Ynys Môn (Welsh), otherwise known as Anglesey, is a spectacular island situated in the north-west corner of Wales. Surrounded by coastlines, dramatic cliffs, a plethora of beaches and incredible wildlife as far as the eye can see, it’s no wonder Anglesey has a reputation as one of the most beautiful islands in the UK.
Separated from North Wales by the Menai Strait, large parts of the landscape are considered Areas of Outstanding Beauty. It's even home to the GeoMôn UNESCO Global Geopark, one of the top Geoparks in the world.
It’s also steeped in fascinating history. Think: Iron Age settlements, disused copper mines, age-old rock formations and traditional sea salt harvesting, all in a day’s work. And that’s not to mention the huge number of incredible beaches to explore. Highlights include Traeth Lligwy, Llanddwyn, Benllech, Aberffraw, Traeth Y Ora, and more; there seems to be something for everyone in Anglesey.
Interestingly, Anglesey is also home to the second highest percentage of Welsh speakers in Wales (57.2%). Sometimes known as the heartland of the language, it’s the perfect place to try your hand at learning one of the oldest languages in Europe (and the oldest language in Britain). As they say…Cenedl heb iaith, cenedl heb galon.
With that in mind, here’s a brief overview of just some of the incredible activities you can get up to in this beautiful part of the world.
It just wouldn’t be an article about Anglesey without mentioning the incredible hiking opportunities you’ll find here on this island. From dramatic clifftops and pristine sandy beaches to quaint Welsh villages, along with some epic wildlife; there are endless options for novice and experienced walkers alike.
One of the most popular trails is the Anglesey Coastal Path, which stretches roughly 125 miles round the coastline. Fully waymarked, the whole route is perfect for an experienced adventurer, though it can be tackled in sections for those wanting a slightly shorter route.
Another epic route is the hike to Holyhead Mountain, which offers panoramic views of Anglesey, Eryri (Snowdonia), the nearby islands, and far beyond into the Irish Sea. The trail is relatively short but steep, making it a rewarding climb for those who reach the summit. Along the way, walkers can explore ancient burial sites and remnants of past civilisations.
Just down the road you’ll also find the South Stack Cliffs RSPB Nature Reserve (Cymru Ynys Lawd). Here you can park in the RSPB car park and walk along cliff paths towards the South Stack lighthouse, where you’ll find a very steep descent down a large number of stairs (remember this for the way back). It’s also worth mentioning that you need to pay to visit the lighthouse itself. But if you time your visit right, along the way you’ll witness an unbelievable number of nesting seabirds in the cliffs. It’s a truly spectacular sight to behold.
For a different experience, the trails around Newborough Forest provide a beautiful setting for exploring. This expansive area features a network of paths that wind through lush woodlands, sandy dunes, and along the shores of Llanddwyn Island. From here you can see across the water to the edge of the mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia). Llanddwyn Island is a pretty popular spot for tourists but it really is worth it. When I visited last summer, I spotted seals and dolphins in the water, as well as oystercatchers in the rocks and a pair of ringed plovers and their chick nesting in the sand.
And lastly, a must-see for those interested in industrial heritage, I’d definitely recommend Parys Mountain. This distinctive landscape shows the remnants of copper mining activities from the 18th and 19th centuries. The route features colourful mineral-stained hills and fascinating historical landmarks, providing hikers with both natural beauty and a glimpse into the island’s mining past. It’s perfect for an afternoon of wandering and getting lost in the uniqueness of the landscape.
Nearby you’ll also find the port town of Amlwch, which is home to some fantastic pubs and a fascinating Geopark centre. Here, you can find out all about the ancient geology of the GeoMôn UNESCO Global Geopark.
Anglesey is rich in prehistoric monuments, offering visitors a glimpse into the island's ancient and mystical past. One of the most iconic sites is the Neolithic burial chamber known as Bryn Celli Ddu, which dates back to around 3000 BC. Visitors can explore the site and marvel at the intricate carvings on some of the stones, as well as the offerings left by pilgrims and modern-day pagans. The route from the car park takes you past an idyllic stream too, surrounded by countryside for miles around.
The remains of the ancient settlement at Lligwy, near Moelfre, are also a highlight for those interested in prehistoric life. Boasting monuments from the Neolithic, Roman and Medieval eras, it makes for an incredible insight into the past. From the Neolithic era, you’ll find the Lligwy burial chamber overlooking Lligwy Bay. Then there’s the Din Lligwy Hut Circle, a ruin of roundhouses that once served as homes for settlers in Roman times. And finally, you’ll find Hen Capel Lligwy, an atmospheric medieval church dating back to the 12th century.
The Ty Mawr Hut Circles are another incredible site comprising the remains of roughly 20 stone houses, stores, and workshops. Like Bryn Celli Ddu, you can walk inside these remains (now unroofed), capturing a glimpse of what the size and structure of each hut would have looked like. Across the site, you’ll find grinding stones for processing wheat, and even a stone sink embedded into the ground. At 4000 years old, the site dates back to the Iron Age and is located on the mountainside of Holyhead, giving you views of Eryri, Ireland and out to sea.
Other prehistoric highlights include: Barclodiad y Gawres, Bodowyr Burial Chamber, Trefignath Neolithic Chambered Cairn, Llys Rhosyr and more.
