About Anglesey

Anglesey is an island off the north-west coast of Wales At 260 square miles (673 km²), is the largest island in Wales. Based on the 2021 census the population was 68,900. The economy is heavily reliant on livestock farming and tourism.

The Menai Strait to the mainland is spanned by the Menai Suspension Bridge, designed by Thomas Telford in 1826, and the Britannia Bridge. built in 1850 and replaced after being destroyed by fire in 1970. It is free to cross both bridges.

Anglesey is a low-lying island with low hills spaced evenly over the north. The highest two are Holyhead Mountain (photo below), 220 metres and Mynydd Bodafon, 178 metres.

There are several scattered small towns. The largest are Holyhead, Llangefni, Benllech, Menai Bridge and Amlwch.

Beaumaris in the east features Beaumaris Castle, and is a vachting centre, with boats moored in the bay. There are numerous independent shops, art galleries and restaurants in Beaumaris.

Nearby is the village with the longest name in Europe, Llanfairpwllqwyngllgogerchyrndrobwlllantsyilliogogogogoch (often abberviated to Llanfair PG) with its own Railway station, and Plas Newydd, ancestral home of the Marcuessess of Anglesey.

The town of Amlwch lies in the north-east of the island and was once largely industrialised, having grown in the 18th century to support a major copper mining industry at Parys Mountain.

Other settlements include Cemeas, Pentraeth, Gaerwen, Dwyran, Bodedern, Malltraeth and Rhosneigr. Many of these locations have become tourist hot spots, in particular, I would suggest visits to Cemaes, Rhosneigr, Beaumaris, Trearddur Bay (Holyhead) and Amlwch.

There are numerous windmills on Anglesey, the best example being Melin Lynon which you can visit and purchase the infamous "monuts"

There are a few natural lakes, mostly in the west, such as Llyn Lywwenan, the largest on the island, Llyn Coron, and Cors Cerrig y Daran, but rivers are few and small. There are two large water supply reservoirs operated by Welsh Water - Llyn Alaw to the north of the island and Llyn Cefni in the centre of the island, which is fed by the headwaters of the Afon Cefnii

The coastline is classed as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), with many sandy beaches, notably along its east coast between Beaumaris and Amlwch and west coast from Ynys Llanddwyn through Rhosneigr to the bays around Carmel Head. The north coast has sharp cliffs with small bays. The Anglesey Coastal Path outlining the island is 124 miles (200 km) long and touches 20 towns and villages.

There are five lighthouses around Anglesey that are operational. These are Trwyn Du, Point Lynas, Skerries, South Stack and Holyhead Breakwater. There are also several redundant lighthouses on Anglesey, the most famous of which are on Ynys Llanddwyn (Llanddwyn island). It is possible to visit all of these lighthouses with the exception of Skerries.

There is an RAF base on the West of Anglesey, RAF Valley, which is used for advanced fast-jet flying training. If you have an interest in aviation and military aircraft then RAF Valley should have something for you! As well as our Hawk T2’s RAF Valley has visiting aircraft and helicopters. The “Spotters” car park is near the end of the runway, across the road from the main gate and provides a great viewing opportunity.

The Anglesey Show is is an annual two-day event, a great day out for the whole family in the heart of the beautiful Isle of Anglesey. Farmers from around the country compete in livestock–rearing contests, including sheep and cattle. Anglesey Agricultural Show | Anglesey Show Ground North Wales

Perhaps because of the fabulous scenery, a number of running events are held on Anglesey throughout the season Anglesey Fun Runs & Running Events (runningcalendar.co.uk) in addition to hosting the annual Sandman Triathlon in Newborough (September 2023 TBC).

The ferry port of Holyhead handles over two million passengers a year. Stena Line and Irish Ferries sail to Dublin making a day trip from Anglesey to Dublin perfectly viable.