several monasteries in the 13th century, it was recently showcased on television by BBC flagship show Countryfile as well as by comedian Griff Rhys Jones who visited the area for a documentary. Did you know that the island also inspired its own food in the 20th century? The Gorad Whitebait Tea, which has gone down in Welsh legend, was said to have consisted of a pot of tea, brown bread and butter, and whitebait ‘fried in a basket’.
With sensational stories just a small part of the reason why this tranquil island has been an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty for the past 50 years, there’s still so much left for tourists and even its inhabitants to discover in this incredible part of North Wales.