Whilst one is inevitably drawn to the nature of Anglesey, there’s also plenty of options in terms of indoor activities too. For example, why not check out Angelsey’s very own sea salt company, Halen Môn. Established in 2005, it’s famous for its unique, hand-harvested sea salt, which is collected from the waters of the Menai Strait. The salt is celebrated for its exceptional quality and distinctive taste, thanks to the traditional methods used in its production, in which seawater is collected and evaporated in large pans. Halen Môn has gained international acclaim, winning numerous awards and attracting chefs from around the globe. Visitors can tour the facilities and learn about the salt-making process, sample various products, and appreciate the craftsmanship behind this quintessentially Welsh product. You can even try a seaweed bath whilst you’re there!
There’s also the unique Anglesey Sea Zoo. Located near the picturesque Menai Strait, the zoo features a variety of exhibits, including native species such as seahorses, jellyfish, and various fish, as well as interactive displays that educate visitors on the importance of marine ecosystems. With a strong emphasis on sustainability, the zoo engages in research and rehabilitation efforts, making it an important centre for marine education.
Oriel Môn, a museum located in Llangefni, is another important hub for education. Here you’ll find a history gallery and an art gallery, the former providing great insight into the culture and social history of the island. The art gallery, on the other hand, hosts a variety of different exhibitions from Welsh artists such as Charles Tunnicliffe, Kyffin Williams, and more.
If, however, you’re more drawn to culinary delights, check out the fantastic array of restaurants and eateries around the island. With a focus on local produce and seafood in particular, there’s plenty to get your teeth stuck into. A few choice favourites include (but are not limited to): The Oystercatcher in Rhosneigr, The White Eagle in Rhoscolyn, and the Lobster Pot in Porth Swtan.
One of Anglesey’s biggest attractions in terms of wildlife is the incredible variety of seabirds and marine mammals. Most notably, this beautiful isle is famous for its population of puffins, in part due to the impressive cliff faces found throughout the island including at South Stack Cliffs Nature Reserve. These cliff faces provide excellent nesting sites for puffins as well as other majestic seabirds such as auks, razorbills, guillemots, terns, and choughs.
In fact, there are boat tours that travel from the quaint town of Beaumaris to Puffin Island, a protected island well renowned for its breeding seabirds and extensive wildlife, including – you guessed it – puffins. You’ll also pass the spectacular Trwyn Du Lighthouse and Beaumaris Castle en route. Just remember to bring some binoculars, as these little birds are a lot smaller than you expect.
Elsewhere on the island, you’ll find birds such as peregrine falcons and black kites, and wading shorebirds such as oystercatchers, ringed plovers, curlews, dunlins, and more. The great population of these birds is no doubt due to a large number of protected wildlife reserves throughout the island.
In the water itself, you’ll find an impressive number of seals, dolphins, and harbour porpoises, as well as the occasional whale sighting here and there. Though very rare, these Welsh waters are also sometimes home to leatherback turtles that wander the oceans in search of jellyfish to eat.
Anglesey is also well known for its high population of red squirrels. In particular, you’ll find colonies in Pentraeth and Newborough Forest. For more information on the spectacular array of fauna on this Welsh isle, check out the North Wales Wildlife Trust and see the amazing work they do.
The flora is similarly diverse and reflects the island's uniquely varied habitats and landscapes. Visitors can find an array of wildflowers, including vibrant orchids and bluebells, which thrive in the island's grasslands and meadows. The coastal regions boast unique saltmarsh plants such as glasswort and marsh samphire (great for foragers), while the interior features ancient woodlands filled with oak, birch, and hazel trees.
Heathland areas, on the other hand, are home to heather and gorse, a staple of Celtic landscapes. This rich tapestry of plant life not only enhances the island's natural beauty but also supports a wide range of wildlife, making Anglesey the vital ecological landscape that it is.
If you’re coming from overseas, you’ll find the nearest airports in Liverpool (Liverpool John Lennon airport) and Manchester. Alternatively, if you’re coming from the Emerald Isle, there’s a ferry port right in the heart of Anglesey in Holyhead. Ferries here arrive from Dublin and you can take a car, motorcycle, bicycle or travel as a foot passenger.
Alternatively, if you’re coming by car from mainland Britain, Anglesey is pretty easily accessed by motorway networks. From the south of England, the M6 and the M54 will take drivers onto the A5 at Telford, sending you straight into North Wales. From Scotland and the north of England, on the other hand, you take the M6 till it joins the M56, before taking the A55 that leads to Anglesey.
If you’re keen to minimise your carbon footprint, however, the North Wales Coast train line has got you covered. Stretching between Crewe and Holyhead, you’ll get to take in some incredible scenery en route, including coastlines, castles, ancient bridges and more.
Influenced by the mighty Atlantic Ocean (and the Irish Sea), Wales has a maritime climate creating changeable weather with a fair amount of – yes, you guessed it – rain. With mild winters and cool summers, this climate creates the luscious greenery Wales is known for. Not a bad payoff if you ask me.
Anglesey is unsurprisingly not much different, though the closer proximity to the sea makes for quicker changes in the weather. On average, the high temperatures range from 12° through to 19° in the spring and summer months, with lows of 4° to 11°. Having said this, when I visited in July of this year, there were sunny days that reached 28°. So, cross your fingers and you might be in for some luck.
With this in mind, April through to September are probably the most popular months to visit if you’re looking to avoid the colder weather, with the main tourist season running from June to September. Going during the tourist months will ensure that most attractions will be open. However, there is still plenty to do in the chillier months too – think wistful wintry walks, roaring pub fires, hearty food and more.
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